Sherborne In Bloom!

The Almshouse of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist

In mediaeval times and later it was the custom, every Midsummer night, for a garland to be hung at the door by the Almsmen and watched until the next morning in memory of St John the Baptist.

Thanks to a bequest of the late Lady Margaret Thornton this custom has been restored and a garland of fresh flowers is hung in the courtyard of the almshouses on the 24 June, St John the Baptist Day.

(research by Brian Haigh)