It’s that time of year again!
One of the duties of the charity, The Town and Manor of Hungerford and Liberty of Sanden Fee’ is to maintain the ancient traditions associated with Commoners’ Rights given to the town in approximately the 14th Century, involving the management of the town and law and order.
The highlight of the celebrations is Tuttiday which falls on the second Tuesday after Easter, but leading up to this date all sorts of things are being prepared.
The Constable, traditionally in charge of the town, and now the chair of the Board of Trustees of the charity is busy organising:
• The Tuttimen/women and Orangemen
• The Watercress Supper
• Commoners’ AGM
• Selection of the Hocktide Jury
• Summoning the Hocktide Jury
• Arranging the Hocktide Luncheon, including drinks reception and speakers
• Ensuring the Bellman is ready for his Hocktide duties.
• Discussing the oUicers and their duties at the Macaroni Supper ready for the Hocktide Court, held on Tuttiday before the luncheon.
Meanwhile, the Tuttimen/women of the previous year, who have now graduated to Ale Tasters, are busy too. Back in the day, Hungerford was granted the right to the ‘Assizes of Bread and Ale’. Whereby they would hold an annual event to taste and declare the local bread and ale of good enough quality for the town.
In the 21st Century, the event known as Ale Tasting occurs on the Monday evening before Tuttiday and though a less formal event than the Hocktide Court and Hocktide Luncheon, is probably one of the toughest jobs.
The Ale Tasters have to approach all the local pubs and clubs to ask for the donation of a barrel of ale, in return they hand over invitations to the event for the land ladies/lord to distribute to their customers.
The months and weeks leading up to Hocktide are a flurry of sending out invitations, checking tablecloths, ordering flowers and the traditional red rose buttonholes, updating accounts and records, begging for ale, working with caterers and advertising the event.
It’s a busy, busy time for the Constable, the Clerk, the Officers and a number of the Trustees, but all in the name of keeping this wonderful unique tradition alive.
