Widows and widowers in St Ives were given bags filled with groceries on Wednesday as part of a centuries old tradition in the town.

The Hunts Post: Langley Bread Distribution, at St Ives Corn Exchange, Iris Smith, with St Ives Mayor Ian Jackson,Langley Bread Distribution, at St Ives Corn Exchange, Iris Smith, with St Ives Mayor Ian Jackson, (Image: Archant)

Widows and widowers in St Ives were given bags filled with groceries on Wednesday as part of a centuries old tradition in the town.

The mayor of St Ives, Councillor Ian Jackson gave about 150 bags of sugar, bread, tea, jam and biscuits to the town’s residents as part of the giving of the Langley Bread.

When Robert Langley died in 1656, he left money in his will for bread to be handed out annually in the parish and the traditions live on with interest from the Langley Trust fund being spent on essentials each year.

A town council spokesman said that £432 had been donated to the fund courtesy of the Waitrose green token scheme. Bags of goods were handed out at the Corn Exchange.

The Hunts Post: Langley Bread Distribution, at St Ives Corn Exchange, (l-r) Joanne Bates, and Betty Smith, with St Ives Mayor Ian Jackson,Langley Bread Distribution, at St Ives Corn Exchange, (l-r) Joanne Bates, and Betty Smith, with St Ives Mayor Ian Jackson, (Image: Archant)

All widows and widowers residing within the parish of St Ives and listed on the electoral roll are eligible to receive the groceries.