The Pin and Candle auction has been held on a regular annual basis in the Ramsden Hall but in 2008 the Parish Council decided to have the auction included in the ‘Summer Grazing Auction’ held by Messrs Robert Bell & Company in Horncastle
This ancient custom was revived when a gift of land was made by John Watkinson Ramsden and Eleanor Ramsden in 1937 to Old Bolingbroke Parish Council in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee of HM King George V.
By declaration of trust, the Parish council shall ‘let the grazing of the field annually by the ancient custom and method peculiar to Old Bolingbroke, known as the Candlestick Auction. The pin shall be inserted in the side of a lighted candle not more than one inch from the top and the person who is the highest bidder when the pin drops out shall be the purchaser of the grazing for the year’.
The grazing of the King George V memorial playing field was to commence on 1st April and cease on 31st October the same year. 50% of the rent determined as above was payable at auction and 50% on termination in October. The holder of the grazing rights was to be responsible for the upkeep of fencing (with the Parish Council bearing the cost of materials) and responsible also for the clearing of weeds (with the Parish Council reimbursing the cost of any sprays used).
Only sheep were to be grazed on the land with a maximum of two horses and no poultry. The hirer also had to agree to allow a company of girl guides to camp there at Whitsun weekend.
This ancient and peculiar custom is still continued with the annual auction usually taking place in April in Ramsden Hall. It attracts a great deal of attention from many people who are not interested in bidding but just go along to watch. (Taken from an article by Sophie C Ellis 1994).
It was also a condition of the Declaration of Trust between the Ramsdens and the Parish Council that any such income received from the auction, less any expenses for maintenance ‘shall be applied for or towards assisting any child or children from Old Bolingbroke or Hareby to obtain a higher education provided, (as long as such School shall be in use), that each such child shall be at or have been at the School of Old Bolingbroke aforesaid’.
As the school closed in 1974 this condition is no longer applied.
The Pin and Candle auction has been held on a regular annual basis in the Ramsden Hall but in 2008 the Parish Council decided to have the auction included in the ‘Summer Grazing Auction’ held by Messrs Robert Bell & Company in Horncastle. It was considered that by doing so, there would be a greater opportunity for attracting higher income from the grazing rights. Indeed in 2008 the field was let for a record amount of £960. The auction in March 2009 raised £312.
The photograph shows the Pin and Candle auction in 1955
At this time a pin was stuck through a candle and local farmers had to guess how long the candle would burn before the pin fell. Whoever guessed nearest the time won the right to farm the village field for one year. In 1955 it was a Mr Adlard who guessed the right time and he can be seen in the middle of the photo signing a cheque.To his right is Coun Skinner's father, Harry Norman Skinner, then chairman of the parish council, and to his left is Charles Rands, the parish clerk.