Dates

• Existence: Established 1868

Biography

The Rowland family is one of the oldest showland families in the West Country. The Rowland fairground business originated with Thomas Rowland (b.1852) in 1868, when Tom started to work on the fairs as a Hawker in the Surrey area. He married Betsy Smith and they had ten children.

Tom and Betsy travelled further and further afield from Surrey until they reached the West Country where they eventually settled. All of Tom and Betsy’s sons followed their parents’ footsteps into the family business and eventually formed their own company as the Rowland Brothers.

Two of Tom and Betsy’s sons, Albert and Jack served in the First World War. When they returned home they continued with the family business. Over the years, they modernised their operations with steam engines and new rides and eventually took over the business with their other brothers when their parents passed away. It was, one of the brothers, Joe, who gave his name to the firm, which will be known as J. Rowland & Sons from thereafter.

Among other members of the family, Thomas Rowland and David Rowland are still operating separately in the twenty first century.