Bandstand restoration is music to our ears

Published Friday, 15th November 2019

The much-loved bandstand in Hartlepool’s Ward Jackson Park has undergone extensive restoration and people are invited to a brass band concert later this month to celebrate its new lease of life.

The Victorian feature has been cleaned, repainted and repointed and its shutters have been repaired in a £10,000 project jointly funded by the Friends of Ward Jackson Park and local charity the Gus Robinson Foundation.

To mark the project’s completion, they have organised an hour-long free concert at the bandstand on Sunday 24 November at 2pm featuring Hartlepool Brass Band.

Ward Jackson park bandstand

George Stannard, Jane Rollo and Councillor Sue Little beside the bandstand

Jane Rollo, Chair of the Friends of Ward Jackson Park – a group of volunteers who organise family events to help attract people to the park - said: “The Friends of Ward Jackson Park are pleased that the bandstand has been repaired and redecorated and hope it will be used by a variety of musicians."

The Gus Robinson Foundation supports young people by providing financial assistance to develop their skills and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.

It also helps in the provision of recreational facilities for the public at large or for individuals who because of their youth, advanced age, infirmity, disability, financial hardship or social or economic circumstances have need of such facilities.   

George Stannard, a Trustee of the Gus Robinson Foundation, said: “The Foundation was delighted to work with the Friends on this project and it was very satisfying to use local contractors for the work who were all familiar with the bandstand and remembered when it was in regular use. We look forward to the bandstand entertaining people once again for years to come.”

Councillor Sue Little, Vice-Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “A very big ‘thank you’ to the Friends of Ward Jackson Park and the Gus Robinson Foundation for restoring the bandstand.

“They have done a marvellous job and I look forward very much to the sound of music in the park once again, which I’m sure will bring pleasure to visitors of all ages.”   

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Friends of Ward Jackson Park should contact Jane Rollo on (01429) 296949.