BLESSING OF THE FAIR
Our appreciation goes to the citizens of Rowell and the wider community for their assistance in creating this page – a real team effort! There are still a few missing pieces of information highlighted and if you can help, please get in touch.
Thanks from all of us at the Rowell Fair Society 👍👍
What is the ‘Blessing’?
The Blessing of the Rowell Fair is a short ceremony that begins at 3pm on The Feast of Holy Trinity commonly known as Trinity Sunday – the Sunday immediately before Rowell Fair’s Proclamation Monday.
The ceremony takes place within the fairground. During the short ceremony, the Fair is formally blessed by a representative from one of the local Churches. This is an interdenominational event attended by crowds of people enjoying the Service, supported by the Gretton Silver Band.
The event immediately follows the Rothwell Town Council’s Civic Service at the Holy Trinity Church and who then parade back to the Fairground.
You can see other events and dates connected with the Rowell Fair HERE
Words of a typical Prayer Blessing. Wording varies between years
Showman’s Hymn
1930s
1935 – Our earliest photograph of the Blessing
Reverend Collins preaching on the Golden Dragons (Burrel engine Prince Albert at rear)
Photo © 2023 Frank York
A grand Organ Recital was also performed on the very same Sunday. Programmes cost 1d! (One OLD penny!)
More recently, the Blessing itself usually takes place aboard one of the attractions.
1940s
Blessing of the Fair aboard Holland’s Moonrocket
Photo © 2023 Frank York
1950s
Reverend Collins aboard the Holland’s Dodgems
Photo © 2023 Frank York
1960s
Tommy Nichols (who passed away in 1982) leading the Procession.
Photo © Unknown. Gifted to Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre
Choir Leader, Tommy Nichols (who passed away in 1982)
with Choir Boys: Jonathan (Jon) Suiter, David Muggleton and Paul Fox
Photo © Unknown. Gifted to Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre
Photo © 2023 Frank York
The Vicar of Rothwell, Reverend Cocks and St John Ambulance passing the now ‘Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre’
Photo © 2023 Frank York
Photo © 2023 Frank York
1970s
Photo © 2023 Frank York
Aboard Whiting’s Chaser. L to R: Methodist Minister, Geoffrey Hawkeridge, the Revd. John Cocks and Council Chair, Robert Denton
Photo © 1977 Stan White
Gifted to Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre
L to R: ?, ?, Yvonne White, Cllr David White, Reverend Paul Rose, Simon Ogle, Mayor of Rothwell and his Wife, ?, ?, Robert Denton, Carolyn Mackay, Alistair Mackay all aboard William Thurston’s Waltzer De-Luxe
Photo © Unknown. Gifted to Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre
1990s/2000s
Reverend Tim Royds, Mayor David Jones, Reverend Paul Rose aboard Charlie Appleton’s Twist
Photo © Unknown. Gifted to Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre
2004 (Rowell Fair’s 800th Anniversary)
Reverend George Burgon, Major J Powell (Husband to the Lord of the Manor), Tim Royds (United Reform Church)
2004’s Blessing of the Fair
© 2004 Geoff Davis
Cedwien Brown, Alan Pope (facing left), Simon Ogle, the Late Zandra Powell (Lord of the Manor), Reverend George Burgon
on Thurston’s Waltzer
2004’s Blessing of the Fair
© 2004 Geoff Davis
2005
Karl Sumpter & George Burgon on Charlie Appleton’s ‘Hi-Energy’ Miami
Photo © Unknown. Gifted to Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre
Reverend George Burgon, Gretton Silver Band on board
Charlie Appleton’s ‘Hi-Energy’ Miami
Far left: Cllr Alan Pote, and ?, and ?
Far right: Zandra and Johnny Powell
Photo © Unknown. Gifted to Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre
2008 or 2012 ??
