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The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Skipinnish salute lifeboat heroes in new charity single
All proceeds from The Lifeboat will be donated to the RNLI. Tiree-born fisherman and musician MacPhail has spent his life on or around the sea and comes from a line of seafarers, including his father, uncle and grandfather. His brother is also a fisherman. Over the years, he has seen first hand the vital work of the lifeboat service and knows many who have been brought home to safety by the brave volunteer crews, and sadly, some who have not made it back to land. In composing The Lifeboat, MacPhail has captured the two hundred years of selfless courage that the service continues to deliver to save lives at sea, with crews often going above and beyond to bring seafarers home to their families. His lyrics also vividly describe the challenging weather and sea conditions they routinely face. READ MORE: There is also a poignant mention of some lifeboats and crews who, over the years, have headed on a rescue but sadly did not return to shore, having succumbed to the very dangers they battle on behalf of others. MacPhail ends by invoking a sense of pride and honour in the crews that set sail each time, emphasising the two centuries of courage and sacrifice and most importantly the sheer number of lives saved. Joining Skipinnish on the single is Fisherman's Friends, the renowned group from Cornwall who are known around the world for their sea shanties and traditional songs of the sea. The Fisherman's Friends name springs from the fact that they were a group of fishermen, lifeboatmen and coastguards who got together to sing and make music. The Lifeboat will be debuted live by the two bands at Skipinnish's headline concert at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday September 27. The song will get its Cornish debut in May 2026 when Skipinnish appear at the Fisherman's Friends' very own festival. (L-R) Skipinnish's Angus MacPhail, Andrew Stevenson and Rory Grindlay watching the Anstruther Lifeboat head to sea (Image: Stephen Kearney) Angus MacPhail said: 'Of all the songs I have written over the years The Lifeboat feels one of the most personal. What the lifeboat service does every day is nothing short of remarkable and I wanted to capture the selfless sacrifice of the crews who step up at a moment's notice, despite often not knowing what scenario they are heading into. It is a huge honour that The Fisherman's Friends have joined us for this track. Their links with the sea, with fishing and with the RNLI are strong and there could not be a better musical addition to add to the message of the song.' Much inspiration for the song was from his close friend and business partner Donald William MacLeod MBE. Donald has been coxswain on the Barra Island lifeboat in the Western Isles for the last 25 years and is highly decorated for his bravery having received the RNLI's Bronze Medal for Gallantry and The Lady Swathing Cup for Outstanding Feat of Seamanship in 2007. He was awarded an MBE for Services to Maritime Safety in 2013. A highly capable seafarer and lifelong fisherman, Donald has executed his coxswain role with a quiet commitment to the service. He said: 'The Lifeboat beautifully captures the courage and bravery I see in my crew every time we set to sea to bring people home safely. Inevitably there is a sense of trepidation in what we are about to face but I know all on board will do their utmost to achieve the best outcome. This song will create a sense of pride and honour among crews as it'll act as a reminder of their constant sacrifice for others.' Martin Macnamara who volunteers with Anstruther RNLI and is the Regional Communications Lead for the RNLI in Scotland, commented: 'The work of the RNLI fills us all with such pride and respect for the selfless dedication to saving lives at sea. I was thrilled to receive the approach from Skipinnish regarding the song and we are all delighted Skipinnish and Fisherman's Friends have worked on this single, bringing together two different parts of the country but whose common understanding and respect for the sea, and support for the RNLI means a great deal to us. With the proceeds of The Lifeboat going towards our lifesaving mission, it will support the vital work we do across the UK and Ireland.' Fisherman's Friends' Jason Nicholas knows the beauty and bounty of the sea but also its power and cruelty having spent his life in the fishing industry and recently stepped down from the Padstow Lifeboat after 20 years' service. He said: 'For those of us who make a living from the sea, the RNLI is our emergency service, something we never underestimate or take for granted. To honour them in this way is hugely symbolic given how tales of the sea and heroism have inspired many songs through the ages. To be asked by Skipinnish to contribute to The Lifeboat was an easy decision for us as the song's sentiment resonates so strongly with us all.' All proceeds from digital purchases and streaming of this song will be paid in support of the RNLI.
