Bandstand

A VALIANT EFFORT is being made to establish a bandstand in the Wellhead Gardens, a place for music in the park on Sunday afternoons and other suitable occasions, a delightful entertainment that harks back to Victorian times.

The strains of a Strauss waltz or a Sousa march floating on the balmy air of a summer's afternoon is an evocative sound from an England long gone and one that tries to reassure us that all is well with the world even though the trials and tribulations of everyday life return once the music has died away and we wend our way home.

A traditional bandstand is a circular or semi-circular structure set in a park, garden, pier, or indoor space, and designed to accommodate musical bands performing concerts. It is a simple construction yet it creates an ornamental focal point and also serves acoustic requirements while providing shelter from the changeable weather. Many of those in England date from the 19th century and originated as the brass band movement gained popularity but they are not used quite as frequently today as in the past.

We do have concerts in Bourne on Sunday afternoons in summer but in the absence of a bandstand, musicians are grouped around the steps of the War Memorial in South Street while those who turn up to listen sit on the grass around the ornamental gardens, borrow chairs from the Darby and Joan Hall or bring their own blankets and deckchairs. It is a wonderful social occasion but one that would be even better if we had a real bandstand.

Such an addition would provide a tremendous attraction in the Wellhead Gardens and even enhance its appearance and our deputy mayor, Councillor Helen Powell (Bourne West), is now urging the trustees of Bourne United Charities which administers this very popular open space to give the idea urgent consideration and allow a bandstand to be built in time for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations this summer.

"The atmosphere at these Sunday concerts is absolutely fantastic", she said, "and it would be ideal for the town to have a permanent venue. Last year, a lot of people said that the band should be under cover as there was no shelter for the musicians. On one occasion, it poured with rain and we were all sheltering under our umbrellas but the band had nowhere to go."

Councillor Powell has now drawn up a design for a Victorian style bandstand and is currently testing public opinion. Materials, tradespeople, master craftsmen and designers, would all be local and she is taking advice on the structure from conservation experts at South Kesteven District Council.

The bandstand would measure 30 feet across to ensure there is plenty of room for the musicians, their instruments and music stands. The height to the eave would be 12 feet and the roof a further 12 feet. It is envisaged that the main structure will be built from wrought iron for the railings, pillars and frame standing on a brick built base with a glass fibre roof. A blacksmith has already advised on suitable materials and the cost is estimated at £20,000 but it is hoped that local businesses will contribute through direct donations or sponsorship.

Councillor Powell added: "This information will be presented to Bourne United Charities once it is complete. Every year we have marvellous brass bands visit the town and play wonderful concerts and this would be a permanent fixture for the people of the town and visitors to enjoy and it could even be used by schoolchildren for occasional concerts and recitals. I hope we can achieve this as it would provide a wonderful legacy for the community for generations to come and a commemorative acknowledgement to what our Queen has given us, namely sixty years of devoted service."

A final decision now rests with the trustees of BUC but the signs are not favourable. At their meeting on Thursday 29th March 2012 they raised a number of concerns that may have put an end to the idea. A letter was later received by Councillor Powell outlining these objections saying: “The provision of a bandstand is a good idea in principle. However, the trustees have major concerns regarding its siting, ownership, insurance and construction funding, none of which they would be willing to take responsibility for. The trustees also raised concerns about possible vandalism and misuse of the structure.”

In a statement to The Local newspaper (April 6th), the vice-chairman, Dr Carl Pears, expanded on this. “We do not know how relevant the project is for modern Bourne and the fact that it might only be used two or three times a year”, he said.

The chairman, Trevor Hollinshead, did however hold out one ray of hope. “The idea has not been dismissed yet”, he told the newspaper. “We look forward to Councillor Powell coming back to us having addressed the issues when we meet again.”

By May, a total of £11,000 had been pledged, which is more than half of the total cost, scaffolding equipment and hard core for the construction had also been offered as well as legal help to draw up a business plan from fellow councillor David Mapp (Bourne West), who is a conveyancing solicitor, a formidable start for a worthy cause. "I am delighted that so many people are behind this", said Councillor Powell in an interview with The Local newspaper (May 11th). "It is amazing that everyone feels the same about Bourne having a bandstand."

THE TRUSTEES SAY NO

A decision was finally announced by the trustees of Bourne United Charities in July and the answer was no. A statement from the clerk, Mrs Gail Clingo said: "The trustees feel that the provision of a bandstand in the town is a good idea in principle. However, they have expressed their concerns regarding its ongoing maintenance and possible misuse. Following further discussions and consideration of letters received from members of the public and residents of Bourne, the trustees have made a unanimous decision that it would not be appropriate to site such a permanent structure in the Memorial Gardens."
Chairman of the trustees, Dr Carl Pears, said in an interview with The Local newspaper (July 6th): "We responded to what we felt the public wanted."
Undeterred, Councillor Powell, now Mayor of Bourne, intends to continue her fight to bring the project to fruition. "The trustees just do not understand the project and the benefits of it", she said. "It will be a place where people will congregate together and will enhance the town. We have got to move into the next age and this decision has made me more determined than ever."

REVISED JULY 2012