History
Horndon-on-the-Hill remains one of the most charming and historically intriguing villages in this area.
The church of St. Peter & St. Paul is the parish church for Horndon on the Hill and is part of the Parish of Horndon, Orsett and Bulphan. It’s position at the highest point in the village makes it a prominent local landmark.
The Feast and Fayre traditional event dates back to the 13th Century when the village was granted a Royal Charter to hold a feast and celebration on the last weekend in June.
The Feast and Fayre was revived in 1974 when a descendant of the original squire of the area was asked to preside over a pleasantly warm weekend and about a dozen runners attempted the first ever Horndon 10k.
When the Feast and Fayre was revived, the church was open during the weekend with a themed Flower Festival, this tradition continues and is always beautiful to see.
Food and drink is still at the centre of the celebrations at the church so come in for a cuppa with a slice or two of cake while listening to musical interludes. You’ll be made very welcome!
Horndon Feast & Fayre is part of Britain’s heritage and we are committed to keeping that tradition alive.
Every year the Feast and Fayre has a different theme. The entertainment for the weekend is chosen to be in keeping with the theme where possible.
Please join us in a village steeped in history to enjoy all types of entertainment, stalls, crafts, food and drink.
A Tribute to Sir Graham Bright
In Feast & Fayre’s revival Golden Jubilee Year, we wish to pay tribute to one of the founders and long-time supporters of the event, Sir Graham Bright, who has passed away at the age of 81. Sir Graham was born in Horndon-on-the-Hill and was educated at Hassenbrook Secondary Modern in Stanford- Le-Hope. He went on to serve on Thurrock Council before becoming a Member of Parliament in 1979. During his time in Westminster, Sir Graham served as a Parliamentary Private Secretary to various members of the Cabinet for 18 years, most notably to Sir John Major for his first four years as Prime Minister (1990–94). Sir Graham was a leading light in the revival of Feast & Fayre in the seventies and will be fondly remembered for donning a mediaeval monk’s outfit and acting as an exemplary Master of Ceremonies for the Feast & Fayre for over two decades. Our sincere condolences to his wife Valerie and son Rupert.
Dave Staines Horndon 10k Race
This very enjoyable challenge has now become a highlight of the weekend's activities and brings hundreds of serious athletes and fun runners back to Horndon for what is a great family day out.
Please head over to the 10k website for more information about this event and previous years.
Click image for website
Programme
Saturday
9am
Road Closed
Throughout the day- Eddie Claydon Jazz Band
High Road Stage
10:00-10:30 G and T duet
High Road Stage
10:00 Service and Peel of Bells
Church St Peters and St Pauls
10:15 Procession
Church to High Road
10:30 Minstrels and Handsaround
T-Junction High Road/Mill Lane
10:45 Opening Ceremony
T-Junction High Road/Mill Lane
11:00-11:15 Danceology
High Road - Methodist Church
11:00-12:00 U3A uke band
Bakehouse
11:00-13:00 Circus Skills workshop with Rhythm and Balls
Church grounds/ Mill Lane
11:30 Poetry Competition
T-Junction High Road/Mill Lane
12:00-12:30 Minstrels
Bakehouse
11:45-12:30 G and T duo
High Road - Stage
12:30-13:00 U3A uke band
Bakehouse
12:30-13:00 Chris Hutton
High Road – Stage
13:30-13:45 Handsaround
Bakehouse
13:45 Procession down the High Street
High Road
14:00 Boat race
Outside the Woolmarket
14:00-14:30 Procession performance
Methodist
14:00-15-00 Lady and the Scamp
High Road - Stage
14:30 Procession back up the Road
High Road
14:30-15:30 Saxophone Group
Bakehouse
14:45-16:30 Circus Skills workshop with Rhythm and Balls
Church grounds/ Mill Lane
15:00-15:30 G n T duo
High Road - Stage
15:30-16:30 Early Closing Ukes
Bakehouse
15:00-16:00 Chris Hutton
Ostlers
Sunday
9am
Road Closed
Throughout the day- Eddie Claydon Jazz Band
High Road Stage
