Shantymen

The Sheringham Shantymen ~ the first twenty years!

The Sheringham Shantymen were formally launched in 1990 having been started some two years earlier in 1988 by a group of local lifeboat men and friends celebrating the 150^th Anniversary of the private sailing and pulling Sheringham lifeboat the 'Augusta'.

Over the next 18 years the group developed their own style of performing songs of the sea constantly refining the music and always trying to entertain the public and raising funds for charity.

The group has remained true to its roots and still maintains a very 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 and other members include Brian Farrow the Lifeboat Operations Manager, and Mick Holford the Treasurer.

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. They support the RNLI in a myriad of ways donating a significant percentage of their 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 their 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 and Holland twice. 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 almost 1,000 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 at Freshwater.

Lastly, the Shantymen were invited to sing on the BBC's One Show earlier in the year which was a most enlightening and thoroughly entertaining experiece which we will remember for a long time to come.

Brian J Farrow

Musical Director

7th May 2010