This document is a snapshot of content from a discontinued BBC website, originally published between 2002-2011. It has been made available for archival & research purposes only. Please see the foot of this document for Archive Terms of Use. Home Mid A festival honouring the mackerel and acknowledge its importance to the life of the town was held at Aberaeron on 2 September. A 19-foot replica of a mackerel was carried through the town by pall bearers before being blessed and set on fire as a final tribute. Click through these photos by Rhodri Jones, Ffion Lewis Jones, Nick Sawyer and Owen Raw Rees to see the mackerel's final journey back to the sea... The 19-foot-long mackerel prepares for its final journey your comments Nigel Jones from Aberaeron The festival was a marvellous spectacle from start to finish. The 'official' pall bearers and 'mackerel wailing widows'were joined by a large crowd as they paraded through the town. Great idea and a great day. Well done Meurig and all involved. A tradition has been born! Pam from Alnwick I just love Mackerel as do my kids and husband We love this festival it gives us a chance to stock up and educates the kids. Its great fun for all mackerel lovers! more from this section Aberaeron 'Aberayron' Ribbons 2007 Seafood Festival Aberaeron Carnival 2009 Aberaeron Coastal Views Aberaeron In Bloom 2006 Aberaeron Stud 1964-2007 Coflein Photos Community Christmas 2008 Facts and Figures Harbour Photos Llanerchaeron Llanon Tour Local Author My Town Photo Tour Pretty Pictures Regatta 2005 Photos Special Events The Fields of Ciliau Aeron Tug of War 2007 War Photographer Welsh Ponies and Cobs 2007 Bicentenary 2007 Aberaeron Calling Bible Readathon Bicentenary Celebrations Bicentenary Painting Bicentenary Launch Bicentenary preparations Celebrating Heritage Creators of Aberaeron Ecumenical Service Exhibitions of the Bicentenary Felinfach Concert Gala Concert Marine Heritage Day Mountain Lass re-build Oral Tea Oral Training Day Party in the Park Round in a dinghy Scanning Day Sharing Aberaeron poem Town plaques Town Trail related www links Aberaeron website Aberaeron Yacht Club The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites Symons Jones In about 1886 the fishermen of Aberaeron and New Quay caught over 1,000,000 mackerel each night for 2 days. They were sold for a farthing each and those left over were used on the fields as manure. This site is now closed and cannot accept new comments.
Home Mid The procession started from the north side of the harbour
Home Mid The mackerel was carried by six pall bearers
Home Mid The funeral cortege then walked along Alban Square...
Home Mid...before climbing the hill out of the town...
Home Mid...towards the south side of the harbour...
Home Mid...where it was blessed by Rev Dilwyn O. Jones.
Home Mid An Oompah band played at the wake...
Home Mid...after the mackerel was set on fire as a final tribute.
Home Mid The next three photographs were taken by Owen Raw Rees
Home Mid Owen said the event was a huge success despite the weather
Home Mid This was the first Mackerel Festival held in the town See more pictures of Aberaeron harbour...