Many thanks to Alan Houghton, chair of Friends of Swanage Bandstand for sharing his story about the restoration of the Swanage Bandstand.
After many years of neglect, the Swanage Bandstand has been restored to its former glory, complete with its original finial, following a fundraising campaign by local resident, Alan Houghton. 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.
Despite the pouring rain, the grand opening ceremony on the 26th October 2019, celebrated the 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 green and white colour scheme..
This was all made possible by local residents and regular visitors, who managed to raise over £145,000 through donations and fundraising events.
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
In addition, there were many major individual donors, local businesses and others who contributed their time and assistance as well as money.
“I come down here and I see the roof on the bandstand and I think ‘yes’, how lovely that is and that is what the general feeling is. I’m proud of the people in the town. It’s pretty good!”
Chair of the Friends of Swanage Bandstand, Alan Houghton
