Chocolate Easter eggs - a short history - and egg hunts for the kids

The egg was the symbol of rebirth of the earth in Pagan celebrations, and was adopted by Christians as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus.

We now celebrate Easter with chocolate Easter eggs, but did you know the first ones were produced locally?

In 1847 Joseph Fry, a Quaker, in his Union St. factory in Bristol moulded the first ever commercial chocolate bar. Fry's Chocolate made the first Easter egg in 1875 followed by the famous Fry's Turkish Delight in 1914. In 1919 Fry's merged with Cadbury's, and in 1923 the factory moved to the Somerdale site at Keynsham. In 1981 the Fry's name was dropped.

It's very sad news that the Somerdale factory is to close, and part of the  Bristol chocolate making history will be gone forever.

 Yate Town Council have organised an Easter egg hunt in Kingsgate Park as normal this Easter. It will be on Monday the 5th April at 10am, and there will be an Easter bonnet parade as well.

The Railway Hotel Station Rd Yate are holding a Meet The Easter Bunny event starting at 2pm on Sunday April 4th. At 2.30pm, weather permitting there will be an Easter egg hunt with prizes for the most eggs collected. For info. phone 01454 851 332

Cadbury's are supporting the Easter egg trail at Dyrham Park. It costs £2 on top of normal admission prices, and each child will receive a Cadbury Egghead gift on completion. The event takes place on Sunday the 4th April and Monday the 5th April between 11-4pm. Entry forms will be available for kids to design their own Egghead which could be put into production for Easter 2011. Runners-up will receive Cadbury World family days out. For more info phone 0117 937 2501.