Historic charter fair returns to Beaconsfield - but concerns raised about gridlocked traffic and Covid The historic Beaconsfield Charter Fair has returned to the Old Town today - but some people have branded its arrival a bad idea amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The historic fair has returned to the four ends in the Old Town for the 752nd year in a row, closing off the town centre - which this year coincides with roadworks closing nearby Ledborough Lane as well, causing a traffic nightmare. Every year since 1269, the charter fair takes place on May 10 – except when that date is a Sunday, and then it will be held on the following Monday.