Tavistock Goose Fair

To Tavvystock Goozey Vair!

To Tavvystock Goozey Vair, is a narrative folk song and may be why the fair is known as ‘Goosey, Goosie or Gossey’. From 1823, the annual Goosey Fair traditionally provided a forum for trading in business and livestock and has since become a regular social festival for the community and attracts a large number of visitors. The name derives from the old tradition of buying a goose at Michelmas on the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels in time to fatten for Christmas.

Tavistock is taken over by the festival, stalls, a fairground with rides and amusements even cafes and local businesses trade later and have themed menus. “To Tavistock Goosey Fair” was a documentary by Westward Television in 1977, directed by Clive Gunnell and which won an award for the best regional documentary television programme.