Brightlingsea will once again mark its boundaries with the annual spectacle that is Brightlingsea’s Blessing of the Waters ceremony.

Taking place on Sunday, June 15, the colourful custom is a centuries-old “beating of the bounds” event which sees the Deputy of the Cinque Port Liberty of Brightlingsea and host of dignitaries from Essex Kent and Sussex  take to a flotilla of sailing smacks and other craft to see the Bishop of Colchester bless the town’s waters and local boats.

A procession will assemble at noon outside St James’ church in the High Street, from where it will be led to the Hard for an open air service at around 12.30pm by a Waits band playing medieval instruments. The Motley Crew will sing shanties on the Hard before the procession arrives and lead the singing during the service.

Once afloat on boats dressed with bunting and flags, the dignitaries and spectators are encouraged to make a “din” – the traditional way of claiming the waters – with horns, bugles, whistles. When the flotilla reaches off Bateman’s Tower the Bishop will lay a willow cross on the water, to mark the mouth of Brightlingsea Creek.

For more information about the ceremony, visit the Blessing of the Waters website.