The people of Colchester and North Essex have waited five years since the last great Colchester History Fayre took the town by storm (well Siege) in 1998! Well, their wait is over at last …
 

On the 14th & 15th of June 2003, Colchester will once again roll back the centuries and play host to a wonderful NEW Castle Park event: The Colchester Oyster Fayre.
 

But it's the summertime and real oysters are taking a rest. Our Oyster Fayre, set in the centuries of the Tudor kings and queens, will be a glorious medieval market and a wonderful entertainment for young and old, running over the whole weekend.
 

In the Market, traders will be selling all the medieval paraphernalia you can imagine; and some you can’t.
 

All around, visitors will encounter traditional side-shows with entertainment for everyone, marvel at bouts of real hand-to-hand armed combat, and watch wrestlers tussle, covered in goose fat and handicapped in other crazy ways. Join in with the drama and dance, be enchanted by story-tellers and puppet shows, and take in the spectacle of the Longbow Competition, archery displays, and breathtaking falconry. 
 

Look out for authentically costumed individuals everywhere, some speaking in Tudor tongue and mingling with the strange visitors from the 21st century! Some will belong to re-enactment groups living in the Park for the whole weekend, in authentic tents which you can visit. Others, the gentry in particular, will be there just to parade! Let's hope the public will dress up as well.
 

We will have craftsmen demonstrating their medieval skills and wares - you will have seen some of them on Time Team and other TV shows - and all manner of performers to entertain you! 
 

A large Marquee will feature craft stalls of many types and exhibits from special interest groups and local history societies. 
 

Also there will be plenty to eat and drink - both Tudor and modern style - plus the Real Ale tent!
 

And of course "music everywhere". So may there also be summertime dancing in the "streets" of the Castle Park!
 

For only £3 on Saturday, and £2 for children, concessions, and adults in costume (accompanied children in costume come in free) you can join in all the fun of the Oyster Fayre. And on Sunday it’s by donation ... same as on Saturday please.
 

For lots and lots more detail, check out our special web site, www.oysterfayre.co.uk … and join us on Sat 14th or Sun 15th June, from 10.30 AM each day! 
 

We'll see you all there!
 

Ted Lloyd (Grand Marshal)
 
 

Contact details:
 

E-mail: info@oysterfayre.co.uk 

Telephone: 01206 794916

Web site: www.oysterfayre.co.uk 

(oysterfayre.com – oysterfair.co.uk – oysterfair.com) all link to www.oysterfayre.co.uk