The traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremony took place on Sunday 8 May with our very own Rev Anne Howson swopping the BOD for a smack to conduct the service. The great and the good of the town and the Cinque Ports came out in their finery for this maritime equivalent of the beating of the bounds and as you can see from our photo the BODs managed to get in on the act by launching in the middle of the ceremony.

By the time the officials had returned from their trip out to Batemans and back to bless the waters, the tide was so high that the Bishop and VIPs all had to take off their socks and shoes and roll up their trousers to get off the jetty and into the Colne Yacht Club for their lunch!

Anne has also asked us to let everyone know about a special Churches Together Songs Of Praise service that will take place at St James’s Church in the High Street this coming Sunday 15 May at 6.30pm.  The St James’ singers will lead the congregation in some favourite hymns and there will be poetry and readings to celebrate Pentecost.