Shanties With Eight Sides
About
The Friends of Heptonstall Chapel and Sunday School are proud to present Shanties With Eight Sides, featuring KIMBER'S MEN.Captivating audiences with their fabulous harmonies and amusing banter since the year 2001, KIMBER’S MEN have performed at folk and shanty festivals throughout the length and breadth of the UK from Portsoy in the North to Jersey in the South and from Liverpool to Harwich in the West and East.
The boys are regular performers at festivals throughout Europe and Scandinavia, honoured to be invited annually to Appingedam, Enkhuizen and Rotterdam in Netherlands, Vegesack, Bremen in Germany, Ostende in Belgium and Paimpol in France along with many performances in Ireland and Greece. They have performed at Fano in Denmark many times and played at Egersund, Langesund and Stavanger in Norway.
KIMBER’S MEN headlined the first ever shanty festival in Australia in 2019 where they toured the South and West coast from Albany to Bunbury, Pinjarra, Perth and Freemantle.
In the UK KIMBER’S MEN have featured twice on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch and also starred in BBC2 and BBC4’s production of ‘’Sea Songs ‘’ with Gareth Malone.
The boys have also, for many years, crewed the Tall Ship Stavros S Niarchos as deckhands and Shantymen on voyages around the UK and Europe although Neil is the only true sailor amongst them.
KIMBER’S MEN are:-
JOHN BROMLEY– Ship’s cook- who has probably the finest bass voice on the folk and shanty scene. John also plays guitar, Bodhran and whistle with the band and is an accomplished folk act in his own right whilst also playing in two other bands, Hebric and The Bromley’s. John also organises the band and keeps them in control ( sometimes )!
NEIL KIMBER – Ship’s Bosun and baritone. Neil plays guitar and together with his wife, Ros, also composes songs for the band including ‘’ Don’t Take the Heroes ‘’ about the Penlee lifeboat disaster of 1981 – now sung around the globe. Neil also tries to keep the band under control – usually unsuccessfully!
GARETH SCOTT – Powder Monkey ( looks after the band makeup ), a man of many hats and facial expressions, Gareth sings baritone with a powerful range that brings a real ‘’bluesy ‘’ feel to many of their songs. Gareth is also a very accomplished guitarist and plays with folk rock band A Rookery as well as being a solo artist.
Lloyd Degler – Our newest member, who is a professional musician and multi-instrumentalist. Lloyd has joined to sing the high harmonies and to reach the heights that no one else can! He brings with him a new enthusiasm and great musical ability.
The Octagonal Chapel has stood in place since 1764, its design and construction being overseen by John Wesley, who frequently preached here. Having already tested the acoustics, the 'Men are delighted to open up for the year's eight-sided programme series by warming these beautiful old chambers with heart, song and history. Come sing heartily, and support the Friends of Heptonstall Chapel and Sunday School's work to preserve this Grade II listed building and secure its future use and benefit to the public.
Timings
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The doors of the chapel will be open to the public from 18:30 and the concert will begin at 19:00. Seats cannot be reserved in the chapel, so please do arrive in good time to ensure you are seated comfortably and so that you don't miss a single shanty!
Parking
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There is a free public car park with an entrance right next to Towngate Tea Room, but spaces are limited. Otherwise there is free parking (with suggested donation) offered by Heptonstall Social and Bowling, just 10 minutes walk away, at the other side of the village.
Access
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Access can be gained one of two ways. The first is the easiest, especially in winter weather; I would not advise the second unless you are quite sure-footed!
1) Turn on to Northgate from Towngate (in front of The Cross Inn). You will eventually see an old archway on your left and a small cobbled lane descending to your right. Take this right turn and go through the gate close by, ahead, on the LEFT side. The steps lead you down to the chapel.
2) There is a path at the far end of the public car park near the café, on the left. Simply follow that path, turn left up the snicket, then turn left through the archway. The chapel is on your right.
Accessibility
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We regret that, whilst the Friends of the Chapel and Sunday School are making efforts to modernise the chapel, its age and location currently represent a significant obstacle to wheelchair access.
Location
Heptonstall Methodist Heritage Chapel
Northgate, Heptonstall, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire HX7 7ND
Contact Form
Shanties With Eight Sides
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