The Bandstand  Click here to go back to A-Z page

Soon after being built in around 1904/5

Grange's cast iron bandstand, with an unusual zinc pagoda roof and ornamental ironwork, is Park Road Garden's central feature, surrounded by a small moat and seating. 

However, it didn't start off life here.  It was originally built by Harold Porritt, a textile factory director from Lancashire who came to live in Grange in 1895.  He was elected onto the Town Council and became chairman. He was a very benevolent benefactor and amongst his gifts to the town he paid for the sewerage system under the prom, and part of the prom itself.  He also provided the Tearoom and the Bandstand alongside it.

The first concert was held on Easter Monday. 24 April 1905 by Grange Brass Band with help from some players from Barrow.  J Gardner was the bandmaster and the Westmorland Gazette on 29 April reported that the crowd that assembled was one of the largest ever seen in Grange. Ye Olde Teahouse adjacent had opened the Monday before (17 April) and about 300 free teas were served to locals by Mrs Entwistle of the Mikado Tea Rooms who had rented the building. This celebration was the official opening of the Promenade and 2 large commemoration cakes were provided. [Thanks to Pat Rowland, Cartmel Peninsula Local History Society for this research]

However, there were complaints to the council by ladies about soot and hot cinders from passing steam trains ruining their dresses whilst they sat and listed to the music, so it was moved to Park Road Gardens when these were created in 1930.​   
On 6 April 1929 Besses o’ th’ Barn Band from Bury, one of the oldest and most famous brass bands, played at the opening of the Park. This was the weekend after the Easter weekend. The Bandstand was surrounded by a small moat and seating surrounded it.
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For many decades the sides of the Bandstand were glazed and enclosed - but these side panels have since gone.  It was extensively renovated in 1990, and is listed by English Heritage. There are concerts in the bandstand every Sunday during the summer – mainly brass bands, but also jazz.  

The opening concert on Easter Monday 1905 - with Grange Brass Band

Concert on the Prom - presumably with ladies getting smuts on their hats and dresses!

Postcard from 1918, with some boatmen.

Soon after being relocated to the Park

1930 Watercolour Postcard of new Park

Note the enclosed sides to the bandstand - the top photo must have been fairly early, before the trees were well established

They were still enclosed as late as the 1960s

Modern day concert in Park Road Gardens

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