A GRAND old Forest tradition which began in 1906 continued at Soudley on Christmas Day with the distribution of commemorative penny pieces and an orange to villagers who turned out for a very special carol singing service.
The tradition was founded by Forest businessman James Joiner who recognised the poverty in the local mining community by presenting each child in the village with a penny and an orange provided they turned up to join in carol singing with the Joiner family.
The ceremony has carried on ever since, though nowadays the event is organised by a committee with the cost being met from the interest of a trust fund established by the late Mr Stanley H. Joiner.
Trust chairman Mr Jim Bevan said the event created tremendous interest and was now part of the village scene remembered annually by Soudley folk now living all over the world.
"Every Christmas morning at 11am children and adults turn up at the Village Hall to receive a specially minted penny and an orange. They are each stamped with the year and they have become collectors' items," said Mr Bevan.
This year around 70 people turned out to sing carols and carry on the tradition which is now approaching its centenary.