MARKETS AND FAIRS 



III 



In 1887 the old Wednesday market was re-established. The 

 question was fully discussed by the Farmers' Club, who petitioned 

 the Corporation to open the market on Wednesdays for three months 

 in the year for the sale of farm produce and fruit. The petition was 

 granted, and the market opened on the first Wednesday in July and 

 continued during August and September, and is now continued into 

 October as long as the fruit lasts ; but it is not well attended except 

 during the fruit season ; in September, 1909, the whole square was 

 crowded with carts of damsons and apples, and there were also a few 

 lots of hazel nuts exposed for sale. On Saturday the 8th of October, 

 1909, carts and hampers of damsons extended for about half a mile 

 being densely packed the whole length of Highgate to as far as the foot 

 of Captain French Lane — the price was 6d. to lod. per score, a few 

 years previous the price was 10/- per score. 



The fairs continued to be held on February 22nd and November 9th 

 for horses on the New Road, and March 22nd, April 29th and Novem- 

 ber 8th for cattle on the Beast Banks, till a few years ago, since when 

 the dates have been fixed and altered somewhat by the Corporation — 

 the November fairs in 191 1 being held on the 31st of October for 

 cattle and the ist of November for horses — it is recorded that the 

 cattle fair on the Beasts' Banks in that year was the smallest ever 

 known. They are not, any of them, of the importance they once 

 were prior to the opening of the auction marts — but they still attract 

 a considerable number of animals. 



According to a book in Beetham Church the prices in 1737 and 

 1777 were : — 



The prices in Kendal Market were on June 29th, 1799 : — 



Wheat, none ; Oats, 25/- to 26/- per quarter of 8 Winchester bushels. Rye, 

 none. Barley, none. Wheat fiour, 3/3 to 3/4 ; Oat-meal, 2/8 per stone of 

 16 lbs. Beef, 5d. to 8d. ; Mutton, 6d. to 8d. ; Veal, 3d. to 5d., and Lamb, 5d. 



