Your chance to sing along with the Shantymen – singularly!
A shanty-singing group which has raised thousands of pounds for the RNLI is celebrating its 30th anniversary the only way it can, by getting together online for a sing along – and they’d like you to join in too.
The Sheringham Shantymen have recorded their take on ‘What shall we do with the drunken sailor?’. Now they’re hoping to create a community version with hundreds of people singing along – and that’s where you come in.
How to get involved:
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE1aRv5N_t4 to see the Shantymen’s song. Record yourself or your family singing along, actions and all – you can even dress as a pirate! Then upload your video at Shantymen.wetransfer.com. The final version will be shared on the Shantymen’s website and Facebook page.
The group was formed by volunteers from RNLI Sheringham Lifeboat Station and has been a major fundraiser for the charity over that time. In 2007 it raised £20,000 for the purchase of an inshore lifeboat for RNLI Wicklow in Ireland. The Sheringham Shantymen was on service for 10 years, rescuing 96 people in that time. It is the only organisation outside the RNLI allowed to displaying the RNLI insignia on its badge.
The group also perform an annual concert at the Pavillion Theatre in Cromer, with proceeds going to a local Norfolk charity and the RNLI at Cromer and Sheringham. They also perform at festivals including the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival.
Five of the group are also volunteers at RNLI Sheringham, including Musical Director Brian Farrow, who’s also the station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, and trainee crew member Jon Payne, whose technical skills make the online performances possible.
Brian said ‘We have been performing and supporting the RNLI, both locally and nationally, for 30 years. Unfortunately we are unable to celebrate the way that we intended, but thanks to Jon we are able to still ‘put it out there’ and look forward to getting back into the groove.’
Interview opportunities
If you’d like to interview Brian Farrow or Jon Payne, please contact Jim Rice, Regional Media Manager, North and East, on 07810 658072 or 01362 850076, email [email protected], or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected].
Notes to editors
The five members of the Sheringham Shantymen who also volunteer for the RNLI at Sheringham are:
Brian Farrow – Lifeboat Operations Manager, Musical Director and original member
Mick Holford - Former Treasurer and Honorary Box Secretary and singer
Dave Armitage - Community Safety Officer and singer
Jon Payne - Trainee Crew and musician/singer
Dick Grieve – Lifeboat Press Officer and singer (with the occasional tin whistle)
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 over 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 142,200 lives.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.