July 2025 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are very pleased to report that on Tuesday 22nd, the decision was made to agree a grant from Your Fund Surrey to the  Pandemic Community Bandstand CIO of just under £210,000. This represents about 80% of the money needed to build the bandstand in Meadowbank Park, Dorking,  

It has been a very long and at times difficult journey but securing these funds means that the project can now go ahead.

There are a number of matters to deal with in the short term but we are aiming to start work very early in the autumn.

The building work itself is basically in three main phases: ground works and foundations; building a concrete plinth; finally erecting the bandstand superstructure itself. Being a very simple structure will mean that the fit out phase will be very limited. 

Many people have  kindly offered practical support and help and if you think you could help us deliver the next phase, we would love to hear from you by using the contact sheet on our website. In particular, we need help to:

    –    raise about another £22,000 from individual or corporate benefactors to complete our capital cost funding

    –    expand the team of trustees and supporters to help manage the work

    –    develop a programme of sponsored concerts for our “Music in Meadowbank”  series

    –    develop a social media strategy and presence to help us communicate to a wider audience

Finally, our thanks to all of you who have encouraged us to continue the work over the last four and a half years and have offered practical support.

Stephen Williams , Chair

On behalf of the Dorking Community Bandstand