Hubberholme pub to host ancient land-letting ceremony (From Craven Herald)
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Hubberholme pub to host ancient land-letting ceremony
10:00am Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News
Auctioneer: The Rev Peter Yorkstone
Hubberholme will be upholding an ancient tradition.
On Monday, the historic land-letting ceremony will be held at the George Inn.
Locals will gather in front of the pub’s roaring fires to bid for the tenancy of 16 acres of land, owned by the church.
‘The poor pasture’ is a steep piece of pasture land, comprising mainly rushes and thistles, about a quarter of a mile from the George.
It is thought the ritual has been taking place since the 18th century.
The evening will begin with a service of prayer and blessing at St Michael and All Angels’ Church at 8pm, after which everyone will make their way to the George for the bidding.
Auctioneer will be vicar the Rev Peter Yorkstone, who has the responsibility of calling and noting the bids.
The real star of the night, however, is not the auctioneer but the candle.
For this is no ordinary auction – it’s a race against the flame. Whoever holds the bid when the candle burns down and fizzles out gets the land.
