Date issued: 19 October 2018
Colchester’s traditional Oyster Feast takes place in the Town Hall, on Friday 26 October 2018.
Since it was first held in 1845, the Oyster Feast has celebrated Colchester’s rich heritage and sense of community and is now a major event in the town’s civic calendar.
This year the Mayor and Mayoress of Colchester, Cllr Peter Chillingworth and Mrs Ann Chillingworth, will be joined in the Moot Hall by special guest speakers Tim Glover, UK Projects Director of the Blue Marine Foundation and Lyme Bay Fisheries and Conservation Reserve, Emelia Jones, Cadet Warrant Officer with 1483 Brentwood Squadron, Dr Anthony Roberts Director of Colchester Arts Centre, and Mr David E Barker MBE, the former chair of Suffolk Creating the Greenest County.
Among the Mayor’s other guests are representatives from Colchester’s twin town, Wetzlar, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex Mrs Jenny Tolhurst, the High Sheriff of Essex B R H Burrough Esq, High Steward of Colchester Sir Bob Russell, and the Chairman of Essex County Council Cllr John Jowers.
The Town Watch will greet arriving guests, and in time-honoured tradition the Mayor will join guests in sampling the borough’s famous oysters. Grace will be said by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend John Richardson.
The Mayor and Mayoress said: “The world-renowned Oyster Feast is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the borough’s rich past and heritage.
“It is our rare privilege and honour to be hosting this year’s pageantry, which we look forward to sharing with our invited guests in celebration of the best of Colchester.”
Dinner at the Oyster Feast will be provided by Le Talbooth Dedham and the music performed by organist Ian Ray, Past and Present Colne Valley Orchestra, and The Motley Crew.
For more information on Civic events in the Mayor’s calendar, visit: www.colchester.gov.uk/mayor