PRESS RELEASE 24TH AUGUST 2007 8th - 9th September 2007 - Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival MARITIME SHENNANIGANS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL THE FAMILY Admission is free! Get ready for an action packed programme of Shanty songs, bands, entertainers, tall ships, traditional seafood, craft stalls and demonstrations, not forgetting Horatio Herring and much, much more are the fantastic ingredients for Great Yarmouth’s 8th annual Maritime Festival. This is a spectacular weekend for the family, to celebrate Great Yarmouth’s rich maritime heritage. Families will be entertained throughout the festival with some of the very best shanty singers, music and entertainers throughout the UK With a fantastic line up of Shanty songs and music throughout the festival, Crowds will enjoy top shanty acts such as the Shellback Chorus, West Altea Singers, Sheringham Shantymen, Monkey’s Orphan, John and Sue Griffiths, Grand Turk Pressgang Singers, Capstan Full Strength, Four n Aft, and Pint and Dale. The festival attracts some of the best shanty singers from throughout the UK with The Shellback Chorus having been performing maritime songs since 2001. They have toured in the USA, New Zealand and Holland and have made repeated appearances at UK folk and maritime festivals. Festival organisers are pleased to welcome back the Sheringham Shantymen - the infamous local group who remain true to their roots, maintaining a strong connection with the RNLI and as well as hundreds of local performances, the Shantymen have also appeared in the USA, Germany, Ireland and Holland and numerous prestigious UK maritime festivals. Music is not all Shanty! What could be nicer than sitting beside the river on a Sunday morning listening to the Wretham brass band – playing a varied programme of maritime pieces. Prepare to be moved to tears, uplifted and delighted with the evocative sounds. Crowds can enjoy entertainment throughout the festival from heritage walks and marching bands, to displays from local re-enactment group East Norfolk Militia, Gorleston RLNI lifeboat and East Anglian Newfoundland Dogs to Cooking and craft demonstrations. Don’t miss the colourful characters and street entertainers of the festival such as Inner State, Horatio Herring, Lofty Lighthouse, Nelson and Town Crier. Children will be amused by the Professor Pulson’s Punch and Judy show and balloon modelling from Cap ‘n’ Ogwash. This year’s maritime festival takes place on Saturday 8th September 10am - 6pm and Sunday 9th September 10am - 4.30pm Great Yarmouth’s South Quay. Highlights of the festival include: * Visiting vessels, including the impressive and firm favourite Grand Turk, a replica of an 18th Century frigate which was featured in the TV series "Hornblower". Other vessels include the regular cargo sailing vessel Albatros, HMS vessels, a Motor torpedo boat and famous Wherries. * Craft marquees full of local and visiting craftsmen * Re-enactments from East Norfolk Militia and Lifeboat demonstrations by the Gorleston RNLI * Royal Naval Simulators - experience a ride in a Super X ride simulator * Marine Model Boat and Maritime Art Exhibition * The very best in traditional seafood, light refreshments, including beer in “Horatio’s Bar” -ends- Info for the Editor: The 2007 Festival is supported by 13 local companies who have become 'Gold Anchor' or 'Silver Darling' sponsors and without their support the festival would not be what it is. The Official sponsors of the Festival are Screen Print Plus, Gardline Group, PKF, Persimmon, Thrigby Hall & Wildlife Gardens, TV Palmer Ltd, Aldreds, J& H Bunns, Vestas, Bateman Groundworks, SBS, ELM Contracts and A.C Pembroke Builder Ltd Media enquiries, please contact: Donna Bidwell, Tourism Division Greater Yarmouth Borough Council, Maritime House, 25 Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2EN Tel: 01493 846343; Fax: 01493 858588; E-mail: dbi@great-yarmouth.gov.uk Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival Website www.maritime-festival.co.uk Great Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01493 846347