The tiles that line the walls of Brightlingsea’s All Saints’ Church form a unique memorial to men from the town who’ve died at sea since 1872.

Now some of the stories behind the 213 tiles, one of which is show below, will be told in music, to be premiered at a Festival of the Tiles event in the church on the afternoon of Saturday, June 14.

The Tiles Along The Wall Project is a celebration of the unique memorial, written and composed by local musicians Carl Simpson and Dick Spalding. Part one of what will eventually become a double CD is being launched at the festival, with a live one-hour musical and narrative performance.

Proceeds from the sale of the first Tiles Along the Wall CD, which features cover artwork by year 10 pupils from the Colne Community School, will fund the production of the second and, it’s hoped, a memorial stone for the unmarked grave of nine sailors who drowned off Brightlingsea.

The Festival runs from 10am to 4pm, with the musical performance scheduled for 2pm. It will also feature the results of recent creative projects in pictures, words and crafts – including a quilted wall hanging stitched by local women and the launch of a book about the tiles.

Entry to the Festival is free, with tours of the recently-reopened 97ft-high tower on offer for a fee.