WHO would have thought that the latest national craze to go mainstream would be Sea Shanties?

The sudden resurgence was music to the ears of the Teign Maritime and Shanty Festival Committee last weekend, which hosted its annual event in Teignmouth and Shaldon.

Traditional singers treated revelers to classic Shanties in several venues in the towns.

The event had to be canceled last year due to the coronavirus restrictions but was back with a bang for 2021.

The traditional folk songs were enjoyed by visitors who travelled from across the country to attend.

To kick off proceedings, the Johanna Lucretia, a 96-foot sailing ship arrived in Teignmouth Harbour on Friday afternoon.

Festival-goers were able to board the ship to tour the traditional wooden vessel.

Town mayor Peter Williams who kicked off proceedings said the event was ‘absolutely brilliant.’

‘What a cracking weekend that was’, he explained.

‘I spent all of Friday afternoon checking out the different acts. Almost every person I spoke to had come from outside the town just to hear the music.

Cllr Williams noted that he received praise from first time visitors to the town who were very impressed.

He added: ‘The organisation from the festival committee was just superb.

‘They deserve a lot of credit for putting on a weekend like this. Plus, the praise I received from members of the public was briallint to hear.’

Kevin Booker of the Teign Maritime and Shanty Festival committee, and who was described as the ‘driving force’ behind the event, was thrilled with the turnout.

‘There were so many talented groups from all over the UK,’ he said.

‘The presence of the Johanna Lucretia in the harbour was enjoyed by everyone in the community.’

Kevin was quick to highlight that the festival would never have been possible, let alone run so smoothly were it not for the hard work of all the volunteers.

The festival raised money for Alice Cross, Rowcroft Hospice and Teign Heritage.