Episode 4

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Published on:

5th May 2024

Bishop's Palace & Gardens, Fish and Art

Book your tickets to see the crew at https://pobshantycrew.co.uk/

Donate to Teenage Cancer Trust https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/POBShantyCrew

Theme song provided by Kale A. Deane

Mentioned in this episode:

Nova Scotia

Chapters

Transcript
Speaker A:

Hi, it's Old Bill.

Speaker A:

You're listening to Shipshape and Bristol Fashion.

Speaker B:

Shipshape and Bristol Fashion.

Speaker B:

Boys along the hardest side From Able Gorge to Wonderful heaven Haul the line, secure the barrels down below Find the tie and lash em this vessel, she is certified Shipshape from Bristol Fashion.

Speaker C:

Ahoy there, shipmates.

Speaker C:

And a warm welcome to Shipshape and Bristol Fashion.

Speaker C:

I'm Justin, your host and it's great that you can join us.

Speaker C:

If this is the first time that you've discovered Shipshape and Bristol Fashion, then thank you for joining us.

Speaker C:

It is great to have you on board.

Speaker C:

There are plenty of other episodes that you can tap into, so just either search on our website or go to a popular podcast app and you'll find more episodes if you're a regular listener.

Speaker C:

Welcome back.

Speaker C:

It's really good to have you here.

Speaker C:

And on this month's episode, we're going to listen to some audio that was captured at an event that the Port of Bristol Shanty Crew took part in and that was at the Bishop's palace and Gardens in Wells.

Speaker C:

And we pop down to the crew room and talk to fish and art about their experience to date as being part of the crew of the Port of Bristol Shanty crew.

Speaker C:

But first off, we're going to pop down to the signaler and catch up with some of the news that's been going on.

Speaker D:

It's summer sky setting sun the corn crates seems on the Bristol run run before the waiters tray the sailors they have earned their pay or see the.

Speaker E:

Bristol town load it down with Grandio or see the Bristol town load it down with Grandio With Grandio.

Speaker F:

So what.

Speaker C:

Has the Port of Bristol Shanty Crew been up to since the last time we met on this podcast?

Speaker C:

Well, as we said later on in this episode, we're going to be covering some of the live audio that we covered and captured at an amazing, very posh event at the Bishop's palace and Gardens in Wells.

Speaker C:

And that was a clearly an amazing event.

Speaker C:

The lads had a wonderful time.

Speaker C:

They even met up with some truly original Cape Cod girls and we'll hear about that more later.

Speaker C:

There's been lots of our Facebook crew that of course have celebrated their birthdays and we really hope you've had a wonderful time and of course had a great day and of course you are all well.

Speaker F:

Now.

Speaker C:

One of the English events of the year, of course, has been St.

Speaker C:

George's Day, and I hope you've enjoyed that.

Speaker C:

There is plenty more opportunity to catch up with the Port of Bristol Shanty Crew.

Speaker C:

Of course, just around the corner is the Real Ale and Shanty day.

Speaker C:

That's on the 11th and 12th of May and that's going to be held in Freemasons hall in Bristol.

Speaker C:

Tickets available on our website and it's guaranteed to be an amazing event.

Speaker C:

There's going to be great ale, great company and a plethora of shanty singing in many of their rooms.

Speaker C:

And it's a great building to go into.

Speaker C:

It's one of those buildings that I didn't think you ever know is there until you arrive and see it.

Speaker C:

The Port of Bristol Shanty Crew are taking part in many events leading into the summer period, one of which is down in Porter's Head.

Speaker C:

They've got a Marina Shanty Day and of course that is on the 25th of May.

Speaker C:

There's a Gloucester Shanty Festival on the 26th of May, and of course, lots more events coming up.

Speaker C:

And you can find out about all of the events they're taking part in on our website and that is pobshantycrew.co.uk and click on the top page where it says where to see us and you'll see all their bookings.

Speaker C:

And if you're interested in booking the Port of Bristol Shanty Crew, then just pop on our website, click on the inquiry page and of course we'll get back to you with regard to our availability.

Speaker C:

As I mentioned before, Facebook is a great way of catching up with what's going on within the crew.

Speaker C:

If you are on Facebook, then please do search Port Official Shanti Crew in your search page and you'll find our dedicated page for Facebook Crew.

Speaker C:

And we're nearly at 900 members, so it's great to have your support and of course you are regularly contributing to either donating money or just coming along to support the lads in all that they do.

Speaker C:

So next up is life coverage from our successful gig at the Bishop's palace and Gardens in Wales.

Speaker G:

Right, so rep.

Speaker G:

Our first posh gig here.

Speaker H:

Oh, I know, I know.

Speaker H:

I'm honored and overcome, to be honest with you.

Speaker H:

I never thought that I would tread these hallowed halls as a shanty singer.

Speaker G:

Have you ever shifted around?

Speaker H:

I've been upstairs.

Speaker H:

I've seen everything.

Speaker H:

I've seen all the vestments, I've seen all the oil paintings of the past bishops and even a couple of cardinals.

Speaker H:

So, yeah, yeah, I was hoping that.

Speaker H:

I was hoping, but apparently not.

Speaker H:

Apparently he's been excommunicated and sent to the Ascension Islands to minister there.

