Passing on the memories...the great hot cross bun giveaway

A CENTURY worth of memories are found in Sidmouth's Hot Cross Bun Giveaway as new generations follow in their family's footsteps.

Hundreds of grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles lined Sidmouth High Street on Good Friday with their little ones who were waiting for their turn in the queue.

Steve and Sue Hellier, following on the tradition, brought their three children, Amberlie, eight, Kennedie, six, and Courtney, nine to the popular event.

Sue said: "We have been coming for years and years, ever since we were children. It's not as nice this year as it would've been better on the sea front as all the locals usually meet up and have a chat with each other. It is such a big tradition and it's great to see so many people here."

Carol Coke, 55, of Newton Poppleford, who took her seven-year-old granddaughter, Chloe, to the giveaway for the first time, said: "My grandparents used to bring me down with my two sisters and brother when we were children.

"I was always so excited and they used to say to us 'if you don't go to sleep you won't get your egg, orange or hot cross buns'.

"I've never known it to be here before though, it's always been in the car park but I never remember it raining when I was younger."

The giveaway is as strong as ever and new volunteers are being welcomed into the fold.

Ten-year-old Matthew Hillier has been collecting money during the event for the past two years and is very keen to be involved.

He said: "My dad was in charge of the money last year so he let me carry one of the buckets."

The St Nick's pupil is looking forward to helping out next year and it is obvious the enthusiasm is being passed through the generations.

He added: "I think it is a really exciting event, it is a good cause and it raises money so everybody can enjoy themselves.