THE honour of hanging the traditional Good Friday hot cross bun at Horndon-on-the-Hill's Bell Inn was bestowed upon village resident Judy Rood as a thank you for the support she gave to the famous pub during lockdown. 

Every Sunday without fail during the height of the pandemic, Judy collected a roast dinner from the pub, which organised a takeaway service to keep revenues flowing during the crisis. As a thank you, staff decided she should be the village resident chosen to hang the 2022 bun when the tradition returned this year as a village event following a two-year hiatus.  

"I'm very pleased that I have the privilege to do this today," said Judy, 79.  

"The Bell has been a special place for me ever since we moved here in 1962. My late husband Peter and I always came up here for celebratory meals with family, friends from the village, and friends from France, Germany, Austria, and South Africa, who have all really enjoyed the hospitality here.  

"I would like to say a big thank you to staff who have been such a support over the years, especially during lockdown when I was able to come and get my roast lunch on a Sunday which was the highlight of my week.  

"The Bell has been here for 600 years and hopefully, it will continue to be here for the next 600 years," concluded Judy.  

Even in the war years and during the pandemic, a bun has been hung in The Bell on every Good Friday since 1906.