Last night in the Merchant’s House Marlborough Town Councillors, Ceremonial Officers, and trustees of the Merchant’s House all came together for the annual ceremony of paying the ‘Peppercorn Rent’. Indeed, a bag of peppercorns….. And a £1 coin.
It’s a ceremony that goes back more than thirty years – to 1991 – when Marlborough Town Council bought the main Merchant’s House building, No. 132 High Street and then let it to The Merchant’s House Trust for the annual peppercorn rent, and 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 takes place each year and Town Councillors, Town Clerk and ceremonial officers (Beadle, Town Crier Mace Carriers) march over from the Town Hall to The Merchant’s House to support the Mayor whilst honouring the House, trustees and all those involved in keeping it in as near traditional style and condition as possible, whilst letting it be the open window into history in Marlborough’s High Street.
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