Harwich Sing Tendring Voices is a community choir all about the love of singing. They have groups for all ages and abilities but love to come together and perform as one from time to time, kids, teens and adults! They sing all kinds of music but have found a lot of joy in learning shanties and sea songs and are excited to be part of this year’s Shanty Festival.
The home town Shanty Crew of the festival was born out of a workshop run at a very early HISF. They now perform at many events both locally and further afield with a dedicated and expanding group of singers and wide repertoire of sea songs and shanties, some self penned.
Hans is a familiar face at HISF and indeed at many other festivals in the UK and further afield. Join Hans at one of his “Learn to Play the Bones” workshops, or catch him as he sings Dutch and English shanties, accompanied by concertina or melodeon.
Based unsurprisingly in the Blackwater estuary village of Goldhanger, the Goldhanger Shanty Crew evolved out of the local choir following a sea-themed concert in 2017 and have been rantin’ an’ roarin’ in the Chequers Pub ever since. This will be their second appearance at Harwich.
Popular local group, the Golden Rivets will be performing for us again at the Shanty Festival this year. Accompanied by a variety of instruments they play and sing a lively, upbeat set of shanties and sea songs
From Leeuwarden in the Netherlands the crew have been singing together as a mixed crew for the last two years, singing both at home and abroad. They perform a mixture of Shanties, Sea songs and Maritime songs and also organise an International Shanty Café in their home town every year. This will be their second visit to HISF and they are looking forward to meeting many of their Shanty friends and making new ones.
Dave, Andy, John, Tony, and Stephen were all students at the London Nautical School. Several went to sea after leaving school and some have recently crewed together on the tall ships Sorlandet and the Statsraad Lehmkuhl. And if there are any ex LNS in the audience, raise your voice and sing along.
The LNS was created as part of the BOT report’s recommendations into the sinking of the Titanic. As for the name – Ice is obvious, but Fire comes from a suggestion that there was a bunker fire in one of the coal holds from the time the Titanic left England. 1915 is the year the school came into existence (not the band).
This fine group of shanty singers from just over the water in Suffolk have been making a name for themselves for several years now, attending clubs and festivals and holding their own “Shanty Café” annually in their home town. This will be their 8th appearance at HISF and we welcome them back
El Pony Pisador describe themselves as a cross between JRR Tolkein’s world and Monty Python! Humorous, quirky, entertaining and hugely talented, this captivating group have in the last few years catapulted themselves onto the folk/shanty scene and into our hearts. This will be their third visit to HISF and we can’t wait to welcome them back.
This popular local group have been playing together since the noughties with an ever expanding repertoire and band of members. This will be their second appearance at the Festival with a selection of up beat shanties and sea songs.
Columbines are an all-female trio who have played extensively within the East Anglian folk scene for the past few years.They are known for their striking use of close harmony singing and their own arrangements of traditional folk songs, shanties and sea songs which are performed a cappella or accompanied on instruments including guitar, Irish bouzouki, cello and concertina.
Chris has been singing shanties virtually all his adult life and was a founder member of The Shanty Crew, back in the days when shanties were very much a niche interest. A long time friend of Stan Hugill, Chris will be presenting a workshop about that father of shantying, his ships, his paintings, his books and his shanty singing in addition to singing shanties himself.
Named after one of the deep sea channels off the coast of Harwich, Black Deep have been singing together with their present line-up since 2021. But all five members boast years of singing and musical experience which they now bring together to celebrate shanties and songs of the sea – and their home town of Harwich
Pete Stockwell and Dave Ellis, one time Double Trouble and Forebitter (for people with good memories) have reformed as 2 Bitts. If it’s vaguely damp they’ll sing and play it!
We were devastated to hear of the sudden death of Richard Spong on 4th May this year. Charlotte and Richard have been supporters of Harwich International Shanty Festival since the very beginning and have contributed so much to our music with their beautiful arrangements and varied choice of material. But more than that, they had become firm friends with many people in the old town of Harwich and Richard will be sadly missed.
Aside from their maritime music Charlotte and Spong have performed together for many years with folk music, barn dances, puppetry, magic lantern shows and shades of swing/jazz. Popular throughout the UK and Europe they have toured and performed extensively and Richard was a highly respected musician.
We send our love to Charlotte.
The Alma are hosting a quiz on 4th July to raise funds for the Shanty Festival. Please get a team together!
Details →here← !
The Alma are hosting a quiz to raise funds for the Shanty Festival. Please get a team together!
The New Bell is hosting a quiz night in aid of the Shanty Festival.
