Shantyman

Shantyman Harwich on course for October

Having returned in 2021 after a year’s absence due to the plague from Far Cathay, Harwich International Shanty Festival is now on course to provide a great event from 7-9 October, with a nautical flavour befitting the town’s maritime heritage.

There will be the usual programme of concerts, boat cruises, street theatre, maritime crafts, workshops and the celebrated Shanty Train. Much of the entertainment is free of charge and where possible is accessible to all.

In addition to lawabiding shanty fans, the event also has a tendency to attract bands of pirates, who roam through the town and have been known to board the Shanty Train and even attack the Redoubt Fort!

The organisers point out that the Festival would not exist without the support of the event’s various sponsors, venue owners, hardworking committee and the local community, all of whom deserve their thanks.

Popular regulars Swinging the Lead will be performing at Harwich this year.

Harwich International Shanty Festival

7-9 October 2022

The UK’s Premier Shanty Festival

Concerts, Workshops, Maritime Crafts, Pub Music Sessions, Pirates! Thames Barge Trips & Shanties Throughout the Town

www.harwichshantyfestival.co.uk Tweet: @harwichshanty E-mail: info@harwichshantyfestival.co.uk

Harwich International Shanty Festival

07921640772 07786212748

Shantyman No boats for ‘Wellerman’ singer

Since signing a major label record deal with Universal Music, is done/We’ll take our leave and go” refers to the practice of stripping blubber from beached metal can used to boil water for a cuppa, but there is, however, no evidence of a ship ever Scottish postie Nathan Evans from Airdrie has taken his music career full time and his debut track ‘Wellerman’ and the ‘Wellerman 220Kid & Killen Ted Remix’ continue to make waves across the music charts.

He first gained fame in 2020, when he posted videos of himself singing sea shanties on social media service TikTok. Last year, he released a cover and dance-remix of the 19th-century shanty ‘Wellerman’, which peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart and also charted in several other countries.

A Wellerman was an employee of Weller Brothers’ shipping company, which from 1833 was the major supplier of provisions – such as the “sugar and tea and rum” from the shanty – to whaling stations based on the shores of New Zealand. The whalers’ wistful eye on a future date “One day, when the tonguin’ whales. The Weller Brothers were originally from Folkestone in Kent, but built their shipping empire in Sydney, Australia. A billy was a being named ‘Billy of Tea’. Once asked if he would launch an album on a boat, he admitted, “I actually get seasick, so maybe I’ll skip that!”