Celebrating the life of a young Swanage man who sadly died of cancer aged just 25, the Music by the Sea concert is back for a fourth year and raising money for two local charities – the Isle of Purbeck cancer support group Cancare and the Swanage Railway Trust’s Save Your Railway appeal.
The music concert on Saturday 31st August 2024 at Prince Albert Gardens, is organised by Swanage couple Vicki and Jonathan Searle whose son Henry died of a brain tumour in April 2021, after a seven-year battle against the illness.
Music by the Sea in 2023 saw students from The Swanage School take to the stage
Soul, disco, rock n roll and DJ sets
The popular summer event which takes place from 10.30 am to 8 pm returns with an exciting lineup of artists playing music from the 60s, right through to the current day, including soul, disco, rock n roll and DJ sets.
For 2024, there’ll even be a Freddie Mercury party section for the crowd to join in and sing along to all the songs Henry sang and enjoyed.
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.
“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.”
For Henry, like many local children, trains were part of his childhood. He’s pictured in the middle, with his grandmother Dorothy Searle and sister Charlotte at Swanage Railway
As he grew up, Henry, pictured here with his younger brother Oliver, worked at Swanage Railway
“Wonderful way of keeping Henry’s memory alive”
The music concert is for all the family and everyone is invited to bring their chairs and blankets, to relax, enjoy the music and have a picnic.
There will also be local food and drink stalls, as well as a raffle, tombola and face painting.
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.”
Music by the Sea is a concert which really is by the sea!
There will be a raffle and tombola organised by the team from the charity Cancare
“Proud to support such a poignant and uplifting community event”
In 2024, money raised will go to the cancer charity Cancare which is celebrating its 35th anniversary and supported Henry through his illness. Alongside music, Henry loved heritage trains, so the other good cause to benefit is Swanage Railway
Chair of Swanage Railway Trust 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 concert.”
Funds raised over the years have also gone to #Willdoes, Save Our Swanage Ambulance Car, Swanage Drama Group, GoFundMe for local Emily McDonald, Jack Gillespie family support, and local families in need.
Vicki (pictured in red) at the opening of the Cancare garden in Prince Albert Gardens, which celebrates 35 years of supporting local people
Further information
- Wristbands can be purchased for a cash payment at Country Foods in Station Road, Swanage or via the Swanage Railway website
- Admission to Music by the Sea is £10 for adults and free for children under the age of 16 accompanied by an adult.
- Entry on Saturday 31st August 2024 is from 10 am, with last entry at 6 pm
- It’s a plastic free event and people are asked to take any rubbish home with them