Coronation Capers on Harwich Green 2023
A Celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III
Programme for May 7th 2023
Harwich Green
1330-1430
Welcome by Harwich Town Crier
May Song – Staines Morris
National Anthem
Maypole Dances
Circassian Circle for everyone
May Song – Hail, Hail the First of May
Salute to King Charles
Farewell by Harwich Town Crier
1430-1630 Celebratory Music & Song around Historic Harwich
1700 Ha’Penny Pier Grand Finale All Groups
On Sunday 7th May 2023, a day after the King’s Coronation, the Harwich Shanty Festival committee gracefully put on Coronation Capers.
The day was very much an inclusive May Day festival and was opened by the Harwich Town Crier before a May Dance commenced.
A variety of musicians and dancers then made their way around the town of Harwich, calling at the Alma, Globe, New Bell & Stingray.
Some of the groups had also played on Ha’Penny Pier separately during the afternoon but they came together for a finale.
Coronation Capers on Harwich Green 2023
A Celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III
Programme for May 7th 2023
Harwich Green
1330-1430
Welcome by Harwich Town Crier
May Song – Staines Morris
National Anthem
Maypole Dances
Circassian Circle for everyone
May Song – Hail, Hail the First of May
Salute to King Charles
Farewell by Harwich Town Crier
1430-1630 Celebratory Music & Song around Historic Harwich
1700 Ha’Penny Pier Grand Finale All Groups
Pam, Jon and the rest of the organising committee are now taking a well-deserved rest after their 26 hour marathon!
If you didn’t manage to get to the Alma this past weekend then we have uploaded a few videos of the event:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1cNE4lYr06l07cmHmW6EJZuk24pFuv2X
It is now nearly 12 years since Harwich International Shanty Festival held their first Shanty Marathon event and it remains a fond memory for many – in a masochistic sort of way!
The time is ripe for a second record breaking attempt.
There will be 26 hours of continuous shanties and sea songs in the Alma Inn Harwich starting 12.00 on Friday 28th April and ending 14.00 Saturday 29th April. Songs will be sung in shifts on a rota basis and no-one is expected to stay up for the entire 26 hours, unless of course they want to.
Insomniacs are of course particularly welcome!
This will be a fundraising venture for the Shanty Festival, but the emphasis is on FUNdraising with raffles, forfeits, spot prizes, shanty bingo and more to pass the time when not singing. Everyone is welcome, from large shanty crews to solo singers, with or without any previous shanty, or indeed singing experience.
The idea is to keep the singing going and last time brought in some interesting gems from folks who had never heard of shanties before. We will have words available if required. You do not have to register in advance to attend, although an indication of likely interest would be helpful and does not commit you in any way.
There are still rooms available in the Alma if required (https://emea.littlehotelier.com/properties/thealmainn ) and the bar will be open for the entire duration.
An added attraction is the Real Ale festival taking place over this weekend.
Contact info@harwichshantyfestival.co.uk for more information.
58 Ships is a long term history project sponsored by the Harwich Shanty Festival and is supported by the Harwich Museum & Harwich Society. The aim of the project is to research the 58 ships listed on a board outside Navyard Dockyard in Harwich. We’re seeking volunteer researchers to have a dig into the history of one or more of these ships. Take a look at our special project website 58ships.org.uk for further information and how to participate.
It is now nearly 12 years since Harwich International Shanty Festival held their first Shanty Marathon event and it remains a fond memory for many – in a masochistic sort of way!
The time is ripe for a second record breaking attempt.
There will be 26 hours of continuous shanties and sea songs in the Alma Inn Harwich starting 12.00 on Friday 28th April and ending 14.00 Saturday 29th April.
Songs will be sung in shifts on a rota basis and no-one is expected to stay up for the entire 26 hours, unless of course they want to.
Insomniacs are of course particularly welcome!
This will be a fundraising venture for the Shanty Festival, but the emphasis is on FUNdraising with raffles, forfeits, spot prizes, shanty bingo and more to pass the time when not singing.
Everyone is welcome, from large shanty crews to solo singers, with or without any previous shanty, or indeed singing experience.
The idea is to keep the singing going and last time brought in some interesting gems from folks who had never heard of shanties before.
We will have words available if required.
You do not have to register in advance to attend, although an indication of likely interest would be helpful and does not commit you in any way.
There are still rooms available in the Alma if required (https://emea.littlehotelier.com/properties/thealmainn ) and the bar will be open for the entire duration.
An added bonus is the Real Ale Festival taking place at the same time.
