Wednesday June 18th 1856The Barnaby Fair in June was the highlight of the year. John’s parents were busy entertaining – they usually had people staying for the fair and friends, relations and valued customers would be invited to dine. The young men were free to enjoy themselves – when they were not at work:
Went to Office At Noon Was about in the fair At Night Steele E.C.Clarke Leonard Joe Capes Schofield & I went down to the Swale Nab in the boat it came on wet & we got wet through we pulled up through the far arch there was a little fresh down but we grated on the bottom.
Monday June 23rd 1856Richard Paver was the twenty-year-old son of the vicar of Brayton, near Selby, and related to the Picks and Howes of Ouseburn, where he learned farming. When in 1872 he inherited Ornhams Hall from Mr Crow, he changed his name to Paver Crow.
Drove home from Dishforth Went to Office At Noon I rode over to Dishforth for some Deeds I had dinner there. came home & went to the Office At Night was walking about in the fair saw two or three battles & a tumble off or two helped the Constables & had some fine fun
Tuesday June 24th 1856
Went to office At Noon was about home Mr Robt Workman & Mrs W. [of Arksey] dined with us & Uncle Wm & Aunt [Henlock]. At Night was about in the fair Went to sup at the D[octo]rs came away about 11 Capes Joe & I walked round the fair had some fun & came home.
Wednesday June 25th 1856
Went to office. At Noon was about home At Night The Clarks of Ellinthorp Steele & E.C.Clark The Sedgwicks & the Hirsts were at our house to tea we had a walk in the garden we had singing &c Sophy H. Mary Sedgwick & I went into the fair to buy pins &c of Mrs Dickinson. They left about 11
Monday June 22nd 1857
Went to Office. At Noon was about in the fair Nineteen of us sat down to dinner After dinner Mr John Mitchell & I had a walk in the fair. At Night Richd Paver, Young Houseman Joe Capes & I had a stroll in the fair
By the early 1880s John’s mother was writing sadly,
The town looks miserably quiet and all the families are going away for Barnaby, what a change from the old times.