Plaque

This plaque, which can be made out on the wall of the National Westminster bank in SK7953 : Bank and Town Hall, dates from 1902 but commemorates a far older bit of Newark folk lore. It reads "Here stood the house of Ald. Hercules Clay, destroyed March 11th 1643 during the second siege of Newark by a bomb aimed at the Governor's residence. The alderman thrice dreamed of the destruction of his home, and consequently removed his family to a place of safety. As a thankoffering he bequeathed a legacy in perpetuity to benefit his poorer townsmen." For details of the bequest, still conducted in town as "Penny Loaf Day", see: Link or Link for accounts. The next distribution at the time of writing will take place on 13th of March 2016

  © Copyright Bob Harvey and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence .

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