Contact info@harwichshantyfestival.co.uk for more information.
Obituary
Malcolm was born in 1942 in Northampton, where he lived until the age of 24. Having served an apprenticeship in the electrical supply industry, he made that his career, first with East Midlands, and later South Eastern Electricity Board. He was involved in the Scout movement for many years, and this is how he met his wife Christine, who he married in 1966. In 1967 his new job with Seeboard brought him to Oxted in Surrey, where he continued his involvement with scouting, at one point being Assistant District Commissioner, but in 1975 he decided to resign from this role because of the demands of raising a young family, and being on call for Seeboard, and moved to Hildenborough, where he was to spend the rest of his life.
At Seeboard he met the late Peter Collins, and the two families became firm friends. It was Peter who introduced him to the delights of Folk Music and Morris Dancing, and Malcolm joined Royal Borough Morris in Tunbridge Wells, where he became noted not only for his dancing, but also his singing.
He subsequently moved to Ravensbourne Morris, first as a dancer, and later as a musician, after he learned the Maccann Duet Concertina. He frequently accompanied himself on that instrument when singing, and always said he regretted that he did not take it up earlier.
Malcolm was not a man to do anything by halves, and always threw himself wholeheartedly into anything he did. A regular attendee at Broadstairs Folk Festival he supported the Festival through a difficult patch and became Chairman of the Trust in 1995. He served in that role until 1997, but remained on the committee for a further year. He was always a stalwart supporter of Folk Week, every lunchtime he would be in Neptune’s Hall singing his head off with other fine singers. In the evening his favourite place was the Sailing Club for the session run by Tom and Barbara Brown. He was also a regular at The Travelling Folk, a group of musicians and singers who meet twice a month to sing in pub bars where his contribution was invaluable, with a strong but melodious voice, and a good repertoire.
Malcolm had a penchant for shanties and other sea songs where his repertoire was extensive and he supported the Harwich International Shanty Festival from the beginning.
When he was diagnosed with cancer, he was very upfront about it, and announced his intention of fighting it to the best of his ability. At some point he took the pragmatic decision to refuse further treatment, saying that he would prefer to make the best of what time he had and indeed this is what he did, his performances at HISF in 2022 proving to be almost his last.
He leaves a wife Christine, a son and daughter, and four grandsons, of all of whom he was extremely proud. His funeral celebrated his life as he wanted, with song, music and dance and left everyone with happy memories of a man who lived life to the full.
Roger Resch
Malcolm Ward, born 4 May 1942, died 6 December 2022
Thanks to everyone who braved the somewhat inclement weather on 30th December and turned out for our Murder Mystery event. Pictured are some of the teams taking part and the winning team, the Taylors who completed the challenge in an astounding 43 minutes, receiving their prize at the Alma.
A good time was had by all and we raised over £100 towards the 2023 Shanty Festival. We shall definitely run the event again next Christmas,
If you didn’t manage to attend but would like to make a donation of £5 then please click the button below (you don’t need a PayPal account)
[wpecpp name=”Fundraiser Donation ” price=”5″ align=”left”]
We are keen to book the very popular Catalan group El Pony Pisador for next years Festival. But the Ponies are quite rightly, making a name for themselves in their native Spain and further afield, resulting in a much larger fee than our Community Festival can afford.
We know there are a lot of people who would love to see this group again and so we are inviting sponsorship from individuals, groups and business to see if we can raise enough money to book this talented and entertaining group. Please visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/el-pony-pisador-at-hisf for further details and to sponsor. Many thanks to those who have already contributed!
Our 2023 Festival is 13-15 October so please put it in your diary now! Meanwhile, we’ll be posting on here details of our special events that take place throughout the year. Come back to our site, watch our social media feeds or sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date.
The 2023 artists list is below. Further acts could be added so do check back but remember that our newsletter subscribers will hear festival news first!
Remember that the festival is 13 to 15 October 2023 in Harwich!
Sunday summary – details are in the programme!
Ha’Penny Pier has music from 1100.
The Redoubt opens at 1000 for tours then for music at 1100. There is a sword display around 1330.
Various pubs and other venues open at 11am with music from opening or midday.
There are ticketed talks, presentations, concerts and intimate sessions. Ticket sales close 7pm Wednesday, otherwise at Ha’Penny Pier Visitor Centre or on the door if any tickets remain.
There’s also 50+ free scheduled events during the day. Other spontaneous musical or theatrical events may also happen! Watch out for the busking spots.
Please buy a programme for full details.
Saturday summary – details are in the programme!
