The 11th Chesil Rocks music and arts festival, and the last in this format, took place with events over three days in 2024 from 20th - 22nd June, at Higher Farmhouse, Langton Herring and once again all proceeds went to Samaritans of Dorset.
Starting off with a Comedy Night, this event was compered by the excellently on-form Tom Glover and featured comedians James Ellis, Louise Leigh and the nationally known and extremely popular Nathan Caton. Sponsored by Dorset Wood Fired Pizza, all guests received one of their amazing pizzas shortly after their arrival.
On the next evening, we had our Prelude of Classical Music and Opera, where arriving guests were treated to incidental magic from the incredible Chris Howatt, before being entertained by renowned concert pianist Duncan Honeybourne, and then by the acclaimed tenor John Hudson, singing a selection of operatic and lighter pieces. There then followed a fun-filled and entertaining auction of promises and gifts with charismatic auctioneer Alexa Tilley.
On the Saturday, the main Chesil Rocks event took place and featured fabulous guitar duo Trip Guitars, Evolution Dance Studio, singer songwriter Chris Davies, a variety of music from The Venn, the Portesham Ukulele Band under the musical direction of Sam Brown, the Dorset Wrecks, Chiman 101, Vanilla Radio, Steve Wilson and the Innocent Bystanders, a DJ set from Sarah de Warren, Balance of Power, the London Gay Men's Chorus and then a spectacular finale from the fire eating Inferno Sisters. To complete the event, there was a DJ set from Max Neilson-Howes.
Following the event, Chesil Rocks gave the Dorset branch of Samaritans £17,000, amounting to 43% of their annual budget. This enabled them once again to focus less on fundraising to maintain their branch, and more on what they do best.
We are extremely grateful to all those who volunteered to help stage the event and make it such a success, and to our sponsors RiskStop Group Ltd, Symonds & Sampson, MN Walker and 3SC Scaffolding Group, farmer Robert Mayo, Dorset Wood Fired Pizza and our mystery sponsor who wishes to remain anonymous – but we know who you are!
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