About the Bandstand

Background

In March 2021, a local musician, Stephen Williams, had three ideas: how to honour the NHS, key workers, and volunteers who have helped us through the pandemic and how to remember those who have lost their lives; and how to create a much-needed, new, open-air performing venue in the heart of Dorking.

Joined by two friends, Nick Wright and Tony Earnshaw, and with the support of several councillors, the group formed a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to realise this vision.

Location and nature of the venue

The site in Meadowbank Park, in the centre of Dorking, was chosen for its good access with parking and facilities nearby. This also provides a further focus to the park, which has seen a number of new developments by Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) in recent years, including a new playground, a skate park and a café.

Even “conventional” bandstands come in many shapes, sizes, and configurations and are increasingly used for a wide variety of purposes, as our research showed. The pandemic has also seen their use increase dramatically as people seek outside but protected spaces in which to perform and hold their activities.

Dorking had its own Edwardian bandstand until it was demolished in the early 1960s. We have used a similar style, but incorporating modern technology and features to enable the wider uses to which bandstands are now being put, from music to drama, sports to promotion and beyond.

“Music in Meadowbank”

Since its completion, one of the main uses of the bandstand has been a series of free, Sunday afternoon concerts, running in the summer from May to September. These are mainly acoustic performances – jazz, brass ensembles, wind bands, small orchestras, folk singers, choirs, etc.—designed for a wide variety of audiences, including families with children.

The bandstand is also available for other events during the week and for a limited number of larger, full-scale commercial performances.

To book the bandstand, please get in touch with our events officer using the events contact form.

Technical information for performers and users

The bandstand is about 8 metres across the sides of the octagon; it has been built with access ramps on four of the eight sides. Currently, it has a temporary electrical supply, but work is in hand to create a permanent supply as well as ambient roof lighting.

Controlled vehicular access across the park is available, with main car parking in St Martin’s Walk car park. For more detail on practical issues, please contact our events officer using the “events” contact form.

Costs and Timescale

The project cost around £260,000 in total. This included building the plinth, buying and erecting the structure, and providing initial funding for running and maintenance. Going forward, running costs will be covered by the sponsorship of concerts and collections. We received grants of £20,000 from MVDC and just under £210,000 from Your Fund Surrey, as well as donations from benefactors, to whom we are very grateful. They are listed on our funding pages.