Town to host its first sea shanty festival

A weekend of "sea songs and salty harmonies" is taking place in Ilfracombe with the town hosting its first ever Shanty Festival.

Organisers Scuttlebutt Shanty Crew said it would host 35 bands across 13 venues to "celebrate the maritime tradition, beginning at midday on Saturday and Sunday.

The crew said "many of the top shanty and maritime groups" had travelled "far and wide" to take part - including one performer from the United States who grew up in the town.

Organisers Niki Davis and Caroline Bramwell said they couldn't have arranged the weekend event without the enthusiasm of the town's pubs and businesses and hoped it would bring "a significant boost in footfall".

Bramwell said: "We hadn't appreciated how much support we would get for the event.

"Our crew, Scuttlebutt Shanty, have been performing at many festivals this year, at which we have been promoting the event, and there seems to be a huge buzz around town and the shanty community for this event."

Bramwell said she hoped the first festival could be the beginning of an annual celebration.

"We are very excited to see the event come to life, and to hear so many amazing performers across the two days."

"There is a big upsurge in interest in shanties, and this event should definitely put Ilfracombe on the map."

Organisers said a percentage of funds raised from the festival would go to the RNLI.

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