Hocktide
One of England’s most ancient customs and it is believed that Hungerford is the only place in the country that continues to mark the event, which starts on the second Tuesday after Easter.
This year it should be on the 13th & 14th April as Tutti Day, which is central to the two-week celebrations and was traditionally the date when all rents were payable by Commoners in the town.
Celebrated over 2 weeks, the celebrations encompass the selection of the Hocktide Jury, the all-important Ale Tasting, Tutti Day, Hocktide Court and swearing in of the new Officers and Constable for the year at the Court Leet and Court Baron.
See their website for the annual events.
Once celebrated throughout the country The Town and Manor of Hungerford’s most important event, held on the second Tuesday after Easter and first recorded in the twelfth century was an important holiday and rare day off for the villeins from working the land and allowed them to let their hair down after Lent.
The annual Hocktide Lunch held at the Hungerford Town Hall takes place this year on Tuesday 14th April.
Tickets to attend this traditional highlight of the town’s year are £60 each and available to purchase by Commoners, Townsfolk and the General Public.
Tickets are available through Ticket Source or from Crown Needlework.
The event starts with a complimentary glass of wine in the Magistrate’s Room from 12 noon.
Then, bottles of wine and soft drinks are available to buy from the Bar in the Foyer, run by Simon with wines from “The Naked Grape”.
You may purchase your drinks and put them on your table in the Corn Exchange any time before 12:45pm.
There will be a table plan at the top of the steps to enable you to find your places.
Please be seated by 12:50pm as lunch commences promptly at1pm which includes 4 courses, ale and punch.
Disabled access is via the back of the building from Church Street. Park in the Church St. car park and cross the road to the service road. Access to the Magistrate’s room is through the Corn Exchange and down a small ramp.
Our Guest speaker this year is Ingrid Seward – Editor-in-Chief of “Majesty” magazine, and author of many books about the Royal Family including “My Mother and I” – the inside story of the King and our late Queen.
A selection of her books will be available to buy in the Foyer after the lunch, and Ingrid will be happy to sign them.
After the lunch, toasts and speeches, the Blacksmith will proceed to shoe the Colts (anyone who has not attended the lunch before).
This is a tradition which has long been part of the Hocktide Lunch and is carried out light heartedly.
All Colts are caught (or take seats and wait) and are “shod” (the horseshoe is real, the shoeing isn’t!).
Just cry “PUNCH” when you’ve had enough.
The nail is yours to keep, and a donation of £5 is appreciated if you wish to keep the horseshoe.
The menu follows, and you will be asked to complete a questionnaire about the menu choices from each of your guests.
Please ensure you are aware of their dietary requirements before commencing the questionnaire, as changes cannot be made on the day.
If you, or any of your guests, would like to discuss any aspect of the menu first, please contact Kathy Bossom in Crown Needlework (opposite the Town Hall) on 01488 684011 or 07928 060924 or
bossomkathy@gmail.com.
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