Despite the pouring rain, the grand opening ceremony of the Swanage Bandstand went ahead, following a two and a half year restoration programme by the specialist company, Lost Art. The bandstand was first opened on the 2nd August 1923 and it’s now been faithfully restored including the original finial and the green and white colour scheme.
It’s one of the few remaining bandstands in the UK built by cast iron manufacturers, Walter Macfarlane and Co at the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow.
This was all made possible by local residents and regular visitors, who managed to raise over £145,000 through donations and fundraising events.
Major individual donors
In addition, there were many major individual donors, local businesses and others who contributed their time and assistance as well as money.
Speaking to Swanage Online, the Chair of the Friends of Swanage Bandstand, Alan Houghton emphasised that the money had come from the community and now the bandstand should be enjoyed by everyone. He said:
“The thing we really want to see here…We want the young people to use it – we’d like them to have the sort of music they would like as well…It’s important that the youth protect it and use it.”
Chair of the Friends of Swanage Bandstand, Alan Houghton
After the ceremony, Alan Houghton added:
“It was a fabulous day and it made me really proud of the town, which was fantastic!”
Chair of the Friends of Swanage Bandstand, Alan Houghton
Trusts and statutory organisations that contributed towards the cost of the restoration of Swanage Bandstand
- The Coastal Revival Fund
- De Moulham Masonic Lodge
- Roger Raymond Charity Trust
- Reg and Peggy Griffith Trust
- Swanage Town Council and the Swanage Information Centre
- Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Club
- The Talbot Village Trust
