Annual Proclamation of Broughton Fair 2021
On Sunday 1 August 2021 at 12noon, the picturesque village of Broughton in Furness witnessed the Annual Proclamation of the Fair.
Since 1593, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, when Henry Stanley, Lord Strange, the fourth Earl of Derby, first read the Proclamation, the local residents have gathered together to witness the Lord of the Manor proclaim the Annual August Fair.
Cumbria County Council, the latest in the long line of Lords of the Manor, continue this time-honoured custom, so recognising the importance of maintaining a valuable part of our heritage.
In accordance with tradition, the representatives of the Lord of the Manor, together with their guests, walked in procession, led by the Bailiff, Mr Joss Curwen, carrying the ceremonial halberd, to the Market Place.
The proceedings were introduced from the steps of the Obelisk by Local Member, Councillor Matt Brereton and the Proclamation was read to the assembled villagers by Councillor Tony Markley, Chairman of Cumbria County Council, and Councillor John Jardine, Vice-Chair of Duddon Parish Council.
After the singing of the National Anthem, and to the delight of the local children, the spectacle continued with the scattering of pennies by the Chairman and other members of the official party.
Councillor Tony Markley rounded off the proceedings with the signing of the Charter, which contains the signatures of every person who has read the Proclamation since the Charter was first proclaimed in 1593.
On Sunday 1 August 2021 at 12noon, the picturesque village of Broughton in Furness witnessed the Annual Proclamation of the Fair.