Shanty Festival Success - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Shanty Festival Success – LEIGH’s Old Town set the scene for a nautically-themed music festival in mid-May.

Shanty Festival Success - LEIGH’s Old Town set the scene for a nautically-themed music festival in mid-May.

LEIGH’s Old Town set the scene for a nautically-themed music festival in mid-May.

The Old Leigh Shanty Weekend made its much-anticipated fourth return on Friday May 16, whilst also managing to raise over £3,8000 for local charities.

The festival saw musicians and over 20 shanty crews take over seven stages across Old Leigh in an entirely-free event.

Leigh Lions, who organised the event wanted it to be ticketless to ensure an accessible community endeavour, but were also grateful to receive sponsorship grants from both Leigh Town council and The Hoy at Anchor Folk Club.

As the Old Town was brough to life with music from musicians and shanty crews including The Hoolies, The Motley Crew, The Ondines, Hoy Boy, and Hoy Shanty Crew, a charity collection took place in aid of Southend RNLI, The Endeavour Trust, and Leigh Lions.

A spokesperson for Leigh Lions said: “What a weekend.

“If you came, we hope you really enjoyed yourselves, and if you didn’t join us, we hope you will visit next year.

“The public collection in aid of RNLI Southend Lifeboat, Endeavour Trust and Leigh-on-Sea Lions Club, raised a truly fantastic £3,802.83.

“None of this would have been possible without a huge amount of planning months before, and hard work during, the weekend.”

The weekend kicked off on Friday May 16 with a traditional Shanty Singaround at The Crooked Billet, followed by live music across venues all afternoon on Saturday and Sunday, building to a Grand Shanty Finale at Billet Wharf and Strand Wharf respectively.

Leigh Lions added: “We would like to thank Leigh on Sea Town Council for their support, and the wonderful £1,000 grant to help ensure the event’s future.

“This will make a huge difference.

“Thanks to The Hoy at Anchor Folk Club for additional sponsorship of £1,000 and providing technical support, MCs, and equipment across the venues.”

Leigh Lions also called for special individual thanks to Lion Simon Smith’s Centennial “100” Champions Lions Club, volunteer Roger Hill, and to Leigh Lion Tony Prior.

“Thank you to Tony for establishing this event, and doing so much to make it happen,” they added.

Picture: Leigh Lions fundraising at Strand Wharf.

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