Thousands attend first Barry Island sea shanty festival in June 2024

Residents and visitors of Barry attended the Festival of the Seas festival organised by the RNLI and the Sea Shanty Festival on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2.

More than 40 shanty crews came together to perform at the festival which coincided with the RNLI 200th anniversary celebrations.

People enjoy Sea Shanties at the Festival of the seas. Picture: Barry Dock RNLI (Image: Barry Dock RNLI)The festival took place across eleven venues in Barry which included Finnegans, The Bierkeller, Ship Inn, Barry Yacht Club, The marquee near the RNLI, The Mount Hotel, and The Beach Hut.

Organisers Bois Y Bryn performed at the festival. Picture: Festival of the Seas (Image: Festival of the Seas)Peter Cox, one of the organisers of the event told the Barry and District News that the festival was a huge hit with locals.

“It was brilliant, it was as good as I expected it to be. 92 bands were performing across the 11 venues.

The Frampton Shanty men perform at the Festival of the Seas. Picture: Barry Dock RNLI (Image: Barry Dock RNLI)“There were large crowds who enjoyed the bands who were performing, it was wonderful to see people sit and listen to the bands and show them a map of where to go next.”

Mr Cox, from Newport, explained that bands came from all around the world to perform free of charge and there is a high demand for them to do the event again next year.

RNLI's mascot Stormy Stan was a hit with locals. Picture: Barry Dock RNLI (Image: Festival of the Seas)“It was a fantastic event, there were so many different types of shanties, one group came from France and sang in French, nobody understood them, but people enjoyed it.

“All the bands went on the Gavin and Stacey tour and visited Uncle Bryn’s house and Marcos and were posting how good it was, as everyone knows ‘what’s occurring' is."

Traders and South Wales Police also enjoy the Festival of the Seas. Picture: Barry Dock RNLI (Image: Barry Dock RNLI)“We have had great feedback on the event, with people asking us to do it again next year which we are looking into.”

On Sunday, June 2, the RNLI put on a lifeboat demonstration in Whitmore Bay to round up a day of action-packed activities before a final live band took to the stage.

Barry Dock RNLI Lifeboats perform a rescue demonstration. Picture: Barry Dock RNLI (Image: Barry Dock RNLI)Abi Phillips, of RNLI Barry Dock, added: “It was a fantastic event, we were so pleased how it was organised.

“We have so much gratitude for everyone who helped make the weekend possible, including the RNLI event lead, Avril Kitchen, and her wonderful team.

Locals at the Barry Yacht Club enjoy sea shanty group. Picture: Barry Dock RNLI (Image: Barry Dock RNLI)“It was a wonderful day with fantastic stall holders and bands. A lot of people enjoyed the display of lifeboats which were well done.

“People were so generous when donating to us, if we can make the event happen again next year we will.”