Snowdown Colliery Welfare Band from Kent hopes to play their part in reviving further interest in brass band concerts at one of London's most famous bandstands when they perform at the recently refurbished Hyde Park Bandstand later this year.
Their invitation came from Laura Plumptre, one of the leading supporters of the Friends of Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens, who have been trying to bring back the sound of brass bands on a regular basis to a venue that was once one of the most sought after in the country.
Doodlebugs
Originally built in 1869, it stood in Kensington Gardens before being moved to Hyde Park in 1886, where its octagonal roof was renowned for giving particularly good acoustics for an open air venue.
In the heyday of summer brass band tour engagements the likes of Foden's would perform twice a day to large crowds — even during the Second World War, although according to Harry Mortimer, he recalled being more worried about the sound of V1 doodlebug V1 rockets than any misplaced entries!
The bandstand also played host to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers in their 1935 film 'Top Hat', although during the last 25 years or so brass band concerts declined due to cuts in the parks entertainment and performance budgets.
They are hoping to bring back brass bands on a regular basis and it's a fantastic venue, just a stone's throw from the Royal Albert HallSnowdown Colliery Band MD, Andy Collins
Great honour
Now, Snowdown Colliery Band MD, Andy Collins hopes that the trend will be reversed. "The invitation came out of the blue,"he said. "Laura Plumptre lives locally to us and is a great supporter of the arts, so to get a personal invitation through her was a great honour.
They are hoping to bring back brass bands on a regular basis and it's a fantastic venue, just a stone's throw from the Royal Albert Hall."
Others to follow
He added: "Hopefully the weather will be fine on Sunday August 12th and we can attract a big audience. We are all looking forward to a great experience and to hopefully lead the way for others to follow."
