A CELEBRATION of a 'poet of the sea' can be enjoyed in Osmington.

A Gig and Chips evening with the Wareham Whalers is being held at Osmington Village Hall in Osmington, near Weymouth, on February 22 at 7.30pm.

The Whalers will be celebrating Edwardian poet and writer Cicely Fox Smith, 'the poet of the sea', who had a deep interest in ships, sailors and all things maritime.

Fox Smith's passion for the sea was reflected in her poems, many of which were set to music.

Gig and Chips organiser Eileen Bramley said: "It's unlikely that Cicely would have been able to experience very much of a matelot's life at sea at first hand. However, her abiding passion for her subject is reflected vividly in her poems, many of which have been set to music, her words evocative of the sea and the men who sailed upon it, of tarry smells, tall ships and salt winds and life on the ocean wave."

She added: "The Wareham Whalers are a shanty crew with infectious enthusiasm for what they do. Their tight harmonies and spot-on timing, their humour, their attention to historical detail - it all adds up to a very entertaining performance."

The Whalers' musical director Gill Whitney said: "Our Captain, David Blakely, has been keen to showcase Cicely's work for some time and the crew are delighted to have been able to put this concert together. It's a joy to sing these shanties, which ring with the words and idioms of the men of the Great Age of Sail. Cicely immersed herself in her subject and her poems, though written by a woman, give a real feeling of the men who crewed these tall ships ships, the work they did and the lives they led. We're very much looking forward to returning to Osmington, where we are always made so welcome. All this, and fish and chips, great sound, a bar and free parking - what a fabulous Friday evening!"

*Gig and Chips with the Wareham Whalers, Osmington Village Hall, Osmington, near Weymouth. Tickets are £5, fish and chips are £6.50 - must be pre-ordered (veggie option available). Wareham Whalers are supporting Purbeck and Wareham MS Society with this gig.