Hungerford prepares for Hocktide...

They will be joined by civic dignitaries including Constable of the Town and Manor of Hungerford and Liberty of Standen Fee, Greg Furr; town Mayor Martin Crane, Overseers of the Common and many more.
The ceremony, which dates back to the 14th Century, was once observed in towns and villages throughout England but now only Hungerford still marks the ancient tradition each year.
The festival was traditionally the time when commoners, who were given rights by landowner John O'Gaunt in the 14th Century, paid their rent to Hungerford Town and Manor.
In times past the ‘tutti men’ would traditionally have collected the rent from each householder.
Nowadays the most they collect is a kiss from the ladies of the house, and a little hospitality to help them on their way.
The tutti men carry tutti poles – wooden staffs topped with bunches of flowers and a cloved orange.
These are thought to have derived from nosegays which were believed to protect against disease caused by noxious smells which would have emanated from some of the poorer parts of town.
After the parade of the tutti men through the streets the Hocktide Lunch is held for the Hocktide Council, commoners and guests.
In the Hocktide Court the officers are elected for the coming year, the accounts are read and agreed, and a number of other matters are discussed concerning the affairs of the Town and Manor.
There will be a poignant note to this year’s festivities, however - veteran Bellman and Town Crier, the late Robin Tubb, who was central to the festivities for 54 years - will be sorely missed.
A new town crier will be elected in his stead.
For all the news and pictutres from Hungerford’s big day linking to its past, pick up a copy of the Newbury Weekly News on Thursday and visit back here at Newburytosay.co.uk