Shantyman

Shantyman Shantyman

Return of Harwich Festival

Organisers of the Harwich International Shanty Festival were pleased and excited to be up and running again from 8-10 October after a year’s absence due to the pandemic. They were also very happy to welcome back that trusty piratical band, the fearsome River Rogues, and, of course, the King’s German Artillery, who showed great bravery in their attempts to protect the town from the marauding gang! The presence of pirates, which also included crews from Cambridge and the Isle of Sheppey, led to a great deal of skirmishing, both down on the beach and up at the Redoubt Fort, which is such a wonderful venue for this type of action, with the Queen’s Own Buffs helping to defend it from the pirates!

The skirmishing was wellattended and much appreciated by a large contingent of enthusiastic spectators, who were also entertained by musket drills and sword-fighting, whilst the King’s German Artillery demonstrated their firepower with a series of earsplitting cannon shots.

It was, of course, a shanty festival rather than a pirate festival and this year’s theme was the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower to the New World, which took place in 2020. Great acts included the renowned Kimber’s Men, with their melodious voices and great arrangements, Sound Tradition singing in glorious four-part harmony, Swinging the Lead – popular festival regulars and the resident band on the Cutty Sark, the Silver Darlings – a lively allfemale crew from Southend and Capstan Full Strength, with their broad repertoire of harmonious maritime songs. Credit must go to the Festival’s only international performers this year, Act of Mutiny from Leiden in The Netherlands, whose lively singing was accompanied by a versatile range of instruments.

In addition, there were many returning festival favourites and home-grown local crews: The Harwich Shanty Crew; the Naze Shanty Crew; the Golden Rivets; and the Rattlin’ Winches. Shanty singers were present at various Harwich hostelries in the evening and there were some memorable ticketed concerts, although much of the entertainment was free!

The Shanty Competition, always held on Friday night, was won by John Dacombe of the Sea Fencibles. His victory may have been somewhat aided by the judges, who were selected from some off-duty pirates drinking incognito at the bar!

Other events during the weekend included sessions and singarounds, talks, guided tours, maritime crafts, street theatre, trips on Sailing Barge Victor and a shanty train with entertainment on board running between Harwich and Manningtree.

Debbie Jones, Press Officer for Harwich International Shanty Festival, concluded: “All in all, it was a hugely successful weekend with wonderful weather and fantastic feedback from everyone who attended! If you missed it this year, please put the dates for next year into your diary (7-9 October). More information from: www. harwichshantyfestival.co.uk

John Dacombe of the Sea Fencibles won a bottle of Sailor Jerry spiced rum in the Shanty Competition on Friday night.

‘Virtual’ no more in 2022

The Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, founded by organiser John Warren, will return to its traditional format next year (see calendar on page 22). This follows two years as a ‘virtual’ event presented from the Cornwall Channel Studios in aid of the RNLI, as well as raising money for future festivals.

In 2019, when it last took place, Falmouth’s population was boosted by an estimated 65,000 visitors, who came to enjoy performances by shantymen (and woman) at 25 venues around the town.

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