By Mal Butler
The four-day Yarmouth Celebration of Sea Songs and Shanties came to an ‘emotional’ finale on The Green on Monday.
Hundreds of people waved Union Flags as The Slipshod Singers performed a ‘A Fantasia of Sea Songs’ taken from an inspiration of music composed by Henry J Wood in 1905.
The songs told the story of the preparation, battle and aftermath of the Battle of Trafalgar from the point of view of the ordinary sailor and included ‘The Anchor’s Weighed’, ‘Death of Nelson’, ‘Home Sweet Home’, ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘Rule Britannia!’
The fantasia was narrated by Kevin Shaw, the bugler was Glynnis Marsh, soloists were Lesley Tregear and Tina Goode, Adrian Hudd was the musical director with Richard Hughes on the keyboard, Tina Goode played the whistle and Maureen Shaw danced.
Other acts over the weekend included The Brighstone Barnacles, Freshwater Ukulele Group, Second Time Around, Solent Shanty Buoys, RUG Band and Eremue Folk.
Charis Waddington, founder of the event five years ago, said: “It was wonderful. The whole weekend went off really well and we had perfect weather for it. The performers, who all gave their time for free, absolutely loved it.
“To look out and see some many people waving their flags at the finale was quite emotional.”
Money raised will be donated to Needles NCI. Next year’s event takes place May 24-27.
Isle of Wight Observer