Townsfolk and representatives from Westmorland and Furness Council, Duddon Parish Council and Lancashire County Council gathered in Broughton-in-Furness for the 431st edition of an ancient ceremony marking the August Fair and renewal of the town’s market charter.
Since the reign of Elizabeth I, the gathering has taken place in Broughton to witness the Lord of the Manor proclaim the annual August Fair. In 1593, Henry Stanley, Lord Strange, the fourth Earl of Derby, read the Proclamation for the first time.
As the latest in a long line of Lords of the Manor, Westmorland and Furness Council recognises the importance of maintaining this valuable heritage by continuing the time-honoured tradition. This was the second time that Westmorland and Furness Council has fulfilled the role, since succeeding Cumbria County Council as the area’s new unitary authority in 2023. Prior to 1974, the town was part of Lancashire.
Following tradition, Councillor Matt Brereton, local member for High Furness, serving as the representative of the Lord of the Manor, along with his guests, walked to the Market Place in procession, led by the Bailiff, Parish Councillor Colin Edmondson, who was carrying the ceremonial halberd.
The proceedings were introduced from the steps of the Obelisk by Councillor Brereton, who welcomed the assembly and jointly read out the Proclamation on behalf of Westmorland and Furness Council, alongside Parish Councillor James Brakewell, Vice-Chair of Duddon Parish Council.
The national anthem was sung and local children invited to join in proceedings by gathering pennies scattered to signify the distribution of alms. All those assembled were then invited to visit the Manor Arms, to enjoy traditional ‘Fair Cakes’ and a complementary beverage.
Councillor Brereton welcomed the opportunity to sign the Charter on behalf of Westmorland and Furness Council:
“I’m proud to be the latest in a long line of signatories of the Charter on behalf of the Lord of the Manor. Reading out the Proclamation in such a wonderful town, surrounded by the local community, as well as some slightly bemused looking visitors, is a real honour. I was pleased that, as it has every year for the past seven years I’ve been involved, the sun shone… it always comes out on Charter Day!
“It is important to mark such historical events in the proper manner, and Charter Day has not been missed in Broughton, so far as we know, despite world wars and pandemics, for the past 431 years. I hope all those involved enjoyed the day and very much look forward to celebrating next year’s August Fair.”
