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Lynmouth Shanty Crew hope to remember friend with boathouse

Lymouth Sailing Club Lynmouth Shanty Crew on the SS Britannia at Bristol Shanty Festival 2023Lymouth Sailing Club
Lynmouth Shanty Crew on the SS Britannia at Bristol Shanty Festival this summer

A shanty crew, which formed to remember a friend who died, are drawing crowds on their mission to build a boathouse in his honour.

Gilbey Spice, died aged 33 in May 2020, and his friends formed Lynmouth Shanty Crew in his memory.

They have already raised enough money for a rescue boat named Gilbey and are now fundraising for a boathouse.

Crew member Sam Clarke said the group was originally "a way of us supporting each other after Gilbey passed".

But when they started drawing crowds, they decided to "shake a bucket", she added.

Lynmouth Sailing Club Gilbey SpiceLynmouth Sailing Club
Gilbey Spice was a keen mariner who "always helped people" his friends said

"Gilbey was somebody who would always help people in any way he could so we thought we would name the boat Gilbey," Mrs Clarke added.

Mr Spice died unexpectedly from a rare condition, she added.

The boat, which keeps residents safe during community events, is based in Lynmouth harbour.

The group expects the boathouse will cost £80,000.

Performing at the Ancient Mariner in Lynmouth every Thursday, they always dedicate a song to their friend, Mrs Clarke said.

The shanty crew is working alongside Lynmouth Sailing Club to raise the funds.

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