Councillor Alan Mills (future Bailiff), Reverend George Burgon, Karl Sumpter passing Andrew Robinson’s Crazy Pyramids Funhouse
Photo © Unknown. Gifted to Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre
2016
Bailiff Alan Mills and 2016 Mayor, Karl Sumpter
© 2022 Derek Sumpter
2019
Clive Cross (at back far left), Rev. Ruth Colby, Rev. Cannon John Westwood officiating. Fred ? (Chair, Conservative Club), Cllr Tom Morrissey (Mayor, Rothwell) Nicholas Robertson (Deputy Lieutenant, High Sheriff of Northamptonshire) – 5th from right
© 2022 Geoff Davis
2022
Aboard Raymond Pearson’s Euro Flyer
Halberdiers Les Voss, Wayne Woods, Reverend Andrew Farrington, Mayor Karl Sumpter, Julie Sumpter, Sue Johnson, Paul Johnson (Both RFS), Keli Watts (Mayor, Kettering)
2022’s Blessing of the Fair
© 2022 Derek Sumpter
Aboard Raymond Pearson’s Euro Flyer
Rev Andrew Farrington, Cllr Ray Davies, Mayor Karl Sumpter, Julie Sumpter, Phillip Hollobone (MP), Ian Dudley (RFS), Sue Johnson, Paul Johnson (Both RFS), Ray Brown, Keli Watts (Mayor, Kettering)
© 2022 Derek Sumpter
Aboard Raymond Pearson’s Euro Flyer
From L to R: Frank York (Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor & RFS Chair), Halberdiers: Les Voss, Wayne Woods
© 2022 Geoff Davis
Aboard Raymond Pearson’s Euro Flyer
Mayor Karl Sumpter, his wife, Julie Sumpter, Ian Dudley (Rowell Fair Society), Philip Hollobone (in background)
© 2022 Geoff Davis
Aboard Raymond Pearson’s Euro Flyer
Natalie Hollobone (Wife of MP), Mayor Karl Sumpter, Philip Hollobone (MP), Julie Sumpter, Lloyd Mills (Deputy Bailiff), ?, Sue Johnson (Secretary, RFS)
© 2022 Geoff Davis
Aboard Raymond Pearson’s Euro Flyer
Reverend Andrew Farrington, Cllr. Ray Davis, Mayor Karl Sumpter, Natalie Hollobone, Julie Sumpter, Philip Hollobone (MP), Ian Dudley (RFS), Lloyd Mills (Deputy Bailiff), Sue Johnson, Paul Johnson (Both RFS)
© 2022 Geoff Davis
From L to R: Julie Sumpter, Lloyd Mills (Deputy Bailiff), Sue Johnson (Secretary RFS), Paul Johnson (President, RFS), Ray Brown ,
and Keli Watts (Mayor of Kettering)
© 2022 Geoff Davis
© 2022 Geoff Davis
2023
On William Thurston’s Waltzer
© 2023 Rowell Fair Society
On William Thurston’s Waltzer
© 2023 Rowell Fair Society
Video – 2023 Blessing
Our thanks to RFS member, Edd Hirst for this short video clip of 2023’s Blessing.
Leanne Buckingham (Corby Mayor), Sharon Davis (Wife of Ray Davis), Emily Fedorowycz (Kettering Mayor), Ray Davis (Rothwell Mayor),
Crispin and Louise Holborow, Rev Andrew Farrington, Cllr. Ian Jelley, Colin Bell (Halberdier) Lee Vincent (Halberdier)
© 2023 Edd Hirst
2024 – Our 820th Anniversary
Can you help? Send us your photographs
of 2024’s Blessing! Contact us HERE
If you have any photographs from years not shown, do get in touch using our contact form HERE and we’ll post them on this page.
We’d love to hear from you so that we can add even more detail to this page of
Rothwell’s proud tradition – The Rowell Fair!
The Rowell Fair Society works to ensure the heritage and traditions of the Rowell Fair, including our unique Proclamation, are not lost. We are a small group of enthusiastic volunteers who rely heavily on financial support through membership subscriptions, donations, fundraising and the occasional grant. If you have a passion for our traditions (whether you are local or global) and would like to support us, please visit our dedicated page. Thank-you!
