RAIN couldn’t halt a 700 year old tradition in Ashburton last weekend.

The town’s annual Ale Tasting and Bread Weighing Ceremony dates back to the 14th Century, a time when bread and ale were part of the staple diet - and the quality and weight was paramount.

The event was organised by the Ashburton Courts Leet and Baron, who as well as appointing a Portreeve and Master Bailiff, still appoint Ale Tasters and Bread Weighers - although their role is now purely ceremonial.

Saturday’s procession saw participants attired in medieval garb making their way around the town and calling at both hostelries and bakers to ensure that both good ale and bread was sold and awarding sprigs of evergreen to hand at doors to prove that the goods had passed muster.

Once the the ceremony had been completed the bread was auctioned off raising a magnificent £915 for the Portreeve’s fund which is used to support local causes.