A performance from Old Gaffers from South Devon is always inclusive and engaging and delivered with their own brand of humour. During the 10 years of their existence they have performed widely in the West Country and further afield and return to Harwich this year in particular to represent Plymouth UK as part of our Mayflower 400 celebrations.
Sound Tradition sing in glorious four part harmony, anything from gentle lilting ballads to lively choruses. This is their second visit to Harwich International Shanty Festival with their mainly maritime set. All four members of the band are respected and accomplished singers with impressive pedigrees and experience.
Please note that this event was cancelled due to the closure of the Pier Hotel. We hope to re-arrange it whenever this becomes possible.
The Hoolies from Wivenhoe will join us for Shanty Sundays on Easter Sunday, 12th April
Another crew formed directly as a result of the Harwich Shanty Festival, Shötley Crüe have now been singing together for nearly 6 years and have performed at a number of Festivals and clubs around the country. They are now resident band at a monthly Folk club in South London.
Visiting again from across the seas, well the Orwell, are popular local group Felix Stowaways, who are blessed with the catchiest group name that could be bestowed upon a crew by virtue of their home town.
Hans is a regular performer at our Festival now and in addition to singing and playing concertina/melodeon he will be running his popular How to Play the Bones workshops again.
With Naze Shanty
Join us in the Navyard Bar of the Pier Hotel for a Sunday lunchtime shanty session.
With the Rattlin’ Winches
The first confirmed artists will appear here in the Spring of 2020 but the full list won’t be published until late summer.
We are very sorry to announce that the Melodeons-on-Sea workshop due to be held here in Harwich over the weekend of 18/19th April has just been cancelled. The current situation with the Coronavirus has already caused cancellations and the organisers feel that the financial stability of the event, coupled with the uncertainty of keeping the public safe, leave no other alternative. A 2021 event is however planned to replace this particular workshop.
A related event, but not run for the Festival, is a weekend of melodeon workshops on 18/19th April at the Harwich Town Sailing Club and the 1912 Club. Katie Howson and Simon Care will be the tutors for the first of what is hoped will be an annual event. Full details are available at www.melodeons-on-sea.co.uk and tickets are already on sale.
This is hoped to be the first of a series of Shanty themed sessions in the Pier Hotel on Harwich’s historic quayside.
8th-11th October 2020 (Thursday-Sunday)
8th-10th October 2021 (Friday-Sunday)
If you need accommodation, please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!
The Rogue Shanty Buoys are joining us on 22nd February for a daytime shanty workshop and evening concert,
Details https://harwichshantyfestival.co.uk/event/the-rogue-shanty-buoys/
The Harwich International Shanty Festival Annual Treasure Hunt takes place this year at the Alma Inn, Kings Head Street from 12 noon on 30th December. An excellent way to dust off the cobwebs after Christmas and suitable for the whole family. Solve a series of cryptic clues around the old town of Harwich. Prizes for both the winning adult and childrens’ teams.
Entry is £3.00 per person or £8.00 per family. Collect your quiz sheets and pay on the day. All sheets must be back for marking by 15.30 latest
Following on from last years very successful Shanty Workshop we have another coming up for you on 22nd February 2020 featuring the popular and talented Rogue Shanty Buoys. The Rogues have guested for us at previous Festivals and gained quite a following here in Harwich. They are also well known in their home town of Lowestoft and further afield where they have already run several excellent shanty workshops. The day will finish with a concert and tickets for both workshop and concert are available below.
The day’s full timetable:
0930-1000 Workshop Registration & coffee/tea
1000 Session 1 (Coffee/Tea break at 1115)
1130 Session 2 (Lunch at 1230)
1400 Session 3 (Coffee/Tea break at 1515)
1530 Session 4 – Singalong
1630 Workshop finish
1930 Doors open for concert
2000 Concert
The 2020 Harwich International Shanty Festival, together with its planned emphasis on the 400th Anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower, will be deferred until 2021, in common with virtually all other Mayflower celebrations both in the UK and overseas. We would therefore like to invite all artists who were confirmed for 2020 to come instead in 2021 on the same terms and conditions. We can only apologise profusely that we find ourselves unable to run this year and hope that you will all understand that it really is out of our control. The dates for 2021 are 8-10th October and we really hope you can all make it. We would be very grateful if those interested in this re-run next year could let us know as soon as possible so that we know if there are gaps we may need to fill.
