Honiton Tesco donates money to Hot Pennies Day

The Tesco store in Honiton runs a clever initiative to generate funds for local charities and groups.

In the entrance foyer there is a shelf full of donated books, which people can buy. All of the proceeds of what is sold goes to various community based causes.

Last Friday saw Honiton's Hot Pennies Day committee receive a donation of £100.

Community Manager for Tescos and Deputy Mayor for the town, Duncan Sheridan-Shaw, said: "Hot Pennies is an amazing and unique part of Honiton's history.

"Everyone in Honiton has a story to tell about how hot the coins once were and every generation will argue that their pennies were hotter than anyone else's!

"A couple of our colleagues asked if Tesco could do anything to help the ceremony and we were glad to donate £100 from our community book sale.

"The book sale is a unique way that we here at Tesco can donate and give back to the community that supports us, isn't it all about giving back?

"We encourage all the readers of Nub News to dig out their pre-loved books and bring them to us so we can continue to support so many great local causes."

The donated money will be put towards organising the town's iconic Hot Pennies event, which dates back to the 13th century and takes place every year on the first Tuesday after July 19.

The celebration involves a procession including the Mayor and local dignitaries, with warmed up pennies being thrown out of upstairs windows into the crowds on the High Street below.

When it first began, it used to be that the rich people tossing the coins would make sure they were scolding hot, so that they burnt the fingers of the poor - a tradition that no longer remains, as everyone gathers to have fun and to celebrate this unique slice of Honiton's heritage.