Arnside Maritime Singing Festival

A festival of sea shanty and maritime singing in aid of the RNLI Morecambe Lifeboat stations. There will be performers singing in the Sailing Club from 1pm to 10pm. Subject to the weather there will be shanty singing on the Pier from 2pm to 5pm.

Programme – The indoor performances in the Sailing Club is divided into –

1 to 3pm Open Session led by Mike Taylor where different maritime singers get up and perform a song. Entry £2

3 pm Afternoon Concert Entry £6

7.30 pm Evening Concert Entry £6

Performers include

All@Sea – The Lake District’s leading Sea Shanty Group: Sandra & Steve Harrison, John & Maggie Stockdale plus Jen Wilson have enjoyed the folk scene for several decades, so as All at Sea they have a wide ranging repertoire to choose from. Songs from the tradition, from Hugill’s collection, alternate with those from contemporary songwriters, all delivered acapella, some with actions! They have featured in events across the borders to Ireland, Scotland, Lancashire and Devon. https://www.facebook.com/iseenoships

Mizzen Crew – The Mizzen Crew is a Shanty Crew enjoying delivering songs, stories and music relating to life on the water.  They share a passion for keeping traditions alive through entertainment and workshops. The Mizzen Crew is delighted to be associated with Morecambe RNLI raising funds and peoples’ awareness of the RNLI work at their own gigs or events organised by other RNLI supporters. They have also sung at various local community events/

Their members come from Cumbria and Lancashire and are always looking for those with a similar passion for telling the story of the lives of those who worked on the sea through the medium of shanties and song.

They have a varied repertoire thanks to the contributions from each member of the crew who not only bring new ideas and material to their library but also are happy to lead the songs.  To find out more about them https://www.themizzencrew.org/  : https://www.facebook.com/TheMizzenCrew/ : Youtube/TheMizzenCrew

Nobody’s Friends – Nobody’s Friends were formed as an informal 4 piece Shanty group in 2019. Neil, Dave, Geoff, ‘Big’ Paul, ‘Little’ Paul, Martin, Peter & Roger, mainly come from a Folk background, though a couple have never sung Folk songs or Shanties before joining.  The only ‘nautical’ experience in the group, is Geoff (ex-RN) and Peter (a well known Scouse sailor – he says !).  Despite that, we all have a great love for Songs of the Sea and our maritime heritage.  We continually look for new material, not forgetting the old favourites, which hopefully bring out a few rousing choruses amongst our audiences.    

Scolds Bridle Scolds Bridle are two of Folk Music’s greatest ambassadors.

Sue Bousfield and Liz Moore have spent more than 45 years singing together as a duo and since their early beginnings in the Folk Clubs of Lancashire have matured into one of the most interesting and entertaining acts on the folk scene today, playing the length and breadth of Britain.

Having been featured in the Radio 4 Archive Hour Show “The Women on the Shore” about the life and times of the families of the Northwest fishermen, they have a wealth of valuable information about the subject and perform an acclaimed show called “We are the Women” which never fails to wrench at the heart strings and which gently reminds us of the ways of life now disappearing

Sue with her inimitable humour and cheeky stage manner shares the lead vocal with Liz who provides the perfect foil with her superb style of accompaniment on guitar and wry smiles at Sue’s jokes. Their harmonies are second to none. To find out more visit their website https://www.scoldsbridle.co.uk

Caffrey McQurk Madge – Caffrey McGurk Madge is a trio performing Contemporary and Traditional songs and music. They bring years of experience both as a trio and solo work to make up a strong pleasing sound and audience embracing performance. CMM are considered amongst the best performers around. For more info www.caffreymcgurkmadge.com.  https://youtu.be/-jUZrWZJLIw

Sillertides (Linn Phipps and Doug Huggins (“The SIllertides”) are traditional song singers who offer joyful shared-singing of conversation songs between song partners – usually 5,000 miles apart and singing /performing together on Zoom every week. We have performed at a wide variety of folk and maritime festivals, and last year performed at several venues in Ireland.  We are delighted to be singing in person again this summer! For more info https://linnphippsfolk.co.uk/sillertides/ ;  https://bit.ly/3hzmYNC .

Their debut “Sillertides” CD “Silk and Leather” (Conversation Songs from the Folk Tradition) is on bandcamp here sillertides.bandcamp.com.  

Tom Perry and Clive Brooks – Tom and Clive have appeared at various Folk festivals and clubs singing unaccompanied traditional and contemporary material. www.tomperryandclivebrooks.com

Lawrence Hoy and Steven Higgins – From Wigan. Lawrence & Steve are both folk singers. We have been singing separately and together in the folk clubs and at the folk festivals up and down the country for many years. Both of us have organised and run folk clubs and folk sessions.

Lawrence is a well established singer songwriter with several highly acclaimed albums to his name, while his singing partner, Steve enjoys a great reputation as a top guitarist and a fine exponent of both traditional and contemporary folk.

Lawrence’s 1988 Album “Beyond the Seas” is about the voyage of the first convicts to Australia in 1788 which included two people from Wigan. Video https://www.facebook.com/100063858300847/videos/847742566319433

Together they provide an eclectic listening experience, warm and friendly, all delivered in great musical style https://youtu.be/tpLBjh_xml8

Beach of Dreams Arnside Grande Finale – Sun 27 August

There is maritime singing on the beach (or in the Sailing Club if raining), the previous day as part of the display of pennants on the beach by the Beach of Dreams Project. More details https://www.waysaroundthebay.org.uk/enjoy-your-visit/bay-lines-installation-events