Chesil Rocks

23/06/2026

I can see clearly now…

23/06/2026

We can see clearly now… After a misty start to a glorious summer afternoon, our sold-out Chesil Rocks Picnic & Pimms brought together 100 people for a fantastic day of music, friendship, food and fundraising in the beautiful grounds of Higher Farmhouse, Langton Herring.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, performed, donated, served food and drinks, or supported us in any way. Special thanks to Samaritans, who joined us with their delicious cream teas, Big Bun Little Bun Catering, our bar team, and all of our talented local performers who made the day so special.
While we’re still finalising the figures, we’re delighted to say that we expect to have raised at least £3,000 for Samaritans.
When a community comes together, wonderful things can happen. Thank you, Langton Herring.

19/06/2026

Chesil Rocks returns home this weekend, with our big Picnic & Pimms event tomorrow, starting at 12pm.
Expect a smaller, friendlier and more intimate event, with live music alternating from two acoustic stages.
For those travelling to the event by car, please be guided by signs and our lovely volunteers as you approach the village. Parking is on the north side of Rodden Road and below the old telephone kiosk.
A drop off (only) point is situated at the entrance to Higher Farmhouse.
Please do not try and park elsewhere in the village as this may upset people. Thank you.🙏❤️
Bring picnic chairs, a rug and if you like a picnic🧺 (with no drinks) and there will be a fully stocked bar on site 🍺🍾🍸🥂, Samaritans💚 doing cream teas and a fabulous caterer doing freshly made wraps.
The weather is likely to be warm with sunny spells and a gentle breeze, but remember we are in England - so come prepared! ☔️⛈️🌈😂
Expect fabulous musical talent from the village and beyond, including the awesome Portesham Ukulele Band with Sam Brown. This is our full set list with approximate timings:
12.30 - Martin Smith
1pm - Langton Herring Community choir
1.30 - Grahame
2pm- Jem and Ian
3pm - PUB
3.45 - interval
4pm - PUB
5pm - Golden Geckos
5.45 - Michaela
The event will be ending at 6pm and those attending are reminded of the fabulous Elm Tree Inn situated close by - if you need to stop off on the way home! 😂
We are asking people not to leave their cars parked overnight in the village🙏

17/06/2026

We are delighted to announce Nordic Dorset will be at Chesil Rocks this year, bringing Nordic Walking to our Picnic & Pimms event this Saturday.
Alexa Beazer who is a qualified Nordic Walling instructor, will be offering free Nordic Walking taster sessions through the afternoon. There will also be a special prize draw for anyone interested in finding out more about Nordic Walking on the day.
Alexa has been a supporter of Chesil Rocks for a number of years. Alexa has lived in Weymouth since 2013, having moved from London. Alexa is a firm believer in the power of being in the outdoors and the benefits of exercise when it comes to physical as well as mental health.
Through launching Nordic Dorset in May this year, Alexa is on a mission to enable people to make the most of Nordic Walking in Dorset.
If you would like to find out more about Nordic walking coaching and Nordic Dorset sessions planned, please contact Alexa on:

www.nordicdorset.co.uk

13/06/2026

Chesil Rocks Announcement
Regarding our Picnic & Pimms event on Sarurday 20th June, gates open at 12pm and the event will end at 6pm.
This is a 100 ticket event and to date, 91 of those tickets have been sold.
Parking for the number of cars expected will be in the village on the northern side of Rodden Road and either side of the telephone box. Marshals will be present to assist. There is very limited parking available elsewhere in the village and drivers are asked not to try and park elsewhere or in the Elm Tree Inn car park.
After parking, occupants should proceed carefully to the venue along Shop Lane, taking into account this is a single track road with no pavements.
Those attending are invited to bring a picnic (but no drinks please) and a rug or picnic chairs.
There will be a fully stocked bar selling a good range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks including beer, cider and wines, Pimms and Colonel Duke’s rum punch.
Big Bun Little Bun catering will be present providing both meat and plant based wraps.
Samaritans will be present providing coffee and cream teas.
Some seating will be provided, but we suggest that if you need a seat, bring one.
Guide dogs are welcome.
We have a number of musical performances starting with the Langton Herring Community Choir at 12.45pm, followed by Jem Stagg at 1.30pm, Grahame Hill at 2.30pm, the Fabulous Portesham Ukulele Band with Sam Brown at 3.30pm and the Golden Geckos at 5pm.
The weather on the day is forecast to be sunny and warm with a gentle breeze and with just a small chance of a shower. People are advised to bring sun protection.
Those attending are asked to respect villagers and also not to sleep or leave their cars parked in the village overnight.
More information and tickets from www.chesilrocks.com

Chesil Rocks has been an annual music and arts festival since 2012, with all proceeds going to Samaritans of Dorset. Chesil Rocks will be on three days in 2022 - Thursday 16th June with a Comedy Night, Friday 17th June with our Prelude event followed by our main event on Saturday 18th June.

13/06/2026

Keith and Sam practising their moves in the gardens of the Elm Tree Inn for Chesil Rocks on 20th June

13/06/2026

Keith and Sam practising their moves for Chesil Rocks on 20th June. A few tickets remain at
www.chesilrocks.com

11/06/2026

Practising our moves for 20th June….

11/06/2026

Tim and Hils practising their moves for our event on 20th June. Only a few tickets remain - www.chesilrocks.com

09/06/2026

This is the lineup at our Picnic & Pimms event on June 20th at Higher Farmhouse in Langton Herring:

- Langton Herring Community Choir. This village choir, under the expert tutelage of musical director David Burles, will be starting the day off and perform a number of songs, some well known and others less so - including one piece dating back to at least the 13th century!

- Jem Stagg. Next up will be songwriter Jem Stagg who enjoys performing heart felt renditions of songs for today's anxious audiences - a metaphorical mixture of sunshine and showers and likely to resonate with all. He will backed by versatile percussionist Ian Tew on digital drums and conga.

- The Fabulous Portesham Ukulele Band. Performing again this year will be the increasingly popular Portesham Ukulele Band, led by renowned musician Sam Brown. The band has grown from 2013 into a highly accomplished ensemble, thanks to Sam's expert musical direction. Rehearsing on Monday evenings at the Kings Arms in Portesham, their lively sessions have become a highlight of the local calendar.
Sam Brown, who took over as musical director in 2024, first rose to international fame with her massive 1989 hit Stop! and has performed with global acts including Pink Floyd and Jools Holland. After stepping back from professional singing due to vocal challenges, she dedicated herself to teaching and inspiring others - continuing the musical legacy of her father, Joe Brown.
The band has long supported Samaritans through busking and fundraising performances, including appearances each year at Chesil Rocks and the successful campaign to save the Elm Tree Inn in this village. Their performances are known not only for their musical quality but also for the warmth and joy they bring to audiences.
In one memorable moment during a rehearsal one Monday evening at the Kings Arms, a diner who overheard the band playing Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' left a spontaneous £500 donation for Samaritans in memory of a friend - highlighting the emotional impact of both the music and the cause.

- The Golden Geckos. The Golden Geckos are an acoustic guitar duo from Lampeter formed by Georgia Owen and Carl Spillett in 2012. Singer-songwriter Georgia has been writing and performing her own material in various musical settings since childhood, whilst Carl has played for many years in numerous different styles, bands and genres. Together they bring a brilliant blend of eclectic covers and original songs, with harmonies, skilled guitar work, and genre-spanning setlists that always leave a mark. Whether it’s a nostalgic classic, an indie gem, or something uniquely their own – they always deliver and entertain.