Oyez Oyez! Revisiting history with Hungerford’s Hocktide

The yellow, white and blue ribbons shining in the sun can only mean one thing: Hocktide has returned to Hungerford for 2025.

And Caitlyn Gregory, a Tutti Girl herself seven years ago, went along to enjoy the day once again and bring it to life for our readers.

Our photographer Phil Cannings joined her to capture the magic of Hocktide and you can scroll right down to see all the pictures from yesterday’s event.

Tuesday (April 29) once again saw the Tutti Men don their top hats, morning suits and pick up the distinctive poles for the tradition of Hocktide (or Tutti Day).

Held on the second Tuesday after Easter, this event is now unique to Hungerford as it celebrates commoners’ rights which were granted to the town’s residents by John O’Gaunt in the 14th century.

Blessed with gorgeous weather, this was always going to be a Tutti Day to remember.

Cutting through the rather more modern sounds of the busy morning traffic, at 8am, the bellman, Julian Tubb, signalled the start of the day with the sound of the traditional horn echoing from the balcony of the town hall.

This was Mr Tubb’s 14th year in the role, so he is well versed in its eccentricities and rituals. And he is not the only one with first-hand experience; in his second year as Orangeman, Nigel Perrin said: “I do it because I love it”, highlighting how the magic of history never grows old.

An hour later, the beautifully decorated Tutti Poles were brought out. Each adorned with vibrant flowers and taking Fiona Hobson 12 hours to make, these were proudly handed to this year’s Tutti Men, Anthony Edginton and Conor O’Kane, ahead of a long day of festivities.

Elegantly timed with the chimes of the town hall clock, people marvelled as the Tutti Men, the Orangeman and the Tutti Girls and Boys – Freya Arnold, Lacie Fisher, Ruairi Lewis and James Macfarlane Smith – began their journey to the houses and businesses along Hungerford High Street.

As the party meandered around the town, visitors stopped to take photos and learn about the celebrations. At each house, instead of collecting rents as they did in the 14th century, the Tutti Men received a drink and a kiss, and it was a delight to see people so enthusiastic in playing their role in this historic re-enactment.

In his first year Mr Edginton said: “People really engage in the event, and everyone has been really welcoming”.

As each building was visited, the sound of cheers and laughter could be heard as the Tutti Men enjoyed a drink and handed an orange to the woman of the house. The standout moment was when the group paused to recreate the iconic image of the woman leaning out of a top-floor window as a Tutti Man climbs up the ladder for a kiss.

Meanwhile, across the road in the town hall, the rather more serious affair of the Hocktide Court was in session. This is a legal court recognised by law, which begins with the swearing in of the Hocktide jury, whose members were decided last week, and the election of a foreman.

This year, the foreman was aletaster and last year’s Tutti Man, Jacob Downey, who proposed the appointment of the Constable and Officers for the coming year.

Newly elected constable, Philip Porter, was thrilled to be taking on the role, and after being sworn into office at Court Leet on Friday (May 2), he will participate in his first duty at the Constable’s Parade on Sunday (May 4).

The court ended with a short, yet emotional, farewell from the outgoing Constable, Julie Lloyd.

Along the High Street, the trees had been extravagantly decorated by local groups and organisations and among the most impressive were those dressed as the bellman, a Tutti Girl and, of course, the infamous Tutti Pole.

Ms Lloyd admired them gratefully, and said: “We are very pleased everyone got really involved.”

The enthusiasm for the occasion did not stop there and, while the new commoners were shod in the peculiar post-lunch ritual, the children’s crafts got under way in the United Reformed Church. Tutti Man Mr O’Kane admired the multi-generational participation of the event and praised the hard work of all the volunteers.

“With preparations starting in January, it is amazing to see how everything came together,” he added.

At 9pm, the day drew to a close and, as the Constable welcomed back the Tutti Men and the Orangeman, they were relieved of their duty.

Mr O’Kane summed the day up “joyous”. He said: “Even if you are not from Hungerford, the sense of belonging Tutti Day offers is just amazing.”

Mr Edginton added in agreement: “It is an experience which ticks all the boxes.”

As a Tutti Girl in 2018, I can only echo the comments of this year’s Tutti Men. Laced with history and at the heart of the community, Tutti Day makes Hungerford that extra bit special.

Whether or not you are involved in Tutti Day, everyone in the community knows what it is and its significance to Hungerford.

I remember Tutti Day 2018 fondly: it was a great way to enlighten both visitors and residents with Hungerford’s history and a fantastic social occasion.

My most memorable moment was being approached by a group of Australian tourists who were (probably rightly so) baffled by this quirky celebration.

It is wonderful to see how this seemingly dated tradition has evolved in recent years with the addition of Tutti Women (as well as the usual Tutti Men) and Tutti Boys (alongside the original Tutti Girls).

This really shows how Tutti Day has moved with the times while still reflecting the impact history can have on the present day and I, for one, am pleased that Tutti Day 2025 was a similar success.