"SELLING BY CANDLE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1937, Page 15

"SELLING BY CANDLE."

The curious old custom of "selling by candle" is still observed in parts of Leicestershire and in some other counties. At Grimston the parish field is let by "candle." The villagers having congregated in the schoolroom, a one-inch candle is inserted in the neck of a bottle and then lighted. The bidding begins and the person who bids as the last flicker fades out has the field for one year. At Asfordby the parish field is let by "watch"; three minutes was the allotted time at the last letting and, as the last few moments wero counted out by the timekeeper, there was much excitement as to which bidder should make his bid at the critical moment. Mr. P. H. Ditchfield, in his book on "Vanishing England," recalls that at Aldermaston land is let by means of a lighted candle. A pin is passed, through the candle which is lighted and the last bid that is made before the pin drops out is that of the occupier of the land for a vear. The Church Acre at Chedzoy ie let in a similar manner, and the candle auction is also in force at'Todworth and in one or two other places. At the Whiesendine (Rutland) parish meeting this quaint old English custom of letting land by the "candle and pin" method is also adopted when the Parish Close known as "the Banks," is let f6r the year. Here a pin is inserted in a piece of candle, which is lighted and held aloft. Whilst the candle burns away merrily bidding continues briskly. There "is much excitement as the candle- is gradually reduced and the falling out of the pin denotes the successful bidder. The land covers an area of about two acres and bidding is keen.