10:00-10:30 Saxophone Duet
High Road Stage
10:00-11:30 Out of the Blue Ukulele band
Bakehouse
10:15 Procession
Church to High Road
10:30 Minstrels
T-Junction High Road/Mill Lane
11:00 Horndon 10k RACE
11:30-12:00 Saxophone Duet
Bakehouse
11:45-12:30 Little Kingdom
High Road – Stage
12:00 Wickford Majorettes
High Road Methodist Church
12:00 Swanning Around folk music
Bakehouse
12:30 Out of the Blue
Bakehouse
13:00 Procession down the High Street
High Road
13:30 Saxophone Duet
Bakehouse
13:15-13:45 Procession performance
Methodist
13:45-14:30 Ynamit
High Road - Stage
14:30-15:00 Lost and Found
High Road - Stage
15:00-15:30 Saxophone Duet
High Road - Stage
16:00 Tug of War
High Road
The Swan
Saturday
CHILDRENS ENTERTAINMENT
12pm – 12:40pm - Tommy’s Magic Show
3pm – 3:40pm – Tommy’s Magic Show
Main Stage
12pm – 1.30pm
Radio Extra with Dj Dave Gilbert
1:30pm – 3:45pm
Rachel leach
3:45pm – 4:45pm
Radio Extra with Dj Dave Gilbert
4:45pm – 7pm
The Mighty Bosscats
8pm – 9pm
Radio Extra with Dj Dave Gilbert
9pm – 11pm Solar 9
The Swan
Sunday
CHILDRENS ENTERTAINMENT
1pm – 1:40pm - Tommy’s Magic Show
3pm – 3:40pm – Tommy’s Magic Show
Main Stage
12pm – 1.30pm
Radio Extra with Dj Dave Gilbert
1:30pm – 4:30pm
Amy Baker Band
4:30pm – 5pm
Radio Extra with Dj Dave Gilbert
5pm – 6pm
Rob Oliver Duo
6pm – 7pm
Rob Oliver Duo
7:30pm – 10:30pm
The Ruby’s (Inside The Swan Bar)
Stall Holders
Stalls are available to hire. Each stall is 3x3 meters. There are options to be inside one of our village buildings, outside on the High Road or on our new area in front of the Church on Mill Lane. We do have limited availability for stalls outside with electricity, these are allocated as bookings are received however here is a limited number available.
Please click on the links below to find out more and fill in an application form.
Volunteers
All the members of the Feast and Fayre Organising Committee are volunteers, there are only a few of us and an event of this scale takes a lot of work so we are always looking for people who are willing to help.
Volunteering is extremely rewarding, the Horndon Feast and Fayre is a great event and we always have a really fun weekend.
If you have ever been interested in helping out, even if its only for an hour we would love to hear from you. The Volunteer application form is a chance to let us know what you would like to do and for how long.
This year we are trialing a volunteer reward scheme, this means you will receive a voucher for a drink or food at one of the many vendors (details TBC)
All money raised goes to local Groups, Charities and Societies. Over the weekend we endeavour to raise as much money as we can to help these great causes.
FAQs
Road Closures
*The High Road is closed from the junction with Hillcrest Road to the Ostlers.
*Mill Lane is Closed from the junction with Stephens Cresent to the High Road.
There is no vehicular access on these roads from 9am to 6pm on both days.
Parking
Parking is situated at the Recreation ground on Orsett Road, SS17 8NR. Please refrain from parking around the village as this impedes access for emergency vehicles.
Disabled Parking/Accessibility
Disabled Parking is available.
Toilets
Toilets are available in The Woolmarket, The Village Hall, The Methodist Hall, The Church, The Swan, and The Bell Inn.
Accessible toilets are available in The Village Hall, The Woolmarket and The Bell Inn.
Food and Drink
There are multiple places to get a large variety of food and drink throughout the village including;
The Bell Inn, The Swan, The Ostlers, Reddingtons Butchers, The Church, The Methodist Hall, The Woolmarket and various street vendors.
Public Transport
The closest public transport is situated in Stanford Le Hope, this consists of a regular bus service with stops near to the foot bridge at the bottom of South Hill and the Fenchurch St to Southend train line.
ATM
There is no current ATM in the village. There is a small Post office with the ability to dispense cash but only during opening hours. The Post Office is on Orsett Road behind the Shop.