Sea Shanty Festival survives to go ahead this weekend

Some 19 acts have been confirmed for the Sea Shanty Festival, which begins with a meet and greet session at the Minerva on Friday and continues throughout the weekend. They include Owd Chyvers, singer songwriter Anna Shannon from Scarborough, Richard Grainger and Roaring Forties from Grimsby, as well as Wendy and Paul Arrowsmith and Shanty Jack.

Three venues including the Minerva, along with Ruscadors and Fruit on Humber Street near Hull’s Marina stepped in after £25,000 public funding dried up. Since Labour swept to power in the May elections, Hull Council has given the festival £5,000.

The acts will be appearing on one outdoor stage at Ruscadors both days and a concert will be taking place at Fruit on the Saturday night which aims to appeal to all ages, with acts including Hissy Fit, a local duo, Hazel Richings and Linda Kelly. On Saturday the Maritime Museum has a room set aside for singing and playing from 11am to 4pm.

If it rains, as forecast, organisers say there is plenty of room inside the venues.

Hull-based musician Mick McGarry, a former merchant seaman who has been involved in the folk scene for 50 years, organised the line-up: “Hull likes people who are rebellious and that kind of message has gone out that the council weren’t able to fund it and volunteers came forward.

“I honestly don’t know what the take-up will be, but previous years have been good.”

Any profit will go back into next year’s festival.

Ruscadors landlord Pete Smith said: “It’s not been an easy ride. I don’t think people realise how much goes into putting one of these together.

“I didn’t realise it. But I am quite confident it will come together all right.”

Tickets for the concert at Fruit cost £5 and are available from www.fruitspace.co.uk or from the Minerva or Ruscadors.