Blessing of the whitebait catch, 1972

Annual service at the pier in Southend-on-Sea to bless the whitebait catch, recorded in 1972. Includes prayers, readings, and the hymn “Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven”, with instrumental accompaniment provided by the Salvation Army.

According to the Southend Echo, the festival can be traced back as far as 1707. It has been running in its current form since 1934, when the town’s Chamber of Commerce adopted it. The service is still held each year, and is in 2016 scheduled for 29 September 2016.

This was recorded by Edward Haley, and is used by permission of his family. Image of whitebait by Tom Betts (public domain). View the original.