All are welcome to attend this centuries old Brightlingsea tradition. A colourful robed procession with robed mayors, clergy & others walk through the town to the Hard, where the Blessing of the Waters takes place. Brightlingsea is the only Cinque Port north of the Thames, so Cinque Port mayors from Kent join our Essex coastal mayors.
A service of blessing takes place at the Town Hard. The procession then goes aboard oyster smacks and other historic boats. Boats (& crews) are generous sprinkled with blessed water. As the boats set off in parade as a flotilla of our heritage vessels they do so to "the din" of the cheers, horns & other noise! The boats are splendidly decked with bunting & flags. The short voyage along Brightlingsea Creek is to off Bateman's Tower where the Waters are Blessed at the mouth of the Creek. On the boats a traditional toast in beer is then made of "Gang-ho".
The processions on foot & by the boats along the Creek, & the 'din' on setting off are all part of the ancient tradition of "Beating of the Bounds" or marking boundaries.