We had hoped that we might hold a scaled back event this year, perhaps featuring local groups only in a “Back to Roots” Festival, but have now regretfully decided that this will not be possible. It is a huge blow to us all at the end of a devastating year for the music industry in general, but in the light of the current uncertain situation worldwide we cannot risk promoting an event of any size. Our monthly newsletters will continue, as will posts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and of course here on our website, keeping you all up to date on any Shanty news and looking forward hopefully to happier times in 2021.
We were at the Harwich Town Sailing Club on Thursday evening.
If you are staying some way out of town or have a few mobility issues you will be pleased to hear that our ShantyBus will once again be running throughout the weekend to call at outlying areas in Dovercourt and Parkeston. The full timetable is in our programme, available to download from our website or to purchase from many venues in old Harwich
The Shanty Train is running on the Saturday of the festival and two return times are available. From Harwich Town/Dovercourt travel on the 1028 or 1128 services, from Manningtree it’s the 1101 & 1201 services. Visit www.esscrp.org.uk for tickets
One of the premier maritime groups in The Netherlands, Armstrong’s Patent is a five-man group, who perform an eclectic mix of folk and sea songs. They deliver a professional yet lighthearted performance that entertains and pleases their audiences across Europe and beyond.
Formed only last year, following a request from the Mayor of Wivenhoe, the Hoolies are already making a name for themselves and already have a very busy schedule of appearances. This will be their second visit to Harwich Shanty Festival
Visit our Special Events page for details of concerts, walks, quizzes, auctions and many more events that happen outside of the Shanty Festival.
Summer Shanties On The Pier presents Pot of Gold from Swaffham. Do go along to see them if you can. All starting around about midday. And thanks to all the groups who have volunteered to support the Festival in this way.
Summer Shanties On The Pier presents Felix Stowaways from across the harbour! Do go along to see them if you can. All starting around about midday. And thanks to all the groups who have volunteered to support the Festival in this way.
Summer Shanties On The Pier presents Shantyfolk from Lavenham. Do go along to see them if you can. All starting around about midday. And thanks to all the groups who have volunteered to support the Festival in this way.
Summer Shanties On The Pier presents The Hoolies from Wivenhoe. Do go along to see them if you can. All starting around about midday. And thanks to all the groups who have volunteered to support the Festival in this way.
Organised by Harwich Haven Authority, this event promises to be the best Harwich Maritime Festival yet! Local shanty groups are appearing on the acoustic stage (Ha’Penny Pier) at 1125.
Summer shanties on the Pier has produced a fantastic response this year resulting in the following groups volunteering their services at the following times. Do go along to see them if you can. All starting around about midday. And thanks to all the groups who have volunteered to support the Festival in this way.
Sunday 18th August The Hoolies from Wivenhoe
Sunday 25th August Shantyfolk from Lavenham area
Saturday 7th September Felix Stowaways from foreign lands
Sunday 22nd September Pot of Gold from Swaffham area
We’ve had an excellent response to our appeal for potential accommodation over the Shanty Festival weekend and have started a database of people offering and people requiring accommodation. However we still need more, so if you live in Harwich or Dovercourt and would be interested in letting out some rooms on the weekend of 11-13th October please email us with your details. Likewise if you are still searching let us know. We may be able to help: info@harwichshantyfestival.co.uk
The Sloop Groggy Dogs have been singing songs of adventure and the seas since 2011. From landlocked Milton Keynes, they do their best to bring a taste of more exciting times to land lubbers and folk that likes a pint
One of the most entertaining and original groups in British traditional music, the New Scorpion Band will be appearing at Harwich International Shanty Festival this year with one of their special maritime shows. The band take their name from the original Scorpion Band who played in the Dorset area around 1830 and New Scorpion Band performances feature a spectacular collection of historical instruments, rich vocal harmonies, sophisticated musical arrangements and virtuosic playing, covering a wide variety of musical styles. A performance not to be missed!
