ONE of Witney's oldest celebrations is set to return to town next week.

The Witney Feast, which will mark its 774th anniversary, will see an enormous fun fair on The Leys with games, rides and entertainment for the whole family.

Festivities include a service at St Mary's Church on Sunday evening before the fair gets under way on Monday and Tuesday.

Mayor of Witney Chris Woodward said: "The Witney Feast is something we all look forward to every year. The feast not only has great historical significance to the town and St Mary's Church in particular, but builds on our strong traditions, family fun and togetherness, and working with our close friends within the showmen and their families who work tirelessly to bring these great attractions for the whole community to enjoy.

"Each year we have a civic service in the church and the congregation procession head down to the golden gallopers to sing in celebration of the feast.

"Everyone is so very welcome to the services and help to kick start a brilliant couple of days in the town."

The Witney Feast will start at St Mary's Church with a traditional service at 6pm with Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft.

The congregation will then head to the fairground for a second service at 7pm.

Festivities will then continue on Monday and Tuesday as the fairground on The Leys gets into full swing, running until 10pm on both days.

The fair, run by Bob Wilson's Fun Fairs, is the largest in the town and one of the biggest in Oxfordshire.

This year will see the usual rich variety of fairground rides, sideshows, food stalls and activities to please audiences of all ages.

Laura Price, county councillor for Witney, said the feast was something people in the town are always excited for.

She said: "The Feast is something that the whole town looks forward to.

"It's a great way to say goodbye to summer with lots to enjoy - from the funfair to a range of events at St Mary's."

The Witney Feast started in 1243 when King Henry III granted two deer from the Royal Forest of Wychwood to celebrate the rededication of the church.

The parish feast is recorded in the 1640s as having “dancing, singing and much drinking” and by the 1790s there was a fair selling livestock and merchandise.

In the 19th century there were horse races on Curbridge Down and, by the 1870s, there was a large pleasure fair and people were shipped in on special trains.

In 1902 legendary cricketer WG Grace attended the feast and two years later, as it expanded, festivities moved from Church Green to The Leys.