ACCLAIMED by many to be the finest purveyors of sea songs and sea shanties in the world, West Yorkshire-based Kimber's Men return to The Market Theatre in Ledbury on Friday, November 20..

Kimber’s Men possess one of the finest bass singers on the British folk scene today and it is likely you will get a rendition of Old Man River at some point during the concert. Founder member, Joe Stead, who is almost a legend in his own right, actually met and sang with Paul Robeson and was a friend of the late Pete Seeger, performing with him twice in America, in New York and for the Delaware River Valley Project in New Jersey when Neil Kimber accompanied him. This year they have appeared at festivals at Ostend in Belgium, Portmagee in Ireland, Arbroath and Portsoy in Scotland, Fano in Denmark, and at home at the infamous Falmouth Sea Festival in Cornwall.

The group now comprise Joe Stead (Ship's Doctor), John Bromley (Ship's Cook), Neil Kimber (Bosun), Gareth Scott (Powder Monkey) and Michael Beeke (Drummer Boy). Michael plays the Northumbrian Pipes and has added a completely new dimension to the sound since joining the band two year ago. And in addition to the singing, comedy, unusual for shanty singers, makes up a good part of the show.

Kimber's Men will be at Ledbury's Market Theatre on Friday, November 20 at 8pm. To book, call the box office on 07967 517125 or visit themarkettheatre.com