On Thursday evening (27 April) The Merchant’s House Chair of Trustees – Alison Galvin-Wright – handed over the ceremonial ‘Peppercorn Rent’ – actually a bag of peppercorns and a £1 coin – to Marlborough Mayor, Councillor Lisa Farrell in the Panelled Room on the first floor of The Merchant’s House.
A ceremony dating back to 1991 when Marlborough Town Council bought the main Merchant’s House building, No. 132 High Street in 1991 and then let it to The Merchant’s House Trust who pays a peppercorn rent. And the £1 coin.
The Trust is a charity and since inception thirty two years ago it has set about saving a unique and now nationally recognised building and so making a substantial contribution to Marlborough’s cultural and historical life.
The ‘Peppercorn Rent’ ceremony is an annual event, and Town Councillors, Town Clerk and ceremonial officers (Beadle, Mace Carriers) all marched over from the Town Hall to The Merchant’s House to attend the ceremony.
The Merchant’s House Marlborough – Trust Manager
