On November 4, the Tavy Tars were sang for the largest and most appreciative audience they have had for some while! We paid a visit to Hyde Park Junior School in Plymouth. Year 2 at the school have been working on topics about the sea, and the Tars were invited to join them to sing a few shanties and also tell them a bit about shanty singing.
The Tars were really impressed how well-behaved all the 90 children were – but also that they were all so enthusiastic in joining in some of the choruses and actions. All credit to teacher Hannah Brown and her colleagues at Hyde Park School.
Some of the children gave us their ideas about ‘what they would do with the Drunken Sailor’. So the misbehaving seaman might face a lion, a hamster and being licked all over by a puppy (why not? That could be a salutary lesson for some sailors…).
According to Hannah “the children (and adults) absolutely loved it and haven't stopped talking about it. It was great to see them all engaged, laughing and enjoying themselves after such a tricky year or so.” So a fun time was had by all – including the Tavy Tars. Who needs the Albert Hall when you’ve got 90 keen 6 and 7 year olds singing along with you?
We cannot show photos of the event, but we love some of the thank you letters we have been sent.