Sudbury continues centuries-old tradition with festive presentation for elderly residents

A centuries-old tradition was celebrated in Sudbury on Christmas Day.

Hosted by Sudbury Municipal Charities at the town hall, 27 elderly men were presented with a £45 gift voucher for winter clothing during a special ceremony.

The tradition is thought to date back to 1668 and a request by Nathaniel King, who stated that clothing should be gifted to men in the town on Christmas Day.

Sudbury Commons Land ranger Adrian Walters, who organises the annual event, said this week that it had been a real success thanks to more people coming forward in recent years.

“It was the best we have had,” he said, adding that it is humbling to spend time with residents from the town on such a poignant day.

“It’s nice to know that we have made somebody’s Christmas,” he said, adding that there had been a resurgence in interest, which has enabled the tradition to continue.

“We are getting quite a good number of applicants now, but about 10 years ago, it nearly faded away,” said Mr Walters, who has helped to organise the event for 29 years.