Rowell Fair Society's AGM 2026

If you weren’t able to be there for the 2026 AGM – our 57th – here’s a summary of the event. If you have any questions, please drop us a line HERE and we’ll be happy to answer them.

L to R: Bill Kingston (Auditor), Frank York (Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor), Paul Johnson (President, RFS) and Sue Johnson (Secretary, RFS)

The Rowell Fair Society’s AGM began at the earlier time of 7.30 this year and also at a new venue for 2026.

The event was held at The Old Barns, Rothwell where over 40 RFS Members and their guests assembled to enjoy our 57th AGM. We were pleased to welcome the Lord of the Manor, Louise Holborow and Vice-Chair of the Rothwell Preservation Trust, Matt Garner to the occasion.

With everything within easy reach and the manned Bar adjacent to the seating area, the new venue suited the occasion perfectly! Our thanks go to Lennie Newman and his team for the hire.

Welcome and Apologies…

Paul Johnson, President of the Society, welcomed everyone to this year’s AGM.

Last Year’s Minutes

Apologies for Absence were confirmed and Paul handed over to Sue Johnson (Secretary, RFS) who took those present through the Minutes from 2025’s AGM. These were subsequently approved and signed as an accurate record. There were no ‘Matters Arising’.

Sue handed back to our President who presented his Report covering the past 12 months.

The President’s Report

Paul presented his Annual President’s Report covering the past 12 months. Whilst only the headlines are reported here, you can download your free copy of the President’s Report from HERE.

Paul began by confirming the date of this year’s Rowell Fair and associated activities. He reported that for the first time, The Rowell Fair will incorporate additional street entertainment on the Saturday before the Fair opens (approximately 1pm).

Key dates for 2026’s Rowell Fair:

Fair Week (30 May – 6 June)
Rowell Fair Tart Competition (30 May)
Blessing of the Fair (31 May)
Proc. Monday (1 June)

Paul stated that the following activities are also confirmed:-

Rowell Fair Tart Competition
Civic Parade & Blessing
Street Entertainment
Model Fair Exhibition
Gretton Silver Band
Vehicle Show
The Flower Festival run by Holy Trinity Church (this year’s theme – ‘Celebrating Books’)

A reminder was given that as usual, Rowell Fair merchandise would be available this year in advance of the Fair. Last year, t-shirts sold out very early due to increased demand and lead to some disappointment. Paul recommended that orders should be placed as soon as they become available. Paul confirmed that we would continue to use the popular strapline: “It’s Only Proc ‘n’ Rowell, But I Like It!” on some merchandise.

Continuing to look forward, Paul confirmed that the RFS would continue to support THREE Members’ Evenings per year but reminded those present that as attendance had been disappointing at some previous events, it was a case of ‘use it or lose it’.

Paul then handed over to Steve Palmer (Communications & Marketing Officer) to discuss activity in and around the website and our social media platforms.

Website & Social Media

Steve split his presentation into two parts – ‘Our Website’ and ‘Social Media’.

Steve explained that this was his second year as Communications & Marketing Officer (having joined the Committee in 2022) and explained his primary responsibilities:-

Website
Social Media Activity
…and Rowell Fair Daffodils!!! (where he explained that he would discuss the demise of the Fair’s bulb stock later)

Steve outlined many of the key metrics that demonstrated our success online in the past few years. This included just over 27000 (27019) visits to the website from over 12500 (12692) visitors. This was slightly down on the previous year in terms of visits but from about the same number of visitors. The current website compares very well with the website it replaced (13587 visits/4674 visitors) although there was some evidence that our growth year-on-year was beginning to plateau. He encouraged everyone to spread the word about the website and if unfamiliar with the workings of the web to involve their children and grand-children. Steve added that our ancient and unique Street Charter Fair has a lot to be proud of and the more visits/visitors we see on the website means we become even more popular.

Steve invited the audience to ‘guess the most popular page in the past year?’. The page was revealed as ‘Rowell Fair Dates’ and shows them for the next 10 years! You can see them for yourself HERE.

Plans for new website content were discussed briefly, and Steve gave a reminder of recently added pages – including the most recent: ‘Rowell Bailiffs’ and ‘Blessing of the Fair’. Disappointingly (despite being requested by Members) the new ‘subscription/donation page launched this time last year had not been used by many Members – just 14 for donations (of which half were committee members!) and just 26 Subscriptions for the whole year.

Rowell Bailiffs page – HERE
Blessing of the Fair page – HERE
The Rowell Fair Daffodil page – HERE
Subscriptions & Donations page – HERE
Flower Festival page – HERE

Steve encouraged those present to consider making a donation using the bespoke QR codes distributed around the venue.

It’s not just the UK that is interested in our website and Steve summarised the top ten countries who also visit us regularly.

Steve ended his presentation by confirming that we have new content planned for the website, including ‘Poets’ Corner. He encouraged those present that “If they were a poet but didn’t know it” they could consider writing about the Rowell Fair.

Steve then took questions from the floor. It was suggested by Member, Richard York, that we created extra links on the site to other Fairs in return for a reciprocal arrangement. Steve thanked Richard and agreed that this would be discussed at the next RFS meeting.

Steve then moved onto social media activity and confirmed that our current platforms -Facebook and Instagram – are holding their own. He explained the rationale behind choosing Instagram (102 Followers) in order to attract a younger audience and gave detail of the number of Facebook Followers (around 2700) – both showing marked increases since last year and overall. In Facebook’s case, we must continue to try and encourage those Followers to sign up for a full membership.

