Hungerford is the only town left in England to celebrate the festival of Hocktide, which we do every year with great pride. The history of Hocktide and Tutti Day go back possibly as far as the 11th Century, but Hungerford adopted the tradition in the 1300s when John of Gaunt granted grazing and fishing rights to the commoners of the town.
Arcade Manager, Alex Rogers with the Tutti Men and Woman
Hocktide is the Monday and Tuesday in the second week after Easter and marks the end of winter and the beginning of a new financial year for the town. Traditionally rent was paid on the Tuesday, or Tutti Day, to the Tutti Men who are appointed by the court every year. Every property with commoners rights in the town gets a visit from the Tutti Men on Tutti Day. No rent is paid to them anymore but a kiss might be offered to the lady of the house and oranges are handed out by the Orange Man.
It all sounds very complicated and nonsensical to an outsider but it’s something that Hungerford is known for and something which will hopefully continue long into the future.