Speaker G:

May there Be an opportunity for the shanty crew to dress up a bit later.

Speaker H:

I think there always is an opportunity.

Speaker H:

We've never turned one down to dress up, to be honest with you.

Speaker H:

That's the main reason I sing in a group.

Speaker G:

Excellent, excellent.

Speaker G:

Well, I hope it goes well.

Speaker G:

Good luck with your MCing.

Speaker H:

Thank you.

Speaker G:

Ladies.

Speaker G:

What brings you to this musical extravaganza this evening?

Speaker G:

Oh, the hunky fishermen that are singing.

Speaker G:

The hunky fishermen.

Speaker G:

When do they arrive?

Speaker G:

I think they're gonna come in a minute.

Speaker G:

Did you bring any with you?

Speaker G:

No, I'm sat next to one right now.

Speaker G:

It'll do.

Speaker G:

Excellent.

Speaker G:

So have you got a favorite song you're looking forward to tonight?

Speaker G:

All the John Kanaknakaduray.

Speaker G:

Oh yeah, I'll be singing about my knackers again.

Speaker G:

Absolutely.

Speaker G:

Looking forward to it, John.

Speaker G:

Well, I'll sing it specially for you.

Speaker G:

Thank you very much.

Speaker G:

I'll be staring at you.

Speaker G:

So, Ash, this is our.

Speaker G:

This is our first proper posh gig.

Speaker E:

It is.

Speaker A:

It's a little daunted.

Speaker G:

Alison Wells.

Speaker G:

Very classy, isn't it?

Speaker G:

And the room's hot enough.

Speaker A:

I'm not sure if it's a bit.

Speaker G:

Classy for us to be quite honest, but it's some amazing acoustics in here.

Speaker F:

It's going to be.

Speaker G:

And I'm singing Living of Liverpool and I'm also singing the classic Little Eyes.

Speaker G:

Little Eyes, which I'm looking forward to.

Speaker G:

Always a crowd pleaser.

Speaker G:

Always a crowd pleaser.

Speaker G:

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker G:

We just need to get this queue out the way and we can get started.

Speaker F:

Excellent.

Speaker G:

Well, have a good evening.

Speaker G:

Yeah, you too, mate.

Speaker G:

Good singing.

Speaker D:

Yes, you too.

Speaker D:

See you later, love.

Speaker H:

Audiences like you, so enthusiastic and engaged in what we do and joining so we putting some songs.

Speaker E:

Quite a few songs.

Speaker H:

They've got catchy choruses.

Speaker H:

You can pick up this one.

Speaker D:

I know.

Speaker H:

I'm sure 90 odd percent of people here know it.

Speaker H:

It's old Bill and he's going to be singing Wild Rover.

Speaker H:

Right.

Speaker E:

I've made the wild rover for many a year and I spent all my money on whiskey and beer and now I'm returning with gold Restore.

Speaker D:

Night.

Speaker E:

The funniest dream of all I dreamt that I was kissing you behind the garden wall and she said Little eyes, I love you Honey little eyes, I love you I love you in the springtime and the pony.

Speaker H:

Okay, little song now from fish.

Speaker H:

Oh, right.

Speaker H:

It's Bully in the Alley.

Speaker H:

Bully in the Alley was an expression used by sailors for someone who was drunk in the alley.

Speaker E:

Never us.

Speaker D:

So they were sort of.

Speaker H:

So what they do, they go mainly from the West Indies as well.

Speaker H:

And they dock.

Speaker H:

They go out.

Speaker H:

They have a few sherbets and one had too many.

Speaker H:

And they left him there in the alley.

Speaker H:

And so he.

Speaker H:

They said, oh, he's bullying the alley.

Speaker H:

Bully in the alley Fish.

Speaker H:

And just a bit more history to that.

Speaker I:

The song itself is a working shanty.

Speaker I:

So the sailors on board the shrut on the ship used to use the shanty to rhythm their work.

Speaker I:

In the old days, that was done on the Roman galleys by a guy.

Speaker H:

That sat there with a drum going bang, bang, bang.

Speaker I:

And this is a Roman beat stick.

Speaker I:

So it'll be singing with me or.

Speaker H:

It'Ll be beating with me as I'm singing.

Speaker E:

Help me Bob I'm fully in the alle.

Speaker E:

Hey, hey Bully in the alley Help me fall one Bully in the alley Bully and chimbo now so help me fall one Bully in the alley way Bully in the alley Help me fall one Bully in the alley Bully and chimbo rack on someone in the audience.

Speaker H:

And embarrass them terribly in front of.

Speaker E:

Their friends and family.

Speaker H:

And today, the fickle finger of faith which they shoot calls upon this couple here who was honored to marry together at Little Church down in Brimton.

Speaker H:

This is Ben and this is Esther.

Speaker H:

And they became what and a marriage Nobby.

Speaker H:

He's going to sing a rousing song called Nelson's Blood.

Speaker D:

Oh, a drop of Nelson's blood Wouldn't do us any harm oh, a drop.

Speaker E:

Of Nelson's blood Wouldn't do us any harm oh, a drop of Nelson's blood Wouldn't do us any harm and we'll all hang on behind and we'll call me else Carry it along we'll roll you along.

