dressed in light blue and adorned with the Duke's sign of a crescent moon. The procession included the Duke's agent, bailiff, constable with many farmers and tenants. The fair was proclaimed and then they beat the bounds, returning to the tavern to drink the Duke's health from punch provided by him. After this men, women and children alike went to enjoy the amusements – stalls, Punch and Judy and performers such as fire-breathers. The custom was discontinued in time, but it has been revived in recent years as the 'Goose Fair', since in the days of the old Fair geese would play an important part in the sale. Quill pens were made in Ovingham from goose feathers. Notable people Thomas Bewick was educated in the vicarage and the church, and is buried in the churchyard of St Mary Mason Jackson (1819–1903) was born in the village, as was his brother, John Jackson, both notable wood-engravers. Frank Atkinson (1924–2014), founding director of the Beamish Museum, lived in the village from 1982 until his death in 2014. The punk-rock band China Drum formed in Ovingham in 1989 Rob Barker of Newcastle upon Tyne-based post-rock act Peace Burial at Sea grew up in the village. References External links Parish Council website GENUKI (accessed: 31 October 2008) Northumberland Communities (Accessed: 31 October 2008) Ovingham First School Ovingham Middle School Villages in Northumberland Civil parishes in Northumberland