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.
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 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.
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