By Mal Butler
Flags were waved and hundreds of people joined in with some raucous singing of Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia, as the Yarmouth Seasongs and Festival weekend drew to a successful conclusion on Monday.
Acts from across the Island, along with mainland performers, joined in over the four days as they entertained the crowds with songs of the sea, sailing ships, fishing and barges.
Among the Island performers were Brighstone Barnacles, Freshwater Ukulele group, Compass Rose, Men of Wight, Abacus Duo, Razor Jake, Rona Shanty Singers, Havenstreet Ukulele group, Sea Gels, and Shalfleet Shanty Singers, with visitors including The London Sea Shanty Collective and Southampton Salty Sea Dogs.
Chris Waddington, who founded the event, said: “It was absolutely fabulous and we were very lucky with the weather. It was great to see so many performers, who all gave up their time for free, enjoying themselves. We had a lovely turn-out across the four days and the event is starting to become part of Yarmouth tradition; it was wonderful.”
The weekend was opened by Yarmouth harbour master, Tim Adams, with a performance from the children of Freshwater & Yarmouth Primary School.
Monday’s finale was led by the West Wight Slipshod Singers who performed Yarmouth’s interpretation of Henry Wood’s Fantasia of Sea Songs. It was written in 1905 to celebrate the centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Musical director was Adrian Hudd, keyboard, Richard Hughes, whistle, Tina Goode, Hornpipe dancer, Suki Turner, and bugler, Glynis Marsh. Historian, Kevin Shaw, narrated the performance and Jane Roberts sang solos on Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia.
All proceeds of the weekend will go to Needles NCI Coastwatch.
Isle of Wight Observer