Nurses’ Turn to Throw Dice in Traditional Ceremony

Published on: 1 Jun, 2026
Updated on: 1 Jun, 2026

This year’s centuries-old Guildford tradition of throwing dice to receive money from two charitable funds featured two nurses from the Royal Surrey Hospital.

Anne Hope, the hospital’s cancer care lead nurse, took part against against Jenny Watkins, who has been a nurse for five decades.

From left: Jennie Watkins; the Mayor of Guildford, Jane Tyson; and Anne Hope.

The chair of the trustees of the Guildford Poyle Charities, Robert Kiley, oversaw the dicing ceremony to determine the distribution of the charity monies of John How and John Parsons.

Jenny threw four (three and one) and Anne threw five (three and two).

Therefore, John How’s Charity was paid to Anne, who received a payment for £98, and John Parson’s Charity to Jenny Watkins, who received a payment for £100.

The payments were presented by the new Mayor of Guildford, Jane Tyson.

In past times persons taking part, in what was previouly called Dicing for the Maid’s Money, had to be a “maid of good report working in Guildford”.

Today the tradition recognises people providing care in the community.

Click for details of Guildford Poyle Charities.

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