First-ever Flash Mob in Ipswich’s Heritage Harbour

Ipswich Maritime Trust (IMT) will be attempting a first for Ipswich’s Heritage Harbour: a flash mob of shanty groups on Sunday 14^th September at 12 noon prompt. Spot the singers and drummers as they break into song on the ships and steps along the Waterfront!

The flash mob is led by local group The Orwellermen, singing a selection of call and response shanties from around the maritime world, chosen so that the audience can join in too. Over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, 13^th and 14^th September, from 12 noon – 4.30pm each day, visitors can enjoy more songs of the sea from The Orwellermen, the Shefarers of Pin Mill, Quaynotes of Woodbridge, Shotley Wailers, Goldhanger Shanty Crew,  Ship’s Rations and Shanty Folk.

Following the flash mob, Deputy Mayor Councillor Pat Bruce-Browne will welcome visitors to the Heritage Harbour and encourage everyone to get on board with our maritime heritage.

Over the Heritage Open Days weekend, from 10.30am-4.30pm, visitors can explore – for free – Sailing Barge Victor. Children and adults can have a go in our knotting workshops and postcard activities. And in the Old Custom House we’ll be displaying our amazing collection of some of the oldest photos in the world, from our Image Archive, plus artworks from the children who participated in our Barge at Large events during the summer.

The IMT’s Window Museum on Albion Quay – possibly the smallest maritime museum in the UK – has a new exhibition featuring the River Orwell and the docks as interpreted by local schoolchildren working with community artist Katie Evans in May.

Ipswich was granted Heritage Harbour status in January 2024, joining a select group of thirteen other historic harbours and inland ports around the UK.

Filed Under: Uncategorised Tagged With: Heritage Harbour, Heritage Open Days, Ipswich Maritime Trust, Maritime Ipswich, Quaynotes, River Orwell, Sailing Barge Victor, sea shanties, Shefarers, The Orwellermen