Shanties at the Shipwreck Centre, Narration in the Nave, and Cavorting at the Coach House!
The Classic Boat Museum in Cowes and the Shipwreck and Maritime Centre in Arreton joined forces to present ‘Shanties and Hornpipes’ — part of the RNLI’s 200th Anniversary celebrations. But the partnerships didn’t stop there. Four local primary schools — Cowes, Holy Cross, Arreton, and Hunnyhill — all contributed to the more than 100 pupils who took part.
So what do you do with over 100 children? Once again, the answer was partnership:
Miko Lisiak from the Isle of Wight Music Hub led the children in learning two new sea shanties…Down the Solent and The curse of Stokes Bay
Michelle Hainsworth from Community Dance IOW taught them how to dance the hornpipe and guided them in creating their own dance based on the theme “How to Build a Boat.”
Sue Bailey from But That’s Another Story brought lifeboat rescues to life through dramatic storytelling, including the moving tale of Joey Attrill’s heroic walk across the Downs to help rescue the crew of the Sirenia.
The partnerships continued into the evening performance, attended by over 40 parents. The celebrations extended from St George’s Church in Arreton to the Coach House Church Hall and finally to the White Lion pub, where landlords Julie and Ian provided food and drinks. The evening concluded with a lively performance by the famous Shalfleet Shanty Singers, whose rousing renditions of traditional sea shanties brought a joyful close to two exhausting but unforgettable days.
- Ian Vallance - Education officer
