| Where: | Hastings,Sussex at the Harbour |
| When: | Formerly Ascension Eve but now a Sunday in August |
| Time: | 4 pm (formerly usually 6pm- see Helpful Hints) |
Hastings in Sussex is the home of one of the few survivors of the once widespread custom of Blessing the Sea in Rogationtide, though it’s moved date in recent times. The annual event was instituted by the Rector of St Clement, the Reverend Herbert Sanders, in the late nineteenth century. An interdenominational thanksgiving service is held at the Harbour Arm – the clergy used to perform the service from the deck of a Lifeboat in the past. Sea-themed hymns are sung accompanied by the Salvation Army Band and a collection is made for the local Lifeboat crew.
Helpful Hints
Ascension Eve used to be the day for this event, but in recent years it’s moved to August. In 2023 it was on Sunday August 6th to coincide with the end of Old Town Carnival Week- 2024 date is yet to be announced.Future events are expected to stick with the August dating rather than reverting to earlier in the year.
Click here to contact the organisers: office@oldtownparishhastings.org.uk and here:
almkeith@oldtownparishhastings.org.uk
Click her for the Lifeboat Station website : http://www.hastingslifeboat.org.uk/
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Hastingslifeboat/
Photo by Carlsphotography. Thanks to Keith Leech for the regular updates about this event!
View this location on the map.
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