A UNIQUE tradition dating back hundreds of years remains alive and well in a village near Winchester.
About 150 villagers gathered outside Tichborne House near Alresford to receive a gallon of flour for every adult and half a gallon for every child. Recipients must live in Tichborne, Cheriton or North End.
The tradition of handing out the Tichborne Dole dates back to about 1300 when Lady Mabella de Tichborne lay dying and asked her husband Sir Roger to set up a charity for the poor.
Rather heartlessly, he promised to supply them with the produce from as much of the estate as she could walk around carrying a lighted torch. His crippled wife dragged her way around a field of 23 acres - to this day still known as The Crawls.
With her dying breath she prophesied that the House of Tichborne would be cursed if the dole ever lapsed.
Today Anthony and Catherine Loudon maintain the tradition, as their ancestors have done for several hundred years.
Jane Kettle, of Cheriton, said: "It's a unique tradition."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article