A new music festival will be coming to historic venues across Saltash for a weekend in June. Saltash Songs & Shanties Festival is inspired by the town’s buildings, people and beautiful countryside and features events for the whole family.
“Saltash is a vibrant and friendly town filled with enthusiastic and talented people of all ages. A summer weekend of live music is so welcome. Let’s get all corners of the gateway to Cornwall resonating with sound and enjoyment!”
The Festival kicks off by welcoming the youngest audiences to Jude’s Music Menagerie at Saltash Library (10.30am and 11.30am, 10 June). From Baby Sharks to Nellie the Elephant, babies, pre-schoolers and their carers are invited to sing-along with instruments large and small – animal outfits welcome!
In the evening of 10 June there is an opportunity to join in and learn shanties and songs with Cornish choir leader and folk singer Claire Ingleheart. The Shanties & Songs of Land & Sea workshop takes place at Saltash’s beautifully refurbished railway station building at 7.30pm and features stories of inspirational women of Cornwall in song, including Saltash rowing legend Ann Glanville.
Saturday 11th June sees string and wind players from across South East Cornwall and Plymouth perform melodic new music by local composer Judy Whitlock alongside works by former Cornish resident Peter Warlock. This classical event takes place in the elegant Guildhall at 7.30pm. Live music continues into the evening at pubs and bars across the town with gigs at The Brunel Inn, Union Inn and more.
The final day of the Festival, Sunday 12 June, features three concerts of music, very new and very old. The day starts at 1.30pm with Elizabethan music at Mary Newman’s Cottage, the oldest building in Saltash (dating from 1480). Matthew Spring will perform on Lute and Hurdy Gurdy while visitors can explore the beautiful house, garden and cafe.
The Railway Station hosts Heaven’s Thunder, a live music and film screening at 4pm. This concert premieres excerpts from the film made of a theatrical show involving horses, riders, musicians at Duchy College in 2021, along with captivating photographs of the horses. The visuals are accompanied by a live performance of songs from the show by 20 costumed singers and instrumentalists.
The Festival ends at the historic Church of St Nicholas and St Faith with a performance by acclaimed Early and World music group Sirinu. The Eliza is the Fairest Queen concert includes lively tunes from the time of Elizabeth I, to celebrate the jubilee year of Elizabeth II, featuring popular songs and dance tunes from the court and countryside.
“This will be a great weekend for discovering new music and exploring Saltash with friends and family. The historic buildings in this town are real hidden gems and the enthusiasm from musicians for performing in them has been amazing.”
Tickets and more information available from www.songsandshanties.co.uk
This event is funded by Tresorys Kernow with support from Saltash Town Council and Tamar Protection Society. Tresorys Kernow is a pilot project to breathe new life into towns and villages, using culture and heritage to bring some joy in the context of Covid recovery and climate adaptation.