Open air bands are in demand again
Bandstands are making a comeback in the Black Country - with parks hoping to benefit from investment in new facilities for musicians.
Bandstands are making a comeback in the Black Country - with parks hoping to benefit from investment in new facilities for musicians.
The first new permanent structure is set to be installed in Smethwick's Victoria Park within weeks.
The original bandstand was lost in the 1960s after falling into disrepair. Sandwell Council officers are also in talks with Heritage Lottery bosses about a new facility in West Bromwich's Dartmouth Park. In Tipton, the Friends of Victoria Park group are petitioning for a bandstand.
John Satchwell, parks and green spaces officer at Sandwell Council, said the authority has received lots of requests for old-fashioned bandstands to be re-introduced.
He said: "There is currently only one bandstand in Sandwell, in Wednesbury's Brunswick Park, but everyone I have spoken to wants them re-introduced across the borough. The first will go in at Victoria Park, where nothing but the plinth from the old bandstand still stands.
"That will be installed within weeks."
West Bromwich's Dartmouth Park is currently undergoing a £6.3 million regeneration, part-funded by a £4.4 million heritage lottery grant.
Officers are now talking to lottery bosses to see if they can alter their original application for an open air performance space to include a new bandstand.
The Friends of Dartmouth Park have been lobbying for the facility since visiting its namesake park in Morley near Leeds last year.
The park, which has undergone a major restoration, has a new modern bandstand, which hosts a programme of summer concerts.
Carol Hartill, secretary of the Friends group, said: "It was erected in 2000 and is now used for regular Sunday concerts that are very well attended. This gave us the idea to lobby for one of our own."
"We estimate it would cost in the region of £35,000 and talks are already ongoing with the council as regards installing one."
Dartmouth Park had a Victorian bandstand, which was demolished in the 1930s when a new structure was erected. This also fell into disrepair.
Mr Satchwell said that talks with the heritage lottery fund are "in their infancy" but going well.
New bandstands can cost between £30,000 for a basic structure and £150,000 for an elaborate and ornate facility.The bandstand in Brunswick Park, Wednesbury, which dates back to 1887 was restored five years ago with a £100,000 lottery grant and now hosts regular concerts.