Steve concluded his session with news of the demise of Rowell Fair Daffodil stock and appealed to those present to ‘look after’ any existing bulbs they may have. Jo Garner (Town Clerk) suggested a local Garden Centre who may be able to help. Steve agreed to follow up.

Steve ended by taking questions relating to our social media presence and then handed back to Paul.

The Society Remembers…

Paul, as President, and on behalf of all those present, reflected on those who had passed away, since our previous AGM. Ex-Committee Members, Mick Smith and Roger Wilson and Halberdier, Les Voss. Longtime friend and supporter of the Fair and Model Exhibition, Dave Springthorpe, passed away last year and is sadly missed by all.

Honarary Life Memberships

Paul then announced Honorary Life Memberships for the following:-

Luke Stevenson
Jo Garner
David Arthur

Sue then brought those assembled up-to-date with movements within the Committee. A replacement for our ex-Treasurer, Paul Cottell had been recruited: Linda Saunders. Cedwien Brown and Tom Johnson has also joined the team. Sadly, Mark Hughes who had just begun to forge links with local schools has had to step-down due to other commitments. The Society thanks Richard Ley for his service who retired from the Committee during the previous year.

Sue then updated everyone with progress with the Heritage Plaques and the refurbishment of the Bailiff’s Staff of Office.

Sue, on behalf of the RFS then thanked the following for their continued support of the Rowell Fair:-

Frank York for his work organising the Fair (including dealing with the growing amount of associate paperwork)
Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre
Rothwell Town Council (during the meeting it was confirmed that RTC has awarded the RFS the Grant as applied for this year)
Jo Garner (Town Clerk) for her support throughout the year
Rothwell Conservative Club
Lennie Newman and the Red Lion Team
Everyone behind the scenes
Bill Kingston (Auditor)
Showmen and their Families

Date for your Diary!
Showmen’s Evening
Wednesday,
27th May 2026

Download your complimentary
detailed copy of the President’s Report HERE

“By working together, the memories we create and the traditions we uphold will all ensure that our Charter Fair and our unique Proclamation will continue to thrive for many years to come” – Paul Johnson, President, Rowell Fair Society – February, 2026

With the President’s Report completed, Bill Kingston, took to the floor.

Auditor’s Report

Bill introduced himself, reminding us that this was his seventh year reporting on our Accounts. In celebration, he sported a REAL bow-tie! As always, Bill took us through the figures for year ending 31st December 2025 in detail and with panache. Bill also complimented our new Treasurer, Linda, on her first year of RFS book-keeping.

To thank Bill for his work, freely given, Frank, on behalf of the RFS, presented Bill with a gift.

Appointment of Committee & Officers

The RFS Committee for 2026 was confirmed as follows:-

Frank York (Chair and Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor) un-opposed
Paul Johnson (President)
Linda Saunders (Treasurer) – New
Steve Palmer (Communications & Marketing Officer)
Sue Johnson (Secretary)
Bill Kingston (Auditor)

Each of the above agreed to stand for another year and were proposed and seconded. The remaining Committee was then proposed and seconded en-masse.

Lloyd Mills (Deputy Bailiff)
Pete Bell
Ian Dudley
Tom Johnson – New
Cedwien Brown – New

Any Other Business

Committee Member responsible for Fair Entertainment, Ian Dudley, made a short presentation about the need for local entertainment talent that would be needed for this year’s Rowell Fair and encouraged our audience to get in touch.

David Arthur made a request for assistance with Teas and Coffees during Model Exhibition.

If you can help or know anyone who can, drop the RFS a line HERE.

At 8.45pm, the AGM concluded and proceedings were brought to a close, ending the formal business of 2026’s AGM.

Sue introduced our guest speaker – Our very own Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor, Frank York.

Guest Speaker – Frank York

Frank York presented “The Bailiff’s Role – Things You Didn’t Know”

Frank gave a very thorough account of the Bailiff’s involvement in preparing for, during and after the annual Rowell Fair.

He began with a quick history lesson of the Bailiffs who had preceded him, before his appointment as Bailiff from (Deputy Bailiff in 2017). This was followed by a very enlightening session on cost comparisons between the modern Fair and previous Fairs.

See a list of the former Bailiffs on our website HERE. If you can help fill in the gaps or add new information with stories, anecdotes etc, please get in touch HERE

Frank commented that in addition to the obvious responsibility of being able to ride a horse, the modern Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor needs to be good with figures, a Clerk, a Traffic Manager, be able to cope with endless (and growing) paperwork, and to liaise with local schools and Pubs plus Rothwell businesses too! All of these duties help to promote and explain the traditions of the Rowell Fair and help us conform to official regulations. Phew!!! Quite a portfolio of responsibilities!

Additionally, Frank reported that he also had the responsibility (and pleasure!) as Bailiff to announce the accession of the King to the Throne.

Just thirty minutes later, it was all over – a life in the many days of a Bailiff! It had been an enjoyable and informative presentation and Frank received an enthusiastic round of applause from all those who were there.

The Raffle!

After a short break, the legendary Rowell Fair Raffle was drawn by Frank, ably assisted by guest Mick Walton.

At just before 9.45pm, Frank summarised the evening, thanked the audience for their support and asked everyone to spread the word to keep our important and unique local traditions alive for this year’s Rowell Fair.