Proclamation Monday – 2025
Rothwell – A Quiet Market Town!
Rothwell in Northamptonshire is normally a quiet market Town. However, since 1204, Proclamation Monday, (aka ‘Proc Monday’ or ‘The Proc’) marks the start of the Rowell Fair and changes all that – albeit temporarily!
At 6am, the ancient Charter is proclaimed by the Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor outside current and former hostelries and is complemented later by a wide range of music and entertainment around the Town.
Proclamation Monday is always the first Monday after Trinity Sunday and even at this early hour, with the sunlight piercing the trees, we could see it was going to be perfect for today’s proceedings. However, this year, due to an earlier small ‘technical hitch’ with the saddle and stirrups, our usual razor-sharp punctuality was compromised and events got underway a little later than the ‘bongs’ of 6am!
Holy Trinity Church, Rothwell – Where it all begins
The 1614 Charter
The Bailiff, Frank York arrived on his horse ‘Boy’ at Holy Trinity Church on Squires Hill for the first Reading – accompanied by his guard of Halberdiers and the Rowell Fair Band. The first of the nine readings was to be delivered here. The above shows the words spoken by our Bailiff from the James I Royal Charter.
Read more about the Charter, HERE
Before commencing the Reading, our Bailiff requested that we all take a moment to remember the following, who were closely associated with the Rowell Fair, and who had sadly passed-away since we last time assembled here – Ian Pratt, Les Voss and Mick Smith.
After the respectful silence, the Band struck up, playing the National Anthem. The Bailiff then read the Charter, after which he declared: “God save the King and the Lord of the Manor” and where the assembled crowds responded with an enthusiastic: “Hurrah!”
Added: 22nd June, 2025
Our thanks to Graham Butlin for his footage of the 2025‘s ‘Reading of the Proclamation’.
An expanded version (36 minutes) of the Proclamation is available HERE.
After this reading, the Bailiff and his entourage stopped at the War Memorial to pay their respects.
Rum & Milk for Breakfast
They then visited the sites (or former sites) in turn of the eight public houses to read the Charter, play the National Anthem and continue to graciously accept the occasional official drink!
Drinks were presented by local landlords, well-wishers and supporters and consist of the traditional Rowell Fair beverage of Rum & Milk for the Bailiff and his entourage. This traditional thirst-quencher is designed to keep the early morning chill away. Luckily, being later this year than usual, and less than a week away from the longest day, there was no chance of any ‘chill’ in the air! Chills or no chills, the drink was as welcome as ever, especially for our Bailiff!
Crowds gathered to follow our Bailiff and entourage around the Town.
A playful scuffle…
After the first couple of stops, under very close supervision and control, it’s the tradition for the local townspeople to attempt to disarm the Halberdiers. These days, this is a VERY carefully choreographed (but still enthusiastic and energetic) scuffle. Safety is paramount, not just for the opposing sides, but for the crowds too and is expertly managed by RFS Committee Member, Pete Bell and Carl Beasley. The whistle is blown, the scuffle begins, and a short while later, on the second blow, order is restored. Our Halberdiers and scufflers help each other to their feet and the group moves on to the next stop where the ceremony (and friendly scuffle!) is repeated.
What is a Halberdier? – read more HERE.
The Music of the Proclamation
Music plays a significant part in proceedings on this special day, playing at each location. The Rowell Fair Band are all volunteers and are supported by members of the Gretton Silver Band playing together on this unique occasion.
The Musicians
Thank-you to Lloyd Preston (Band Leader); Mark Sliwinski; Lewis Cowen; Chris Cowen; Dave Ashby; Sandra Preston; Andrea Ridge and Paul Balmer.
Regular tunes played each year include:-
- God Save the King
- Crimond
- The Stein Song
- The March of the Cobblers
The Nine Readings of the Charter
The nine readings take place on the site of the current or former Hostelries where the readings took place 800-plus years ago.
