Oyster Feast facts for kids

The Oyster Feast is a very old and special event in Colchester, England. It's a big celebration that happens every year. People gather to enjoy delicious oysters and celebrate the town's history. It's a tradition that goes back many, many years.

Colchester's Special Oysters

What are Colchester Natives?

Colchester is famous for its special oysters. They are called "Colchester Natives." These oysters have been harvested here for a very long time. People were already collecting them when the Romans lived in England! The oysters were even mentioned in a very old book called the Domesday Book. This book was written almost 1000 years ago.

How Colchester Got Its Oyster Rights

The town of Colchester got special permission to fish for these oysters. This right was given to them by King Richard I in 1189. He was also known as Richard the Lionheart. This special permission is called a Royal Charter. It means the town has the right to manage its own oyster fishery.

Opening the Oyster Season

The Special Ceremony

Every year, the oyster fishing season officially begins on the first Friday of September. This is a very important day for Colchester. The Mayor of Colchester, the Town Clerk, and the Town Sergeant all dress up in their special robes. They get on an oyster boat and sail out into the Colne River.

First Oyster of the Season

Many other small boats follow the Mayor's boat. Once they are out on the water, everyone makes promises to be loyal to the King or Queen. Then, the Mayor uses a special tool to pull up the very first oyster of the season. The Mayor then eats this first oyster. After this, everyone goes to a special lunch to celebrate the start of the oyster season.

The Grand Oyster Feast

A Big Celebration in October

The main event, the Oyster Feast, happens later in the year. It takes place on the last Friday of October. The Mayor of Colchester hosts this grand feast in the Moot Hall. This is a very important building in Colchester.

Who Attends the Feast?

Many important people come to the feast. These include leaders from other towns and famous people from the arts and entertainment world. The Mayor also invites people from Colchester who do good work. These are people who help local charities and community groups. There is even a public lottery. This gives everyone in Colchester a chance to attend this special event.

History of the Feast

The Oyster Feast has a long history. It started from a fair called the St Denis Fair, which began in the 1300s. The modern feast, as we know it today, started in 1845. It was brought into the town's official calendar by Mayor Thomas Wolton.