AROUND 30 groups from Cornwall and beyond are due to descend on St Ives for the 8th St Ives Shanty Shout on November 22 and 23.

Visitors to the Shout can expect to be captivated by adventures from the days of sail and by modern songs of work and love in seaside towns. The Shout is welcoming back Kimber’s Men with their powerful and poignant harmonies. Several new groups, including The 85ers from Portishead, will also be performing.

Regular venues The Bier Huis Grand Cafe, Cafe Art, Harbour View House, the Pilchard Press, the Queen's Hotel, and The Western Hotel will be joined by returning venue The Lifeboat Inn and new venues Host, Pedn Olva, Sea of Coffee and Tretho Lounge.

All venues will resound with rousing tunes and magical melodies weaving lyrical stories of the sea. Visitors are encouraged to donate generously to support the Friends of Edward Hain Centre. Betty ‘Cornwall’s Charity Maid’ will be around to give the local fundraisers a helping hand. 

The St Ives Shanty Shout is a popular “last festival of the year” for many groups. It enables them to catch up with friends whilst allowing visitors to enjoy the music and stories in a relaxed atmosphere.

The enjoyment and enthusiasm of the performers is infectious and visitors new to shanty are just as likely to have a good time as seasoned fans. The informal “Shouts” at the end of the evenings are largely unplanned allowing all, who wish to, to participate in singing. 

For more information, visit www.stivesshantyshout.co.uk or check out Facebook @stivesshout.