Colchester: 900 Years Old Ceremony

What better way to wash down the first oyster catch of the year than gin, gingerbread, and a dollop of pomp and ceremony?

Wearing giant jewellery, ribbon snipping, and baby kissing are just some of the mayoral responsibilities often performed on camera. But come the first Friday of September in Colchester, the Mayor can be seen getting his hands dirty with the first oyster catch of the season - before guzzling down gin, gingerbread and shellfish for assorted crowds and newsreel cameras.