Puzzle Description

Village Tombola (G6254) is a 1000 piece puzzle by Tony Ryan. Tombola is a type of raffle where prizes are assigned to numbers drawn randomly by the participant. Numbers ending in 5 or 0 will usually win a prize. They are usually found at village fairs such as the one in the puzzle. Tony is a specialist at painting people in all sorts of activities. In this case Tony has given us another picture full of challenges even for the well practiced puzzle enthusiast. The patterning of all the handbags and cakes in the front of the puzzle will prove especially interesting: no doubt that is Tony's intention.

Village fairs were not always the family oriented events you associate with them today.Fairs go back two thousand years to Roman times and even today you can any manner of fair. There are all sorts of work fairs and books fairs. There are even dolls houses fairs where you can buy interiors to doll houses from furniture to miniature pieces if cake; there are even tiny teaspoons. The miniature variety will often cost more than the adult, everyday ones.

In the Middle Ages, many fairs developed as temporary markets and were especially important for long-distance and international trade, as wholesale traders travelled, sometimes for many days, to fairs where they could be sure to meet those they needed to buy from or sell to. Fairs were usually tied to special Christian religious occasions, such as the Saint's day of the local church. Stagshaw in England, is documented to have held annual fairs as early as 1293 consisting of the sales of animals. Along with the main fair held on 4 July, the city also hosted smaller fairs throughout the year where specific types of animals were sold, such as one for horses, one for lambs, and one for ewes.

Because of the great numbers of people attracted by fairs they were often the scenes of riots and disturbances, so the privilege of holding a fair was granted by royal charter. At first, they were allowed only in towns and places of strength, or where there was a bishop, sheriff or governor who could keep order. So what today is regarded as a harmless and festive collection of village inhabitants passing a few hours together has a long a variable history.

***All Gibsons puzzles are made from 100% recycled premium puzzle board and can be made time and time again. All orders shipped from Canada Puzzles are packed in heavy duty cardboard boxes and are fully insured against loss or damage.***