Welcome to Showmen’s Night 2026!

On a warm and sticky May evening, just shy of 50 RFS Members and Showmen gathered for the annual event that traditionally welcomes the Showmen and their families to our Town. It was also our final Members’ Evening before 2026’s Rowell Fair. We were privileged to also have Louise Holborow, Lord of the Manor, here as part of tonight’s official welcome.

Tresham Hall (above the local Conservative Club) took a while to fill and our planned 8pm start was pushed back closer to 8.15pm.

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

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

Ann Palmer and Linda Saunders (Treasurer RFS) were kept busy prior to official start of the evening manning our Sales Desk where they enjoyed a busy evening selling RF merchandise. All proceeds are reinvested in helping to maintain the ancient traditions of the Rowell Fair. This year’s theme colour is maroon and our thanks to everyone who bought merchandise on the night! Thanks too, to those of who took out membership subscriptions or renewed theirs for another year. For those of you would prefer to do this online, take a look at our subscription and donations page here on the website – thank you!

We still have some stock left, but traditionally, the products become very popular as we get closer to the Fair. Get yours now and avoid disappointment!
They’re the ideal Christmas gift!! 😂
Drop into the Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre and see what’s available!

At just after 8.10, Rowell Fair Showmen’s Night officially began… 👏

Showmen’s Night – Part 1

The President’s Welcome

Paul Johnson (President of the Rowell Fair Society) welcomed everyone to the event. Numbers may have been slightly down on last year but there was already a buzz in the air and Paul reminded everyone of the importance of this evening, formally welcoming the Showmen and their Families to Rothwell.

Tonight’s Programme

Paul went onto explain the reason for this important evening to the Society and gave an overview of tonight’s event. It began with a very special (and warmly welcomed) task and Paul handed over to Frank York, Chair, Rowell Fair Society and Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor.

Lifetime Membership Award – David Arthur

Frank took to the floor and announced the Lifetime Membership award for David Arthur. David has shown his support the Rowell Fair over many years and in more recent times, assisting and then organising the popular annual ‘Model Fair Exhibition’ as part of Rowell Fair Week.

Following the well-deserved applause for David, the evening proceeded with a trip back in time for fans of our globally-famous, Rowell Fair

From the Rowell Fair Archives

This year it was back to Trinity Sunday, 1974 – Sunday, 9th June 1974 to be precise. The Committee had previously digitised old film footage of this event – one of our oldest records of the Rowell Fair – and now presented it to our appreciative audience. Although the sound and picture quality had deteriorated over the years, Frank York, because of his longtime association with the Town and the Rowell Fair, was able to give a running commentary as the scenes unfolded.

On the (very rare) occasions where Frank was unable to recollect certain details, the audience were easily able to fill in the gaps, providing the missing information with ease. It turned out to be a truly collaborative affair as we revisited part of the Rowell Fair from over 50 years ago!

Sue Johnson (Rowell Fair Secretary) then took to the floor, explaining the rest of this evening’s Programme, including:-

• The Rowell Fair Quiz
• Charades! The Committee as you’ve never seen them before!
• The legendary Rowell Fair Raffle!

As everyone took a break for some cool refreshments courtesy of the adjacent Bar, Frank and Committee member, Ian Dudley (Committee) took on their duties selling tickets for the Rowell Fair Raffle, whilst the rest of the Committee prepared for their Charades as part of the forthcoming Quiz.

Showmen’s Night – Part 2

After the break, Sue explained the Quiz in more detail that included 12 questions (covering the Rowell Fair itself) plus ‘guess the funfair attraction’ based on a series of 8 separate Charades acted out by members of the Committee. Each Team had to agree with a name for themselves and their team size was limited to a maximum of 6.

Steve Palmer (Committee) handed out the sheets where Teams could record their answers. Sue handed back to Frank, acting as Question Master. As the questions unfolded, the Charades raised a lot of laughter as ‘The Waltzer’, ‘Hook a Duck’ and ‘Ghost Train’ amongst others showcased the hidden talents of the RFS Committee! Well, sort of!! 😂😂

Seeing the Committee in a light never before witnessed was either going to help with attracting future committee members – or frighten potential new recruits away! Time would tell!

The 12 questions certainly got the audience thinking and if you want to see a copy of the Quiz and test your own knowledge of our famous Fair, send the RFS a message HERE.

Twenty-five minutes later it was all over! Heads had been truly scratched and the Committee (and our audience too!) had survived the challenge of the Charades! 😯👍

As each table swapped papers, it was now time to see how much our guests knew about the UK’s most popular Charter Street Fair. As it turned out, they knew a lot, but some more than others.

Quiz Winners 2026 – “The Hopefuls”

Scores were high, but in the end,‘The Hopefuls’ claimed victory with a bumper score of 18 out of 20.

Individual prizes of the bespoke RFS Water Bottles, Rowell Fair badges and Pens were given out to each team member. next, the Raffle…

The Rowell Fair Raffle

The Rowell Fair Raffles are always something to look forward to – some say they’re ‘legendary’! From Grapefruit Gin to a Scrabble set, tonight’s raffle prizes were certainly varied – probably more than usual with additional gifts donated by the Committee. As Frank ‘called the numbers’, our guests checked their tickets and each came to the stage to claim their prize.

An Important Announcement

As the evening came to a close, ex-Committee Member, Halberdier and longtime Rowellian, Steve Wells, requested the microphone for an important announcement.

Steve reminded us all about the ‘scuffle’ (part of ‘Proc’ Monday). He added that it was important for those wishing to participate, they sign a disclaimer and obtain a wristband. Observance of Health & Safety for all those attending the annual Rowell Fair Week is an important (and vital) part of the events. The Lord of the Manor, the Bailiff and the RFS takes their responsibilities very seriously. Steve’s reminder to us all about ‘Proc’ Monday was a timely part of this evening’s proceedings.

Concluding Words from our Bailiff

At just before 10.15, it was all over for another ‘Showmen’s Night’. Frank took to the floor to thank everyone for their participation and support of tonight’s event and encouraged us all to have a great Fair and to enjoy ourselves.

The evening ended with an enthusiastic round of applause (and a final wave and a ‘woo!’). What we lacked in numbers tonight, we certainly more than made up for in the enthusiasm of the audience. Thanks everyone – see you for the same in 2027 and in a few days at the Rowell Fair!

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

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