The annual Wilkes Walk has been re-enacted for more than 300 years and has its roots in the will of Edward Wilkes who built the original almshouses in North Street in1630 as a memorial to his father, John, long before community housing projects.

Edward's son Matthew wanted his family's generosity remembered so he wrote a provision into his will that each year at Rogationtide a child should be upended outside the almshouses whilst an extract of his father's will is read out, "in order that those watching may understand and retain the words better."

The original ceremony would have covered much more of the parish, but times have changed and today a small procession of clergy and choristers walk through the town centre from All Saints Church to North Street where the terms of the will are met and a member of the choir is "upended" on the almshouse steps.

Traditionally, residents of the almshouses receive ten shillings (50p), a great deal of money in days gone by, the young person upended receives five shillings (25p) and the children in the choir get two shillings and sixpence (12-and-a-half-pence) each and free buns and lemonade around the market cross.

It used to be ale and spiced buns but this was stopped in 1896 as it was getting out of hand with more than 2000 buns and a great deal of beer consumed.

Edward Wilkes died in 1646 and is buried in the parish church, his son Matthew died in 1693.