River users, churchgoers, and onlookers alike crowded into Manor Road Recreation Ground to watch the annual blessing of the River Thames.

The service was run by Teddington Parish clergy from both St Peter & St Paul and St Mary and St Alban on Sunday 14 July.

After a series of hymns and prayers, a wooden cross was lowered into the river, followed by the congregation releasing flowers and small paper boats as the following Fisherman's prayer was read aloud:

Protect me oh Lord,

My boat is so small,

And your sea is so big.

A number of river-based groups and organisations joined the blessing, including Sea Scouts, Sea Cadets, and the Royal British Legion.

The Teddington RNLI crew in attendance also recited the RNLI pledge, while fellow volunteers opened the lifeboat station to the public for the day.

The lowering of a cross into the river is followed by flowers and small boats. (Photos: Teddington RNLI)

First introduced in 2017, the ceremony offers the local community a chance to offer thanks to the Thames, and is a celebration of the river's importance to Teddington and the surrounding area.

The blessing was streamed live during the pandemic in 2021 to help comply with social distancing restrictions at the time.

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Despite these setbacks, the tradition continued, reassuring many that it will continue for years to come.

The blessing has been an annual tradition since 2017, continuing during COVID restrictions on social gatherings via livestream. (Photo: Teddington RNLI)