AN HISTORIC fund in Chalfont St Peter to provide loaves of bread for "eleven poor, unmarried ladies of the village" and the parish clerk is to be put back in use.

The fund, which dates from 1770, has not been in use for about seven years since an unknown woman in the village was given a free loaf.

But now the small committee in charge of the fund, including the vicar of Chalfont St Peter Parish Church Jim Greasley, is set to revive the custom to give out small amounts of cash.

Mr Greasley explained: "It's just one of those old village charities and it offers just a few pence a year really.

"The original purpose of the fund no longer exists and we need to keep it relevant."

Roger Bettridge, county archivist for Buckinghamshire County Council, explained that the fund was set up by a wealthy villager, William Courtney, shortly before his death in 1770.

Eleven poor and unmarried ladies of the parish would be able to collect one of 12 six penny loaves of bread after divine service each Sunday.

The left over loaf would go to the parish clerk.

The charity started off as a kitty of £400 made from Mr Courtney's business career as a malt dealer in South London.

Through the centuries the fund has diminished and is now down to a sum of £140. The only income comes from an interest payment of about £4 a year.

Mr Bettridge added: "There are various things that people bequested to a charity in the past such as bread, small amounts of money or clothing even coal."