Leader Live
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Luciano Pavarotti's widow to visit Llangollen Eisteddfod
Nicoletta Mantovani will travel to North Wales this summer to present two major awards at the festival, marking 70 years since Pavarotti's first appearance at the event in 1955. Ms Mantovani said: "I am deeply honoured and excited to be coming to the Llangollen International Eisteddfod to make both these amazing prize presentations. "That is because this festival was the beginning of everything for Luciano and to mark both these anniversaries is very important." She will present the Pavarotti Trophy to the winner of the Choir of the World competition on Saturday, July 12, and the Pendine Trophy to the winner of the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition on Sunday, July 13. Pavarotti first came to the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 1955 as a 19-year-old trainee teacher with his father, Fernando, to perform with the Chorus Rossini (which was from their home city of Modena, in Italy). (Image: Supplied) The choir won the overall competition, and, in the words of a spokesperson, "Pavarotti went home determined to make music his career and later said that winning at Llangollen was the spark that ignited his dream." He returned to Llangollen in 1995 as an international superstar, performing in a sell-out concert to mark the 40th anniversary of his life-changing win. Ms Mantovani, who founded the Pavarotti Foundation following her husband's death, said: "Coming to Llangollen will be very emotional for me because without his first appearance there in 1955 he told me his career would not have been possible." The Pavarotti Foundation arranges performances by young opera singers discovered or promoted by the foundation, and organises tribute concerts featuring opera stars such as José Carreras and Plácido Domingo. Ms Mantovani said the Llangollen International Eisteddfod's competitions align closely with Pavarotti's own ambitions. She said: "Luciano had two dreams. "The first was to bring opera to everyone and the second was to bring new people into the world of opera who could become the singers of the future, which both of these Eisteddfod competitions fulfil." John Gambles, chair of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, said: "Luciano's legacy has long been intertwined with Llangollen, and to honour that connection while celebrating his remarkable life and milestones is a genuine privilege for us all." The Pendine International Voice of the Future competition will take place during the festival's closing concert on Sunday, July 13. During the closing concert, Sir Bryn Terfel will perform songs from his latest album, Sea Songs, alongside folk group Fisherman's Friends. Mario Kreft MBE, who is co-owner of Pendine Park with his wife Gill, and who will present the Pendine Trophy alongside his wife, Sir Bryn, and Ms Mantovani, recalled Pavarotti's 1995 performance. He said: "Gill and I were privileged to be on the Maes outside the pavilion watching on a big screen for Pavarotti's brilliant performance in 1995, when he even performed a couple of arias outside." The Llangollen International Eisteddfod starts on Tuesday, July 8, and more details are available at
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A delightful real-life British movie led by Line of Duty's Daniel Mays is now streaming for free
Daniel Mays' wholesome movie Fisherman's Friends is available to stream for free in the UK. Released in 2019, the feel-good musical movie is inspired by true events and is now available to watch on Channel4's streaming platform. Directed by Chris Foggin, Fisherman's Friends tells the story of the real-life group of Cornish fishermen from Port Isaac who were signed by Universal Records and even achieved a top 10 hit with their debut album of sea shanties. Line of Duty's Mays stars as cynical London music executive Danny, who heads to Cornwall for a colleague's stag do. While there, his boss tricks him into signing a group that sing sea shanties. What started as a silly challenge turns into something more profound for Danny, who discovers the meaning of community and loyalty. Related: The group is made up of Jim (James Purefoy), Jago (David Hayman), Leadville (Dave Johns) and Rowan (Sam Swainsbury), with Sense8 star Tuppence Middleton starring as Jim's daughter Alwyn. The members of the real Fisherman's Friends group all appear in cameos, with script co-writer Piers Ashworth confirming to The Guardian that the singing in the film was a blending of the actual singers' voices and those of the actors. Fisherman's Friends: One and All, a sequel focusing the group's big 2011 gig at Glastonbury, was released in 2022. Behind the camera for the follow-up were screenwriters of the first film Nick Moorcroft and Meg Leonard, who also penned the sequel's script with Ashworth. Sadly, the sequel isn't available to stream for free. However, those who wish to go for a comfort double bill can buy or rent it on several digital retailers, including Amazon. Fisherman's Friends is available to stream on Channel4 in the UK. Digital Spy's first print magazine is here! Buy in newsagents or , now priced at just £3.99.£18.99 at at at at Audible£49.99 at at Amazon at at at EE£54.98 at at at at EE at at at at £91.40 at at at Amazon at at at at Sky Mobile£19.00 at Game at EE£29.98 at at at at Pandora at at at Game£123.99 at at at at Three at at at at Pandora at at at at AO at at £199.99 at Fitbit at at at at £39.99 at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at John Lewis£39.97 at at at at £184.00 at John Lewis & Partners at at at at at at at Amazon£157.00 at John Lewis at Three£32.99 at Amazon at at at at at at John Lewis & Partners at at at Fitbit$29.85 at at at Amazon at £49.99 at Amazon at at at at Apple£293.81 at at Three at at at at at at at at at at at at at at EE at at John Lewis at Audible at at John Lewis at EE at at £379.00 at at at at Amazon at at at Apple at at at Apple at at at Samsung at at Three at at at John Lewis$365.00 at Microsoft£22.00 at Amazon at at AO£79.00 at Samsung£79.98 at at at crunchyroll at at John Lewis at at at Microsoft at at John Lewis & Partners£79.98 at at at Microsoft£92.98 at at Amazon£369.00 at John Lewis at at at at at at at at John Lewis & PartnersShop now£16.00 at Microsoft at at at at at John Lewis at at at £6.65 at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at You Might Also Like PS5 consoles for sale – PlayStation 5 stock and restocks: Where to buy PS5 today? IS MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 THE BEST IN THE SERIES? OUR REVIEW AEW game is a modern mix of No Mercy and SmackDown
