Morpeth Easter Oranges

In a ceremony dating back over 250 years, the Mayor and other Town Council officials distribute oranges to the children of Morpeth every Easter Monday. The orgins of the custom are a little hazy, but as oranges were a then a great luxury, that may be the reason they were chosen…and this was before chocolate eggs were readily available! The dole takes around half-an-hour or as long as the oranges take to give out alongside the chocolate eggs. Afterwards some of them are rolled down the slope alongside the Easter eggs and other sports for children of all ages take place in the park.

Helpful Hints

In 2026 it should be on Monday April 6th.

There are often Easter themed sports run alongside the dole such as egg jarping. When the weather is really bad, the oranges will be distributed at the Town Hall. This happened in 2018 and instead of the sports, there was an indoor egg hunt – check the Facebook page for announcements about any last minute changes.

The Town Council distribute the oranges. Click here for their website: http://www.morpeth-tc.gov.uk/ 

and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/morpethtowncouncil/

Click here for the town’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/973703482712846

Many thanks to Ross Parish for making this one known to me! Click here for his first hand account : http://traditionalcustomsandceremonies.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/custom-survived-morpeth-easter-oranges/