Colchester Oyster Feast (From Gazette)

Colchester Oyster Feast

2:00pm Monday 1st November 2010 in News By Lauren Oldershaw

THE annual Colchester Oyster Feast was a military-inspired affair with a hint of magic.

More than 250 people sat down to enjoy the local delicacies at Moot Hall in High Street, Colchester.

Mayor Sonia Lewis personally welcomed every guest, who paid £90 to attend.

The speeches were led by Mary Champion, mayor of the Wiltshire town Wootton Bassett where Britain’s returning war dead are ceremonially driven through. She said: “I was delighted to be invited as the two towns have something so important in common.”

Mrs Lewis said the event, which took 12 months to plan, is the municipal highlight of the year. She said she was delighted Mrs Champion could attend, and thanked Hunnaballs funeral directors, which sponsored her transport.

She added: “The thing about the oyster feast is it does pay its own way. Everyone has bought their ticket and there is no cost to the taxpayer.”

Guests also included Marc Baumann, who runs Baumann’s restaurant in Coggeshall, and Robin Page, conservationist and former presenter of TV show One Man and His Dog.

Stage magician Michael J Fitch, from Marks Tey, brought the speeches to a close, while the Colne Valley Youth Orchestra entertained diners as they ate.