20/7/2010 - Centuries old tradition continues in Broughton

The historic market town of Broughton-in-Furness will be ringing to the sound of a centuries old ritual at noon on 1 August with the annual proclamation of the town’s fair.

Cumbria County Council Chairman Albert Richardson will read the proclamation and add his name to the ancient charter.

The county council is the modern Lord of the Manor of Broughton, and the council's chairmen continue the ancient ceremony with traditional pomp and pageantry, including the ‘quaffing of good ale’ and the scattering of pennies to children.

Having assembled in the lounge of The Old King's Head Hotel at 11.45am, the official party will be led to the obelisk in the village square by the Bailiff, Jos Curwen, carrying the ceremonial halberd.

From the steps of the obelisk, County Councillor Claire Salisbury will introduce the proceedings, and Cllr Richardson will read the proclamation to the assembled villagers. The proclamation will be repeated by Parish Councillor Lynne Burch, Chairman of the Parish Council.

After the singing of the national anthem the spectacle will continue with the scattering of new pennies by the Chairman and other members of the official party.

The villagers will then be invited to return to The Old King's Head Hotel where, in time-honoured fashion, they will receive fair cake and ale, after which Cllr Richardson will propose a toast to: ‘The Queen, Duke of Lancaster’.

Cllr Richardson will round off the proceedings when he signs the charter, which contains the signatures of every person who has read the proclamation since Henry Stanley, Lord Strange, 4th Earl of Derby, first proclaimed the charter in 1593.

The historic market town of Broughton-in-Furness will be ringing to the sound of a centuries old ritual at noon on 1 August with the annual proclamation of the town’s fair.

Cumbria County Council Chairman Albert Richardson will read the proclamation and add his name to the ancient charter.

The county council is the modern Lord of the Manor of Broughton, and the council's chairmen continue the ancient ceremony with traditional pomp and pageantry, including the ‘quaffing of good ale’ and the scattering of pennies to children.

Having assembled in the lounge of The Old King's Head Hotel at 11.45am, the official party will be led to the obelisk in the village square by the Bailiff, Jos Curwen, carrying the ceremonial halberd.

From the steps of the obelisk, County Councillor Claire Salisbury will introduce the proceedings, and Cllr Richardson will read the proclamation to the assembled villagers. The proclamation will be repeated by Parish Councillor Lynne Burch, Chairman of the Parish Council.

After the singing of the national anthem the spectacle will continue with the scattering of new pennies by the Chairman and other members of the official party.

The villagers will then be invited to return to The Old King's Head Hotel where, in time-honoured fashion, they will receive fair cake and ale, after which Cllr Richardson will propose a toast to: ‘The Queen, Duke of Lancaster’.

Cllr Richardson will round off the proceedings when he signs the charter, which contains the signatures of every person who has read the proclamation since Henry Stanley, Lord Strange, 4th Earl of Derby, first proclaimed the charter in 1593.

ENDS

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