Shantymen Photo

We are the ...

Sussex-by-the-Sea Shantymen

.. your Shanty Group on the West Sussex Coast

Merrily melodic & naughtily nautical.

About us

We are a disparate crew from around Littlehampton, Rustington, East Preston and Angmering with a common enjoyment of singing shanties and the like and a taste for a pint of ale.

We rehearse in the Tudor Tavern most Monday evenings and you are welcome to come and listen in (and maybe join in the choruses).

We enjoy our local gigs, raising money for the RNLI and local charities.

Upcoming Gigs

19 June - Ship & Anchor, Ford

Kicking off at 20:00, We will be supporting the Ship and Anchor's Shipwreck Weekend

3 July - Oak Grove School

10 July - Westgate House, Fontwell

24 July - East Preston Bowls Club

4 August - 2 o'clock club, Bognor

15 August - Waterfront Festival, Littlehampton

23 August - Worthing Pavilion Bowls Club

29 August - Woolpack, Burgess hill

12 September - Shanty Fest, Bognor

19 September - Sussex MS Centre, Southwick

2 October - RNLI Fish & Chip Supper

10 October - Greystoke Manor, Ferring

Recent Gigs

6 June - East Preston Festival


The poor weather forced us indoors.

But we had 3 great gigs in the Great Dane (midday), Tudor Tavern (13:00) and Seaview Hotel (14:00).

Raising over £200 from our generous audiences for the Below the Belt prostate screening charity.

At the bar

17 May - Bluebird Cafe

The weather relented enough for us to sing outside the Bluebird by the beach.

3 May - Oldland Mill

The Crew on the Mill Steps

Suporting the Oldland Mill Open Day with the Folk Singers and Morris Men on the glorious Sussex Downs.

Besides performing we were able to enjoy a look around this historic post mill. It was built in 1703 and after a rebuild starting in 1980 it is milling flour today.

Find out more at Oldland Mill Web Site

18 April - The Forge, Slindon

4 April - Salt Cafe (East Preston) Reopening


Shanties on the beach in support of the opening of Salt Cafe for the summer season.

A cold southwesterly blowing from the sea did not put off a good crowd of supporters

On the Beach

28 February - Birch Tree Court, Worthing

24 January - Burns Night Dinner at Arun Yacht Club

Burns night at AYC

Gigs in 2025

18 December at 7:00 - Seaview Hotel, East Preston

11 December - Swallows Return (Private party)

8 December at 6:30 - Charity Gig in the Tudor Tavern

1 December - Fundraiser at the Great Dane

30 November - White Lodge Care Home

Andy sings to his Mum

Much hilarity as Andy sings to his Mum!

19 November - Evergreen at St Margaret's Church

15 November - Green Willow Care Home

1 November - Farewell to Melanie at the Salt Kiosk

25 October - MS Centre, Southwick

4 October - East Preston Bowls Club

20 September - Shanty Showdown at Southdown Music Festival

30 August - Angmering Twinning Event


Shanties at the Avisford Park Hotel for the Angmering Twinning Dinner and their guests from France.

At the Twinning Dinner

22 August - Littlehampton RNLI Cheese & Wine

Outside the Boat Shed

We sang from the quay to the assembled RNLI volunteers in the boat shed as they enjoyed their wine and a good spread of cheeses

17 August - White Lodge Residential Care Home, East Preston

9 August - East Preston WI Garden Party

26 July - Littlehampton Waterfront Festival


We were on the quayside of the river Arun outside the Harbour Office, supporting the Waterfront Festival.

Outside the Harbour Office
Outside the Harbour Office

Amongst all the waterside activity and events on the water we sang for 3 gigs with a good crowd of spectators joining in the choruses.

20 July - Norfolk Bowling Club, Littlehampton

A joyous gig for members of the club. 2 sets either side of a fish supper .

The generous members donated £220 which has been passed to 52degrees north for the benefit of the charity AndysMansClub

Welcome Notice

4 July - Oak Grove College

End of term at Oak Grove

Oak Grove Bandstand

St Margaret's Church Fun Day

St Margaret's Church

We joined in the revelry with sets on the field in the sun and in the the comparative quiet of the church.

St Margaret's Church

Tudor Tavern

9th June - An evening gig in place of our usual rehearsal.

A good, voicifrous and generous audience donated over £120 for the benefit of the Chestnut Tree House children's hospice.

Shanty on the beach

East Preston Festival

Sets at the Great Dane, Tudor Tavern, Seaview Hotel and on the beach at Salt Kiosk

Fortunately the rain stayed off and the wind didn't spoil a splendid day

11 May - Mewsbrook Park

2 sets in the afternoon in the sun to entertain a small crowd outside the Mewsbrook Park Cafe

Littlehampton Museum

On 22 March we performed in the Council Chamber in the museum.
A good number of people enjoyed our 3 sets, including the Mayor.

At Darlington Court

Darlington Court

On 1st February we gave a short afternoon shanty concert for the residents and their visitors.
Many joined in the choruses with enthusiasm.

Arun Yacht Club

An after dinner set at Arun Yacht Club
for their Christmas Prizegiving Dinner

Rehearsal Venue

We meet to rehearse on most Monday evenings from 20:00 at the Tudor Tavern in East Preston

You are welcome to come and listen in - join in the choruses - have a beer

If you would like more information or would like to join us please click the Contact button above.

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