Roll Up for the Guildford Poyle Dicing Ceremony

Published on: 16 May, 2026
Updated on: 15 May, 2026

The traditional Guildford Poyle Dicing Ceremony, previously known as Dicing for the Maid’s Money, takes place at the Guildhall at 10am on Thursday, May 21.

This ceremony has been taking place in Guildford for over 300 years and was set up by the will of John How who bequeathed £400 upon his death around 1676 to be invested and the income earned to be paid to a poor servant maid of good report working in Guildford.

The maid servant was to be chosen from two candidates upon the throw of dice.

More recently, the bequest left by John Parsons on his death in 1703, has been added to that of John How and the loser from the dicing ceremony gets this money, which is actually slightly more than that from John How.

Pictured at the dicing ceremony in 2023 are carers Angela Fawcett and Dawn Page They are pictured with the then Mayor of Guildford, Masuk Miah.

The Mayor of Guildford, Jane Tyson, will preside over the ceremony.

Guildford Poyle Charities use the ceremony as an opportunity to recognise the valuable work of people giving care in our community. This year the two contestants are nurses Anne Hope and Jenny Watkins, both currently working at the Royal Surrey Hospital.

Vicki Mumford, chief nurse at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are so proud of Anne and Jenny. They have both shown unwavering and lengthy service to Royal Surrey.

“Anne is our lead clinical nurse specialist caring for cancer patients during some of the toughest times of their lives. She is hugely valued and a respected leader.

“Jenny is celebrating 50 years in nursing this year. Her outstanding service, deep integrity and lifelong dedication to the health and welfare of the local community stand as a testament to a career defined by professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment.

“Anne and Jenny exemplify all that is good about the nursing profession, we are honoured to call them colleagues and congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.”

The ceremony will be followed by the annual meeting of the Guildford Poyle Charities.