Mayor Making Ceremony

Each May, the council elects Harwich’s new mayor at its Annual Mayor Making Ceremony which takes place on the third Thursday in May or the fourth Thursday in May when it’s an election year.  

The church service takes place at St Nicholas’ church at 12 noon, to which all are welcome to attend. This is then followed by the ancient ceremony of Kitchel Throwing. Kitchels are small spiced cakes baked locally and sealed for the new Mayor to throw out of the window of the Council Chamber to be caught by the crowds waiting below. 

The ceremony is unique to Harwich and has been a local tradition for centuries.