Ha’Penny Pier has music from 1130.
Time & Tide Bell inauguration is at 1130 by the Low Lighthouse (Maritime Museum)
The Redoubt opens at 1000 for tours then for music at 1100. There is a skirmish on Harwich Beach at 1400 or stay at the redoubt for some theatre action!
Various pubs open at 11am with music from opening or midday.
There are ticketed talks, presentations, concerts and intimate sessions. Ticket sales close 7pm Wednesday, otherwise at Ha’Penny Pier Visitor Centre or on the door if any tickets remain.
There’s also 70+free scheduled events during the day. Other spontaneous musical or theatrical events may also happen! Watch out for the busking spots.
Please buy a programme for full details.
Friday summary – details are in the programme!
The Grand Opening is on Ha’Penny Pier from 1130. Music follows from midday.
The Redoubt opens at 11am for tours then for music at midday
Various pubs open at 11am/midday with music from midday.
There are ticketed talks, presentations, concerts and intimate sessions. Ticket sales close 7pm Wednesday, otherwise at Ha’Penny Pier Visitor Centre or on the door if any tickets remain.
There’s also 33 free events during the day including a Shanty Competition. Other spontaneous musical or theatrical events may also happen!
Please buy a programme for full details.
Our festival officially closes at the conclusion of the Massed Shanty (Sunday 1530-1700) in St Nicholas Church but there are two after hours events from 2000hrs on Sunday for those still on their feet:
At the New Bell, there is the Au Revoir Session
At The Alma, there is Last Man Standing
Both are scheduled to end at 2300. Further details can be found in the Programme
Shanty singing & costume competition at the Alma
Win a bottle of rum! See programme for more information
We are thrilled to announce that Keith Donnelly will fill the spot left vacant by Les Barker’s immediate retirement. Keith has worked alongside Les in the past and is a festival favourite around the globe. An amazing guitarist, stand up comic and songwriter, a performance by Keith is always a delight.
A little advance notice for your diaries – we’ll gather in Harwich to celebrate the songs of the sea between 13 & 15 October 2023.
The Massed Shanty is the official closing event of the Harwich Shanty Festival. Over ninety minutes many of the artists who have performed over the weekend will step onto the stage at St Nicholas Church one last time.
The MC is John Wright and doors open at 1515hrs
Closing remarks will be made by many, supported by Nigel Spencer MBE
Please note that the bottom of Church Street is currently closed. For access from the Redoubt or Harwich Town Station, continue up West Street past Pieseas Chip Shop until you reach Ferry Motors and Church Lane. Turn to the right and you will be facing the St Nicholas.
The 2022 Harwich International Sea Shanty festival will be opened by Jenny Tolhurst, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex. Please join us on Ha’Penny Pier just after 1130 on Friday 7th October to join in the official occasion. Shanties 
will be sung!
Nigel Spencer officially opened the 2021 Festival.
The Snottledogs are a Margate based folk band born out of a love for performing uplifting, accessible and rollocking good songs. They sing with harmony and passion!
With a huge selection of original 19th Century photographs Pepper’s Ghost Magic Lantern Show provides a vivid insight into maritime life in times past. With tall ships, fishing vessels and harbour scenes their show is interspersed with readings, hornpipes, songs and shanties, bringing each image to life. Join them on Friday evening.
The Harwich Time & Tide Bell is due to be inaugurated on Saturday 8th October 2022 near the Low Lighthouse (Maritime Museum) Time has now been confirmed as 1100-1130.
Join Hoy Boy for a shanty session on Ha’Penny Pier, Harwich, this Sunday!
Here’s the line-up for the 2022 Harwich International Shanty Festival 2022!
We still have a few more artists to confirm so check back regularly!
From the Naval town of Portsmouth, Spinnaker Shanty sing traditional and original sea songs and shanties with harmony and humour. They are rapidly making a name for themselves around the Festival circuit.
Joining us from Apeldoorn In the Netherlands, Ol’Hands Shantymen have been singing together since 2003. They sing acapella, shanties and forebitters and try to stay as true to the original form as possible. The group have sung at maritime events in the Netherlands and the UK.
Based in the Burnhams, birth place of England’s greatest seaman, Lord Horatio Nelson, Nelson’s Shantymen are a diverse group of enthusiasts, driven in equal measure by a love of singing and a desire to keep the tradition of the authentic sea-shanty alive. True to the original spirit of the shanty, a major emphasis is placed on the voice, although instrumental accompaniment, in the form of banjo, bodhran, guitar and harmonica, is an integral part of performance.
