Can you write best song about the sea - have a go at contest at new Whitby music festival

A stellar crew of the UK’s top sea musicians will be performing, and competing with budding songwriters for the coveted Song for the Sea during Whitby’s new Fish and Ships Festival in what will become one of Britain’s largest gatherings of maritime musicians this year.

Free for anyone to enter, Whitby’s song competition will be the finale to a weekend which includes more than 40 hours of free, live music non-stop from morning to night, all inspired by Whitby’s ancient sea-faring way of life and fishing industry.

The event runs from Saturday May 16 to Sunday May 19.

At the festival, visitors will be able to hear some of the world’s leading shanty-singers, balladeers, folk instrumentalists and songwriters, all specialists in sea music, performing alongside locals and schoolchildren in a tribute to Whitby’s maritime culture.

“This festival is not just about celebrating the past, but also the future of Whitby as a fishing town,” said Janet Deacon, tourism and corporate marketing manager for Scarborough Borough Council and area director for Welcome to Yorkshire.

“That’s why the Song for the Sea competition is so special, casting a light not just on Whitby’s fishing – from its boat-building to some of Britain’s best fish restaurants - but how seafaring also inspires the town’s culture, art and music, today. The festival is celebrating a way of life."

Competition organiser Richard Grainger, one of Britain’s leading songwriters and performers, said: “We’re an island nation, and sea music connects anyone who dreams of wandering the waves, from surfers to sailors, so we’re encouraging everyone – young or old – to have a go at composing a new Song for the Sea, celebrating Whitby as a fishing town, a maritime centre, and a place to visit, work or simply call home.

"The winner will get to perform their song on the main stage as part of the festival’s finale later that day, with the honour of appearing alongside some of the greats of the UK’s sea music scene, so it’s a wonderful opportunity for any singer or songwriter.”

The Song for the Sea competition is free for everyone to enter, but as spaces are in demand it’s a good idea to register in advance at [email protected], stating the competitor’s name and song title.

"The competition will take place on Sunday 19 May from noon until 2pm at Whitby Library, with the winner chosen by a panel of four musical experts.

Can you write best song about the sea - have a go at contest at new Whitby music festival - details and how to enter