A week on Saturday (31 August), the fourth annual concert in memory of Henry Searle will raise money for the Swanage Railway Trust’s Save Your Railway appeal.

The ‘Music by the Sea’ concert will also raise money for the Isle of Purbeck cancer support group Cancare, and will take place in the natural amphitheatre of Prince Albert Gardens, overlooking Swanage town and bay.

It will start at 10.30am (admissions from 10am) and finish at 8pm (no entry after 6pm).

Swanage couple Vicki and Jonathan Searle have been organising the concert each year since the death from a brain tumour of their 25-year old son Henry in April 2021, after a seven-year battle against the illness.

Henry’s mum works in the finance office of the Swanage Railway, and his dad is a former chiropodist who works as a builder across the Isle of Purbeck.

Individuals and businesses in Swanage and around the country have helped to organise and sponsor the event, which will include music from across the decades from more than twenty local bands and singers, all of whom are performing free of charge. The nine-and-a-half-hour concert will be hosted by Brian Travers.

Local food stalls, a bar, raffles, tombola and face painting will be available. Attendees are welcome to bring chairs and picnic blankets.

Admission to the no-plastic ‘Music by the Sea’ is £10 for adults and free for under-16s accompanied by an adult. Entrance wristbands are available to buy for a cash payment at Country Foods in Station Road, Swanage. Tickets are available from the Swanage Railway website.

Swanage Railway, which held a successful gala in June, welcomes new volunteers, who can find out more information here.

“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.”

Vicki Searle

“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.”

Jonathan Searle

“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.”

Swanage Railway Trust chair, Frank Roberts