Pedalling for a Purpose: The Orwellermen Cycle to Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival!
A group of sea shanty singers from Suffolk are trading sails for spokes as they embark on a remarkable 450-mile cycling adventure to the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival. The Orwellermen, a spirited shanty crew hailing from the banks of the River Orwell, will pedal from Ipswich to Falmouth, bringing their music to pubs and towns along the way while raising funds for three deserving charities: the RNLI, Prostate Cancer UK, and Selig, an Ipswich-based homeless support charity.
What began as an offhand remark—”Would it be silly to suggest cycling to Falmouth?”—quickly turned into an ambitious challenge, with ten determined shantymen committing to the journey. Their goal is to raise £4,500—equivalent to £1 for every mile pedalled by each rider.
Shanties on the Move
The Orwellermen are more than just a singing group; they’re a community, known for their rousing renditions of traditional working songs once sung by sailors. Regularly performing at Ipswich’s Steamboat Tavern, the crew welcomes all, whether seasoned sea dogs or landlubbers eager to join in the chorus.
Though relatively new to the shanty scene, The Orwellermen have already made waves with performances at the Harwich Festival, the Ipswich Maritime Trust’s Heritage Day, and numerous pubs and clubs across Suffolk. Now, they’re taking their music on the road—literally—bringing the spirit of the sea to the landlocked counties of southern England.
Along their route, they will stop at pubs and cafés to share their songs, encouraging audiences to sing along while raising awareness and funds for their chosen causes. Among their planned stops are:
📍 30th May – Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh
📍 7th June – The Swan, Isleworth
📍 9th June – Tuckers Grave, Radstock
📍 10th June – The Green Dragon, Wellington
📍 11th June – The George Inn, Hatherleigh
📍 12th June – Westbury Hotel, Bodmin
📍 14th-15th June – Various locations, Falmouth
A Festival Like No Other
Their ultimate destination is the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, taking place from 13th-15th June 2025. Established in 2003, the festival is one of the world’s largest maritime music events, attracting shanty crews from across the UK, Europe and further afield. With performances spanning the town—from cosy pubs to professionally engineered main stages, street corners to parish churches—it’s a true celebration of seafaring heritage and song.
For The Orwellermen, performing in Falmouth is the culmination of their journey—a chance to showcase their music to thousands of festivalgoers and immerse themselves in the international shanty community.
Riding for a Cause
While the journey itself is an exciting challenge, the heart of the mission is fundraising. The Orwellermen hope to make a real difference by supporting the RNLI, a charity vital to coastal safety; Prostate Cancer UK, which funds research and support for those affected by the disease; and Selig, which provides critical assistance to those facing homelessness in Ipswich.
Follow Their Voyage
Supporters can track their journey, donate, or find out where to catch them en route at http://www.orwellermen.org.uk or by following them on Facebook.
So, if you hear the strains of ‘Drunken Sailor’ drifting through your local pub in the coming weeks, be sure to raise a glass, drop a donation, and join the chorus—after all, the sea may be calling, but for now, it’s the open road that beckons.
