It’s Rowell Fair Trinity Sunday 2026!
Welcome to Trinity Sunday, part of Rowell Fair Week 2026.
As always with the Rowell Fair, today was a packed programme, but the Sun was shining on us throughout the day. Perfect! 😊👍
Rowell Fair Programme of Events 2026
We’d love you to read every word and look at every picture on this page, but if you don’t have time, we have the solution! Try our ‘Trinity in Ten’ video below. We’ve condensed the majority of the day into just over 10 minutes!
Trinity in Ten!
Our famous Rowell Fair has been running now for nearly 825 years and we wouldn’t let the unpredictable English weather get in the way of us having a good time!👍
Everyone has their own view as to the most memorable part of Trinity Sunday, but for many, the official Blessing of our ancient Charter Fair is the high point (and there’s more about that later on this page). For those new to Rothwell, you can also read the history of how this annual celebration – our annual Charter Street Fair – became a pivotal event for the Town HERE.
The Civic Parade featuring the great and the good of Rothwell and the wider community, with all its pomp and circumstance, is also a must-see.
In 2026, the new town Mayor, Cllr. Cedwien Brown, as part of the Parade, headed for Church in style – in a jeep! (yes, really!). Elsewhere for the young(er)-at-heart, the fairground ticks all the boxes and the excitement that it brings.
But before all of that, there is the annual first stop today – at the Model Fair Exhibition at Tresham Hall. If you like your fairground attractions – but a little smaller, this is the place to see them all under one roof – and meet their creators too! It’s hard to convey in words, the level of precision that has gone into creating these miniature masterpieces – take a look at the 2026 photo gallery below.
The Model Fair Exhibition
Each exhibit was displayed around the room, of which many were working models with intricate LED lighting – where one particular sported over 1000 separate LEDs!
All the Fun of the Fair – But smaller!
In Memoriam – Dave Springthorpe
This year’s Rowell Fair Society Model Show paid tribute to the life of Dave Springthorpe, 1944-2025. Dave organised the event for more than 25 years, attracting some of the best fairground models in the country. He also kept Rowell Fair and the Society to the fore in his reporting for the World’s Fair publication. The esteem in which he was held within the showland community was reflected by the turnout for his funeral service.
In Tribute to Dave Springthorpe 👏👏
By way of the thank-you for the Exhibitors’ support for the Rowell Fair, Louise Holborow (Lord of the Manor), Cllr. Cedwien Brown (Mayor of Rothwell) accompanied by Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor, Frank York and Exhibition Organiser, Davey Arthur visited each owner and their exhibits, presenting them with a twin inscribed pen-set.
Paul Needham from Rothwell, Yorkshire
Simon Brazil from Gloucester
Martin Cooper from Hampshire
Pete Drew from Wisbech
Joshua Chandler from Northampton
David March from Rothwell
Peter Bullimore (ably assisted by Elijah Raven) from Bourne
Ray Wilson & David Wilson from Loughborough and Andrew Grover from near Warrington
Mick Reynolds from Cambridge
Jim Birchall from Warrington on his first visit to Rothwell – Welcome to Rowell Fair, Jim!
Richard Franklyn from Long Stanton
The Tapp family from Wellingborough
Paul Beetson from Rushden (This is his 30th year)
The Dines family from Wellingborough
A Special Thanks…
Success of events like these are only possible because of the meticulous planning that goes into them. Davey Arthur, (right) is not only an Exhibitor, but helps to organise the Model Exhibition from the ground-up. Frank passed on his grateful (and very personal) thanks from all of us for another superb Exhibition this year. Davey was also presented with the inscribed twin pen-set.
The Flower Festival
Meanwhile, organised by Holy Trinity Church in Rothwell was the annual Flower Festival and this year’s theme of ‘Celebrating Musicals’ – there were refreshments, stalls and a raffle too! 👍
This was the Rowell Fair’s musical entry entitled ‘All the Fun of the Fair’ (featuring David Essex). You can see all the other entrants on our dedicated Flower Festival page that will be published tomorrow.
The Classic Vehicle Show
Next stop was the Classic Vehicle Display held in the Charter Inn‘s newly-refurbished car-park. Ian Dudley (RFS Committee) managed the whole event, ably assisted today by Johnny, Keith and Lee, who welcomed a record number of entries tin 2026 – around 60 vehicles! 😊👍
Our bigger concern is always the weather on these occasions, but today, once again for Trinity Sunday, someone was smiling on the Rowell Fair, and the Sun had definitely got its hat on!!
