FAMILY, friends and well-wishers gathered together to remember the life of a popular Weymouth musician at an outdoor music festival.

Tea on the Quay, which took place outside Rendezvous yesterday, paid tribute to talented guitarist and singer Tom Caulfield, 32, who died last month.

His sudden and untimely death shocked the community.

Organisers of Tea on the Quay aired a 50 minute tribute to Tom at the start of the event, featuring photos, music and recordings of the singer. A minute’s silence was held following the tribute.

Tom was due to play at a previous Tea on the Quay event as well as yesterday's gig. Speaking yesterday, festival organiser Keith Treggiden said: “I was in my office after the last event which he sadly didn’t turn up for.

“Looking at today’s playlist, he was meant to be starting today’s show at 12 o’clock. I couldn’t physically pick up the phone and phone anyone else.

“Tom always enjoyed starting the show so he was always going to start today’s show.”

Describing Tom, Keith said: “It’s a sad loss. He was an amazing guy. His character as well as his music will be missed.”

The tribute went ahead after Tom’s wife of two years, Rachel, gave her backing.

She said she and Tom’s family were grateful for all the support they had received.

Commenting on the tribute, Rachel said: “It’s a beautiful idea and I’m really pleased that Keith asked them to do it.

“It’s absolutely beautiful and it shows him in a really nice light.

“I knew he was popular but I didn’t know the whole of Weymouth knew him.

“Thank you to everyone for all their support.”

Yesterday’s event featured music from the likes of Lauren Bannon, The Surfin’ Birds, Speedway Snails, Triple Threat, The Jack Ratts, The Leggomen and headliners Hustle.

The festival raised money for the Steve Charles Help a Friend Fund, a charity that Tom was a big supporter of.

The charity aims to assist people from South Dorset or the Jurassic Coast catchment area, who have a proven or urgent need for financial help.

The tribute was broadcasted live on AIR 107.2. and station manager Carl Greenham said Tom had been a supporter of the station. in the past. and the decision to broadcast was ‘the right thing to do’.

He said: “Tom always supported AIR 107.2. He’s played lots of our fundraisers. He’s hosted on our radio station before.

“It just seemed very fitting that we would come down and put this tribute and this particular festival on air.”

Tom’s funeral will be held on Friday, May 8 at Weymouth Pavilion at 1pm followed by private cremation.