Speaker A:

Okay.

Speaker H:

Well, this one became very, very popular.

Speaker E:

During lockdown, so I'm sure a lot of you will know it.

Speaker E:

Singular chorus.

Speaker G:

I think it even gone to the charts.

Speaker E:

It's a very old song which has been upgraded recently.

Speaker E:

But anyway, if you know it, please join in.

Speaker I:

And it's called the Lanham.

Speaker E:

There once was a ship to see the name of the ship was the soon they were One day when the Chinese dog will take Bali mango She not been too wicksome shore went down on her a right bar the captain called all hands and SWAT would take that way.

Speaker H:

Wonderful.

Speaker H:

Best mates ever.

Speaker H:

You go back an awful long way.

Speaker H:

First day I saw you both went into this building.

Speaker H:

It was obvious from the moment we met it, he didn't know who I was.

Speaker H:

And I didn't know who he was, but within a few minutes I knew.

Speaker H:

I knew, honestly, if I gave this man £3,000 and I didn't see him for five years, it'd be money well spent.

Speaker H:

Okay.

Speaker H:

He wrote this song.

Speaker H:

It's a lovely song.

Speaker H:

And it's sung.

Speaker H:

It's been sung by groups all over the country.

Speaker H:

The Fisherman's Friends sing it.

Speaker H:

They paid you some money, didn't they?

Speaker H:

They put it on one of their CDs.

Speaker H:

You didn't credit it and they gave him some money.

Speaker H:

It's brilliant.

Speaker H:

Which he gave completely to Chariot.

Speaker H:

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker H:

Anyway, Sonic, the G7, you know that big conference achieved very, very little on the environment down in Cornwall.

Speaker H:

Bit controversial there.

Speaker H:

This one is called the Corn Crake.

Speaker H:

Brilliant song written by this brilliant man.

Speaker H:

Off you go.

Speaker E:

If he remembers all the words.

Speaker D:

Right.

Speaker D:

Just to explain very briefly, very briefly, that the corn crate was a ship that belonged to the general steam navigation in London.

Speaker D:

And it came into the Bristol docks on a regular trip bringing brandy all the way, like from Bordeaux and wherever, and used to birth up in St.

Speaker D:

Augustine's Reach.

Speaker D:

And I remember seeing it as a child, so that's why I wrote the song.

Speaker D:

With neat summer sky and setting sun the corn trade seemed beautiful.

Speaker I:

That's right.

Speaker D:

Let's start again.

Speaker H:

We practice.

Speaker E:

You were here, you saw it, you.

Speaker H:

Got it within half a line.

Speaker H:

No, no, I know it works that time.

Speaker D:

Need summer sky and setting sun the cork drink steams on the Briscoe ranch from deep fore the waners tray the sailors say I burn their pay o'.

Speaker E:

Erseen Bristol town loaded down Grandio Foresee the Bristol town Loaded down Grandio Grandio.

Speaker D:

Rolling on to the deep green day towards the hills of Red Cliff Bay Corn Craig steamed upon her way from the moonlit night to the break of.

Speaker E:

Day 4C Bristol Town Load it down, Randy.

Speaker E:

O4C Bristol Town Loaded down Randy.

Speaker E:

Old Randy.

Speaker H:

We're gonna call back our resident medical gp.

Speaker H:

This is a song that John, or Doc, as we should call him, he's got a good ear for music.

Speaker H:

I don't know what he's doing with us, but he's got a good ear for music.

Speaker H:

And he's done a mashup of two completely different songs.

Speaker H:

One's called Essequibo river and the other one is called Cape Cod Girls.

Speaker H:

You're gonna do the third one as well.

Speaker H:

Just do two.

Speaker D:

Okay.

Speaker H:

A bit of a mashup.

Speaker H:

Works really well.

Speaker H:

Only sung it a few times.

Speaker H:

Yeah.

Speaker H:

Never got it right.

Speaker E:

Sudhiokosa Is the king of soul all the way Fever up and don't you make a noise I'm the way for Australia Found a way for Australia Hear of me holy holy boys he our way all the way either up and don't you make a noise Find a way for Australia Cape Cod folks ain't got no gills either way all the way for Australia Give her up May bully bully voice E away all the way Eber up and don't you make a noise Found a way for Australia Essequibo river is the king of rivers O Haritananawi Isabadio River Issequigo River Somebody O Johnny Somebody O Praniji Somebody O Somebody O Johnny Somebody O Come the way for Australia.

Speaker D:

Oh, Santiana on the day leave away Santiana and General Taylor.

Speaker E:

Ran away on the plains of Mexico and it's Shiva and away we'll go either way Santiana here up and away we'll go all on the plains of.

Speaker D:

Mexico he was a rorty general.

Speaker H:

A.

Speaker D:

Rorty snorty general all along the plains.

Speaker E:

Of Mexico and if she were up and away we'll go either way in Santiana eat her up and away we'll go all on the plains of Mexico.

Speaker D:

Cause on the field of Molly del.

Speaker E:

Rey Hid away Santiana that Santiana lost.

Speaker D:

Her leg that day all on the.

Speaker E:

Plains of Mexico and it's Shiba and away we'll go either way the plains.