👍😎
Our Judges for 2026 were Cllr. Cedwien Brown (the new Town Mayor of Rothwell) together with her Consort, Cllr. Linda Saunders.
The amazing turnout kept our Judges busy!! If you couldn’t be there, here are the majority of entrants – we hope you enjoy the photographs.
The rarest car? Possibly the Citroen 2CV Pickup Truck – thanks for bringing it along, Paul.
Tractors too, kept the rest of the exhibits company! The Sun continued to shine as more and more people arrived to witness the wide range of vehicles on show.
From Triumphs to Toyotas, Citroens to Subarus they kept on arriving with many turning up ‘on the day’.
You wouldn’t have envied the Judges’ job today – so many fine examples of cherished vehicles in such great condition! Such gleaming paintwork made sunglasses almost obligatory! 🌞😎😎 – even without the good weather!
…and how about a Coach? Say hello to a 1949 Bedford OB.
But if bikes are more your thing, the Vehicle Show had you covered! 👍
Now it was time to announce the Winners!
Assisting Rothwell Town Mayor, Cllr. Cedwien Brown and Consort, Cllr. Linda Saunders was Louise Holborow, Lord of the Manor and Show Organiser, Ian Dudley.
Classic Car Show 2026
– “Best in Show”
In this year’s competition, our Judges awarded three prizes.
Best in Show was awarded to Vic Mangold from Desborough and his immaculate 1972 Vauxhall Ventura.
Classic Car Show 2026
– “Special Award”
The Rowell Fair Special Award went to Ray Stevenson from Rothwell with his 1971 Mach 1 Mustang.
Classic Car Show 2026
– Runner Up
The Runner-Up prize went to Andrew Marshall with his 2014 Dodge Charger Pursuit (complete with authentic bullet holes!)
Everyone’s a Winner!
As a small token of the Rowell Fair Society’s appreciation – everyone was a winner today! All entrants were given a bespoke 2026 Rowell Fair Baseball Cap.
Our thanks to our legion of car, coach and bike lovers who proudly showed-off their pride and joy today!
Thanks too, to Judges and Prize-Giving team plus the Rowell Charter Inn team for hosting this year’s event and helping us to beat last year’s record turnout! 👍
Street Entertainment
The Rowell Fair Society strives to bring variety to each Rowell Fair and 2026 was no exception. With Jugglers, Balloon Sculptors, a Traction Engine, a Banjo & Tambourine duo and a Pipe Organ – and of course, the Fun-Fair, there was something for everyone! 👏👏. On the final day of the Fair, in just under a week’s time, we are to welcome back Braybrooke Morris Dancers.
Balls Up Jugglers
Balls Up hail from Corby and provide a club designed for teaching all aspects of circus skills.
Their club is on a Tuesday night 7-9pm. All ages are welcome!
Mr Crumble
Mr Crumble was very active, entertaining our younger visitors – and sometimes older visitors too! – with his remarkable balloon sculpting skills. You chose an animal and Mr Crumble made it out of balloons!
This year, again due to his popularity, he was ably assisted by Mrs Crumble!
The Pipe Organ
This was a second visit to the Rowell Fair – a pipe organ belting out contemporary tunes! Supplied by Peter Bullimore from Bourne in Lincolnshire and it sounded as good as it looked!
“Bookem and Riskit”
Bookem and Riskit (aka Bill and Pompey) in their first year at Rowell Fair entertained the crowds with their close harmonies, featuring songs you love to hum! Their straightforward set up of banjo and tambourine worked perfectly together both at the Charter Inn and outside the Market House.
The Civic Parade to Holy Trinity Church
Just after 1.30, the Civic Parade made its journey towards Holy Trinity Church.
Led by RFS Committee member, Ian Dudley and flanked by Senior Halberdiers, Steve Wells and Colin Bell, they were followed by the Northampton Pipe Band.
As would befit any Mayor, personal transport was onhand for Cllr. Cedwien Brown to the Church – courtesy of Ian Clayton and his Jeep.
