THE first Colchester Native oysters of the season slipped down a treat.
A ceremony which dates back to 1540 saw mayor Henry Spyvee sample the first of this year’s crop of the town’s famous marine molluscs.
Dignitaries and guests sailed out in the Pyefleet Creek, off Mersea Island, on Friday to witness Colchester Council’s chief executive Adrian Pritchard read the archaic tongue-twister that officially heralds the shellfish season.
Mr Spyvee then raised a traditional toast of gin and gingerbread to the Queen before dredging, shucking and tasting the first oysters.
A message was sent to the Queen at Buckingham Palace stating: “According to ancient Custom and Charter dating back to Norman times, the mayor and councillors of the Colchester Borough Council will formally proclaim the opening of the Colne Oyster Fishery for the coming season and will drink to your majesty’s long life and health and request respectfully to offer to your majesty their expressions of dutiful loyalty and devotion.”
Oysters have been dredged from waters off Colchester since Roman times and the council’s ownership of the oyster beds dates back to the town’s charter of 1189.
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