Pavilions for Music
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Bad Bandstands
So what makes a bad bandstand? My love for them is undoubted I hope. But there are bad ones out there. I have categorized them into three areas:-
- Poor or dull designs (this includes all Ollerton models as well as most modern ones);
- Poor condition (a virtually derelict bandstand is of no use to anyone no matter how historic or important - if its knackered, its a bad bandstand); and
- Poor maintenance and restoration (restored badly, maintained badly, doesn't get a lick of paint...really?)
The purpose of this page is to name and shame those responsible and hopefully they will actually do something about it. With many over a century old, we should be duty bound to look after them and there is money out there to do it and to get them continually used. Sort it people.
Please don't get me wrong too, if its on here because its an Ollerton and just plain dull and you are using it - bravo and you should be applauded, but they are really dull. When its time to replace it, take a chance. Billingham is the exception. Awful. Scrap it.
ENJOY THE HORRORS.
Treharris, South Wales
This used to be a Hill and Smith bandstand. Perhaps the English breached Offa's Dyke nicked the roof whilst the Welsh were asleep.
Treharris, South Wales
Beyond a lick of paint methinks
Billingham, Cleveland
Apparently, and I have no reason to doubt my source, this beauty (or beast) has been restored. Nice town centre!
Rugby Whitehill Rec
There are attempts to see this restored and hope they come to fruition.
Bexhill on Sea
The award winning (sic) bandstand by De La Warr Pavilion that resembles a handkerchief which needs to blow away in the wind. Utter tripe
Sparkhill Park, Birmingham
Such a shame about this one as I think it used to quite lovely but sits in a grotty but popular park. Felt roof... classy
Aldershot
A modern one which I applaud them for doing something different, but I am not a fan
Ammanford
Bins, bedding and bandstand... all bollocks!!
Locke Park, Barnsley
Now this is a great bandstand. So why is it included here? A Lion Foundry bandstand from Kirkintilloch, but check out the B&Q railings and the .... errrr... pink bases to the columns ... and this is Barnsley. Felt roof! bad !
Locke Park, Barnsley
Pink is not the colour!!
Bec Rec, Beckenham
The 'Bowie' bandstand, now listed and only included here until it is restored, which is imminent, then I can take it off.
Myrtle Park, Bingley
Brutal architecture, brutally neglected Macfarlane bandstand.
Town Centre, Bletchley
Lets all squeeze in here, plenty of room. Watch where you are putting that trombone
Bowness on Windermere
Many like this one. I don't
Brigg, Lincs
Rubbish
Castle Park, Bristol
Just crap
Burnham on Sea, Somerset
Dull Ollerton bandstand, hate them
Burnley, Lancashire
Stick a play area around it, sod the bandstand
Cannock, Staffs
Too many Santas for my likening although they do hide the thing behind it
Christchurch, Dorset
Cracking bandstand, but why paint it ALL black!!
Cirencester
Wonder how they get onto this bandstand
Cleethorpes
Crap Ollerton bandstand
Cwmbran, Wales
Pointless although better than the surrounding architecture
Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil
Barely visible in the park, needs restoring
Memorial Park, Denaby
Not another Ollerton, I don't like Ollerton bandstands
Memorial Park, Denaby
Not another Ollerton, I don't like Ollerton bandstands
Pencester Gardens, Dover
Weird, I may be being harsh here
Ecclesfield
Grim park, grim bandstand, even the grass looks grim
Jubilee Gardens, Ely
Not worthy of Ely!
Filey, North Yorkshire
Stefan posing but not sure he appreciates how bad this Ollerton bandstand is.
Gelli Park, Rhondda
Bleak, and deserves better. Definitely needs a roof in Wales.
Stair Park, Girvan
Neglected Macfarlane bandstand
Gourock
I am sure the acoustics were really good. Bandstand isn't though
Gravesend, Fort Gardens
Lovely bandstand, needs a lot of work to it though. Its looking rough
Alexandra Dock, Grimsby
Makes me want to rush over to this and whip out my Tenor Horn and bash out a military march, this is so attractive and what a setting.
Hamilton Public Park, Hamilton
Long overdue a restoration, one of the worst condition bandstands out there. Who could leave a 279 like this!
Victoria Park, Haslingden
Crap!
Haverhill, Suffolk
Another crap Ollerton one
Heanor, Derbyshire
All paths lead to this.
Henley on Thames
Ugly as ...
Queens Park, Heywood
Looks like an aerodrome hangar
Hindley, near Wigan
Image is blurred, thankfully
Bancroft Gardens, Hitchin
Doesn't deserve to be in the list but until its restored, it will stay here.
Valentines Park, Ilford
Another one bites the dust
Irvine
Speechless
West Park, Jarrow
Looks a bit knocked about.
Pershore
Another Ollerton, doesn't improve does it
Yeadon Tarn, Leeds
A tight fit... watch that Trombone! Front row seats only
Western Park, Leicester
Anti-vandal paint - no one will notice it, except the vandals
Newsham Park, Liverpool
This is a sad one. It may have been tidied up since but needs a lot of work.
Waterlooville, London
Hmmmm
Barnet, North London
Maybe its a trolley park rather than a bandstand
Crystal Palace Park, London
Paxton it certainly isn't
King Edward VII Park, LB Brent
Ollerton? I guess so
Mountsfield Park, London
Great plinth
Ponders End Rec, London
Needs chucking in a pond
Queens Park, London
A 279 and a colour scheme that does it no justice. The Jam once played on this
West Ham Park, London
Crap bandstand
Queens Park, Loughborough
Sad thing with this is that its a fine bandstand but the roof lets it down, as its not the original, and its mainly used as a hanging basket display area.
Lydney, Gloucestershire
Well, it may have been something once upon a time
South Park, Macclesfield
Another fine bandstand but needs a lot of work
Maidenhead
Hopefully washed away by now
Strood Rec, Maidstone
Came across this one when Green Flag judging and I think I liked it but looking at it again, I am not sure
Brookdale Park, Newtonheath
Utter crap, no redeeming features whatsoever
Cheetham Hill, Manchester
Neglected of Manchester, help me please
Nelson, Lancashire
Patched up and closed off. Lady Hamilton it is not!
North Hykeham
Sensitive design, lots of thought gone into this
Alexandra Park, Oldham
Fantastic park, so much heritage, but not echoed here
Oxford, in a park of no character
Clearly not designed by anyone involved in Oxford's finest buildings
Castle Park, Penrith
Neglected, even the roses are giving up
Port Talbot
Blue is NOT the colour
Radcliffe, near Bury
A jumble sale is as good as it gets
Ellington Park, Ramsgate
279 due to be restored soon
Worthington Park, Sale
Someone is going around nicking bits of bandstands, how many have we seen like this?
Stourport
Which came first? the scabby trees or the scabby bandstand?
Stratford on Avon
I don't like this one
Ponciau Park, Wrexham
I don't like this one either
Ware, Hertfordshire
Hope this one has gone
Warminster
There is a ramp there somewhere and once you find it the journey up is overwhelming. The view must be amazing
New Milton, Hampshire
A new find this year. Its stirred up the locals and I can see why? Kite? Hang Glider?