What is R.E.C?

The Rothwell Entertainments Committee are a group of local volunteers who work together to provide Rothwell's main community events each year.

REC is an open group and new members who are willing to work hard for the community are always welcome. We only meet when necessary which is of course quite often just before our major events each year. The group is a non-profit group, which whilst remaining informal in it's approach seeks to set professional standards. 

Rothwell Carnival

Saturday 12th July : Springhead Park : the 600th anniversary of the first ever carnival granted by royal decree in 1408.

Meetings :

Our regular meetings this year will take place on the first Monday on each month at 7.30pm in the Yellow Room at Springhead Park House on Park Lane, Rothwell (except Mon 7th May which is our May Day event).

In the lead up to the major events, and afterwards, there will be other meetings arranged between these to ensure we keep each other informed of what is going on.

Dates planned so far (subject to change but we'll let you know if they do change) :

• Mon 7th July (pre Carnival Meeting)
• Mon 21th July (Carnival feedback & learnings)
• Mon 4th August
• Mon 1st September
• Mon 6th October
• Mon 3rd November 
• Mon 1st December

While these meetings are to mainly arranged to keep members of the REC updated with what action is taking place in preparation for the events, anyone is welcome to attend : our meetings are open to all so if you wish to come along and find out what we are doing, ask any questions, etc., please do so. If you have any questions about the REC and what we do, please e-mail me and I will reply as soon as I can. We are always happy to welcome new members to our team so if you'd like to join us, please e-mail or attend a meeting and make yourself known. 

Committee Officers 

Chair: Gavin Worrilow
Vice-Chair: Kevan Kelly
Treasurer: Mick Penn
Secretary: Lynsey Worrilow
President (Honorary position): Helen Monks

Rothwell has a long history of fine entertainment.

In 1408, King Henry IV (son of John O'Gaunt of Rothwell) decreed that Rothwell should have two fairs per year, one in the month of July. Almost 600 years later, this still happens. May Day celebrations are held every May Day bank holiday and the Rothwell Carnival always takes place on the second Saturday in July.

 

1939

The picture on the right (supplied by Mrs Homer) shows the Queen, Janet Homer (nee Edwards) being crowned by Mrs Gwen Turner at the Gala in 1939. Maid of Honour was Joyce Brooksbank and the Page Boy with the blonde hair is Ronald Whitehead. The previous Queen in the top right is Evelyn Nunns. Janet and some of the others were from the Church School whilst the others were from the Council School.
 

 

1956

 

1957

The Children's Day Queen of 1957 was Margaret Bateman (nee Marshall) who is pictured here with her attendents, Susan Taylor, Susan Dickinson, Jean Beckwith and Yvonne Speake. (Picture courtesy of Margaret Bateman).
 

 

Todays Carnival

The current Entertainments committee has been in operation since 1990. The Rothwell Gala as the current carnival is commonly known has been in happening for at least a century in or around Springhead Park in Rothwell.