Songs from the seven seas are the central theme for an event taking place across Harwich this weekend.
The 11th annual Harwich International Shanty Festival begins tomorrow and carries on throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Local and international singers, musicians and performers fill the programme, which takes place at venues right across the town – on land, trains, and of course at sea.
These include the Redoubt Fort and several of the town’s pubs.
Many of the events are free and suitable for all ages, while there are also interactive workshops, guided tours, street theatre and wandering performers, plus writing and drinking competitions
Shanty trains run on the Mayflower Line from Manningtree to Harwich Town, departing Manningtree at 11am and 12pm on Saturday and 11.26am Sunday.
Among the renowned performers are North Cape, from Poland; Roaring Trowmen, from Bristol; Danish Stork Ijlaender, as well as more local festival favourites Golden Rivets from Essex, Motley Crew from Brightlingsea, Felix Stowaways from Suffolk and of course the Harwich Shanty Crew.
For more information and to buy a programme visit the festival web site.
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