UNCLE Tom Cobley and all will be off to Widecombe Fair tomorrow, September 12.

Ring events begin at 9.30am, with a spot of horse judging, and end with the fair’s tug-o-war from 7pm.

The Dartmoor Hill Pony Display Team will be heading the line-up in the main ring, and there’ll be sheep shearing competitions; sheep and cattle pens; vintage machinery; and the flower and produce tent to peruse throughout the day.

For those who wish to compete there’s also the Uncle Tom Cobley race and bale tossing.

Uncle Tom Cobley himself, with his grey mare, will be at the fair, and new for this year will be the village bobby in the stocks.

Music will be provided by festival favourites Folk at the Fair and other local artists of a folky persuasion, playing from 10am through to midnight. There’s also acoustic music this year, at a new acoustic stage under the chestnut tree.

With tons of arts and crafts and local produce to eat and drink it’ll be another fun year at the famous country fair.

A spokesman for the event said: ‘Widecombe Fair attracts visitors from far and wide.

‘Established as a rural market for sheep, cattle and ponies in the early 1800s, though some say it was going on in a smaller capacity well before then, the fair’s historically held a central position on the local agricultural scene.

‘Although nowadays no buying and selling of cattle takes place, it continues to thrive as a showcase for all things local, traditional and agricultural. It remains a real ‘farmers’ fair, though mainly a social occasion these days.

‘It maintains strong ties with the local farming and rural community, young and old, and in-between, and is organised and run entirely by volunteers, with the twin aims of providing a great day out for locals and those from further afield, and raising money for local causes.’