The St Thomas' Day Distribution was instituted by our ancestors to benefit the widows of the Parish who were at that time, by definition, destitute having suffered the loss of the family breadwinner. This tradition has been continued and over time, brought up to date.

With effect from 2014, the Trustees are now offering a small cash grant from the St Thomas' Day charity to all older residents of the Parish who are in need. The grant will be limited to one application per household and will be distributed on the nearest Thursday to 21st December, the date on which St Thomas' Day used to be celebrated.

If you are of state pensionable age, in need, and have been resident in the Parish of Deeping St James and Frognall for at least two years, you may be eligible to apply for the grant.

The Application form will be printed in the Deepings Advertiser in November. Additional forms are also made available at The Institute, 38 Church Street in Deeping St James on weekdays between 10:00 and 12:00. Alternatively the form can be downloaded and printed off from this site (right click on the download button and select “save as”)

Please note: The Trustees no longer offer the original benefaction of a loaf of bread and a bucket of coal.