19th August, 2024
Story and photographs by Andrew P.M. Wright,
Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer.
A poignant and uplifting concert of live music and song by the sea in Swanage in memory of a young man who died of cancer is to raise money for two local charities – the Isle of Purbeck cancer support group Cancare and the Swanage Railway Trust’s Save Your Railway appeal.
Starting at 10.30am and finishing at 8pm - with admission from 10.00 am - ‘Music by the Sea’ takes place in the natural amphitheatre of the Prince Albert Gardens, overlooking the town and the bay, on Saturday, 31 August, 2024.
Now in its fourth year, the annual fund-raising memorial concert is organised by Swanage couple Vicki and Jonathan Searle whose 25-year old son Henry died of a brain tumour in April, 2021, after a seven-year battle against the illness.
Organised and sponsored with the generous help of businesses and individuals in Swanage and around the country, ‘Music by the Sea’ features music from across the decades thanks to more than 20 local bands and singers, who are performing free of charge, in a nine and a half hour concert hosted by Brian Travers.
Vicki Searle said: “Henry was funny, loving, kind and generous - an all-round beautiful boy. Everyone loved him and he had lots of friends. Henry just loved the world.
“For the fourth year running, ‘Music by the Sea’ will see Henry’s friends, as well as our local talented artists and bands, sing and play music in his memory and for local charities, including the Isle of Purbeck cancer support group Cancare which was such a great help to Henry during his illness.
“The Prince Albert Gardens is a lovely venue and the perfect amphitheatre for music. Henry used to play there with his family and friends when he was young so we have many happy memories.
“Henry loved to ride on the Swanage Railway’s steam trains as a child and later on he worked on the heritage line’s ‘Wessex Belle’ dining trains as a waiter,” added Vicki who works in the finance office of the Swanage Railway.
Jonathan Searle said: “Henry was a brilliant musician who played the guitar and sang with bands in and around Swanage. He had a beautiful melodic voice and sang some beautiful ballads and duets. Henry was a lovely all-round performer.
“’Music by the Sea’ is a wonderful way of keeping Henry’s memory alive while also raising money for charities and good causes in Swanage.
“Through the joy of music and song, we are also remembering other young people in Swanage who have died,” added the former chiropodist who works as a builder across the Isle of Purbeck.
Swanage Railway Trust chairman Frank Roberts said: “The Swanage Railway is proud to support such a poignant and uplifting community event and we are delighted that the Swanage Railway Trust’s Save Your Railway appeal will be one of the beneficiaries from this year’s Music by the Sea memorial concert.”
Featuring local food stalls, a bar, raffles, tombola and face painting, no entry is permitted to ‘Music by the Sea’ after 6pm.
Those people attending the memorial concert are welcome to bring chairs and picnic blankets.
Admission to the no-plastic ‘Music by the Sea’ is £10 for adults and free for children under the age of 16 accompanied by an adult.
Wristbands can be purchased for a cash payment at Country Foods in Station Road, Swanage.
Tickets for the ‘Music by the Sea’ memorial concert are available from the Swanage Railway website at https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events.
The Swanage Railway welcomes new volunteers and anyone interested in finding out more should contact the Swanage Railway volunteer recruitment and retention officer Lisa Gravett on 01929 475212 or email iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk. Details about volunteering can be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/volunteering.