PLANS to restore a bandstand to its former glory went on display in an historic Huddersfield park.
About 100 people visited Beaumont Park on Saturday as the drawings for a new stand that could cost £200,000 were unveiled.
Volunteer group Friends of Beaumont Park is helping to develop plans and acquire funding for the project.
Chairman Peter Turner said: “We wanted people to come in, have a look and tell us what they think. Of the 60 or so people who completed questionnaires on Saturday, not one said they didn’t like it.”
The original bandstand, made of timber, went up in 1883 and played host to a range of music events. Its flat roof was later replaced by a pagoda-style structure, which the current designs replicate.
The bandstand is thought to have been pulled down in the 1950s after being targeted by vandals.
Mr Turner said: “What we’re trying to do is restore the park to what it looked like in its heyday. The bandstand was pulled down after being vandalised and parks throughout the country deteriorated during the 1950s and 60s due to lack of investment. In Beaumont Park a lot of things were neglected.
“Because we have got the bandstand base, we have had various covers for it and in the last two years we have been using pop-up gazebos when we’ve held events. What we’re really wanting to do is put up a proper bandstand.”
The Heritage Lottery Fund has already given the group a £19,000 grant to develop the plans. The friends are researching the musical traditions of the park by talking to local people and interviewing those who have memories of past events.
Once the development stage has been completed, a further application can be made for the money to complete the project.
If all goes to plan, the bandstand could be in place by the end of the year, Mr Turner added.
