Harwich Kichel Throwing

Where: Harwich, Essex at the Guildhall on Church Street
When: 3rd Thursday in May (or occasionally another May Thursday- see Helpful Hints)
Time: 11 am (see Helpful Hints) meeting followed by Church Service and Procession, then the Throwing

 

Anyone fancy a kichel?

Kichels are small spiced fruit buns which are made at the local bakers shop in Harwich especially for the event. It’s a charity scramble – the kichels are tossed from the  upstairs windows of the Guildhall by the newly elected Mayor, to the crowd of children (and a few adults!) outside. The Throwing follows a meeting in the Guildhall and a short service at the nearby church.The custom dates back a few hundred years (though during wartime rationing the Mayor had to give out apples instead of cakes!). The kichels are neatly wrapped so even if they drop to the ground they are edible.

Helpful Hints

In 2025 it should be on Thursday May 15th (to be confirmed). It sometimes has to move a week to fit the participants’ other commitments, otherwise it’s on the 3rd Thursday in the month. Double check the time – it starts at 11 am with a meeting then the church service immediately after (at around 11.20-11.30) then the procession and throwing around noon.

Click here for the council website: http://www.harwichtowncouncil.co.uk

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