| Where: | Woodbridge, Suffolk at the Bull Hotel |
| When: | Near 2nd February (the original date) |
| Time: | 10 am |
Carlow’s Charity is a bread dole for the needy which took place at Woodbridge in Suffolk for many years, lapsed for a long time and was revived in 2020. Pupils from the Abbey School were treated to refreshments including the small bread rolls after a brief service at the Bull Hotel; post-covid, the revival has again been revived from 2024 so will hopefully carry on into the future.
Helpful Hints
As it’s such a recent revival, I’ll be checking for future years to see if it stays exactly the same or if it evolves. In 2025 it was on Monday 3rd February at 10 am at the Bull- 2026 details are yet to be announced.
Click here for the Church website: https://www.stmaryswoodbridge.org
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StMarysWoodbridge
Click here for the event web page: https://www.stmaryswoodbridge.org/post/carlow-s-dole?fbclid=IwAR362jADNDMX-9Xw2uLX_WKrNz2EnpE5h64y67rkal24KlwL9dQBNzIgIRA
I read about ‘Carlow’s Charity’ in a book about traditional British customs ‘Once a Year’. by Homer Sykes, published in 1977. I hope that the tradition still continues.
That’s a great book, Janet. Sadly the Carlows Charity lapsed for many years, and it was just revived in 2020 for one year. I’m hoping it might happen again some day- it couldn’t go ahead in 2021 due to covid, but as it hasn’t happened again since I’m not too sure when that might be. Fingers crossed! I’ll keep checking…
Carlow was honoured again on Friday, 2nd February 2024, the Feast of Candlemas, when the Rector and Churchwardens of Woodbridge, St Mary were invited by the landlord of The Bull Hotel to his ‘Carlow’s Room’. They took Year 2 of St Mary’s Primary School too. There, the Rector explained what was being commemorated and the landlord very generously gave the children bread rolls, butter, jam and fruit juice.
The current owner of the garden housing the tomb offered some of the adults present the very rare opportunity of seeing the tomb itself.
Hi Veronica,
Thanks for the info- it’s always a pleasure to hear about a tradition being revived rather than disappearing! I read a little bit about it just a few days ago on the church Facebook page, but it’s great to have a bit more- and what a privilege to be able to view the tomb. Lucky things! I’m hoping that in a future year a well-behaved customs enthusiast might be allowed to witness it, if she asks nicely….
Best wishes,
Averil