Unfortunately, Les is unwell and has retired from performing. Keith Donnelly will stand in for Les for his his Friday Night concert.
Les Barker writes strange poems and comes originally from Manchester, but he’s now Welsh. He was an accountant before he became a professional idiot. He’s written 85 books, which sell in large numbers at his gigs because people don’t quite believe what they’ve just heard. His poems have spawned a number of folk heroes: Jason and the Arguments, Cosmo the Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower, Captain Indecisive and Spot of the Antarctic, to name but two. Don’t miss the chance to see Les on Friday 7th.
Ukuleles, originally from Portugal, are now associated mainly with Hawaii where they were introduced by Portuguese sailors and immigrants.
Now very popular in the U.K., the Dovercourt Ukulele Club has been going since the noughties, and play a variety of songs of many genres. Shanties are a new venture for them and they are excited to be included in the Harwich International Shanty Festival 2022.
Surely that’s the Naze Shanty Crew I hear you cry! But no, rising Phoenix like, from the ashes of a global pandemic, the Naze Shanty Crew with a slimmed down line up and no longer any connections to the town of Walton-on-the-Naze, have regrouped as The Black Deep. Shanties and sea songs are still very much what they are about and the group will be singing at several maritime events and festivals this year. Harwich however remains their favourite.
The Hoolies from Wivenhoe are a popular Essex crew who sing an entertaining mix of traditional shanties and maritime folk songs with lively musical accompaniment. They combine a love of shantying with fundraising for good causes
Harwich Sing Tendring Voices is a community choir all about the love of singing. They have groups for all ages and all abilities but love to come together and perform as one from time to time, kids, teens and adults! They sing all kinds of music but have found a lot of joy in learning shanties and sea songs and are excited to be part of this year’s Shanty festival!
This is a welcome return for Brasy after their last visit to our Festival in 2015. Singing close harmonies, acapella and accompanied shanties they are one of the most popular bands we have hosted. Poland has a proud history of singing songs of the sea and Brasy have performed at clubs and festivals globally.
Another Essex crew, from the Blackwater estuary village of Goldhanger, the Goldhanger Shanty Crew evolved out of the local choir following a sea-themed concert in 2017. The group have been rantin’ an’ roarin’ in the local Chequers Pub ever since, apart from a few spells freezing outside or ‘Zooming’ when necessary.
Friggitt are a shanty trio from Wiltshire who perform all sorts of songs connected with the sea and sailors. As well as traditional and contemporary songs they also perform some original compositions written by the band members and others. They sing both acapella and accompanied by guitar, ukulele, bass and harmonica.
Freddie’s Barnet are an energetic and amusing folk duet performing old and new songs, from traditional sea shanties to singalong classics and occasionally one or two of their own compositions. Individually they have been singing and performing for over fifteen years, as a duo for over four. In that short time they have performed at many clubs, pubs and festivals throughout the UK.
One of the outcomes of the Board of Trade report into the sinking of the Titanic was the formation of six schools teaching Navigation and Seamanship to pupils from the age of eleven. One of these schools was the London Nautical School. Dave, Andy, John, Tony, Del and Stephen were all students at this school. Several went to sea after leaving school and some have crewed together on the tall ships Sorlandet and the Statsraad Lehmkuhl. The name Fire & Ice is taken from the Titanic disaster. Ice is obvious, Fire comes from a suggestion the ship had a bunker fire from the time she left England.
Crossjack is the name of a small sail at the mizzen mast. It is used to hold a course and this five piece Shanty Crew aim to do just that. They sing traditional sea shanties, unaccompanied, as they would have been sung in the days of sail and they are keen to authentically reproduce the sounds that would have been heard aboard the tall ships as the work was carried out. Crossjack have performed at many maritime festivals in their native Germany and abroad and we are pleased to welcome them back to Harwich
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth we have decided to cancel this event.
We are grateful to Mick Verrier & Friends who will close our season of Summer Shanties on Ha’Penny Pier.
This talented duo join us again with some accomplished musicianship, harmonious singing and intriguing workshops. Their musical expertise and relaxed presentation make their performances readily accessible and a delight to hear and you can be sure of always finding some new gems in their extensive repertoire.
Join ShantyFolk from Lavenham on Ha’Penny Pier for an afternoon of shanties in the sunshine
Please note timings are approximate and the weather may have other ideas!
Join the Hoolies from Wivenhoe on Ha’Penny Pier for an afternoon of Shanties in the sunshine.
Please note timings are approximate and the weather may have other ideas!