Speaker D:

Of Mexico I wish I was in Mexico so do we in Mexico where the whale fish blow all along the.

Speaker E:

Plains of Mexico and it's cheaper and away we'll going away Santiana give her up and away we'll go all on the plains of Mexico I wish I.

Speaker D:

Was in Laguna town Give away Santiana away down south in Laguna town All.

Speaker E:

On the plains of Mexico and Sivira and away will go give away Santiana era and the way we'll go all on the plains of Mexico.

Speaker G:

So I've got Reverend Nobby with me.

Speaker G:

Hello, the dynamic duo.

Speaker G:

So how's it going so far?

Speaker D:

Well, I think I'm very excited about it.

Speaker D:

And all the people that we have here listening to the rev stories of old, you know, and now they got such big appetites for getting tucked into their grub now.

Speaker H:

Yeah, well, it's rare if we come across an audience of such sophistication.

Speaker D:

Yeah.

Speaker H:

Yeah, they obviously understood my references to Homer's Odyssey and to the original Greek.

Speaker H:

Something we don't normally get the reception, actually.

Speaker H:

Seriously, you've been very gone down very well.

Speaker H:

I think haven't you?

Speaker D:

Yeah.

Speaker H:

I got to congratulate you, Doc, on John Canuck.

Speaker F:

Doc.

Speaker H:

What a star.

Speaker H:

He is a star, isn't he?

Speaker D:

Yeah.

Speaker D:

Yeah.

Speaker H:

I don't care what anyone says.

Speaker D:

Right in the sky.

Speaker H:

But he is.

Speaker H:

He was very good, wasn't he?

Speaker D:

He was.

Speaker H:

He left on a high.

Speaker H:

A high note.

Speaker D:

A high.

Speaker H:

Not notes.

Speaker D:

How do we continue that in the next hour?

Speaker D:

Started on a high note.

Speaker H:

Oh, Never been known before.

Speaker D:

Yeah, never been.

Speaker H:

He's normally way down in Davy Jones's locker.

Speaker D:

That's right.

Speaker H:

He's got his notes.

Speaker D:

Second half, he's got to come down.

Speaker D:

Yeah.

Speaker H:

What's he singing?

Speaker H:

Second half, don't.

Speaker H:

He's got a song.

Speaker H:

Second half, he's got pirate R.

Speaker H:

He's got the real showstopper finale par excellence.

Speaker H:

John Kanaka and Poirot will always be the end source.

Speaker I:

Always.

Speaker D:

Brilliant.

Speaker G:

Food's on its way, so enjoy your fish bar.

Speaker D:

Thank you.

Speaker D:

Yeah, great, Doc.

Speaker G:

Look forward to the second half a bit later.

Speaker D:

Yeah.

Speaker G:

So I'm here with the lady.

Speaker G:

Sorry, I've lost my voice.

Speaker G:

But I'm here with the lady who's just experienced the full fat quarter.

Speaker G:

Bristol shanty crew gig at the Bishop's palace.

Speaker G:

And it turns out you come from Cape Cod.

Speaker J:

I am.

Speaker J:

My name is Phyllis Nickerson and I am a 12th generation Cape Codder.

Speaker J:

My family's from Norwich and Norfolk and my great great grandpa was a clipper sheep Clipper ship captain to China.

Speaker G:

Fantastic.

Speaker J:

So I feel right at home with you guys and I felt very welcome when you sang that song.

Speaker G:

That's the first time you've sung Cape Cod Girls in public.

Speaker H:

No, it's not.

Speaker J:

We've sang that at home.

Speaker H:

Cape Cod.

Speaker G:

First time we've sung it as a cruise.

Speaker G:

So that's the first time you've sung it.

Speaker D:

Yeah.

Speaker C:

Oh, my God.

Speaker J:

And look, you got a big fan immediately.

Speaker G:

Fantastic.

Speaker J:

Because I've heard it a million times at home.

Speaker J:

Cape Cod girls they comb their hair with codfish bones it's actually embroidered on our rugs that they sell in the tourist shops.

Speaker G:

That is absolutely fantastic.

Speaker G:

Well, thank you very much indeed for coming to see us this evening.

Speaker J:

Thank you for singing our local song.

Speaker J:

I felt very at home here.

Speaker J:

Thank you.

Speaker G:

And enjoy your stay in England.

Speaker H:

We are.

Speaker G:

And brought the sunshine with you.

Speaker H:

Oh, yeah.

Speaker G:

Really?

Speaker H:

No.

Speaker H:

Another storm.

Speaker G:

God bless.

Speaker G:

Thank you.

Speaker C:

Thank you, Doc, for recording that audio.

Speaker C:

It certainly sounded like a one amazing event.

Speaker C:

And if you do pop over to our Facebook page, you'll see some of the pictures that were taken.

Speaker C:

So next up, we're going to pop down to the crew room and catch up with Art and Fish and have a really good chin wag about their time within the crew to date.

Speaker F:

Well, let's, let's say welcome.

Speaker F:

Good evening.

Speaker F:

It's great to have Art and Fish on the podcast.

Speaker F:

How are you gentlemen?

Speaker F:

How are you?

Speaker A:

Absolutely brilliant.

Speaker I:

I'm swimmingly well.

Speaker C:

Good.

