Overview
Hayling Island u3a’s Island Shanty Group meet twice a month to sing sea shanties together. The community group has helped members through difficult circumstances, providing a space where members can learn something new and have fun together.
With hearty voices singing along to the rhythm of the washboard, drum and tambourines, there is no mistaking the joy with which the u3a Island Shanty group belt out their favourite songs.
Formed in 2023 in Hayling Island, Hampshire, the u3a group’s dozens of members enjoy fun, friendship and learning together as they sing many popular sea shanties, including The Wellerman, Drunken Sailor and Blow the Man Down.
John, a retired insurance broker, set up the Hayling u3a Island Shanty group in April after discovering Hayling Island did not already have one.
He says: “I don’t have a good enough voice to sing in a choir but knew I could belt out a shanty if there were other people singing with me.
“I couldn’t believe there wasn’t a sea shanty group on the Island so, with encouragement from the u3a, and particularly group co-ordinator Trevor, Island Shanty was formed.
“There was a huge response, and, within a few weeks, we had 30 members meeting up in the community centre every fortnight.
“Everyone is so friendly and enthusiastic, and they put their heart and souls into learning the words for each new song that we add to our repertoire – it really keeps you on your toes.”
The group have performed at community events across the Island this summer and love nothing more than to encourage enthusiastic audiences to join in.
John adds: “As you get older you all have your own issues and you don’t know what’s going on at home with everyone. But when members turn up at the fortnightly sessions they can forget all that and simply sing and laugh together. That’s the wonderful thing about u3a.
“ I could go to a different u3a group every day of the week if I wanted to. There are so many to choose from. There really is no reason to be lonely if you are a member of u3a.”
Note on u3a:
Founded in 1982, the UK u3a movement (sometimes called the “University of the Third Age” and based loosely on the French model) aims to encourage groups of people no longer in full-time work to come together and continue their enjoyment of learning subjects of interest to them. u3a is a UK-wide movement of locally-run interest groups that provide a wide range of opportunities to come together to learn for fun. Members explore new ideas, skills and activities together.
There are over 1000 u3as with around 400,000 members; membership costs less than £20 on average per year and is open to everyone who’s not working full-time. u3a has members who draw upon their knowledge and experience to teach and learn from each other but there are no qualifications to pass – it is just for pleasure. Learning is its own reward. It’s all voluntary; a typical u3a will be home to many activity groups covering hundreds of different subjects – from art to zoology and everything in between.