pbarnett@thekmgroup.co.uk

The Archbishop of Canterbury will be the special guest at the annual Blessing of the Seas at Margate on Sunday (January 10).
He was invited to the 46th annual event by Margate Charter Trustees, and mayor Cllr Ted Watt-Ruffell said: “I am thrilled the Archbishop has accepted. I believe it is the first time the Archbishop has been involved in the ceremony. It will make it an even more special occasion for us.”
Zac Charoux, who organises the event on behalf of the Greek community, added: “We are honoured that Dr Rowan Williams has accepted the invitation and we are sure he will thoroughly enjoy the spirit of the occasion.”
White doves will be released as a symbol of peace during the ceremony that will highlight the strong links between the people of Thanet and the Greek and Cypriot communities.
The colourful annual event will begin with a service conducted by Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateria and Great Britain at St Michael the Archangel, the Greek Orthodox Church at Westbrook. It will be followed by a procession at around 12.30pm to the Nayland Rock area of Margate main sands, with mayors and dignitaries from across Kent taking part.
The blessing - in which a young member of the Greek community plunges into the seas to retrieve an ornate cross to symbolise the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan - is followed by a lunch at Margate Winter Gardens.