Our festival is very proud of its close ties with the local community and the loyal support of both local people and businesses and those who travel from further afield.
We endeavour to provide entertainment to suit all pockets, from the many free events throughout the town to the ticketed events, including concerts, barge trips and workshops.
Needless to say the expense of running the festival rises each year. To help offset these costs and to ensure the continuance of the festival, we are always actively engaged in securing necessary funds and the festival organisers obtain no financial benefit from running the festival. In fact quite often the opposite!
One of the ways in which supporters can help ensure the future of the festival is to consider becoming a “Friend”. We began the Friends scheme nine years ago, with a limited, but welcome take up, and we have now increased and formalised the scheme with an annual membership, running from 31st October each year.
Friends Benefits include a free compilation CD, a festival programme and our “Friends only” reception at the start of each Festival. The Reception comprises a welcome buffet, talk and social gathering, plus entertainment allowing us to showcase some of our achievements over the years and also giving Friends and other interested parties a chance to get together, with a sneak preview of some of the current years Festival guests.
Becoming a Friend is a positive way to show your support for the festival and all that it does for Harwich. Individual membership is now priced at £30 and joint membership £50 per year and includes the aforementioned benefits.
You can also now join as an Affiliate Friend for just £10 which includes the Friends Reception but not the complimentary CD or Programme.
Please visit our Festival Store to purchase a Festival Friends package.
You can also join us at anytime during the Festival.
Otherwise, to join as a Friend please send a cheque, payable to Harwich Shanty Festival, to 19, George Street, Harwich, Essex CO12 3ND, or send via Paypal to info@harwichshantyfestival.co.uk, making sure you mark the payment as “Friend” and include your contact details, including name, address & email address