Children 'dice for bibles'

Children 'dice for bibles'

Local children will be encouraged to enter the game

A Cambridgeshire vicar is urging children to play dice in church - in the name of a local tradition.

The custom of "dicing for bibles" was introduced in St Ives 300 years ago, when a Robert Wilde left money in his will to pay for the books for the winners.

Local children have taken part in the Whit Tuesday game at All Saints Church ever since - but now the vicar is worried they are losing interest.

The Reverend James Pullen said: "I hope to interest local schools more so that they're aware of the tradition, go and talk to them about it.

"I think it's a pity if it becomes totally marginalised and it's just a few children who happen to belong to the church and only them."

Lucky winners

The entry conditions are simple: children have to be over 12, able to read, and from the area.

Local resident Rita Fearing remembers dicing for a bible 70 years ago.

"People vied to get bibles then.

"You were really one of the very lucky ones if you got one.

"People used to be almost queuing up to take a turn."

Historians say the tradition is not considered gambling because no money is at stake.

But nonetheless, it has its decadent side.

Mr Pullen said: "That's the bit I really want to revive - the vicar and the churchwardens get a nice meal out of it, including as much claret as they can drink."