| Where: | Barking, Essex at St Margaret's Centre, St Margaret's Church |
| When: | Weekday in late May/early June (often a Tuesday) |
| Time: | 3pm |
Ann Nepton set up a charitable trust in the seventeenth century to make an annual payment to the poor and needy of Barking in Essex and her generous legacy continues today, organised and administered by the Worshipful Company of Poulters, to whom she left much of her estate; after the Royal Maundy service it’s the longest established continuously running monetary charity of this type in the country. After the distribution of the envelopes of money to the local recipients there is a special thanksgiving service in the church in memory of the Neptons. The party of dignitaries dressed in fine regalia then gather outside with the clergy around the table tomb of Ann and her husband Thomas. Prayers are said and a chaplet is laid in the Neptons’ honour by the Master of the Company, followed by a tempting selection of home-baked cakes in St Margaret’s Centre, attached to the Church. The charity board relating to the Distribution is in pride of place on the wall of St Margaret’s Centre, with details of the foundation and donors; a supper follows that evening for invited ticket holders only, but anyone can attend the Distribution (though don’t expect a big crowd as it’s little-known outside the parish).
Helpful Hints
The ceremony usually takes place during late May or the first week in June, though this varies a little from year to year. In 2026 it should be on Tuesday 19th May at 3pm.
The church is an ancient foundation, which was part of the highly prestigious Barking Abbey, founded in 666; the building was retained for use by the parish when the Abbey was dissolved in the reign of Henry VIII. In its heyday Barking Abbey was home to royalty and other high-ranking incumbents, and the detached Curfew Tower is the only other building still standing of the original vast complex. It’s well worth exploring (and many thanks to Church Warden Carol for pointing out so many items of interest!).
The Poulters, locals and church officials are all vey welcoming to visitors (and I can personally recommend the Victoria Sponge). Many thanks particularly to John, Terry, Liz and Paul for making me so welcome, and to Carol for the tour and hospitality.
Click here for the church website: https://stmargaretschurchbarking.com
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stmargaretschurchbarking
Click here for the Poulters’ website: http://www.poulters.org.uk
Click here for a first-hand account: https://traditionalcustomsandceremonies.wordpress.com/2015/06/30/custom-survived-the-nepton-distribution-barking/
Thanks to Ross Parish for news of this survival!
Leave a Reply