| Where: | Biddenden, Kent at the Old Workhouse on the Sissinghurst Road |
| When: | Easter Monday |
| Time: | 10am. |
The Eastertide charitable custom of the Biddenden Dole dates back centuries. Bread and cheese are distributed as well as specially made hard biscuits in the shape of the Chulkhurst twins – these are reputedly better kept as souvenirs than eaten! The legend behind the custom is that Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst were Eleventh Century conjoined twins who died within hours of each other; they left lands to the church to support a charitable dole which continues today. The bread & cheese goes together with a gift of tea to the elderly but all who attend the ceremony are given the opportunity to purchase a biscuit (in 2015 they cost £1).
Helpful Hints
Look out for the village sign on the green, which depicts the twins.The Old Workhouse is situated to the south side of the A262, just west of the turnoff into the Chulkhurst estate on the north (opposite) side of the A262.
In 2025 Easter Monday falls upon 21st April.
In 2022 after two years of cash donation in lieu of the real thing, the Bread and Cheese Dole returned in-person to the Workhouse.
Click here for the local council: https://www.biddenden.gov.uk/
Click here for the village website : http://www.biddendenkent.co.uk/
The old work house is now a rather fine dwelling; its out of the village past the church about 100 yards on the left, opposite a road called Chulkhurst. A fine old custom, no pomp or ceremony the old people line up and get a polythene bag containing bread, cheese, butter and tea. Its over in about ten minutes and if you get going you can get to Winchelsea for 11.00 for the mayor making. Averil I will post a couple of pics on Trad customs on Facebook that you are free to use.