Speaker F:

Well, listeners, you can't see this, but they've.

Speaker F:

Mike is dressed up in.

Speaker F:

In his entire.

Speaker F:

He looks amazing.

Speaker F:

He looks very dressed and look at that, he's got his T shirt on.

Speaker F:

He's neckerchief.

Speaker F:

He is well dressed and the customary Port of Bristol shanty crew hat.

Speaker C:

He looks amazing.

Speaker F:

Well, it's great to have you both here and it is been fantastic to hear the stories of the crew members that are part of the crew and it's great to have you both here.

Speaker F:

Mike, let's start with you because you dressed up for the occasion.

Speaker F:

Mike, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Speaker F:

How did you come about being part of the shanty crew?

Speaker I:

had an email back in February:

Speaker I:

I'll loosely call him as a friend.

Speaker I:

Really someone calls a rev.

Speaker F:

All right.

Speaker I:

And he just said, I'm about to offer you a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Speaker I:

How would you like to join the shanty crew?

Speaker F:

Ah.

Speaker I:

And the rest is history.

Speaker I:

I said yes and I went along to the first little meeting.

Speaker I:

I think there's four or five of us.

Speaker I:

And then suddenly we expanded out into this 10 man crew and it's been one of the five best things I've ever done in my life.

Speaker F:

Oh, that's so good to hear.

Speaker F:

Art, also known as Arthur.

Speaker F:

Is it a very similar story?

Speaker A:

Did you just get a.

Speaker A:

I couldn't be further from being a shanty person and anybody else because I was bor.

Speaker A:

Brought up in a place called Todd Morden, which is on the Lancashire Yorkshire border.

Speaker A:

From my accent, a slightly Yorkshire in there.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker A:

As far from the sea as you can possibly imagine.

Speaker A:

But moved down to Bristol.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker A:

In:

Speaker F:

Okay.

Speaker A:

I bumped into Nobby when we went out with him and a lot of others down to Dartmouth and in Nobby's inimitable way, he started singing a song and I joined in and he knows.

Speaker A:

I'm sorry, I know a few songs and because I'd been brought up with folk singing up in the north of England, being a rock climber and stuff like that.

Speaker A:

Spent loads of time up in the Lake District.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker A:

The folk clubs up around there as well.

Speaker A:

But he said, look, come along.

Speaker A:

We.

Speaker A:

We started a little group.

Speaker A:

So I.

Speaker A:

I joined Nobby and Rev and of others and started singing a few songs.

Speaker A:

And then that folded.

Speaker A:

And then as Mike said about three years ago, it was Rev and Nobby said, we're starting.

Speaker A:

We're going to start another group again.

Speaker I:

Would you.

Speaker A:

Would you like to come and join us?

Speaker F:

Nice.

Speaker A:

All right, then.

Speaker A:

So went along, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Speaker A:

Three became four, five, and then ten.

Speaker A:

And we all get on extremely well together.

Speaker A:

Have a good laugh, good, good time.

Speaker A:

And raise lots of money for the Teenage Cancer Trust as well.

Speaker I:

Because of this podcast, I've now learned how Nobby, Art and Rev got together in the first place.

Speaker F:

Oh, look at that.

Speaker F:

Even you're learning stuff.

Speaker F:

Isn't that.

Speaker F:

Oh, I love it.

Speaker F:

Well, what a great story from both of you of how you kind of have come together and to be part of the gang, the crew.

Speaker F:

I mean, that's Fish.

Speaker F:

That it's important to recognize that you.

Speaker F:

You are a very noticeable character when you come and join the crew.

Speaker F:

Not only do you look the part, but you kind of bring prop with you, don't you?

Speaker F:

Tell us a little bit about this.

Speaker I:

Let me explain that.

Speaker I:

nown as Fish, really, back in:

Speaker F:

Okay.

Speaker I:

When with a group of friends, we all got together one year and we said, well, should we do some socializing?

Speaker I:

And we all said, yes.

Speaker I:

And that's my.

Speaker I:

My birthday is around Christmas time.

Speaker F:

Okay.

Speaker I:

So I normally have presents, but that year, my wife bought me a Christmas present, and then four days later, she gave me a birthday present.

Speaker I:

Birthday present.

Speaker I:

I'll just.

Speaker I:

Hang on, I'll get it for you so you can actually see it.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker F:

The listeners, you're gonna have to bear with us.

Speaker F:

If anything, you're gonna have to go and view them and see them next year, and they will have it with them.

Speaker F:

But, yeah, now he's.

Speaker F:

He's got it.

Speaker F:

There we are.

Speaker F:

You can't miss it.

Speaker I:

She bought me this.

Speaker F:

Look.

Speaker F:

Oh, look at that.

Speaker F:

Oh, it's a hat with a very.

Speaker F:

With a fist protruding from the front and back.

Speaker I:

Yes.

Speaker I:

It's a baseball cap.

Speaker I:

It was a trench going through it.

Speaker F:

Oh.

Speaker I:

In those days, I was a tractor fisherman.

Speaker F:

Oh, I see.

Speaker F:

There we are.

Speaker I:

But everywhere I went with this group of friends and their wives, the hat went, too.

Speaker I:

So I became known as Fish.

Speaker I:

And it's just carried on since then, then.

Speaker F:

Nice.

Speaker F:

That is amazing.

Speaker F:

That's good.

Speaker F:

Well, there you are.

Speaker F:

And name sticks.

Speaker I:

And the name sticks.

Speaker I:

And so I've got a fish as you can See, I've got a fish on the, the door behind me.

Speaker I:

I got an octopus sat in the corner.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker I:

I got a fish door.

Speaker I:

Stop.

Speaker I:

I've got a fish mug.

Speaker I:

I've got fish ornaments.

Speaker I:

Fishing was in the loft.

Speaker A:

There's something fishy about you, Mike.

Speaker I:

There, there's a smell that does it.

Speaker F:

And of course you arrive with a big staff as well from what I've seen.

Speaker F:

Tell us a little bit more about that.

Speaker I:

Right.

Speaker I:

Porti Schoolers.

Speaker I:

One of my friends I'd heard was a wood carver of some note.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker I:

And at the time, Doc was transitioning from being sat on a seat because of a back problem and tapping a box.

Speaker F:

Yes.

Speaker I:

To actually standing up.

Speaker I:

And we, we needed someone to keep the beat going.

Speaker F:

Okay.

Speaker I:

So I asked this friend if he could do me something.

Speaker I:

Carve something I could use as a beat stick.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker I:

And he came up with this lovely construction which I then looked up and thought, well, in the old days the Romans used to use a drum beater to keep the rowers rowing in time.

Speaker I:

And he was known as a Porky Schoolus.

Speaker I:

And so I now have this 5 foot tall carved pirate headed staff.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker I:

Named Portis Doulas.

Speaker I:

And he's done all the gigs.

Speaker F:

That's amazing.

Speaker F:

You're literally instrumental in making sure that everyone keeps to the beat.

Speaker I:

Well, I am, but they never pay any attention to it, really.

Speaker F:

No, I know, but it makes you feel better, doesn't it, buddy?

Speaker H:

It does.

Speaker E:

Hang on to.

Speaker I:

I've had too much to drink.

Speaker F:

Oh, bless you, Art.

Speaker F:

Tell me, how did he get your nickname?

Speaker A:

That's my name.

Speaker F:

Well, there it is.

Speaker F:

Yes.

Speaker A:

So I'm not an artist by any stretch of the imagination.

Speaker A:

Painting the walls in the living rooms about as far as it goes.

Speaker A:

Nobby's the artist.

Speaker A:

He does all the, the painting and stuff like that.

Speaker F:

He's very good, isn't he?

Speaker A:

Just became Art because of shortening of Arthur.

Speaker F:

Well, it works, doesn't it?

Speaker F:

It works.

Speaker A:

Absolutely.

Speaker F:

Love it.

Speaker F:

Good stuff.

Speaker F:

Well, like you've alluded to already, you've ra money for a wonderful charity and it must make you feel a sense of purpose every time you gather as a, as a bunch of chaps to sing along in front of a crowd, no matter how big or how small it is, that, that, that crowd will put their hands into their pockets and, and donate to a wonderful charity.

Speaker A:

Yeah, it's been fantastic couple of years really.

Speaker A:

And the amount of money that has been raised for teenage cancer truth is quite substantial and something we never, never imagined we would get.

Speaker A:

Original Sum was about a thousand pounds that we set as a target.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker A:

But it's surpassed that by miles and generosity of the people that come and, and listen to us.

Speaker A:

Has been brilliant.

Speaker A:

Absolutely brilliant.

Speaker A:

It's not the be all and end all.

Speaker A:

Raising money is not the be all and end all, the sort of fun and friendship and everything else that goes along with a group of chaps together and the wives and partners.

Speaker A:

And we, we get on really well as a group.

Speaker A:

So the, the money that's raised in some ways is a bonus to what we do and enjoy.

Speaker F:

Yeah, very much so.

Speaker I:

Really, really good.

Speaker D:

It's.

Speaker I:

It always amazes me when we go to some small village hall, just how generous the villagers are.

Speaker H:

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker I:

And they, they genuinely enjoy what we're singing.

Speaker I:

Which when we started off I thought, well, we're not.

Speaker I:

We're not going to get any audiences because we're not very good.

Speaker I:

But obviously they think otherwise.

Speaker F:

Well, definitely you've got a.

Speaker F:

You've got a strong following and it's great to be part of this journey.

Speaker F:

And at this point of recording, you're kind of sitting at 27, 439 pounds in the pot.

Speaker F:

So that.

Speaker F:

That's amazing, isn't it?

Speaker F:

That's really good.

Speaker F:

Really good.

Speaker F:

And of course, alongside that, of course you.

Speaker F:

You take part in other shanty gigs where they're raising money for amazing charities like the Lifeboats.

Speaker F:

And.

Speaker F:

And so, you know, there's a great way of reaching out, highlighting the life of she Shamti and fundraising and just being together.

Speaker I:

Yeah, it's really.

Speaker I:

Yeah.

Speaker I:

I said one of the five best things I've ever done.

Speaker I:

It's just amazing.

Speaker F:

No, that is good.

Speaker F:

And so you mentioned your partners, your wife's.

Speaker F:

How do they love the fact that you've now got this newfound hobby?

Speaker I:

Well, mine loves being a group.

Speaker I:

Is.

Speaker A:

He'S a wag, not a groupie.

Speaker I:

I was in Girlfriends or groupies or brags even.

Speaker A:

It's like.

Speaker A:

It's like any social club.

Speaker A:

It exists, but it wouldn't exist without the support of our partners and wives.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker A:

You know, we need to have that support otherwise there'll be a lot of friction between home, home and going off enjoying yourself and singing.

Speaker A:

And it wouldn't work.

Speaker A:

But it works because a, we're all friends together who sing together.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker A:

But also the wives, girlfriends, etc are friends and come along.

Speaker A:

We have social events.

Speaker A:

So it's, it's been a really great two years of coming together, not just for the singing but for the social side.

Speaker H:

Yeah.

Speaker I:

It's Another circle of friends.

Speaker F:

Yeah, yeah, of course, I can see that.

Speaker F:

And that.

Speaker F:

And that friendship just keeps growing because you seem to be kind of cracking into the circuit of other shanty crews and you're becoming friends with them and you're just one big audience.

Speaker F:

Of course we've got.

Speaker F:

You guys have got an amazing event that you're supporting just around the corner where there's a, a beer and.

Speaker F:

And sea shanty festival in Bristol.

Speaker F:

Are you guys attending that?

Speaker F:

Looking forward to that.

Speaker I:

Attending, shepherding, working.

Speaker F:

Yes.

Speaker A:

Organizing, making sure it runs smoothly.

Speaker A:

Yeah, the beer doesn't run out because that's just a small part of the.

Speaker I:

Yeah.

Speaker I:

Y.

Speaker A:

A number of groups are singing on both days, all day on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Speaker A:

It's going to be an absolutely fantastic event.

Speaker A:

Not just ourselves singing.

Speaker A:

How many crews have we got?

Speaker I:

Mine for that one.

Speaker I:

I think we've got 14.

Speaker A:

Is it 14 different shanty groups, all local.

Speaker F:

That is so exciting.

Speaker F:

And that's on the 11th and 12th of May of May and that's down at the Freemasons hall in park street in Bristol.

Speaker F:

Tickets are available on our website.

Speaker F:

So do pop over there and the website for that is in the show notes and I'll tell you more about that later.

Speaker F:

But it's looking like a fantastic event.

Speaker F:

In fact it's an incredibly well priced event as well that the, the actual tickets to get in and the tokens for the beers.

Speaker F:

It looks very reasonable as I'm going to say.

Speaker A:

Yeah, well it's a great venue and there are very various dining rooms, halls off the main building where the shanty groups will be singing different times and similar times.

Speaker A:

So there's not going to be any, any issues.

Speaker A:

You can go and visit and watch whichever shanty crew you wish to go and visit and drink whichever beers you wish to see.

Speaker F:

Yeah, it is a beautiful.

Speaker A:

We, we will not be drinking.

Speaker A:

We have a, a little bit of a rule that when we're singing no more than two points at all.

Speaker F:

Oh yeah.

Speaker F:

You don't want to lose the flow.

Speaker I:

No, no.

Speaker A:

In some cases gain the flow.

Speaker F:

Oh and you guys, I seen you regularly but you, you come with your beer, your beer goblets, don't you?

Speaker F:

I, that's part of the, the whole thing, isn't it that you come along with your beer goblets and clearly we now we know that you'll only ever fill it twice.

Speaker F:

So that's an inside secret there.

Speaker A:

Yeah, not just the, the beer goblets, we've also got little snifter jars for the Rum as well.

Speaker F:

I don't think I've been privy to those yet.

Speaker A:

Somewhere.

Speaker A:

So.

Speaker F:

Yeah, no, it's all part of the thing.

Speaker A:

Have a word with one or two people.

Speaker A:

You can have your own.

Speaker F:

Oh, wow.

Speaker F:

There it is.

Speaker A:

Provide you by the rub.

Speaker F:

Oh, yeah, no, of course.

Speaker A:

Yes.

Speaker F:

Well, I'm definitely going to be there on the 11th.

Speaker F:

I'm gonna capture some audio with you guys as well and also talk to some of the other shanty crews because I think it's one big happy family when it comes to singing and I think it'd be really good just to capture what they've been up to as well.

Speaker F:

So I guess the future for you guys is just to carry on what you're doing and really enjoy the camaraderie and the fel friendship that you get with the chaps.

Speaker I:

Yeah, yeah, we're so looking forward to the 11th and 12th.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker I:

So Arthur and I, Art and I are with some guys from Portishead actually organizing another shanty festival, this time on May 25th in Portishead Marina.

Speaker F:

Oh, wow.

Speaker F:

Okay.

Speaker I:

And seven of the crews that will be at Freemasons hall are actually coming down for that one as well.

Speaker F:

Oh, wow, look at that.

Speaker F:

You guys are busy with the Port of Bristol shanty crew be there as well.

Speaker I:

Oh, yes, lovely.

Speaker F:

Well, there we are.

Speaker I:

Oh, we don't know it yet, but they will be.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker F:

Well, this is coming out in, in May, so maybe you'll be able to tell them before then.

