• Thames Festival Oyster Run - EVENT CANCELLED

NEWSFLASH: STORM FORCE WINDS FORECAST IN THE THAMES ESTUARY FROM WED 2 SEPT UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK HAVE NECESSITATED THE CANCELLATION OF THIS EVENT.  WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY DISAPPOINTMENT CAUSED.

6 classic oyster smacks race to deliver fresh oysters from the Essex oyster beds to Pont de la Tour restaurant by Tower Bridge.

The Thames Festival Oyster Run is the resurection of a traditional race whose origins are lost in the mists of time but was last run in the 70's.
Traditionally this race marked the begining of the new oyster season.

Oyster smacks are the fastest and most elegant of all the East Coast working boats, characteristics which mean they are now most prized and popular among yachtsmen.

The Oyster Smacks and Growers taking part are;

• Pioneer CK 18 Brightlingsea carrying Richard Haward Oysters West Mersea, Essex
• Maria CK 21 Brightlingsea carrying Colchester Oyster Fishery, Essex
• Iris Mary CK105 Brightlingsea carrying River Roach Oyster Company, Essex
• William & Emily CK212 Brightlingsea carrying Pinneys of Orford, Suffolk
• Ellen CK222 Brightlingsea carrying Maldon Oyster Company, Essex
• Emeline F104 Faversham carrying Whitstable Oyster Company, Kent

They will leave Gravesend on Friday at 0830 and can be seen sailing up the river expected at Tower bridge around 1pm where the Oysters will be unloaded and the winner presented with the prize.

The Oyster smacks will then lock into St Katharine Docks for the night where they can be seen at close quarters.

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