2025 was a really busy year for the Rye Harbour Herrings and they raised hundreds of pounds for local charities, including the RNLI, which is dear to their hearts.
They performed for the WI and u3a, many care homes and lunch groups, always bringing joy to those who listened and joined in.
The Herrings is a local group whose heart is in the village. On Friday 5 December they met for their Shanty Christmas Party and the conversation got round to why each person had joined the group.
Lorriane Parsons: I am a Rye Harbour girl, born and bred. I have been hearing shanties sung in the village my whole life. Singing now with the Herrings feels like a connection to my heritage.
Pam Carroll: What comes with singing? Friendship, fun and laughter and inclusion. Even if you think you cannot sing it doesn’t matter because Martin Bruce, who started the group, gets the best out of all of us. It’s the joy it brings with it that makes it special.
Jean Brown: Singing with the Herrings is a pleasure, especially the local shanties which keeps a special tradition alive.
Malcolm James: Singing shanties gives me something to get up for. It is the glue that keeps me together. Having lost my soulmate, my partner for most of my life, many days are still very tough. They are my friends and support me through this tough time.
Carol Arnold: I love singing shanties in all the different venues and meeting new people.
Kay Breeds: The Herrings are a fun and friendly group. I have learnt to laugh so much and it has been so special to raise funds for the RNLI.
Mandy Martin: Singing personally gives me joy but singing with the Herrings gives me connection. I first heard the shanty, Herrings ‘eads when my late husband sang it to our young children. How did a Camber lad know this? A lad who loved the sea and fishing and a pint in Rye harbour with the Robus boys in the ‘Conq’. Singing shanties now gives me a sense of community, blending parts of Sussex together and then sharing it back with others so everyone can enjoy.
What does the shanty group mean to the musical director, Martin Bruce?
When I moved to the Harbour twelve years ago I knew very little about shanties. Thank goodness some villagers from our road persuaded me to start a group to resurrect a local tradition. That led on to acquiring and learning to play the concertina to accompany our songs. Of all the activities I’ve taken up in retirement this is the one that gives me the most joy: the Herrings are lovely people who are at the same time wholeheartedly committed to singing and always ready to share a joke and a laugh. I am lucky to work with them.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .