Songs of Praise a fitting end for Lossiemouth’s growing Seafest

A WELL-EARNED REST is being enjoyed by the team behind Lossiemouth’s Seafest after a moving service closed a week of fun, games and food around the Moray town.

The last of the tents in the Seafest Village on Station Park were being removed for another year on Monday – with the general feeling that this fourth Seafest was the best yet.

Seafest committee chair Donna Milne said of the festival: “We have been overwhelmed by community support – all events were well attended.

“Thank you Lossiemouth, you have done us proud. Keep your eyes peeled for the date of Seafest 2018 – and we are always on the lookout for committee members, helpers and ideas. But in the meantime our Seafest team are having a well-earned rest.”

Seafest 2017 was a slightly longer event and included a packed programme, peaking with the Food Festival on Saturday when thousands turned out – including at least two visitors who travelled from Edinburgh just to attend the event.

The week came to a close in the main marquee on Sunday when a ‘songs of praise’ worship was very well attended.

A spokeswoman said: “That all the churches of Lossiemouth came together in praise is a special event in itself, it was made even more special by the Reverend Mary Whittaker.

“Mary is the Church of Scotland’s first deaf, British sign language using minister! At the service there were members of Moray deaf church in Elgin. They were able to fully access the service thanks to the work of Mary and the interpreting services of Heather Johnson from Moray BSL services.

“Mary led the whole congregation in prayer using BSL while Heather provided the voice over for the hearing, non BSL using, members of the congregation. For the rest of the service Mary and Heather took turns in signing the readings, hymns and address. It was a truly inspirational service!”