Biddenden Dole

The Eastertide charitable custom of the Biddenden Dole dates back centuries. Bread and cheese are distributed as well as specially made hard biscuits in the shape of the Chulkhurst twins - these are reputedly better kept as souvenirs than eaten! The legend behind the custom is that Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst were Eleventh Century conjoined twins who died within hours of each other; they left lands to the church to support a charitable dole which continues today. The bread & cheese goes together with a gift of tea to the elderly but all who attend the ceremony are given the opportunity to purchase a biscuit.
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