The picturesque village of Broughton in Furness will witness the Annual Proclamation of the fair on Monday 1 August 2005 at 12 noon. This exciting event will be re-enacted by Cumbria County Council. The event consists of traditional pomp and pageantry, including the "quaffling of good ale" and the scattering of pennies to the children.
The event will begin at 11:45 in the lounge of the Old King's Head Hotel, then the official party wil be lead to the Obelisk in the Village Square by the Bailiff, Mr Jos Curwen, who will be carrying the ceremonial halberd.
County Councillor Oliver Pearson will then stand upon the steps of the Obelisk and introduce the proceedings. Chairman of the County Council, John Collier, will read the Proclamation to the assembled visitors which will also be repeated by Jeff Barker, Vice Chairman of the Parish Council.
John Collier, Chairman of Cumbria County Council, says "It is important to keep up traditons that have been a part of this country for hundreds of years so the youth of Britian can see a different kind of celebration. It will introduce the children into a different environment with different culture".
After the Proclamation the National Anthem will be sung and then, to the delight of the local children, members of the official party will scatter new pennies to the children.
The villagers will then be invited back to The Old King's Head Hotel where they will receive fair cake and ale. John Collier will then propose a toast to "The Queen, Duke of Lancaster".
The final event will be the signing the Charter, which contains the signatures of every person who has read the Proclamation since Henry Stanley, Lord Strange, the 4th Earl of Derby, first proclaimed the Charter in 1593