It is believed that the name of St James may be linked to the legend Of St James the Apostle, whose remains were found in 813AD. In the North East region of Galicia. By the mid 10th Century many pilgrims were coming from all over Europe to visit the sight and he became the patron saint of Spain.

St James’ fair was held in the Knoll in Friars Haugh ( at the time of the old town of Roxburgh ) , on the first Monday of every August as far back as the 11th century., so it had been held for nearly two hundred years when King James 1 of Scotland was born on Dec 10th1394. With the advent of the Royal Burghs, it was decreed that that the fair had to be cried by a Royal Burgh so it fell to the Provost of Jedburgh ( Jedburgh being the nearest Royal Burgh to Kelso) to carry out the duty .

The fair is called by the Jedburgh Provost

 

Although details are sketchy , the Fair seems to have been held regularly until interrupted in the last century by the two world wars. The first Kelso Laddie was chosen in 1937. As far as we know, the only Laddie to be present at the opening ceremony was David Clow. He faced the Jethart contingent unaided in 1939 when Kelso’s Provost Titilah claimed absence to attend another engagement. After World War 2 ended in 1945, the fair was held annually until 1956. At noon that year, Drummer Moodie of Jedburgh Boys Brigade, escorted by Halberdiers Beattie and Dorrity, led the procession. Provost Elliot of Jedburgh and Baillie Turnbull proclaimed the conditions of the fair and the “crying of the fair” was read by Leslie S Prentice. Town Clerk, and repeated by Haberdier Dorrity, in the presence of Provost Mitchell, Mr J Hunter Murray (Baron Baillie to the Duke of Roxburghe) and other guests and spectators. In Medieval times,

St James’ fair was a Famous market for the sale of linen, cheese, wool and lint as well as for livestock. In later years events including show jumping following on from the tradition of the buying and selling of horses. It was a popular annual gathering for the gypsies who arrived with their caravans to trade in horses, sell their wares and tell fortunes. However, by 1956, there was only one family, from Berwick representing the travellers.

Following the successful celebration of the 200th anniversary of Kelso's Rennie bridge at the end of August 2003, Kelso Community Events   was established with the help of Kelso Chamber of Trade and the Community Council. with the aim of promoting the town as a place to visit thereby helping the unique local community of individual shopkeeper's as well as the catering and hotel trade.  

Involvement of local organisations was sought and after consultations with various bodies, it was agreed to resurrect St James' Fair as near to the original date as possible. After due consideration it was finally decided that the first weekend in September would be the most appropriate to avoid clashing with other events especially the common ridings / civic weeks.

The aim of the group is to bring to bring the community of Kelso together and organise an event which will include craft stands, exhibitions and entertainment. Something which people will enjoy and recommend to friends and visitors but most off all for the good of the town.