I copy this text from a post on Facebook by Harwich Shanty Festival:
Well this is the second December in a row that I have had to post some sad news. Brian Withstandley, Folk and Shanty singer, writer, actor, guitarist, political and environmental activist, died on 1st December. He has been a loyal supporter of the Harwich International Shanty Festival since it began, singing with Hog Eye Men and then Swinging the Lead and he wrote and directed Swinging the Lead's "Cutty Sark Story" which they performed at the Festival last year. A real gentleman. He will be sadly missed.
I don't have any more details at the moment.
Garry