Editing Stow-on-the-Wold (section)

=== Modern ===
As the fairs grew in fame and importance, so did the town. Traders dealing in [[livestock]] added many handmade goods, and the [[wool trade]] was always prominent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stow on the Wold |url=https://www.cotswolds.info/places/stow-on-the-wold.shtml |website=Cotswolds Info |access-date=21 July 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511175248/https://www.cotswolds.info/places/stow-on-the-wold.shtml |archive-date=11 May 2020}}</ref> [[Daniel Defoe]] reported in the 18th century that 20,000 sheep were sold in one day.<ref name=":0" /> Many alleys known as 'tures' that run between buildings into the market square were used in herding sheep to be sold.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stowonthewold.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=53 |title=A Brief History |website=Stow on the Wold Town Council |access-date=2013-05-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724083624/http://www.stowonthewold.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=53 |archive-date=24 July 2011}}</ref> From the mid-19th century, the [[The Talbot, Stow-on-the-Wold|Talbot Hotel]] was the venue for corn merchants carrying out their trade.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=The Talbot Hotel (and rear extensions)|num=1088797|access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref>

Most of the buildings around the market square dated from the 18th to 19th century including St Edward's Hall (the present-day library).<ref name=":0" />

As the wool trade declined, people began to trade in horses. The practice continues, although the fair has been moved from the square to a large field near the village of [[Maugersbury]] every May and October. It remains popular, with roads around Stow blocked by the extra traffic for many hours.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://calendarcustoms.com/articles/stow-horse-fair/ |title=Stow Horse Fair |website=Calendar Customs |access-date=21 July 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529132529/http://calendarcustoms.com/articles/stow-horse-fair/ |archive-date=29 May 2018 }}</ref>

However, there has been controversy surrounding Stow Fair. The many visitors and traders have attracted more vendors not dealing in horses. Local businesses used to profit from the increased custom, but in recent years most pubs and shops close for 2–3 miles around due to the risks of theft or vandalism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/4359734.stm |title=Tearoom bouncers tackle fair fear |date=20 October 2005 |website=BBC News}}</ref>