THE Harwich Shanty Festival is back in town next week so we've had a look back in the archives at the event over the years.

It will be the 17th edition of the festival, which has become a staple of Harwich throughout its history.

The 2023 festival will run from October 13-15.

Before that, we're taking a trip down memory lane to some moments from previous years' festivals.

Artists from The Netherlands, France, Spain and, of course, the UK will perform during the festival.

As the name suggests, shanties and sea songs will be performed in a celebration of Harwich’s maritime heritage.

Among the performers will be Les Brouilleurs d’Ecoutes from La Rochelle in France, who describe themselves as a Franco-British group with an Irish flavour.

There will be 251 events happening in the town throughout the International Shanty Festival with 191 being free.

There will be a wide variety of tours, including guided tours of the Redoubt, old Harwich and of Christopher Jones’ House by members of The Harwich Society.

On Friday October 13 at the Electric Palace, the 58 ships project with Mick Verrier will continue, discovering the story of all the ships built for the Royal Navy between 1660 and 1826. 

The Redoubt Fort will also have maritime crafts and a special themed shanty train running between Harwich Town and Manningtree.

One trip will feature the Silver Darlings entertaining on board while another will feature Snottledogs.

In addition, attendees can expect to see all sorts of strange and colourful characters with everyting from pirates or soldiers.