1. Holy Trinity Parish Church, Squires Hill
2. The former site of the New Inn
3. Site of the former Crown Coaching Inn
(also where the first “scuffle” takes place)
4. Rothwell House Hotel, Bridge Street
5. The Red Lion, Market Hill
6. By Tesco Express
(former site of The Chequers), Market Hill
7. The Woolpack Inn, Market Hill
8. The Blue Bell, Bell Hill
9. Rowell Charter Inn, Sun Hill
Everyone wanted to get a good view of our Bailiff reading the Charter for the last time in 2025!
Loyal to the Bailiff…
How’s that for a view? Take a look at the various Drone footage below, courtesy of Graham Butlin…
Frank York ended his readings for another year and showed his appreciation
“Thank you, Rothwell, for helping maintain
our unique tradition”
The Proclamation from the Air (2025)
Please note there is no sound on the drone footage.
2025
Added: 18th June, 2025
Previous Aerial Film of the Proclamation
2024
Added: 29th May, 2024
2022
Added: 18th July, 2022
Thanks, as always to Graham Butlin for this footage of the ‘Proc Monday’ Processions.
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!
After the Reading
The tour of the Town takes about an hour, and as some of Rothwell were slowly waking up to a new day, the entourage returned to the original assembly point – the private courtyard generously provided by the Guilford family for the Rowell Fair Proclamation. The officials then fulfil their obligatory duties such as photocalls and meeting the Press, and everyone is free to enjoy the rest of the day, usually beginning with a hearty breakfast!
In 2025, our VIP Guests included:-
Lord of the Manor, Louise Holborow
High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, Jeremy Sharman and his wife, Fiona
Mayor of Rothwell, Cllr. Ian Jelley and his wife, Sheila
MP for Kettering (Labour), Rosie Wrighting
Mayor of Kettering, Cllr Ben Jameson
Representing Desborough Town Council, Cllr Jim French
Deputy Mayor of Corby, Susanne Cunningham
Deputy Mayor of Wellingborough, Sylvia Erskine
The horses came from David Lawless Waldburg Shires Horsedrawn Carriages. ‘Cosmo‘ pulled the Dray and ‘Boy‘ (in his fourth appearance for the Rowell Fair) provided transport for Frank York. Both horses have been used to being in big ceremonies in London including drawing the Lord Mayor of London’s Coach.
Many of the pubs stay open throughout the day, often with live bands and entertainment, so plenty of people choose to enjoy another drink over a leisurely breakfast and make a day of it.
After the well-earned hearty breakfast, the ceremony continued…
Thank-you Tour of the Taverns
Introduced some years ago, the Rowell Fair Society added a further step to the Proc Monday tradition. Nicknamed ‘Thank-you Tour of the Taverns’ (previously called, ‘Second Time Around’), the Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor and visiting Dignitaries – after enjoying their VIP breakfast at Tresham Hall – are invited to revisit several of the stops along the route to say an official ‘thank you’ for their support of the Rowell Fair traditions.
Each location was presented with a framed piece and an opportunity for the obligatory photo-call!
Piper Support
Our Pipers (L to R) were Rod Elder from Northampton, Graham Pryor from Cromer and Pipe Major Nick Tysoe from Geddington. They had been playing the bagpipes for a combined 148 years! 👍
Our first stop was
The Blue Bell Inn
Kelly and Fran took over the running of the Blue Bell recently.
Next stop was the
Vintage Vault
Guy and Anita are joint partners in the Vintage Vault, which opened on 29th November 2024.
Next, was the
Conservative Club
Claire has served many years at the Conservative Club and is a well-known to all who visit there.
Then onto
The Red Lion
Will Allen (the General Manager of the Red Lion) gratefully accepted the gift.
Our final stop was the
Rowell Charter Inn
This was Simon Andrew’s second Proc Monday!
And so, the Tour of the Taverns ended for another year. The Rowell Fair Society would like to thank everyone we visited for their support of Rothwell’s ancient traditions.
Our thanks also to our own Halberdiers and the Pipers from Northampton Pipe Band for their support during our ‘Thank-you Tour of the Taverns’.
“God Save the King and the Lord of the Manor!”
We hope you enjoyed the rest of Fair Week!
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!
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#RowellFair2025
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