From November 25th-27th, shanty groups will sing for their suppers – and ours
For the past six Novembers, shanty groups from all over England have descended on St. Ives for the Shanty Shout Festival. This year, however, brings a change: with the Edward Hain Centre now officially open, we have been selected as their permanent charity partner! This means that from now on, all donations collected at each venue will come to us. Needless to say this is a fantastic boon.
The festival’s name comes from the Cornish tradition of singing in pubs— with voices no doubt suitably loosened by ample ‘watering’. The word ‘shanty’ comes from the French ‘chanter’, meaning ‘to sing’. It first turned up in English in the 1850s in reference to songs sung by sailors while they worked. You can just imagine it: their voices ringing out ever the high seas as they hoisted sails and weighed anchor. I can’t help wondering, too, whether shanties were sung on Edward Hain trading ships in days of yore, as they traveled by wind and sail over the high seas. . . . Given the St. Ives roots of the company and many of its employees, I’d bet, Yes!
The Groups
‘Shanties’ and ‘Cornwall’ go together like bread and butter, with groups based all over the county and shanty gatherings year-round. The St. Ives Shout, though, marks the last Cornish shanty weekend of the year, giving it an extra boost. Coming from near and far, this year’s 24 groups include a new local act, Spaven Mor, featuring one of our own Edward Hain trustees, Claire Young. Claire also happens to have once been a nurse at the former hospital. Extra points there, Claire! (You can check out Spaven Mor this weekend, too – see image below.)
The venues
The Shanty Shout festival is always fun, as the humour in its name suggests. Entry is free, and people sing along with raucous enjoyment. But this year, with the Centre newly open, and our new partnership with the festival, there’s more to celebrate. So come and help us raise the roof at any or all of the hosting pubs and bars: Buir Huis Grand Café. . . Cafe Art St ives . . .Harbour View House. . . The Golden Lion. . .Pilchard Press Ale House. . . The Queens. . ., and last but not least, The Western Hotel. They’re all within convenient walking distance of each other – whether it’s your feet that need the short walk, or the jollity of the occasion that makes it a good idea!
Who’s playing where
Check out times and venues below. Please note, though, that groups and venues are subject to change if circumstances require.
Both we, and the Shanty Shout Festival, are very grateful for the generosity of all the venues, and to the singers who bring the festival to life. Thank you all.
Let’s make this the loudest Shout ever!
