had set in and the Barton, Brigg, Caistor and Winterton News for March 28th, 1861, carried the following remarks : "Whatever the cause, whether intellectual progress, increase of attachment to their own firesides, facilities of trading for every personal and domestic requisite with itinerant shopkeepers at their own doors, or all these together, certain it is that our fairs are less beneficial to trading interests than they used to be.  Fair days are no longer remarkable for large gatherings of villagers in our streets. The few who come look as if they had a specific object for their visit, and seldom delay their return."
The arrangement by which fairs were held in the third week of September and at Michaelmas was showing itself unpractical and both were poorly attended. Lincoln April Fair had almost killed Caistor Whitsun Fair by 1861 and the latter had begun to "show unmistakeable signs of decay in importance."
The year 1872 showed a considerable revival of trade at the Palmsun Fair and the average price of hogs was 75/-. At the Whitsun Fair there was a brisk trade in sheep, cattle and horses and "the pleasure fair was numerously attended, although the day was disagreeably cold."  Incidentally, on the fair day (Saturday, May 18th) the materials of the toll house on the Brigg and Caistor turnpike were sold by auction at the George Hotel, the total realised for house, gate, posts and "pump and belongings" being £12 12s. 6d.
The 1870's were bad years for agriculture and trade was described as being in a "lethargic condition," The fairs, and particularly Palmsun, gave a fresh, but not a lasting, impetus to business and the importance of Caistor declined as that of Grimsby increased. It is perhaps significant that at about this time the name of The Golden Fleece Inn was changed to The Fleece.
By 1888 only 6,000-7,000 sheep were penned for the Palmsun fair and prices remained the same as they had been 30 years before. The Whitsun fair had almost died completely but those in September and at Michaelmas were well patronized and there was a good dog show, followed by an evening entertainment in the public hall, entitled "Funny Fancies," given by Mr G. A. Foote, the popular comedian.