A tradition dating back hundreds of years has been given a modern twist with a visit to a foodbank.
The annual Hercules Clay commemoration takes place in Newark this weekend. But instead of the usual church service, a donation will be made to the foodbank.
The church service is not going ahead because it coincides with Mothering Sunday.
Hercules Clay, textile merchant, was Mayor of Newark during the Civil War, living next to the Town Hall. For three nights in a row he dreamt of his house burning down, which he took as an omen and moved his family away. Soon after, his house was damaged by fire.
In gratitude for his family’s safety, he left in his will money for loaves to be given to the town’s poor and an annual church service on or near to March 11.
This year, the commemoration takes place on Saturday (March 9).
At 11.45am the deputy mayor of Newark, Diane Ledger, will meet at the Newark Town Hall where she will be joined by the chairman of Newark Business Club, Simon Gabbitas, and other members town business representatives.
At noon, upon arrival of the Colonel Robert Overton’s Regiment of Foote, a blessing will be led by the Rev Chris Lion, including reference to the legacy left by Hercules Clay.
As part of the Hercules Clay commemoration, members of Colonel Robert Overton’s Regiment of the English Civil War Society will escort the Mayoral Party to the Newark Foodbank, Cartergate to make a donation.
At the end, the dignitaries will be escorted back to the Town Hall to have refreshments in the Council Chamber.
The public is invited to join in with the traditional service that dates back to 1644.
The Newark Food Bank appealing to the public for donations.
It is currently in urgent need of tinned meat, instant mashed potato, rice, tinned tomatoes, pasta sauce, sponge puddings, tinned fruit and long life fruit juice.
Items that the foodbank is in constant need of include tea bags, UHT milk, breakfast cereal, soup, noodles, savoury rice packets, cooking oil, tinned fish, tinned spaghetti, tinned peas, tinned rice pudding, tinned/carton/packed custard, cereal bards, marmalade, biscuits, chocolate biscuits, toilet roll, toothpaste, hand wash, washing pods, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, washing-up liquid and toiletries.
