Today is one of the four ‘quarter days’, on which accounts were traditionally settled. Close to the autumn equinox and at the end of the harvest period, it was a time when agricultural labourers, who had finished one spell of work , would present themselves, in their best clothes, at the nearest market town, ready for work throughout the next twelve months. The exact day is 29th September, the feast of St Michael and All Angels. After hiring, a fair was held, called the ‘Mop Fair’. It is therefore a significant day for recruitment!