Until last year The Oyster Cup had been sitting forgotten in the vaults of Fishmongers Hall. It had last been awarded in 1975, a moment recorded in a cine film, stills from which are reproduced here.
This magnificent trrophy which stands nearly a metre high was originally the Thames Century Barge Cup awarded from 1901 to 1928. When the Race became defunkt the last winner donated it to Fishmongers Hall who then put it up for the Oyster Run
An Extract from the Archives at Fishmongers Hall gives us a feel of those last races in the seventies.
"The Assistant Clerk reported that the Oyster Smack Race had taken place on the 31st August, 1973, and some Members of the Court had taken passage up-river in HMS Kellington, the Guard Ship which the Navy had provided. Sixteen oyster smacks had taken part in the Race and Mr. Bernard Welsh had presented £1000 as prize money, together with two cups. The race had been a great success and a good deal of publicity had been obtained for the shellfish industry." An entry from 27th September 1973
Maria CK 21
LOA:47
Year:1866
Builders: Harris Bros - Rowhedge
Subject to an extensive restoration which lead to her being winning the Classic Boat Restoration of the Year Award 2008
Winner of the Oyster Run in 2009
Mary Amelia LO 502
LOA:34
Year:1914
Builders: Haywood - Southend
Winner of The Rosa and Ada Trophy in 2009 for the most traditionally rigged boat
Not really a smack but a cockler
LOA: 42
Year:1906
Builders: Kidby - Brightlingsea
LOA: 44
Year:1886
Builders: Drake-Tollesbury
LOA: 68
Year:1864
Builders: Harris - Rowhedge
LOA: 48
Year:?
Builders: Kidby - Brightlingsea
LOA: 50
Year:1881
Builders: Perkins - Whitstable
LOA: 45
Year:1911
Builders: Shuttlewood - Paglesham
Primrose CK 273
LOA:36
Year:1892
Builders:
Harriet Blanche CK9
LOA: 38
Year:1912
Builders: Aldous - Brightlingsea