Richard Haward

It is worth stopping to chat with Richard, as he is an interesting man. Richard's family have been farming oysters along the same narrow stretch of shallow waters since 1792, part of a regional tradition which stretches back to when the Romans started harvesting them in the 1st century BC! The creeks where Richard grows the oysters is quite unique, as the oysters prosper in the region due to the confluence of the freshwater streams with the salty sea, as well as the beds of shell and the warm temperature of the sea during Summertime.
 
Historically, they have grown only the native Colchester oysters, but in comparatively recent times the Hawards have started fattening Gigas rock oysters as well, which prosper in the shallower parts of the creeks. Richard will happily fill you in on the crucial differences between the two.