Kirkby Stephen, situated a few miles off the main A66 in the Upper Eden Valley has a long heritage and a number of things to look out for if you visit.
Charter Stone - Kirkby Stephen. Cumbria
Towards the southern end of Market Street is the Charter Stone.
Situated outside a food store, to the left as you travel south, is a circular stone embedded into the pavement edge from where the start of Luke fair was proclaimed.
A plaque, possibly made from brass, stands alongside and reads.
CHARTER STONE
Luke Fair ( Oct 27) established 1350
Proclaimed from here.
The plaque beneath the Charter Stone
The Kirkby Stephen Town Luke Fair Charter, reaffirmed in 1605 by James l, granted the right to hold a fair on 27 October, ‘the eve and the morrow’ each year and a market each week.
The fair is so named because of it being held St. Luke’s day.
St Luke’s day is celebrated on the 18th October. It is traditionally a day when girls could have some insight into their future marriage prospects.
He was one of the four Gospel writer’s and is the patron saint of doctors.
You may also be interested in:
- Carlisle Market-Cross restored
- Furlongs from Kirkby Stephen
- Wordsworth drinking fountain- Grasmere
- Ashton Memorial, Lancaster
- Sanquhar monument
