Grab a mug and come down to the harbour. Lucy talks to the Barrel Seagals, an all-female shanty crew from Bude on the North Cornwall coast, who take the old sea shanties sung by sailors and fishermen and rework them from a woman's point of view.
We hear how the crew came together, the songs of the Cornish coast, what it means to sing the sea in the place it belongs, and why a shanty still makes everyone join in. And yes, there is singing.
About the Barrel Seagals
The Barrel Seagals are an all-female shanty crew from Bude in Cornwall, known for rich harmonies, lively sea songs and a playful, modern twist on the tradition. They sing at festivals, harbours and community events across Cornwall and Devon, including Plymouth Pirates Weekend and the Bude Sea Shanty Festival, which raises money for the RNLI.
Follow and see the Barrel Seagals
Dates of upcoming performances are posted on their website and social media.
https://seashanties4all.com/groups-artists/barrel-seagals/
• Bookings: barrelseagals@gmail.com
Sing with the Barrel Seagals in Cornwall
Sea, Song and Sanctuary, North Cornwall, 9 to 16 September 2028
Sea, Song and Sanctuary is a womens only, eco spiritual retreat on the North Cornwall coast for fifteen guests, based at Atlanta on Trevone Bay. Led by Mary DeJong of Waymarkers, the week follows sacred sites, holy wells and Arthurian legend at Tintagel, St Nectan's Glen, Boscastle and Bodmin Moor, with wild swimming, beach fire feasts, Cornish folk tales and a linocut workshop.
On the last day the Barrel Seagals join us on the harbour to sing, and to help the group write a shanty chorus of our own.
Find out more and register at insidestorytravel.com, or book a call on the retreat page.
Listen and follow
The Inside Story Teacast is where we put the kettle on and talk to the people who know Britain from the inside: growers, makers, storytellers and keepers of old traditions. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen, and if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or share it with a friend. It really does help others find us.
Inside Story Travel creates story-led retreats and bespoke private trips across Britain for guests traveling from North America. Find our retreats, the Teacast and our Journal at:
insidestorytravel.com. @insidestorytravel.com
