| Where: | London at St-Mary-at-Hill church in Lovat Lane |
| When: | 2nd Sunday in October |
| Time: | Service 11 am (get there a bit earlier if you want to have a good look at the display beforehand) |
Billingsgate was the centre of London’s fish trade for generations so it is appropriate that the nearby church of St-Mary-at-Hill holds a thanksgiving festival celebrating the harvest of good things from the sea. This takes place on the second Sunday in October, when the church is decorated with fishing nets and a spectacular display of fish and other seafood, which is supplied by the local traders from Billingsgate Market. A platter of seafood is presented by representatives of the traders after the procession, and placed upon the altar. Following the service, which includes all the maritime and harvest themed hymns you could possibly think of (including specially adapted words for “Come ye thankful people come…”), the amazing seafood display is sold off in the foyer and funds donated to charity.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should be held on Sunday October 12th. The service lasts for around an hour and all are welcome.
If you follow your nose from several streets away, you’ll find the church easily as the fishy aroma from the display is easy apparent from some distance away!
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stmaryathill/
For the church website, click here: http://www.stmary-at-hill.org/index.php
Presume you mean the 11th? October 12th 2020 is a Monday
Thank you Simon for pointing that out – yes, I did mean 11th (must’ve forgotten to compensate for all dates changing by 2 days of the week instead of the usual single day, cos of the leap year!)
Averil
sorry Yes,
thanks
The Fish Harvest Festival Service is at 11am every 2nd Sunday of October (not 10.30am)
Thank you- I think I put 10.30 to give people time to look at all the fish on display!