Sheriff to hold Assize of Ale on home turf

Gloucester’s historic Sheriff’s Assize of Ale is once again taking place this year and the current Sheriff will know the patch arguably better than any other. 

The Assize of Ale tours pubs in the city centre, the Docks and Quays – all of which fall in the Westgate ward represented by current Sheriff Pam Tracey for the last 32 years.

The Sheriff’s Assize of Ale dates back to medieval times when the Sheriff was responsible for ensuring the ale on sale in the city was of palatable quality and raises funds for the civic charities – this year The Alzheimer’s Society, Sue Ryder Care and Teckels Animal Shelter.

The Sheriff together with an army of followers dressed in medieval clothing tour the pubs in the city’s historic core collecting cash for charity and carrying out a slightly bizarre ritual involving a wooden stool, someone dressed in leather breeches and an egg timer. The Sheriff has an “Ale Conner”, whose job it is to sit on a wooden stool, on which a small amount of ale has been poured, wearing a pair of leather breeches. If after three minutes the trousers stick to the stool, the ale does not pass the test. Conversely if the Ale Conner can move freely at the end of the three minutes, it does pass. The tradition was reintroduced in 2003 by former City Council Leader Paul James during his year as Sheriff of Gloucester and has taken place each year since, other than a two-year gap for the pandemic, and has raised around £20,000 for charity. Paul continues to organise the event with Town Crier Alan Myatt, with a group of other local ‘characters’ taking part.

Paul James said, “We’re delighted to be holding the Assize again and keeping the tradition going. It helps bring some colour and hilarity to the streets of the city and raises money for some good causes.”

This year the Assize is split between a session on the evening of Thursday 24^th October when pubs in the Docks and Quays will be covered.  The remainder will be visited on Saturday 26^th October, which should be a busy day in the city with Gloucester Rugby playing at home to Newcastle.

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk