Salisbury Care Home Hosts Sea Shanty Concert For Singer Terry

A former member of a sea shanty singing group enjoyed a surprise visit when eleven of his ex-comrades turned up at his Salisbury care home to perform for him and fellow residents.

Terry Martin, a respite care resident at Colten Care’s Braemar Lodge, was one of the founders of the city’s Navy Larks more than ten years ago.

United by a love of songs of the sea, up to 25 participants rehearse each week at Salisbury Rugby Club and perform at charity events raising money for causes such as the RNLI and the Parkinson’s Society.

The Braemar Lodge visit came about after a staff member learned of Terry’s personal connection with the Larks through a chance conversation and decided to invite the group along.

More than 20 residents and staff packed out the Garden Room of the Stratford Road home for a recital of shanties that lasted nearly an hour.

The visiting singers were Calvin Eales, Brian Sharpe, Tony Penny, Richard Gillard, Ted Haines, Niall McCall, Ed Bull, Peter Docherty, Geoff Searle, Mike Walker and, providing melodeon accompaniment, accordionist John Wippell.

Each member led a song and encouraged the audience to join in if they wished, mostly in the better-known choruses.

To ensure Terry was involved, Tony handed him a bell to ring or strike at appropriate moments during the repertoire.

An emotional Terry said:
“I warned the carers beforehand that if I cried, it would be for good reasons.”

Graham Ballard, Braemar Lodge’s Companionship Team Leader, said:
“The atmosphere was wonderful, with Terry visibly moved by the whole experience.

“We may be landlocked here in Salisbury but this sea-themed event was enjoyed by all who attended and the hope is that they return again soon.”