An Ancient Custom.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 1 July 1910, Page 4

An Ancient Custom.

Tn accordance with >n custom -believed to have originated over -IDC yiiars ap-o. 21 aired widows of the mrish of St. T?'irflrolo.mc.w iiili» Grcait in. the ward of Farriimdon WitlKiiit. attended St. Bartholcinew's OliiLr-'i l ) on Good Friday fo receive s:\-ponoe each, which tlwv had to pick off a .'rra.vestono. Tlie custom is f-thitpi-i to he iho survival of a hef|Uv«t 101 l by n My for the nrovisiran 'of dole , ? for widows ovor 40 years of ag:\ on ennditinn that prayers wrvo offered for her soul every Drarl F"iidiiy. Various pers-ms 'have l-;f,i. small sums to contiinue \hr rrifts. The chiirchvnrd can ivow he entered onlv by climbing a hiddpr. Thrvro were seven new I'e-irien.+s cf the cKirity owing to dci.t'x! of wc-v,iou.> widews. and iwit of Miem were between 70 and 80 yenirs oif ace.