Bandstands - History, Decline and Revival by Paul Rabbitts
British Summer Time
at Digby Memorial Church Hall
Tickets
Event Details
Paul Rabbitts began his career as a landscape architect in Jersey, then working at Carlisle and Middlesbrough Councils, and then as Head of Parks at Watford, before working on restorations such as multi-million pound park restoration projects to small scale community projects and designing private gardens. Paul has real passion for the wonderful legacy of our public parks and the bandstands that often used to sit within them and in many cases still do. This talk is on on the history of the Bandstand, from their origins in the mid-18th century to their heyday during the Victorian park making era, and their subsequent decline post WW2. Feedback from those who have heard Paul suggests he is an amusing and knowledgable speaker. He has developed the ultimate database of bandstands in the UK, and also campaigns for the restoration and preservation of these wonderful examples of Victorian architecture. To that end Dorset Gardens Trust has donated towards the restoration of the bandstand in Sherborne Pageant gardens, and Paul will take those interested to have a closer look. Copies of his book "Bandstands - Pavilions for Music, Entertainment and Leisure" will be available to buy.
We are a conservation charity working to protect the county's many historic parks and gardens for future generations.
We work with garden owners and local and national bodies to highlight, protect and encourage the conservation and restoration of designed landscapes, ranging from stately homes to public parks, cottage gardens to cemeteries. Principally funded by over 500 members, we run visits, lectures and events where members can share their interest and knowledge in a sociable atmosphere.
Through its research and recording programme, the Trust undertakes and supports research on sites of historic interest, including sites that the Trust has rediscovered, as well as on other related topics. We share knowledge through our Journal and also seek to inspire the gardeners of the future through imaginative projects with schools.
