Song for Sheppey entries have been arriving in fast and furious fashion.

The first comes courtesy of Islander, Meryl Heasman, who’s sent us a “bluesy, jazzy” number called, All Tide Up ( to listen, click on link below).

She said: “It was written a few years ago for a musical, The Adventures of Barnacle Betty, which was about Sheppey and performed at the Little Theatre.

Scroll down to listen to the song

“The song itself was a joint creation with a friend of mine, Marcus Cotton, who wrote the lyrics.

“It’s about how Sheppey can make you feel a little bit trapped sometimes, hence the title.”

Song for Sheppey, which is run in conjunction with Sheerness Town Team, and The Roadhouse Recording Studio, is an appeal for people to come up with an original tune which can become a sort Island anthem.

The winning band or singer will be invited to perform their entry at a “summer spectacular” festival planned for Sheerness town centre in August.

The song, which will be given a professional makeover at Roadhouse Recording Studio, will also be distributed to radio stations across the Island and Swale - so a potential audience of thousands awaits.

It’s a contest which is open to artists and performers of all ages and abilities, and as long as the song has a Sheppey theme, it will be considered by a panel of judges headed by Sheerness Town Team chairman, John Nurden.

Meryl, 60, who lives in Blue Town, said her creation had mass appeal.

She said: “It’s a song which can sung by anyone.

“It can be spoken or even whispered - you don’t have to be a singer to perform it.

“It’s a bit different and a bit fun.”

Meryl said music is her lifelong passion and proclaimed Song for Sheppey “a brilliant idea”.

“It would be great to see as many different acts as possible enter.

“And if anyone else wants to have a go at singing my song or wants to change the lyrics, I’m happy for that to happen.”

Email your Song for Sheppey entries to: timesguardian@thekmgroup.co.uk or via post to: 44 High Street, Sheerness. ME12 1NL.

The deadline for submitted songs, which should be no more than four minutes in length, is Friday, May 1.

The winner will be announced on Friday, May 15.