The Harwich International Shanty Festival will take place from October 11-13 with more than 230 events, including over 200 for free.
Inner State Theatre will be portraying the Spanish Armada at the Redoubt Fort on the Saturday while, Queen Elizabeth and Sir Francis Drake will be visiting the quayside on Sunday alongside other colourful characters walking around the festival.
Talk – Sea shanty singer Chris Roche’s illustrated talk ‘Rounding the Horn’ will detail his experiences of Tall Ships.
At the Redoubt Fort there will be maritime crafts, and a special themed shanty train will run between Harwich Town and Manningtree stations – one trip with the Black Deep entertaining on board and one with Freddie’s Barnett.
Guided tours of the Redoubt, Old Harwich, and Christopher Jones’ House will take place with the Harwich Society, as well as more guided tours at the Beacon Hill Fort, which includes shanty guest artists Figurehead, Kimber’s Men and Tyburn Road.
Further talks include the history of the Electric Palace, the Kindertransport, the work of Cicely Fox-Smith, ‘Bells Across Cardigan Bay’, and ‘Rounding the Horn’.
On Saturday there will be the chance to learn an instrument with ‘bones’ workshops, and on Friday there will be the first Jig Doll workshop, with more chances to learn instruments throughout the weekend.
Percussion – The Jig Dolls are percussion instruments as well as dolls (Image: Submitted)Other events include the one-man show Hull Trawling, the musical narration Tiles Along the Wall, and the 1845-set musical Twas on the Shores of Wapping with A Pint of Shandy which is about London convicts being sent to Australia.
Car parking is available at the Trinity House car park and there will be a shanty bus to transport people around the town.
Volunteers stewards are still needed. To find out more, volunteer, or to buy advance tickets, visit www.harwichshantyfestival.co.uk or buy the 2024 souvenir programme.