THREE strings, a chocolate box and a smile. This eclectic combination could be found on Lyme Regis seafront on Saturday as musicians flocked to the coast for the annual busking festival.

The odd combination was being used by Paul Scofield playing his unusual but melodic instrument, the ‘cigar box guitar’.

He said: “It was first seen being played in a photograph from 1876. They would make them out of chocolate boxes, cigar boxes, whatever they could find. People just wanted to make music.”

The B Sharp Busking Festival offered local and visiting musicians a number of locations throughout the town and seafront to entertain onlookers.

A vast range of ages and instruments took to the stage to showcase their talents, transforming the town into a cornucopia of sound.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

Cicely Halkes-Wellstead performing at the festival

A short walk along the seafront could take you from harmonica, to piano, to double bass, as the sheer variety of musical talent on offer drew in large crowds of support.

Speaking before his performance on the ‘play me’ piano, located along Marine Parade, B Sharp member Harry Eastwood, said: “I’ve been with B Sharp for six years now, and it’s really helped me gain new skills by letting me work with others in a group. It’s not often you get the opportunity to play the piano on the seafront.”

B Sharp has consistently provided opportunities to young musicians to perform since its formation in 2007. The charity offers weekly sessions, as well as regular events, which allow their musicians a space to develop their skills, a stage to perform and works with many world class guest musicians.

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Tristan O'Leary at the B Sharp Busking Festival

The festival not only allowed B Sharp members to take the spotlight, but opened it up to all comers, including special guest performances from the talented jazz duo Ben Taylor and Philip Clouts.

Buskers were joined by members of the CSUN jazz band from California, as the Busking Festival runs alongside the town’s Jazz and Blues festival.

by Harry Bullmore