On Tuesday 29th September, the Blessing of the Catch took place at Sands restaurant in Southend.

The Blessing of the Catch is an event of celebration and thanksgiving for the harvest of the sea and took place as part of the 2015 Whitebait Festival.

In line with tradition, the festival was attended by Sir David Amess, the Mayor and Mayoress of Southend, the Essex Chamber of Commerce President, Robert Leng, and a local community choir who accompanied the Service.