25 Sep Whitebait Festival keeping tradition in Southend
Over 90 people attended Essex Chambers of Commerce Whitebait Festival held at Sands Restaurant, Southend on Sea last week.
The Blessing of the Catch Service was conducted by Gavin Dixon, Leader of Kings Church in Southend and the hymns were accompanied by the Wednesday Afternoon Orchestra.
This traditional event remains ever popular with Essex Chambers of Commerce Members and their guests and the weather was beautiful too for late September.
Attendees enjoyed a three course lunch with, of course, whitebait as one of the starter choices. Even the seagulls enjoyed a tasty treat when a large plateful of fresh whitebait was returned to the sea as part of the ceremony.
Originally established in the 18th Century the Festival was originally held on the Thames at Greenwich, and in 1934 the Chamber of Commerce revived the event.
