A bandstand is a circular or semicircular structure set in a park, garden, pier, or indoor space, designed to accommodate musical bands performing concerts. A simple construction, it both creates an ornamental focal point and also serves acoustic requirements while providing shelter for the changeable weather, if outdoors.
Many bandstands in the United Kingdom originated in the Victorian era as the British brass band movement gained popularity. Smaller bandstands are often not much more than gazebos. Much larger bandstands such as that at the Hollywood Bowl may be called bandshells and usually take a shape similar to a quarter sphere.
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In 1993 the Deal Memorial Bandstand was opened as memorial to the eleven bandsmen killed by 1989 Deal barracks bombing.[1] The bandstand was erected by public subscription and is maintained by volunteers.
A good example of a semi-circular bandstand is the Eastbourne Bandstand, built in 1935 to replace a circular bandstand that stood on cast iron stilts.[2] Herne Bay, Kent contains a totally enclosed bandstand with a stage and cafe area, topped with copper-clad domes.[3]
There is a very old bandstand at Horsham's Carfax, built in 1892 by Walter Macfarlane & Co at the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow, and another one in its adjacent park. It was moved slightly from its original location, to better accommodate pedestrians and then refurbished in 1978 with funds raised by the Horsham Society and with council funding. In 1992, the original design was rediscovered in museum archives and it was then restored to its original colour scheme.[4]
Scotland's many ironwork foundries and manufacturers have built bandstands throughout the United Kingdom.[5][6]
One of the most recent bandstands erected in the UK was the Langholm Town Bandstand. A very contemporary, modern design.
Some of the many other notable bandstands in Scotland itself include those located at:
The function of the bandstand inspired the names of: