Kimbers Men

Kimber’s Men are a group of singers specialising in maritime material. It would be unfair to call them simply a ‘shanty group’, although shanties are the bulk of their repertoire, because they range through nautical ballads and broadsides to modern songs such as Bob Watson’s ‘Mollymauk’, and Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘Ballad of Big Blue’.

Kimber’s Men were formed in the summer of 2001 and in those early days they comprised Neil Kimber – ship’s bosun, John Bromley – ship’s cook, Joe Stead – ship’s doctor, and Roger ‘Tonky’ Hepworth the ship’s cabin boy. Sadly Roger passed away in 2005 and David Buckley joined Kimber’s Men at the end of April 2006.

In June 2007 they increased their number to 5 when Gareth Scott joined the quartet. The addition of both the new members has given Kimber’s Men a much rounder sound with two new harmonies.