Based in South Zeal on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, Mariners Away are a long-established shanty crew formed in 2007 who perform traditional sea shanties and other songs of the sea.
The current line-up numbers twelve if all are available however we generally perform with nine or ten crew for most outings.
Over recent years we have performed at a veritable fleet of events including all the popular shanty festivals, folk festivals, beer festivals, cider fests, wassails, coronation celebrations, birthday parties, weddings, funerals, WI Christmas parties, RD&E hospital wards and we were even aboard the relaunch of SV Britannia, the historic fishing smack now berthed in Exeter Quay as she undergoes her finishing touches.
In October 2023 we also had the unique honour of appearing on BBC Spotlight early evening magazine news programme and serenading the South West TV audience as the regional airwaves were handed back to the national network.
Among our more recent cherished moments have been two exclusive concerts at the prestigious Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington while also performing at the world famous Sidmouth Folk Festival and the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival. The pinnacle, following on from our TV appearance, was undoubtedly the special two-and-a-half-hour fundraising concert in October 2023 in aid of Royal Devon & Exeter hospital when we were joined by our talented friends in Jim Causley, Windjammer, Elizabeth-Jane Baldry, and local comedian and compere Jonno at Exeter’s Corn Exchange, one of the south west’s largest entertainment venues.
A phenomenal £2500 was raised for the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital cardiac wards and various charities which was presented in early December. See separate article.
2024 was an extraordinary year for Mariners Away. We performed over 50 sets across more than 30 gigs – a milestone of which we’re incredibly proud, especially considering our combined age exceeds 800! (Yes, we know, we don’t look a day over 400!) 🙂
The year was filled with unforgettable milestones, and we’re excited to share some of those highlights with you. A huge thank you to all our friends, supporters and crew members of Mariners Away who’ve accompanied us on this amazing journey.
We made sure we stayed connected to our roots throughout the twelve months by entertaining regulars at a few local pub gigs such as The Golden Lion in High Bickington, The Duke of York at Iddesleigh, The Bull and Dragon in Meeth (twice), The Kings Arms at Winkleigh, while not forgetting our very own Kings Arms in South Zeal of course where Carolyn and ‘Woody’ yet again very kindly allowed us to continue to use the pub for our rehearsal space on Wednesdays and Thurdays.
We were also delighted to support All Saints Church in Okehampton and St Edmond Church in Dolton with their respective fundraising efforts.
We had a blast providing entertainment at various weddings, private parties and special events too including a fun performance for the Exbourne Women’s Institute in December, while we are always pleased to support the Britannia Sailing Trust as they continue the impressive restoration of SV Britannia in Exeter Quay.
We were also surprised to receive a most unexpected standing ovation at the finale of our Heart of Devon summer concert in Bow, we just thought everyone was getting up to leave… apparently not. 🤗
Throughout the year, we performed at a number of well-established shanty and music festivals such as Port Isaac, Hatherleigh, Lyme Regis and Falmouth of course, while also supporting several newer ones at Cockwood, Bude, Weston-super-Mare, Barry Island, North Tawton and Exeter Quay – our set at the Bishop’s Blaize being particularly memorable as 10 Mariners fought valiantly for space on a stage the size of postage stamp!
In complete contrast to Exeter, at Falmouth we were privileged to be invited to perform on the magnificent main stage at the world famous International Sea Shanty Festival in mid-June, with our set also being broadcast live on local radio!
But one of the most meaningful, poignant and personal moments of the year came when we were invited to perform to celebrate the opening of the new cardiology unit at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. As our relationship with RD&E develops we were honoured to represent the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity by providing pre-match entertainment at the Premiership rugby union match between Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins at Sandy Park on the charity’s behalf in October – an exciting change of pace and venue for a land-locked sea-shanty crew!
One of Devon’s most prestigious entertainment venues, The Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington played host for our third exclusive and memorable concert in as many years to an near sell-out audience, long may that arrangement continue.
Another highlight, saw us make our third radio appearance of the year when we travelled to Truro performing live on David White’s BBC Devon & BBC Cornwall afternoon slot.
But perhaps our biggest milestone of the year came in December, when we were privileged to perform at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, the premier officer training academy in the UK. We were invited to entertain the first-year officers’ at their private graduation dinner, which was extra special due to the college’s rich history. It is of course where our late Queen, Elizabeth II met her future husband Philip, and where our present monarch, King Charles III and future king, Prince William also trained.
We wrapped up the year with a return visit to RD&E and entertained patients around the wards. The most touching moment came on Avon Ward, where our music apparently gave one patient the strength to get out of bed for the first time that day, walk down the corridor, and join us in the singing. There were tears all around!
Check 2025 – Upcoming Performances to find out where Mariners Away will be singing next.
Click below to learn more about Mariners Away and the history behind the crew.