SeaIlfracombe: N. Devon, UK

Subject: SeaIlfracombe: N. Devon, UK
From: BB
Date: 02 Aug 11 - 12:26 PM

Why not take a few days off at the beginning of September (2nd - 4th), and spend a fun and music-filled weekend in the seaside town of Ilfracombe?

The town is situated on the North Devon coast within an area of outstanding natural beauty – and outstanding is really the right word in this case! – and will be celebrating its myriad links with the sea, with activities for all the family, both close to the sea and in it!

There are events running from 11 a.m. on the Friday right through until late on the Sunday evening, and many of them are free. From exhibitions to an air-sea rescue helicopter fly-past; coastal walks to orca watching; gig-rowing tasters to a tug-of-war; historical guided food trails to seafood cookery demonstrations; a walkabout on the Balmoral to a party on the Oldenburg; and specifically for children and families, a pirate family day, rock pool rambles, and fish for kids workshops, there really is something for everyone!

And then there's the music and dance, starting on Friday night with a Maritime Ceilidh at the Landmark Pavilion with Bloatertown Dance Band, plus song spots.   During the day on Saturday there will be sea songs and shanties around the harbour and seafront areas; and we will be doing our presentation on the Short Sharp Shanties (take a look at this website for more information); in the afternoon, the Ilfracombe's Red Petticoats clog dancers will be dancing in the town and down to Capstone Hill; in the evening Kimber's Men, the internationally-known shanty and maritime song group, will be at the Landmark Theatre, with support from Tom & Barbara Brown, the Oldenburg party will have suitable maritime musical entertainment, and Ilfracombe's La La Choir will be performing in one of the churches. On the Sunday, again there will sea songs and shanties around and about over lunchtime, followed by a Maritime concert in the Lifeboat House in the afternoon.

Performers throughout the weekend include Paul Sirman, an excellent exponent of maritime songs and shanties; Monkey's Fist, a shanty group from that well-known seaport town of Leeds; recently-formed local shanty choir Anchors Aweigh, and local duos Pam'n'Al and Martyn Babb & Andy Barnes.

For more information, take a look at the SeaIlfracombe website. It's going to be a great weekend, and we really hope to see you there!