Newent Annual Raw Onion Eating Competition

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.

Newent Onion Fayre is a one day street festival of food drink and merriment which attracts almost 15,000 visitors. The unique Onion Show which takes place to celebrate, promote and encourage use of onions is the only UK event dedicated to the onion. People party during what has become recognised as a celebration of the first day of harvest at the end of the summer. It has become the largest one-day festival in the whole of Gloucestershire.
Historically Newent, can trace its roots way back. It has a market and two annual fayres granted by King Henry III. At the end of the 13th century it was a thriving market town where Welsh drovers, passing through to Gloucester, would purchase local onions at the towns newly established Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre, remarkably, survived to the early part of the twentieth century when the war years caused it to be cancelled. It was many years later that the idea of resurrecting it was floated. This took place in 1996 and the Fayre was revived as a festival to celebrate local food and drink, and has since increased to make it a well documented and well attended national event.
A mixture of other foodstuffs and caterers now compete with onions for attention along with many local wines and drinks. One tasty product being Onion Marmalade!
This year’s event was opened by Trevor Harrison who is better known by voice than appearance as he stars in the Archers radio programme as Eddie Grundy. Trevor Harrison admitted this was his first ever onion festival.
The crowd gave him a rapturous welcome and he was surrounded by fans who wanted to know all about the show. He was asked if, following this visit, we might hear a storyline about onions!! Trevor spent much time talking to fans of the show and posing for photographs as well as signing autographs.
In Newent the main street and side streets are closed off and given over to a fantastic fun day for the family, with fairground rides and many “have a go” stalls.
At exactly 1 p.m. the audience gathered at the main stage and four lady contestants began to eat the five ounce peeled raw onions. Bev Booth was declared the winner.
Following that a gathering of men climbed onto the stage including last year’s winner Alex Navarou. They were each given a seven ounce peeled raw onion. After a count of ten they were off and Alex showed he was true to form as he rapidly consumed the onion like it was a bread roll. Watching the contestants facial expressions brought tears to my eyes. When they have consumed the onion they have to open their mouth wide and hold their hands outstretched to show the judges that no trace of onion remains. He was proclaimed champion again this year. Here he is posing with his champioship cup. Many stalls promote the onion and there are daily demonstrations of what you can do with onions. Onion stringing was demonstrated by several stringers seen here. Morris Dancers were performing to the crowds.
In addition there is a produce show where various classes of onion are shown and the best wins a prize. Some of these are seriously huge and must have taken some considerable time and care to produce. Overall, it was a perfect day, with perfect weather and a great carnival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors left the streets clutching large bags of onions for their larders at home. The bags made handy seats while waiting for the bus to come.