Restored park bandstand to be unveiled at picnic concert

Following eight months of work on the project in Beaumont Park the restored structure will be unveiled on Sunday, June 5, at a picnic concert organised by the Friends of Beaumont Park volunteer group from 1.50pm to 4pm.

The restoration project, which received a £165,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) last autumn, has been carried out in partnership by Kirklees Council which owns the park, and the Friends of Beaumont Park.

It aimed to reinstate part of the Victorian architecture and a focal point in the Grade II listed park, which was the first public park in Huddersfield, as well as boosting efforts to restore the musical heritage of the park.

The head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber, Fiona Spiers, said: “It’s fantastic news that brass bands will play at the Beaumont Park bandstand once more and that local people have been so involved in the project to bring it back to life.”

It is hoped that the bandstand will be used by a variety of local organisations and groups for concerts, performances, poetry readings, dances and other interesting events.

Those present at the opening will be treated to music by Lindley Brass Band, the first band to have the opportunity to play under the new structure. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Beaumont Park and the money raised will contribute towards further improvements.

The project started as an idea from the Friends and has taken two years to come to fruition.

Kirklees Council Cabinet member Coun Peter McBride said last night: “The restoration project has been a huge success and has resulted in a fabulous bandstand which will offer some wonderful opportunities to fill the park with fantastic music from a variety of local bands.”

The chairman of the Friends of Beaumont Park, Peter Turner, said: “The restoration of the bandstand is the latest in a series of improvements to the park in recent years and is a testament to the ongoing cooperation between Kirklees Council and the Friends group.”

Parking for Sunday’s official opening event will be at Moor End Technology College on Dryclough Road.