Titanic Memorial Concert at Eastbourne Bandstand
Eastbourne’s iconic 1930s Bandstand is inviting visitors to commemorate 100 years since the sinking of the Titanic with a free special concert on Sunday 15 April.
A newly restored plaque commemorating the life of an Eastbourne bandsman who died whilst playing on board the Titanic will also be unveiled.
Visitors and residents can apply now for free tickets to the afternoon concert by the Champagne String Quartet, whose performance will include music that would have been played on board the ill-fated ship.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “We are delighted to be hosting a special concert in memory of those who died on board the Titanic and celebrating the life of Eastbourne bandsman John Wesley Woodward who famously played while the ship sank in icy waters during its maiden voyage, which claimed the lives of 1,517 people on 15 April 1912. We hope that visitors and residents will join us to mark the 100th anniversary this spring.”
John Wesley Woodward played his best cello in the ship’s orchestra and had been a regular performer in Eastbourne playing at the town’s Winter Garden and Grand Hotel with the Duke of Devonshire Band.
A plaque has been in position on Eastbourne seafront since 1914 in memory of Mr Woodward and after months of fundraising and generous donations from businesses and individuals, local resident Peter Goldsmith has raised enough money to restore the plaque, which will be unveiled on 15 April.
For more information and to apply for tickets to the concert go to www.eastbournebandstand.co.uk, or pop into the Tourist Information Centre.