Leigh Shanty Festival

LEIGH came alive with a celebration of music and maritime heritage with the return of the Shanty Festival.
Crowds gathered in Old Leigh over the weekend as the annual sea shanty celebration returned with two days of sea songs, folk music and maritime entertainment.
More than 30 acts performed across the weekend at Strand Wharf, with visitors enjoying free performances from groups including The Hoy Shanty Crew, The Steepleholmers, Hog Eye Men, Short Drag Roger and The Orwellermen Shanty Crew. The Harvest Moon Jazz Trio and Mudlarks Community Choir also featured in the packed programme.
The event, organised with support from Leigh on Sea Lions Club, raised money for RNLI Southend Lifeboat and the Endeavour Trust, which supports the preservation of Leigh’s historic cockle boat and Dunkirk “Little Ship.”
Chris Burls, membership secretary for The Endeavour trust, said: “On the Saturday Endeavour berthed on the outside of Bell wharf, where the Hoy Shanty crew were able to sing far enough away from other shanty crews on Victoria wharf.
“On the Sunday, with the Hoy Shanty crew singing elsewhere, she berthed in Bell Bay alongside Victoria Wharf in the thick of the festival, which proved a great success with many visitors showing an interest.”
Festivalgoers were also able to visit displays from the famous Blew Regiment of The Sealed Knot re-enactment association, who demonstrated historic weapons and equipment throughout the weekend.
Tony Prior of the Leigh Lions and the Hoy at Anchor folk club, who organised the event said: “the festival was an unqualified success due, in no small part to the fine, if rather chilly, weather and the enthusiasm of all the participants.”
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