Frederick Thackeray Good Friday Walk 18.04.2014

 

Following extensive restoration work to the Churchyard and many hours of research into the site, the team decided that the time was right to start renewing old traditions relating to the Church of St Mary Magdalene., Shopland.

 

Frederick Thackeray was the vicar of the parish Church of St Mary Magdalene, Shopland for 45 years from 1847 to 1892. Traditionally, on Good Friday,  he would walk from his home at Royal Terrace in Southend armed with hot cross buns which were distributed to his parishioners upon his arrival at the Church.

 

The team thought it would be good to resume this tradition and as a trial run, Steve Oakley, Faye Owen, Roger Hill and Syd Potter decided to walk from Royal Terrace to St Mary Magdalene Churchyard to share current buns with an albeit limited "congregation". Fresh flowers were placed on Frederick Thackeray's grave as the team arrived at the Churchyard. The event was both moving and overwhelmingly successful and we hope that this will grow as an annual event. Please click on the photo below to view the entire walk.