We have a new supply of bandanas that will be available from our pop-up Shanty Store in Kings Head Street* during the Shanty Festival.

We are grateful to Teddy, Ella and Oatie who are modelling the banadanas for us, in a break from their essential shanty duties. These bandanas are also suitable for humans.

Approx sized 86 cm (34″) along the top, 60cm (24″) along the sides, with a HISF logo in one corner. There is a choice of Red or Blue.

*They are £5 each and will be on sale in our pop-up shop at Lambards, next to the Alma front door in Kings Head Street. Open Friday to Sunday during the festival.

We will again be running our Shanty Bus, connecting Harwich, Dovercourt and Parkeston. Please see the programme for those details.

In terms of public transport, Konectbus  operates service number 20 which runs a circular route serving Harwich, Dovercourt & Parkeston. This is daytime Monday to Saturday only.
https://www.konectbuses.co.uk/services/HEDO/22?date=2025-10-06&direction=outbound

Konectbus also operates the Harwich-Clacton service 3. This is also Monday-Saturday. Services end around 7pm
https://www.konectbuses.co.uk/services/HEDO/3?date=2025-10-06&direction=outbound

Colchester to Harwich services 102, 103 & 104 are operated by First Bus Essex.
https://www.firstbus.co.uk/uploads/news-attach/Service_102_103_104_Colchester_WEB.pdf

And don’t forget that there are 3 railway stations in the town: Harwich Town, Dovercourt and Harwich International (Parkeston Quay). Services are operated by Greater Anglia and are hourly until around 2300hrs.
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk

During the festival itself, there are additional trains at 2355 on Friday and Saturday nights.

Over the festival weekend, Greater Anglia are running extra late trains on Friday and Saturday nights 10 & 11 October!

The late departures are at 00:05 from Harwich Town and will run as far as Colchester, arriving at 00:37, stopping at every intermediate station on the way. If you require an onward connection please check Greater Anglia or National Rail Enquiries before deciding to use this service!

The last train on Sunday 12 October is unchanged and remains at 22:55

Many thanks to the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership and Greater Anglia for these extra services.

The programme is out! Head to our online store to download or it or to request a postal copy … otherwise it will be available in our usual stockists around Harwich & Dovercourt by the weekend,

https://store.harwichshantyfestival.co.uk/product/2025-festival-programme/

Notice! Our offices will be closed immediately before and during the festival! Please be patient if you need to contact us.

Postal programmes are not available from midday on 3rd October. Programmes are still available to buy at the festival and to download from our store.

The last day for posted orders is Friday 3rd October 2025. Orders submitted after this date will be held until after the festival. Normal service resumes 15 October. Downloads are not affected.

Paid items for collection (by prior arrangement) will be available during the Festival (10-12 October) from the 1912 Centre in Cow Lane (behind the Electric Palace)

A pop-up shop will be available during the festival at Lambards in Kings Head Street, next to The Alma public house.