The Sheringham Shantymen will be visiting the Isle of Wight in September to sing Songs of the Sea in aid of Freshwater Independent Lifeboat.

The Sheringham Shantymen group was launched in 1990 following a couple of ‘one off’ concerts, by a group of local lifeboat men & friends celebrating the history of their town and it’s Lifeboats through song and sea shanties.

Freshwater Independent Lifeboat is proud to have invited The Sheringham Shantymen to the Isle of Wight to perform at various locations to help raise funds for their new Lifeboat.

Sheringham Shantymen said:

We have been developing the detail of one particular weekends events on the Isle of Wight with our Friends of Freshwater Lifeboat John and Margaret Steggles. We are planning to help them fund raise for their new lifeboat over the weekend of 25th to 28th September 2009 and we are very much looking forward to our first gig on the Island.

The group maintains a close connection with the RNLI which is reflected in its membership. Billy Thirtle, ex crew member, has a record of fifty years continuous RNLI service. Other members include Brian Farrow the Lifeboat Operations Manager (who is also the Musical Director of the Shantyman), the Hon Treasurer (ex MO) Dr John Barnet and Mick Holford the Dep Treasurer. The group is immensely proud to wear the RNLI badge on their uniform.

As well as hundreds of local performances the group has entertained at prestigious Maritime Festivals at Bristol, Lincoln, Ipswich, Southampton (start of the 2000 Tall Ships Race) and Portsmouth Festival of the Sea. They also helped open the International Boat Show at Earl’s Court in 1995 and have appeared on national television in ‘The Big Breakfast Show’, ‘Highway’ (with the late Sir Harry Secombe), Children in Need, and ‘Blue Peter’ for which they have ‘the badge’.

The Shantymen recently spent three years raising almost £20,000 to purchase a new ‘D’ Class Lifeboat which is now stationed in Wicklow, Ireland. In the autumn of 2007 the Shantymen attended the official naming ceremony where their lifeboat was formally named ‘The Sheringham Shantymen’.

The Shantymen also travel widely throughout the UK and Ireland supporting Lifeboat Stations in their fundraising efforts and are always considering how they can help in fundraising efforts by performing concerts and we are very pleased that they have agreed to visit and extend them a warm welcome from the Island.

They will be performing at:-

Fri 25th Sept 8.00 pm — Christ Church, Totland

Sat 26th Sept 2.30 pm –Newport Minster, Newport (part of proceeds to Newport Minster Renewal Campaign)

Sat 26th Sept 8.00 pm– St Mary’s Church, Brighstone

Sun 27th Sept 2.00 pm — Norton Grange, Yarmouth (adults only)

Sun 27th Sept8.00 pm –Memorial Hall, Freshwater

There are no charges for performances but donations are required so that Freshwater Lifeboat can raise as much funds as possible. Refreshments will be available.

Freshwater Independent Lifeboat is based in Freshwater Bay. The organisation is run entirely by volunteers – both the crew and fundraisers. If you have ever wondered what goes into rescuing people at sea then visit Freshwater Independent Lifeboat to find out more.

Source: islandpulse.co.uk