The “Rowell Fair” daffodil

History – From Holland to Rothwell!

In early 2023, the Rowell Fair Society became aware of a daffodil bulb named ‘Rowell Fair’! Further investigation revealed that the bulb was first developed here in the UK. With more detective work, the Society discovered that the creator of this special bulb was based just a few miles away from us in nearby Kettering!

After some more online research together with recommendations from locals in Rothwell, we located a specialist stockist located in Holland – and we placed our order!

The limited-edition of 50 bulbs arrived in early October, ready for planting.

Creating the Bulb

The variety was first bred by Kettering’s John Gibson in the early 1990s. John has a proud history of creating daffodil variants and naming them after local events.

Tell me more about the Bulb

It is a smooth yellow perianth with a deep cup shaped corona
Classification: 2 Y-O [Large-Cupped]
Season: Mid-Season
Height: Standard – 32.5 to 67.5 cm (12.8 to 26.6 in)
Year of First Flowering: 1994
Breeder: John Gibson, Kettering, Northamptonshire
First Registered: 2008
Seed Parent: Craig Stiel
Pollen Parent: Loch Naver
Seedling Number: 3-6-89
Used as parent: 1 time as pollen
Classification: 2 Y-O (Large-Cupped)
Season: Mid-Season
Height: Standard – 32.5 to 67.5 cm (12.8 to 26.6 in)
Year of First Flowering: 1994
Breeder: John Gibson, Kettering, Northamptonshire
First Registered: 2008
Seed Parent: Craig Stiel
Pollen Parent: Loch Naver
Seedling Number: 3-6-89
Used as parent: 1 time as pollen

Daffodils on Display!

This first stock of bulbs were planted on Thursday, October 26th, 2023 by Rothwell Town Council and members of the Rowell Fair Society – Bailiff to the Lord of the Manor, Frank York, RFS President, Paul Johnson, RFS Secretary, Sue Johnson and RFS Committee Member, Steve Palmer in the Rothwell Memorial Garden overseen by Rothwell’s Mayor, Ray Davis. Our thanks also to Community Volunteer, Don McColl for his help in preparing the space and Vice-Chair of Rothwell & District Royal British Legion, Barbara Cox for her help with the planting.

The bulbs will flower in March/April and we’ll update this page with their first flowering nearer the time.

A few days later, the area was dressed in time for Remembrance Sunday.

You can also read a short article online by the Northants Telegraph HERE or Thursday’s print edition, below.

2024 – First Flowering!

During the week leading up to Easter in 2024, the Daffodils came into bloom for the first time in the Memorial Garden! Our thanks to Geoff Davis for the three photos below…

…and you can’t get much closer than this photo! Georgeous!!