John and Sue Griffiths have been singing together for 30 years as a duo, a trio and as Mollyhawks, originally a nine piece outfit, since 1996. As well as organising the music for Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival, they have run folk clubs and sung at folk and maritime festivals, yacht clubs and for various events across the UK and Europe, including performing as shantymen on tall ships.
Largely singing acapella, they have a huge repertoire of folk songs and songs of the sea and relish sharing their music and knowledge with audiences anywhere
Pete McClelland appears at the Festival for the first time singing songs of sea, coast, fishing, rivers and all things watery. With an engaging mixture of traditional, contemporary and self- penned material, Pete will take you on an entertaining musical journey of fine guitar playing and song.
The 2019 Flyers are just out and in the process of being distributed locally and then further afield. If you think you can help distribute any fliers in your area please let us know and we will send you a bundle. Open this post by clicking on the image then click on the image below to download a high resolution PDF version.
The Forebitter Men from Leeuwarden in the Netherlands will be making their second visit to the U.K. this year as they also performed at the Shantycafé in Felixstowe, back in April. They sing mainly acapella, occasionally accompanied by harmonica, bodhran or guitar and are veterans of several shanty festivals both at home and abroad.
Baggyrinkle Swansea Shantymen have been singing together for 25 years now. Coming from all walks of life, the current line-up consists of up to 7 singing men and one female manager to keep them in line!
Performing all over Europe and the USA they sing traditional and contemporary songs of the sea in three part harmony. They have also gathered a fair number of folk songs including drinking and mining songs which they perform at suitable venues.
Brise-Glace (Icebreaker) is a band of 4 French Canadian musicians/singers playing accordion, banjo, guitar, bodhran and washboard. They sing maritime folk from Quebec, the Canadian Maritimes, Brittany and North America with passion and energy.
Like the crews of ships in centuries past, this crew come from a variety of different backgrounds and use rhythm and music from Europe, Canada, American folk, Manush and Cajun. Feel free to dance, sing and clap along!
Brise Glace have performed throughout Canada, Europe and the U.S and will also be appearing at Paimpol this August. Check out their international shanties podcast “Bordel de Mer”.
Sheringham Shantymen have been singing together since 1990, still with some of the original personnel. During that time they have entertained over 1000 audiences both at home and abroad.
They support the RNLI as a main charity and are the only organisation outside the RNLI with permission to display that insignia within their badge, an honour of which they are rightly proud. This is their second visit to Harwich and they are delighted to be back.
With the current lack of accommodation in the town we are desperate to find beds for some of our performers. Are there any local residents amongst you who would be able to offer rooms for deserving singers? Despite being Shanty Men we find that most are very well house trained and make excellent guests! We can offer Season Ticket wristbands to households who are able to help out in this way. Please do email info@harwichshantyfestival.co.uk for more details.
We’re gearing up for the 2020 festival in October so please put 8-11 October into your diary/calendar/organiser
2020 is promising to be the biggest festival ever! 2020 is important as it’s the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower sailing to New England. Harwich was the home of the Mayflower before that voyage as well as the home and birthplace of the captain, Christopher Jones. Read more here
Looking further ahead, the 2021 Festival will be 8-10th October
An engaging Nova Scotian performer with a glorious baritone voice, dextrous guitar work and intelligent, well-observed story-songs, Dan McKinnon’s performances bring alive the history and spirit of our collective past. He has appeared at Festivals and clubs throughout Canada and the USA, Great Britain and Australia.
Four singers and musicians from France singing traditional songs of sea and river, Carapata combine the talents of Bérengère Le Cain, Emmanuel Pariselle, Séverin Valière and Miguel Biard (whom some of you might recognise from a previous incarnation!) Playing a variety of instruments including fiddle, accordion, guitar and concertina, Carapata combine their musical talents with superb voices and an in-depth knowledge of French maritime songs.
Rum Old Boys are from Woodbridge, just a short boat ride away up the River Deben. During their relatively short existence as a shanty crew they have clocked up an impressive list of appearances, often collecting for charity.
Geoff Higginbottom has been singing Sea Shanties since the day he first went paddling at Blackpool.
