On Sunday, 6 February, the Boscastle Shanty Festival committee were pleased to invite various organisations to the Cobweb Inn to receive their cheques from the proceeds of the Festival.
The first Boscastle Shanty Festival was held in 2022. Two Boscastle legends were the inspiration – Chris Edwards, member of the Boscastle Buoys, and Ivor Bright, former landlord of the Cobweb Inn. Both men loved a good Cornish Shout and would be proud of their legacy. Sadly they died within a few weeks of each other in 2022.
The purpose of the festival was to create a fun event and to raise money for charity. In the first year the fantastic sum of £8400 was raised which was shared between KD-UK for research into Kennedy’s Disease (Chris was a sufferer) and St Symphorian’s Church, Boscastle for essential repairs.
This year, the 2024 festival topped that, raising approximately £11,500 – the accounts are still being finalised.
The charities/organisations supported were KD-UK in memory of Chris and Boscastle School, Play School, Gig Club, Football Club and Community Hall in memory of Ivor. A donation was also made to the family of local man Darren Milner who recently passed away.
The organisers would like to thank everyone who made the festival happen, especially the fantastic singers who came from far and wide and the generous attendees who all seemed to have a great time. There are lots of videos and photographs from the festival available online.
Huge thanks must also go to all the organisations and individuals who advertised in our souvenir programme, donated auction lots, raffle prizes and cash to help raise money.
If anyone out there would be willing to donate to the 2024 fundraising effort please email the organisers on boscastleshantyfestival@gmail.com.
Please follow Boscastle Shanty Festival on Facebook and/or Instagram for news and updates regarding the 2024 festival which will be held on 8th -10th November.
The people in these photos are: Anita Edwards-Symons and Tracy Bright making the presentations. Receiving them are: Steve Coom (Playschool), Lee Burrows (Community Hall), Dan Booker (Gig Club), Steve Dray (Football Club), Sara Hadden (School) and Kim Slowe (KD-UK).
