The sound of music soon to return to Wisbech bandstand as £30,000 make-over gets under way

Wisbech Bandstand refurbishment, Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

Fenland District Council, Friends of Wisbech Park and non-profit company WREN have got to work on restoring the 108-year-old centrepiece to its former glory.

Repair work, funded by WREN, has begun on the bandstand’s steps and ironwork and a thief-proof roof.

Since being listed in 1983, the Lynn Road bandstand has gone from having a lead roof to a felt roof and there have also been three colour changes on the Grade II listed building.

Its posts were red in 1991, but were changed to light green nine years later. The posts will receive a lick of dark green paint once the restoration is complete.

Wisbech bandstand opening day in July 1908 (Image: Archant)

A decision to install a steel roof, rather than a lead one, was made after planners deemed that a lead roof would be a target for thieves.

“While it would be desirable to reinstate a lead finish to the roof there is a concern that such a material would be attractive to theft and given the location of the band stand within the park there is easy opportunity for it to be stolen,” said a design report to be approved by planners.

“Unfortunately the bandstand now stands in a poor condition again and is in need of refurbishment.

“The timber ceiling under the roof has holes within it where a number of boards have come away and the paint work on the ceiling is flaking off.

Wisbech bandstand steps that need refurbishing (Image: Archant)

“Paintwork to the iron work is chipped and flaking off in parts and on close inspection some of ironwork has corroded and at least one column has broken from its base.”

(WREN is a not-for-profit business that helps benefit the lives of people who live close to landfill sites by awarding grants for community, biodiversity and heritage projects).

Wisbech bandstand ceiling that needs refurbishing (Image: Archant)