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A bunch of flour |
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Over a thousand loaves
Sir Henry Tichborne distributing the dole, 1670
© English Heritage |
The tradition was established to bake some 1,400 loaves for the Dole, and to give tuppence (less than 5p today) to any claimant if 1,400 loaves did not go far enough. But, over generations of doling, the custom changed to the doling of flour instead of baked loaves, and today, as long as you live in the villages of either Tichborne or Cheriton, an adult can receive a gallon, and a child ½ a gallon, of finest self-raising flour – if you are married with a couple of children, the three gallons of flour could bake all your bread for the year!
For Dardanella Woollard, from the village of Tichborne, the 2003 Dole was the 38th time she has scooped the flour; she recalls happy times: “I have been at the Dole ever since I moved to the village in the '60s. It’s usually raining for the event, but this year was the best weather for many years. My pillowcase is the best receptacle for the flour as it easily carries the entitlement, and lets the flour breathe too. And, although there are more and more cakes and bread always available on the bakers’ shelves, my sack of flour usually lasts me through to the end of the year.”
Descendents of the Tichborne family distributing the dole in 2000
© Courtesy of Anthony and Catherine Loudon |
Today, the dole is still a family affair, and the present day descendants, Anthony and Catherine Loudon are adamant that the tradition is kept alive. Anthony explains: “Today, we order the flour in bulk from the local flour mill and have it delivered in a huge box. We hold a family lunch, after which the family priest blesses the flour which is set at the front of Tichborne House. We then offer up a prayer to remember Lady Mabella and start the distribution of the flour to every adult and child in the parish.”
Over the years, many hundreds of tons of flour have been distributed, but there was a time that the dole was stopped. This drew the wrath of a curse left by Lady Mabella.
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