Farewell kiss for Tuttiman

We would like to send our best to Obiter stalwart Sue Burnell, who is standing down as senior partner of home counties firm Charles Lucas & Marshall, unfortunately because of ill-health.

Ms Burnell has been a great favourite of ours over the years thanks to her involvement as a Tuttiman to the Hocktide court in Hungerford, Berkshire.

The court is one of the few remaining Manorial courts, with the power to pass by-laws and the like.

Through a charity, it takes care of much of the communal land in the town, such as the town hall and river, and is presided over by the likes of the Constable and the Ale Tasters (a job for which there is presumably some competition).

Part of the age-old court is the Tuttiman, who spend the second Tuesday after Easter visiting the 99 common right houses in the town - those that were in existence in the 14th century when John O'Gaunt gave the land to Hungerford - carrying their Tutti poles (as displayed by Ms Burnell, right), and demanding a drink and a kiss from the town's womenfolk.

As we understand it, Ms Burnell hasn't enforced this last bit of the ritual.

She first came to our attention when she was elected as steward to the Hocktide court in 1997, and is pictured (left) receiving the said Tuttiman kiss.