Seaside shanty fest raises £2,500 for Hunstanton RNLI

Sunday 2 November 2025

A three-day sea shanty festival on the Norfolk coast raised £5,000 for lifesaving charities.

Brancaster Staithe Sea Shanty Festival was held over three days in the Norfolk coastal village in September

Some 20 acts from across East Anglia and further afield pitched up for the Brancaster Staithe Sea Shanty Festival.

The three-day bash saw groups perform at six venues in and around the village from 12 - 14 September, with all proceeds going to the charity that saves lives at sea and the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI), which operates a look-out station on the nearby beach.

Shantyfolk came to present £2,500 to the crew at Hunstanton RNLI on Sunday 2 November.

An identical amount has been donated to fellow lifesaving charity the NCI, who the Hunstanton crew work closely with.

'We enjoy keeping the shanties alive, raising money for good causes and doing something for the community,' said John Rodwell, who sings with the Sheringham Shantymen who were among the acts which performed.

'It's an old sea tradition and we've got to keep it going for the young 'uns so we don't lose it.'

Hunstanton RNLI's lifeboat operations manager Mike Gould said the work of the station and more than 200 like it would not be possible without the kindness of those who support the charity that saves lives at sea.

The station's treasurer Jackie Merralls presented the shantyfolk with an ornamental lead crystal RNLI logo.

Notes to editors

The event was launched by singing group Nelson's Shantymen's at their base at the Jolly Sailors pub at Brancaster Staithe in 2022, when nine acts performed.

Since then it has grown into a major maritime heritage event - not to mention the chance to enjoy local food and drink, along with a good old sing-song.

This year groups performed at the Jolly Sailors, both inside and outside at the White Horse, Brancaster Village Hall, Deepdale Camping and Rooms Barn and St Mary's Church, at Burnham Deepdale.

Admission was free to all five venues throughout the event, which aims to bring together the rich maritime traditions and the vibrant community spirit of the Norfolk coast through music, camaraderie, and charity.

RNLI Picture caption

The pictures are from Sunday's presentation and the event.

Please note credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Sue Ireson from Nelson's Shantymen (front, right) presents a cheque to Hunstanton RNLI lifeboat operations manager Mike Gould

Visitors enjoyed shanties, food and drink at the festival

Stormy Stan gives Nelson's Shantymen the thumbs-up at the Brancaster Staithe Sea Shanty Festival

Jackie Merralls presents Sue Ireson with an ornamental RNLI logo in lead glass crystal

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

The weather's hot, but the water's cold

Seaside shanty fest raises £2,500 for Hunstanton RNLI

Key facts about the RNLI

Learn more about the RNLI

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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