North Shields Blessing the Fleet/Sea

Blessing the Sea was a calendar custom which formerly took place on Rogation Monday at the fishing port of North Shields. In modern times it moved date to become part of the annual Fish Quay Festival on Spring Bank Holiday weekend but since the festival no longer takes place, the Blessing has also ceased as an annual event. However, when there are special occasions in the town the Blessing is sometimes incorporated into them as it has a long history and is regarded as an important part of the ancient port’s heritage. In 2025 North Shields had a year-long North Shields 800 celebration to mark the octocentenary of the foundation of the town and fishing port on the Tyne, and the Fishermen’s Heritage Project and Mission organised the Blessing and the Parade of Boats along with other organisations, the Council and local dignitaries. The Blessing of the Fleet was part of a large midsummer event featuring musical performances by local schoolchildren beside the Herring Girl statue on the quay, after a parade of over 300 pupils through the streets led by a Pipe Band and a popper truck, and followed by the Parade of Boats on the Tyne in which a variety of craft participated including the Svitzer tug which gave the crowd a water jets display (and a squirt over the assembled spectators at the end!).