As well as singing shanties, he has a vast amount of knowledge on the subject gleaned from his holiday job in 1975 working on Heaton Park boating lake.
Geoff sings very loudly, because he can and accompanies himself on guitar and mandola as well as singing unaccompanied. He becomes a duo when joined on stage by Woody the dancing doll (pictured) who is quite clearly the brains of the outfit.
Make sure you bring your singing voice to any of his concerts (and possibly ear defenders).
North Cape have been singing acapella shanties and sea songs in harmony since 1995. They perform all over their native Poland and have won prizes at several national competitions. This will be their second visit to Harwich after a gap of a few years and we are very pleased to welcome them back.
What a great day! Many many thanks to Kimbers Men for coming to Harwich for this event, as well as the many workshop participants and concert goers.
Naze Shanty Crew founded the Harwich International Shanty Festival after casting envious glances across the bay from Walton-on-the-Naze. Now none of them live in Walton, but they keep the name and keep the Festival, sometimes at the expense of their sanity!
Malcolm and Pete, both well established figures on the Kent Folk scene, will be performing together at HISF with a wide range of maritime songs often accompanied by banjo or concertina. They both share a passion for songs of the sea and an in depth knowledge of their subject which they share with their audiences.
Dave and Ian sing mainly maritime sets together as Tyburn Road and have become a regular fixture at HISF. With fine singing voices and often accompanied by the concertina they will entertain you with an unusual selection of songs and tunes.
Thanks to all those who attended, bid, provided Lots and generally had a good time at the Auction. We raised just over £1,000, had an enjoyable evening and now have a worthwhile sum to put towards our 2019 Festival. Thanks to everyone!
Our popular Annual Treasure Hunt was on Friday 28th December starting as usual at the Alma. It’s always a great way to fill the sometimes dead period between Christmas and New Year and there is stiff competition nowadays to win that cup!
Well done to our winners. Team Daces won the adult prize and the children’s prize was won by Luke, Evie, Elizabeth & Lilly
Runners up for the adult prize were The Lads & The Doctor
We have received the following remarks concerning the 2018 festival – many thanks to all who commented!
“The Pirate Train was great fun”
“keep up the good work”
“easy going friendly atmosphere”
“we love the whole atmosphere of the Festival”
“the quality of acts at the Saturday evening concert is always excellent”
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 seven 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. Benefits include a free compilation CD, a festival programme and “Meet the Artist” ticket, plus 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, ticket or Programme.
| [wpecpp name=”Friend (Single)” price=”30.00″ align=”center”] | [wpecpp name=”Friends (Joint)” price=”50.00″ align=”center”] | [wpecpp name=”Friend (Affiliate)” price=”10.00″ align=”center”] |
| Friend (Single) £30 | Friends (Joint) £50 | Friend (Affiliate) £10 |
Otherwise, to join as a Friend please send your cheque, payable to Harwich Shanty Festival, to 6, Golden Lion Lane, Harwich, Essex CO12 3NG, 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
Hailing from the well-known fishing port of Oxford, Short Drag Roger like nothing better than travelling the country and beyond, singing traditional and not so traditional sea shanties. In the 17 years of their existence they have attended a variety of functions, countries and Festivals. They say they will sing to anyone, anywhere, anytime at the “Drop of a Hat” and challenge you to try it and see what happens!
Another London based group, Telegraph Community Choir will be visiting us for the second time this year. They recently celebrated their tenth anniversary and perform a wide range of singing styles. At HISF they will be concentrating on their Sea Shanty set.
The Hoy Shanty Crew sprung out of The Hoy at Anchor Folk Club, Southend area’s longest running Folk Club.
Singing rousing shanties together the group have performed extensively in Essex and beyond.
Tres Hombres Shanty Crew from Eindhoven in the Netherlands sing traditional shanties, sea songs and forebitters in surprisingly close harmony. They are also proud ambassadors of www.fairtransport.eu the emission free shipping company.
We are deeply saddened to tell you that the lovely Dominic Dowsey-Magog died on Monday this week. A kind, gentle man and wonderful shanty singer he will be much missed by all who knew him.
