The musician who walked 90 miles to Hartlepool for a concert

Stuart Stokell will give a solo performance in Grange Road Methodist Church in Hartlepool, from 2.30 p.m on Saturday, November 26.

The pianist, organist and vocalist had his initial musical training in Hartlepool where he was born and bred.

Before moving away to Brampton in Cumbria, he held several high profile posts as a musician.

He was the accompanist for Hartlepool Stage Society, Hartlepool Male Voice Choir, the annual musicals performed by English Martyrs School, and resident organist at St Oswald’s Church for several years. He was even on the crematorium rota. He is also heavily involved in choral singing and formed the successful Brampton and District choir in 2005.

Now he is coming back to his hometown and it is not the first time he has returned - or been involved in fundraising.

He once walked the 90 miles from Brampton to Hartlepool Marina in three days and then performed a charity concert in aid of the British Heart Foundation at the Town Hall Theatre on the same evening.

All of his charity and fundraising efforts over the years have raised more than £150,000.

The proceeds of this month’s concert will go to Grange Road Methodist Church.

Among the songs planned at the concert are Some Enchanted Evening, If ever I would leave you, Love Changes Everything and Sally and Stuart is hoping for some audience participation.

His planned organ pieces include the Triumphal March from Aida and the well known Nimrod from The Enigma Variations by Elgar.

Tickets are £6 which will include a light afternoon tea. They can be bought from the church office in Tankerville Street, by calling (01429) 287782 or from any church member in advance.

Stuart said, “I love playing piano and spend several hours every day practising.

“The programme I have put together is of accessible and very well-known pieces for everyone but with exceptionally difficult arrangements.”