Newport Welcomes Back the Pirates in the Port Sea Shanty Festival
The Pirates in the Port Sea Shanty Festival is set to make a vibrant return to Newport this Spring, promising a weekend filled with music and community spirit while raising crucial funds for three lifesaving services. Scheduled for May 30-31, this free event will showcase leading Shanty and Folk music bands at famous venues across the city centre, creating an immersive experience for all attendees.
Organizers and Festival Origins
Brought to Newport by Bois y Bryn, a Cwmbran-based shanty band that also organized last year's festival and the 2024 event in Barry, the festival has quickly become a local highlight. Band members Doug Hopkins and Stephen Morris are at the helm, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience. Doug expressed his excitement, stating, "Bands from across the UK and overseas will be travelling to Newport to entertain audiences during our festival. The whole city gets involved; there is such a great atmosphere and there is music every hour." This year, the festival has gained additional support from the City Council, further solidifying its place in the community.
Charitable Focus and Beneficiaries
While admission is free, attendees are strongly encouraged to make charity donations, with proceeds benefiting Wales Air Ambulance, the RNLI, and SARA. Doug highlighted the importance of this charitable aspect, noting, "We hope the festival will shine a light on the amazing lifesaving work being carried out each day in Wales." Last year's event raised over £2,000 through bucket collections, and organizers aim to increase this amount in the upcoming festival.
Stephen Morris elaborated on the choice of charities, explaining, "Most shanty events obviously have a nautical theme, and therefore the focus is often on fundraising for the RNLI, which is a brilliant cause. But we wanted to include other charities like Wales Air Ambulance, which takes emergency medicine to the patient, wherever they are in Wales." SARA, a volunteer-run search and rescue charity operating in the River Severn region, is also a key beneficiary.
Venues and Performances
Fifteen venues across Newport will host the festival, including prominent locations such as the Corn Exchange, Le Pub, Fire and Ice, Hogarth's, and the Riverfront Theatre. With over 50 bands performing, including The Beach'd Buoys, Steam Town Shanty Crew, and Wrecked Again, there will be non-stop entertainment. Doug emphasized the accessibility of the event, saying, "What's fantastic about Newport is that whether you travel in by car, train, or bus, from the moment you leave the car park, train, or bus station, you are within yards of a venue."
Community Impact and Support
The festival has been warmly embraced by local pubs and bars, contributing to its success. Doug remarked, "The local pubs and bars have really embraced the event, so we are back again. If you visit places like Cornwall, festivals like this are quite commonplace. I know Newport is the last place you would expect sea shanties, but it really works." Visitors have praised the event for its unique atmosphere and charitable goals.
Rob Coles, Wales Air Ambulance Head of Retail and Community, shared his enthusiasm, stating, "We are looking forward to what is going to be a music-filled weekend in Newport! The Pirates Sea Shanty Festival is a free event and wonderful at drawing in the crowds. But it has a deeper purpose, supporting lifesaving services like our Charity, the RNLI, and SARA. This year marks our 25th anniversary, and our fundraisers are a big part of our Welsh success story. Events like this are so important! Every pound raised makes a huge difference and helps save lives."
Background on Beneficiaries
Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service that delivers hospital-standard treatments directly to patients, often transferring them to appropriate hospitals. It relies on public donations to raise £13 million annually. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) provides NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who perform advanced procedures at incident scenes. As a pan-Wales service, it operates across the country to deliver emergency care.
The festival not only celebrates music but also raises awareness about these vital services. Organizers will share key messages on social media in the build-up to the event, highlighting the critical care provided by Wales Air Ambulance and the efforts of RNLI and SARA.
