Members’ Evening – Showmen’s Night 2025

Welcome to Showmen’s Night 2025!

On a warm Summer’s evening, the crowds gathered for our final Members’ Evening before 2025’s Rowell Fair. As is the tradition, tonight’s annual event was arranged to welcome our Showmen and their families to the Town as well as our loyal RFS Members.

Heading for record numbers! 👏

Tresham Hall was soon filling up and where it looked like it was to be a record evening for attendance! 20… 30… 45… the numbers kept growing. 50… 65… 70… we had now passed last year’s attendance! 👏👏😊. As more tables and chairs were hurriedly located and squeezed in, we were pleased to see that 2025’s Showmen’s Night saw a record of over 80 guests!

Want to join us a Member?
Click HERE for your best use of £5 this year! 😊

Read more about the Society and how we help maintain
the ancient traditions of Rowell HERE

Although the evening didn’t officially begin until 8pm, queues were already forming for this year’s Rowell Fair Limited-Edition t-shirts from 7.30pm!

Ready for the rush – The Sales Desk (wo)manned by Ann Palmer

We may have a few T-Shirts left! If you want to purchase one before they all go,
drop into the Arts & Heritage Centre in Rothwell

Let the evening begin… 👏

Showmen’s Night – Part 1

The President’s Welcome

At just after 8pm, Paul Johnson (President of the Rowell Fair Society) welcomed everyone to the event and was met with spontaneous applause. He also announced our two new members to the Rowell Fair Society Committee – Linda Saunders (our new Treasurer) and Mark Hughes. We wish them every success in their respective new roles

Paul reminded us of the evening’s theme – Showmen’s Night – and formally welcomed the Show Families to Rothwell.

The Evening in Detail

Following Paul, Sue Johnson (RFS Secretary) explained the programme for this special evening in more detail…

  • A Tribute to Mick Smith
  • Rowell Fair Archive Film
  • Our Guest: Matthew Garrett – Magician
  • plus, the legendary Rowell Fair Raffle!

Mick Smith – A Tribute

Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor, Frank York, led the tribute to Rowellian, Mick Smith, member of the Rowell Fair Society Committee for many years and who passed-away in April.

L to R: Paul Johnson, Pete Bell, Frank York, Linda Saunders, Sue Johnson & Steve Palmer (Mark Hughes off-screen)

As part of the Tribute, members of the current Committee took it in turns to read Mick’s Poem about the Rowell Fair that he penned for The Rowellian Magazine in 1991 (a publication produced in the past by the RFS). Carol Smith (Mick’s wife) happily gave her permission for his poem to be shared at this event.

From the Rowell Fair Archives

In keeping with tradition, this was followed by a viewing of scenes from a past Rowell Fair – this time, from 1974. In particular, scenes from the Proclamation and the Fairground.

What made this year particularly memorable? 1974 proved to be the year when the usually placid Bailiff’s horse refused to co-operate with the Bailiff! This resulted in Norman Hall being supported (literally) – being lifted in the air – by two volunteers when it came to the reading of the Charter!

It was good to see so many people enjoying the film. The audio may have been compromised due to the passage of time, but visually, it was great fun watching Rothwell’s proud tradition from over 50 years ago. Much delight was had spotting younger versions of ‘Old(er) Rowellians’, the fashions of the day and identifying the buildings/retail units that were a firm fixture of ’74!

Thirty-minutes later the film ended and was met with enthusiastic appreciation from the audience. Frank concluded the annual tradition by reminiscing and commenting how so much has changed since that damp day in June of 74!

Time for a break before tonight’s entertainment!

Showmen’s Night – Part 2

Presenting Matthew Garrett

Sadly, our original booking – Steve Dimmer – was unable to be with us tonight. Instead, we enjoyed the talents of fellow Magician, Matthew Garrett.

Matthew began the evening by asking for another round of applause for the Show Families here tonight – and the audience responded very positively. Matthew proved to be a true entertainer and versatile too, presenting a wide range of traditional magic tricks that included Ring Juggling, Mind Reading, Card Tricks, Optical (and Audio) Illusions, Balloon Sculpting, Sleight of Hand – and as his climax, climbing INSIDE a balloon (yes, really!). He involved the audience in some of his tricks too! 👍👍 – no balloons required! 😉😊

Concluding Words from our Bailiff

Frank York, Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor

Frank brought the evening to a close by thanking Matthew for a thoroughly entertaining act – cue even more enthusiastic applause. It was clear to see (and hear) that Matthew had impressed us all with his wide range of magical skills.

The Raffle

Frank then called the Raffle for the dozen-or-so prizes.

The legendary, Rowell Fair Raffle
(Coke, reading glasses and phone excluded! 😉)

Frank ended Showmen’s Evening 2025 by reminding us all of the attractions that were to make up Rowell Fair 2025 including The Curd Tart Competition, Classic Vehicle Show, Steam Engines, Fair Organ, Morris Dancers, Jugglers, Mr Crumble, The Gretton Silver Band, the Model Show, Civic Parade & Service, Flower Festival and the Blessing of the Fair. And of course, our ancient Charter Proclamation. A ‘packed Programme’ as they say! 👏👏

Just after 10pm, with all the prizes duly claimed, Frank thanked everyone for coming and encouraging us all to make this year’s Fair ‘the best ever’.

“God Save the King and the Lord of the Manor!”

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#RowellFair2025
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#ShowmensEvening

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