WEBLINKS
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 |  | The curious mop fair tradition is one that's had many a confused tourist scratching their head and wondering how and why there's a fun fair in the middle of a town centre.
A curious tradition it may be, but it's a fantastic one and is looked forward to by everyone in and nearby a mop town.
Mop fairs happen around the country throughout the year and many are in parks. What makes the Warwickshire mops so amazing is they take place on the streets of the town centres.
Studley mop, the first in South Warwickshire's series, is set up on the recreation ground, but all the others - the Alcester, Henley, Warwick, Southam and Stratford mops - are based in and around the shops.
If you've never seen a mop in action in one of these historic towns, it's an amazing sight that's well worth a look.
Looking for a good time - or a job?
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The mop fair tradition goes back centuries and stems from hiring fairs, where farmers, tradesmen and householders gathered to employ their servants for the coming year.
It was customary for those looking for work to display an item which showed their trade. Waggoners wore whipcord in their hats, a knot of horse hair indicated a groom, while more lowly workers wore a piece of mop, which is where the mop fair name comes from.
If you were chosen for a job, you were given cash as a retainer which was usually spent at the fair on sideshows, food and drink and having a good time.
听Ride and a slice, anyone?
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| 听 |  | Last year's mayor Sheila Price gets to grips with a fish at the Stratford mop
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Obviously, and probably thankfully, the need to hire and fire on the street has long since gone and for many, many years, mop fairs have been solely about having fun.
In Stratford, which is home to one of the country's biggest fairs, the mop became a funfair after World War I. This was also when the custom developed of the mayor holding a pig or ox roast before the opening of the fair.
The custom remains today and with typical Stratford pomp on civic occasions, the mayor reads the mop proclamation and the master of the mop leads the mayor around the fair before the mayor selects a ride to go on.
On the first morning of the fair, which is almost always 12 October, children of the town enjoy the rides free of charge.
Charity is also a huge part of the mop. The first slice of meat from the pig roast is auctioned, which often raises hundreds of pounds.
The fair operator and master of the mop, William Wilson of Bob Wilson Funfairs, also makes a contribution from the takings on charity night, which is traditionally the first night of the fair.
听*Can you see yourself?*
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Take a look at our gallery by clicking below and see if you can spot you - or your mates - at this year's mop in Stratford
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