| Where: | Formerly at Bideford, Devon |
| When: | Formerly on New Years Day |
| Time: |
Andrew’s Dole was a charitable gift of loaves to the needy founded by the Mayor, John Andrew in 1605 and distributed each January 1st. Land rental of a field named Three Acres donated to the Andrew’s Trust provided the income with which to buy the bread every year. While the custom no longer takes place in this manner, the charity still continues to provide relief to local residents in the form of financial grants, which are now taken by the claimants in the form of an annual meal. The property now built on the field left by Mr Andrews is part of the local College complex, and the Trust still collects the rent payments to pay for the event. At the dinner, there are various toasts, and a recital of the history of the Trust, so Mr Andrew’s memory is still alive and well in Bideford. Thanks to John Andrew’s descendant David Best and to Nick Panagakis for providing updates!
here is a link to the charity’s 2017 finances. http://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=246812&subid=0
My mother was an Andrew (her mother was a McKinnon) and her family emigrated to Ontario Canada in 1857. I don’t know the exact relationship of John Andrew.
Thanks David for the update – I expect John Andrew would be very pleased that his charitable work still continues today, over 400 years on!
Best wishes
Averil