| Where: | Newark-on-Trent, Notts at the Town Hall (formerly at St Mary Magdalene Church off the Market Place in Church Walk) |
| When: | Saturday near 11th March (formerly a Sunday near 11th) |
| Time: | 11.45 am |
Hercules Clay was a resident of Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire during the time of the Civil War; for three nights in a row he dreamt of his house burning and he took this as an omen, moving out just before the house was indeed damaged by fire in the siege. In gratitude for his family’s escape, he left funds in his will to found a charity dole of penny loaves for distribution to the needy on the Sunday nearest the anniversary of 11th March. Nowadays the special bread-themed service currently takes place on a Saturday near that date, starting with a reception in the Town Hall for invited guests- until recently the service was always in the church with Alderman Clay’s Bible on the altar. Currently, the civic service is followed by an outdoor Blessing, then the local dignitaries process to the food bank from the Town Hall, where small loaves are distributed to charity.
Helpful Hints
In 2026 it should be on Saturday 7th March with the civic procession from the Town Hall to the Food Bank, as in 2025 while the Church was closed for renovation work. While the Reception is for invited guests only, members of the public are welcome at the Blessing and Procession. I’ll be checking for future years if the move to a Saturday and to the Town Hall is permanent; as this has been the case for 3 years in a row now I’m assuming it will follow this pattern for the future.
Alderman Hercules Clay’s house was next to the Town Hall – it’s now a bank and has a rectangular plaque to commemorate the events under the large bow window. His memorial plaque may be found inside the church on the South Choir wall.
Previously it was on the Sunday closest to 11th March but if it clashed with Mothering Sunday or other events it usually moved a week (or to the Saturday).
For any further information please contact the Town Hall on 01636 680333 or post@newark.gov.uk
Click here for the Newark Business Club who usually have the date in their calendar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NewarkBusinessClub
Click here for the church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NewarkParishChurch/
Yes it will be on March 10, 2019 this year, & next year on the March 8,2020
Alice..
Thanks Alice! I was hoping to attend in 2018 but it was a week earlier than usual to avoid a clash with Mother’s Day and it coincided with heavy snow from the Beast from the East….might have better luck this time!
Averil
Hercules Clay: Sunday 12th March 2023
There will be an annual service at Newark Parish Church, on Sunday at 11am
nearest to 11th March, to commemorate the life of Hercules Clay a former Newark businessman and Mayor during the English Civil War. Before the service, guests will gather in the Ballroom and be welcomed by the Civic Party at 10.15am. A procession will be formed, which will then make its way to the Parish Church. The service of commemoration at St Mary Magdalene Parish Church will be followed by a reception in the Town Hall. The service is traditionally attended by the Town Mayor, Councillors, and Members of the Newark area Chamber of Commerce. The Mayor will lay a single rose on the Hercules Clay plaque in the church. A Bible representing that of Hercules Clay is brought to the altar by a surviving relative of Hercules Clay, currently Mrs Marjorie Clay-Dove. The original bible forms part of a display in the Town’s Museum in the Town Hall. At the end of the church service, representing Hercules Clay’s bequest of £100 to the poor of Newark, the Mayor will give out small loaves of bread to the Church Choir.
For any further information please contact the Town Hall on 01636 680333 or post@newark.gov.uk
Dear Laurence,
Many thanks for getting in touch to confirm the date and all the timings for the Hercules Clay service and related information. It’s really useful to have this all confirmed, especially as, though things are getting more back to normal post-covid, some events have changed or stopped altogether in recent years. Long may it continue!
Best wishes,
Averil
Alas I missed the it this year. I found out at 10:45 on Sunday 9th that it was actually held on Saturday 8th. The church is closed and all scaffolded up, so it appears the procession was to a food bank instead.
According to the Newark Business Club Facebook group, it started at 11:45 at the town hall. The procession went to the food bank and there was a reception for invitees in the council chambers. Civil War reenactors from the the English Civil War Society were present too.
I found this out too late to be of use to me unfortunately. Maybe next year…
Thanks Malcolm that’s useful information! I find this increasingly difficult to get a date for in advance but have added that Facebook page link to the listing which will hopefully help in future- perhaps Saturdays will be the norm gaping forward as they won’t have to fit in with Sunday services. Thanks again,
Averil