The Blessing of the Waters 2004

The Blessing of the Waters - 2004.

Words by Brian Baker, pictures by Neil Baker.
(Mouseover each paragraph title as you read the text.)

Starvation Point.
They came together peacefully in the quiet of Starvation Point, the town's memorial to those lost at sea, the spot where anxious mariners waited to see if they would be needed on the next brigantine out of the harbour so that they might feed their hungry children at home. The sea was their friend and their enemy. It gave them work and food but sometimes, in anger, took them away never to return. Today we remember those we have lost and bless the waters for all who travel upon it.

Reeves Beach and the service
Then onwards along Sea Wall to Reeves Beach. On the way the onlookers joined them, dignatories, townspeople and visitors alike. Whitstable makes no distinctions for the sea makes none either. The Native is in harmony with the sea and understands its secrets and its moods.

The Prayers
As we bow our heads in prayer we remember those who over the centuries set sail from these shores and especially those who we never saw again. We remember the masters, the mariners, the fishermen, the oystermen and the divers. The sea may have taken them but their soles live on in the town. Formal or informal, it is not incongrous, for these were people that tipped their cap to no man.

The Blessing
The sea was calm this day. It laid there, gentle as a kitten, playfully teasing with the pebbles, showing no sign of its strength and desire to again control the destiny of this town and it's people. It submitted to the blessing meakly whilst in its mind it counted down the years until it would next try to regain its ownership of this land by breaking down the walls the townspeople had built to keep it at bay.

Leaving in peace
And so, the blessing over, we have quelled it once again. We turn our backs on it and get on with our lives, but we will be back again next year, just to make sure.