About Us
The First Twenty Years...
The Sheringham Shantymen are immensely proud to wear the RNLI badge on their uniform and the only organisation, other than RNLI branches, that is allowed to do so. We support the RNLI in a myriad of ways donating a significant percentage of our yearly fundraising income directly to the RNLI as well as supporting and performing at lifeboat stations around the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The Shantymen recently spent three years raising almost £20,000 to purchase a new 'D' Class Lifeboat which the RNLI stationed in Wicklow in Ireland. In the autumn of 2007 the Shantymen attended the official naming ceremony in Wicklow where the lifeboat was formally named 'The Sheringham Shantymen'.
The Shantymen 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.
The Shantymen have visited Germany, Virginia USA twice, Ireland three times, Holland twice and France. 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 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'.
Since 1990 the group has completed over1,000 public performances, made three videos and recorded 5 CD's, the sales of which have enabled The Sheringham Shantymen to donate £5,000 to £6,000 each year split between the RNLI and local charities.
In 2009 the Shantymen completed their first visit to the Isle of Wight helping raise over £3,000 in funds for the private Freshwater Lifeboat. It was an enlightening experience to witness first hand the committment of the crew and helpers of the private lifeboat at Freshwater. In early 2010 the Shantymen were invited to sing at the BBC's 'The One Show' which was a thoroughly entertaining experience.
Perhaps the most memorable experience in 2011 was performing two festivals in quick succession. We performed in France at the St Vaast Festival followed quickly by the the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival a festival the Shantymen have attended since its inception some years ago and witnessed the organisers develop one of the best shanty festivals in the country.
This year we have had a marvellous time performing all over the UK for a variety of audiences sometimes numbering in the twenty's and occasionally in the thousands. We have enjoyed ourselves immensley and we are enormously grateful to the public for their unfailing support for our efforts.
We thank you all.
Brian J Farrow
Musical Director
1st December 2011
