Thousands tune in to virtual Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival

Behind the scenes. Image Credit to Shane Solomon

The physical event had to be cancelled for the second time because of Covid, but this didn't stop a virtual event was held last night hosted by organisers Richard Gates, John Warren and Betty Stogs.

Falmouth Shout kicked it all off this year. Video still

Opening the nearly four and a half hour broadcast the hosts introduced over 60 groups from all over the world, whilst reading comments from people over the globe praising the event.

The first group to kick off the event was Falmouth Shout who first set up and ran the event in 2003/04.

Behind the scenes. Image Credit to Shane Solomon

Money raised on the night will go towards the festival's chosen charity and to run another virtual event running hopefully along the physical event next year.

Richard Gates opened the festival saying: "It's about having fun. One of the primary reasons for this, and of course we want everyone to support it."

Viewers joined in from all over the country and the world.

Jacqueline Marshall commented: "Loving this from North Cornwall while my husband is watching from Kansas US as we can't be together at the moment. Thank you very much for bringing us together to watch you."

Melv Roberts commented: "Great to watch from Madeira, Portugal where I now live. Having sung with Scallywag, Scilly previously.

Natalie Gold posted: "Watching from Folkestone in Kent...feel a bit local now from some posts! Daughter lives in Falmouth though. I WILL get down to see this in real life one year! Have a great evening x."

The event was held at Cornwall Channel studios, who have been working hard on the tech behind the scenes to ensure the event runs smoothly and can be viewed far and wide.

The event completely FREE to view and can still be watched on the shanty festival's Facebook page and Youtube channel.

People can still donate to the festival via the Falmouth Sea Shanty website.” .

Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festivals chosen charity each year is the RNLI. This year, money from the virtual event will go to the RNLI and also towards future festivals. The shanty weekend is free for all to attend and relies on charitable funds to run the event, so for anyone wanting to donate to the festival, you can do so via falmouthseashanty.co.uk.

Betty Stogs raised an incredible £13,500 for the 2020 festival last year and is excited to be a part of this years’ virtual event again. Each year at the Festival Betty challenges the Sea Shanty groups to try and beat the amazing total she raises. So not to miss out this year Betty has setup her own on-line JustGiving Page justgiving.com/campaign/BeatBettyStogsChallenge2021 and is asking the groups to take up the Beat Betty challenge and try and beat her own target of £1,000.

“The Sea Shanty Festival is the highlight of my year, and I am really looking forward to another great evening of virtual shanties and suggest you get your bottles of fine Skinner’s ales in ready for the night!”, says Betty Stogs. The Beat Betty competition results will be announced live on the virtual event.

The main sponsors are Seasalt Cornwall and Skinners Brewery