Speaker F:

So it'll be fine.

Speaker A:

Good time.

Speaker A:

Good time will be had by all.

Speaker F:

Have you got.

Speaker F:

And I'm guessing you've got a.

Speaker F:

A busy summer ahead of you if you've got other events that are coming up soon.

Speaker I:

Yeah, we've got Four Weddings, no Funerals, thank goodness.

Speaker I:

Value Fest.

Speaker A:

Yeah, we've got two days at Value Fest that we're seeing a brand new.

Speaker I:

Shanty festival at Barry island, the beginning of June.

Speaker A:

Bath and West Show.

Speaker A:

Yeah, we're singing there as well this year.

Speaker A:

Falmouth.

Speaker I:

Okay.

Speaker I:

Don't forget, four months.

Speaker I:

Falmouth.

Speaker I:

Yes.

Speaker F:

Oh, Falmouth is a beautiful part of the world.

Speaker I:

And what I tend to do is when I know what this is for the coming month I put up, I actually broadcast it on our Facebook page.

Speaker I:

Page.

Speaker I:

Everyone can see where we are and come and see us if they want to.

Speaker A:

Yeah, the pirate weekend down in Brixham as well.

Speaker I:

Oh, yeah, the Pirates.

Speaker I:

Pirates Fancy festival.

Speaker E:

Yeah.

Speaker F:

Well, like we said, aren't you lucky that you've got very understanding partners?

Speaker F:

But as paddles alluded to last episode, actually, you don't always have to go out on mass.

Speaker F:

You actually can perform with just a few of you people missing as well.

Speaker F:

So it does all work out, doesn't it?

Speaker F:

A massive demand.

Speaker A:

Got something like about 45 different shanties that we can sing between us and adding to that all the time.

Speaker A:

Yeah, we do try and rehearse as much as we can.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker A:

Also have committee meetings to any issues that come up, then we can sit around as a group and talk about them and clear any.

Speaker A:

Any problems that might arise.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker A:

So we are looking forward, we look forward to the.

Speaker A:

The whole of next year.

Speaker A:

Planning to do some really good things, not just for this year, but going into as well.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker A:

okings right up until October:

Speaker F:

Wow, look at you.

Speaker F:

Very popular.

Speaker F:

And of course, listeners, if you are interested in.

Speaker F:

In exploring booking out the port of Bristol Shanti, then just pop to the website because you get a quick notification very quickly to, to reach out and.

Speaker F:

And of course you guys will be in touch with them.

Speaker I:

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker I:

Our Brookings guys called O Bill.

Speaker F:

Oh, good old Bill.

Speaker F:

He's going to come on the show at some point.

Speaker F:

Looking forward to talking to him.

Speaker F:

Nice.

Speaker F:

Well, chaps, it has been an absolute pleasure to talk to both of you and you know, thank you for everything that you do and we, we cannot wait to, to talk to you again and, and see you out on location very soon on the 11th and 12th of May.

Speaker I:

Great to see you there.

Speaker A:

And to see all those thousands of people who've already bought their tickets to come to that and to come and see us in Portishead and Falmer, Brixham and the.

Speaker I:

Bath and West and maybe one day, as Rev keeps hoping, Glastonbury.

Speaker F:

Glastonbury.

Speaker F:

I know.

Speaker F:

Maybe we can revisit and reenact the fisherman friend story and bring it to Glastonbury.

Speaker A:

Oh, no, I'm sure, I'm sure it'll be better just.

Speaker F:

Oh, yeah, I'm told it's going to be much better.

Speaker F:

Yes, I have to say that you are much better.

Speaker A:

You can be our agent when we get the film going as well.

Speaker F:

Yeah.

Speaker F:

Oh, gentlemen, thank you so much.

Speaker F:

Have a great time and we'll talk soon.

Speaker I:

Yeah, thanks very much, Justin.

Speaker I:

All the best.

Speaker A:

See you soon.

Speaker C:

Well, that's it for another episode of Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion.

Speaker F:

I hope you've enjoyed it.

Speaker C:

There's some cool quality audio with some singing and an opportunity to talk to the crew.

Speaker F:

If you want to find out more.

Speaker C:

About the Port of Wrestle Shanty crew then please do pop over to our website pobshanticrew.co.uk and also if you would like to donate to our great cause then do pop over to our website.

Speaker C:

There's a donate now online page where you can click and donate as much as you would like or as little as you like.

Speaker C:

But either way as you can probably all appreciate it goes to to a wonderful charity, the Teenage Cancer Trust uk.

Speaker C:

So that's it.

Speaker C:

Fair winds and following seas and we'll see you next month.

Speaker B:

Shape and Bristol fashion boys along the harbor side from even gorge 204 will even hold the line secure the barrels down below wind them tie and lash em this vessel she is certified ship shape and Bristol fashion so haul away me laddie boys haul away you're free Haul away me laddy boys boys and save a drink for me Haul away me ly boys haul away your free Haul away me ly boys and save a drink for me.

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About the Podcast

Shipshape and Bristol Fashion
A podcast covering the work of The Port of Bristol Shanty Crew. From interviews with the crew, and an opportunity to hear some of the songs we sing. We also delve into the world of shanty singing ⚓️
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Justin Blackett