AS TRADITIONS go Ashburton’s Ale Tasting and Bread Weighing Ceremony goes back a long way.

The event, which can trace its roots back over 700 years, is organised by the Ashburton Courts Leet and Baron, who as well as appointing a Portreeve and Master Bailiff,  still elect ceremonial Ale Tasters and Bread Weighers.

Last Saturday’s procession, with the participants attired in medieval garb, wound its way around the town calling at both hostelries and bakers to ensure that both good ale and bread was sold.

Bread and ale were such important staples of the medieval diet and their quality and price were a significant concern to the authorities. 

This led to the first law in British history to regulate the production and sale of food – the Assize of Bread and Ale – traditions which are still followed in the town.