THURSDAY marked the day when Harwich’s mayor and mayoress for the next year were appointed to their roles.

The annual event sees the newly elected mayor take up their position following a ceremony at St Nicholas’ Church.

After the ceremony, they make their way to the Guildhall, in Church Street, where they throw sweet buns – known as kitchels – from a window to waiting children below.

The unique Harwich tradition of kitchel-throwing has been taking place for more than 400 years.

The sweet currant buns originate from Suffolk when, at Christmas time, it was the custom for children to visit their Godparents and ask for their blessing.

This was given, together with a small cake called a God’s kitchel.

Until 1949, December 21 marked the beginning of the season for giving kitchels and it became the custom for the newly-elected mayor to shower his blessings on the children from the window.

These days, pupils from schools in the Harwich area receive one of the cakes, even if they are not in the crowd on the day to catch one.