The Newhaven Community Choir was invited to be part of a collaborative song-writing project with Edinburgh Shoreline. ES had realised that George Venter’s Song “A Better Sea”, set to a traditional melody, beautifully expressed many of the sentiments that had inspired the formation of the group ten years ago. So the idea developed that, with some positive, hopeful choruses created by children, it could become a sort of Edinburgh Shoreline anthem!

Happily, George, the choir members and a Primary 4 class from GPS embraced the idea with enthusiasm. Wendy Weatherby, cellist and NCC director, worked with the adult choir, and Lucy and Wendy worked with the schoolchildren to create the choruses. The children learnt about the work of Edinburgh Shoreline, came up with all the words they associated with happy days at the seaside, and together we used this to create upbeat choruses to a shanty tune. The final touches were Wendy’s cello intro and accompaniment and the children’s added percussion.