“It is a special day for those of us who attend - old and new alike”

Barry Patterson has kindly provided this report. His wife, Anne, took the photographs.

Wroth Silver 2026, The collection of Wroth Silver was held, as ever, on Wednesday 11 November 2026 at Knightlow Cross near Ryton.

This is Britain’s oldest continuously recorded annual ceremony and the last remaining of its type in the country, possibly over a thousand years old.

Despite the cold, wet November weather a total of sixty two people were counted at the stone, which is the base the former cross, the gathering place of the old Knightlow Hundred.

Attending were Sam Rees, Land Agent of His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, Councillor Nooria Sayani the Mayor of Rugby and William Waddilove of Wolston who works to keep the event going.

Mr Rees read the Charter of Assembly, which includes a list of local parishes.

Some paid a penny, some more.

The name of a village was read out and representatives would come up the slippery wet mound, throw their money into the stone and declare: "Wroth Silver!"

Usually one or two people come up, but this year Stretton-on-Dunsmore was very well represented, at least ten people came to pay, all at once.

The company then retired to the warmth and welcome of the Royal Oak in Brandon where Khara Schrijvers and her staff provided us with a much appreciated full breakfast.

As is our tradition, we toasted the King and the Duke and heard speeches from Sam Rees, Noona Sayani the mayor, and from William Waddilove, who explained some of the history of the event for newbies, who are, incidentally referred to as ‘colts’.

Barry Patterson of Coventry, the official Wroth Silver Poet, read his thirteenth annual poem for the occasion and it was well received, some attendees taking away printed copies.

This year we were delighted to hear that David Eadon, a long time supporter and organiser of Wroth Silver was awarded the British Empire Medal for his service.

He can no longer attend, but we toasted his good health. Another auspicious occasion was the presentation to Sam Rees of his book ‘Echoes of Historic Warwickshire’ by author Andrew Beardmore.

This is his eighth book in a series about English counties and he told us that he enjoys recounting oddities and eccentricities, which he describes as ‘eyebrow raisers’.

In all a total of £16.88, a U.S. cent, a game token and a piece of chocolate money were collected, but that's not really what it's all about.

We enjoy our annual meeting at the beginning of winter. It is a special day for those of us who attend, old and new alike.