The Parade also featured representatives from our Town and further afield including:
Roger Butler (Lord High Sheriff) and his wife, Susan
Frank York (Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor)
Paul & Sue Johnson (representing the Rowell Fair Society and Rothwell Preservation Trust)
Revd. Andy Giles
Cllr. Jim French (Mayor of Desborough)
Cllr. Linda Saunders
Cllr. Michael Spendlove (Deputy Mayor, Rothwell)
Frank York (Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor)
Louise & Crispin Holborow (Lord of the Manor and Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Northamptonshire)
Holy Trinity Choristers
Local Youth Groups including Scouts and Beavers
Friends of Rothwell Schools
The procession took around 15 minutes and for safety, local roads had been closed and a legally approved diversion in place.
Tailing the procession and acting as back marker, was the iconic Allen Eaton steam engine. As in previous years, its appearance certainly encouraged everyone to take even more photographs. From 9 to 90 years young, surely everyone loves these mighty machines!
The Civic Service
Around fifteen minutes later, the procession arrived at Holy Trinity Church.
The Procession entered the Church where Revd. Andy Giles and Revd. Andrew Murphy from nearby Rothwell Methodist Church offered a warm welcome to everyone.
Revd. Andrew Murphy welcomes us all and introduced the Service.
The first Hymn was ‘How Great Though Art’ followed by prayers including a civic prayer for Rothwell.
This was followed by the poem, written by Rowellian, Valerie Panter in 2017 and read by pupils from Rothwell Junior School. The poem will feature on a new web-page for the Rowell Fair Society called ‘Poets Corner’ – watch out for announcement across our social media platforms soon!
The iconic Hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ followed.
Michael Spendlove (Deputy Mayor of Rothwell) then read from Psalm 133 followed by Cedwien Brown (Town Mayor of Rothwell) from Corinthians 12.
Andy Giles with his bike (literally!) delivered his uplifting and thoughtful Sermon centred around ‘teamwork’.
Concluding the Service were prayers led by the Beavers together with the final Hymn ‘Guide me O Thou great Jehovah.
At just before 2.30, the Service ended.
After the Service, the Parade made its way back to the famous ‘Waltzer’ for the Blessing of this year’s Fair…
…whilst our recently appointed Town Mayor, Cedwien Brown arrived once more in style in her transport of choice!
The Blessing of the Fair
As the names suggest, the Blessing of the Fair gives the official blessing to the more playful side of the Rowell Fair – the Rides! You can read more about the Blessing’s history and see a selection of photographs from yesteryear HERE on our website.
Revd. Andy Giles led the official Blessing Ceremony as the crowds gathered around the famous Waltzer.
The pivotal event began with the National Anthem followed by the Hymn ‘And Did Those Feet in Ancient Times’ supported by the Gretton Silver Band. The Showman’s Prayer was then read to the assembled crowds.
The Blessing concluded with a second Hymn: Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven and after a final prayer, Andy declared the Rowell Fair for 2026 officially blessed and the crowds began to soak up all that Rowell Fair had to offer👍😊👏👍😊👏
For many, the sound of Pipes (or men in kilts) is stirring stuff – and for those wanting more, it was time to head for the nearby Conservative Club where there was an opportunity to hear them perform once more.
For those wanting an alternative, over at the Methodist Church, the Gretton Silver Band were in concert.
The perfect location to chill-out! 👍
A Bird’s-eye View of Rowell Fair 2026!
Our thanks to Rowell Fair’s own Media Team for supplying many of the photographs and videos for this event.
Previous Years
Trinity Sunday 2025 – Click HERE
Trinity Sunday 2024 – Click HERE
Trinity Sunday 2023 – Click HERE
Tomorrow – The Proclamation!
Tomorrow, it’s the Proclamation, or as us locals call it, simply ‘The Proc’ or ‘Proc Monday’.
On the day, this famous proclamation is read Frank York our very own Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor!
We hope this has brought back some happy memories – and if you couldn’t get to Rothwell, an appreciation of what you missed! We hope to see you next year! Check the exact dates HERE on our website.
Tomorrow, it’s the Proclamation, or as us locals call it, simply ‘The Proc’ or ‘Proc Monday’. We’ve written extensively about it HERE on our website, and if you can recite the Charter’s words off-by-heart tomorrow, you’ll be in good company!
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