The recently revived traditional Richard Smith for Bread donation of bread to almspeople took place on Wednesday 17 May outside 6 Guild Cottages Almshouses, Church Street Stratford-upon-Avon.
The Mayor of Stratford Gill Cleeve undertook this tradition of the giving out of the bread.
“Municipal Charities do a marvellous job of providing accommodation for 47 residents in their almshouses and it’s great to be able to continue this ancient tradition of giving out bread from the Richard Smith charity for Bread”
The Mayor Gill Cleeve
Richard Smith left money in his will of 14 June 1695 for the distribution on bread to “eighteen poor people”. Now, each year, the Richard Smith for Bread Charity receives a donation of ÂŁ30 from the Governors of King Edward VI Grammar School for distribution of bread to alms people.
The Chief Officer William Clemmey said,
“We are grateful to Mor Bakery for providing the bread for the revival of this tradition. We offer our residents housing as well as grants at Christmas and Easter together with a range of outings throughout the year. If you know anyone who would like to become a resident then do get in touch”
The photograph shows the Mayor distributing bread to two of the residents accompanied by two trustees and two staff from Municipal Charities.
Anyone wishing to become a resident should get in touch with the Charity at the Guild Cottages address or by email to chiefofficer@municipal-charities.org.uk or via their website https://www.municipal-charities.org.uk/.
posted 24 May 2023