Clean sweep

In October of 1571 the funeral of Matthew Wall, a resident of Green End, Braughing, was halted when the coffin bearers slipped on wet leaves in Fleece Lane and dropped the coffin. Soon after knocking sounds were heard coming from inside the coffin. Matthew was not dead! He had been in a deep coma and the jolt of the fall woke him up, to the surprise of all present.  He went on to marry and live for a further 24 years. When finally he died he left provision in his will for Fleece Lane to be swept of leaves and for the funeral bell to be tolled followed immediately by the wedding peal. To this day the ceremony is still carried out, now known as Old Man’s day.  Local school children gather to sweep Fleece Lane, followed by a service at Matthew Wall’s grave which is in the church yard of Saint Mary’s Church.