Bury St Edmunds Guildhall Feoffment procession leads from St Mary’s Church to the Guildhall for annual cake and ale ceremony

A robed procession made its way from St Mary’s Church to the Guildhall in Bury St Edmunds to celebrate a figure who left a lasting legacy on the town.

This followed a service at the church which commemorated Jankyn Smyth, a medieval benefactor to the town.

Following the procession, guests including school pupils, residents of local almshouses and Feoffees were invited to a traditional cake and ale ceremony at the Guildhall.

While there they stood under a portrait of Jankyn Smyth and drank an annual toast to him.

Lynne Jardine, clerk and receiver at the Guildhall Feoffment charity, said: “It was a wonderful occasion, perhaps the highlight being performances from Guildhall Feoffment School, and County High, at the service.

“Guests enjoyed delicious cake made by West Suffolk College and beer supplied by Greene King during the commemoration celebration which was followed by a more intimate lunch for residents and Feoffees.”

Feoffees are trustees of the Guildhall Feoffment which dates back to 1481, when Jankyn Smyth left the charity money in his will.

The Guildhall Feoffment is believed to be the oldest endowed charity in the country still in existence.