A little trip to Hungerford

What a gorgeous morning sun shinining and warm, summer has come at last, so off we set off a lock meets us straight away, we operate this lock by ourselves, suprisingly the canal isn't that busy. The canal has open countryside on both sides, we then pass Avington a little village, and then we are at Dunmil lock  with  a good view of Denford mill, then pretty woods are on the banks of the canal

Then we reach Hungerford and as a empty mooring is sitting in a prime spot of the village we decide to moor. 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungerford

Hungerford is a traditional market town with a good array of shops, pubs and if you are interested a lot of antiques shops. We pay a visit to Tescos to top up with fresh food, and stock up the larder, then back to the boat, here we clean the outside of boat, and paint the scrapes and scratches that occur on a regular basis. Where we are moored is a green and lots of sunseekers are sitting enjoying the weather.

Hocktide Ceromonies 

On the second Tuesday after Easter 99 commoners ( those living within the original borough who  have the rights of the common and fishing)  are called to the town hall by the blowing of a horn.Two Tuttimen are appointed, who have to collect from every house of the 99 commoners a head penny from the man and a kiss from the women, and in return they are given oranges. all new commoners are then shod by have a nail driven into their shoes,. The ceremony dates from medieval days.

Following on from that bit of trivia......

Close(ish) encounters

 A Hungerford commoners anxious to exercise his fishing rights,78 yrs old Alfred Burtoo was casually casting into the canal, when he was disturbed by the arrival of two figures in green overalls standing 4 ft tall wearing helmets with smoked visors. After pausing for a few seconds they beckoned him to follow him, which he did  I was curious and at 78 yrs old had nothing to lose said Alfred.

He was led to an oval object 40ft to 50 ft wide and ascending some steps into an octagonal room, here he stood till a voice instructed him to stand under an amber light, he was asked his age and after a further pause the voice bade him to depart stating 'you are to old and infirm for our purpose'

Talk about ageism.

On a darker side  Hungerford is also know for its massacre, where Michale Ryan shot and killed 16 and wounded 15 villagers in 1987