Bandstand
Restoration Project
Since its opening in 1891 by Tom
Thornton,
the owner and editor of the Beckenham Journal,
the bandstand has been part of the rich and
varied history of this popular park. The
structure was used by Beckenham’s Harold
Bride, the junior wireless officer on the ocean
liner RMS Titanic, to address cheering crowds in
the park and has witnessed civic and royal
ceremonies, balloon flights and flower shows
which rivalled Chelsea in popularity.
Bowie Bandstand
restoration appeal
Efforts
to restore the historic bandstand where David
Bowie performed at the Beckenham Arts Lab Growth
Summer Festival in 1969 are being redoubled
following the desperate news of his passing in
January. The Bowie Bandstand, once restored, is
planned to not only become a permanent and
fitting tribute to a superstar musician admired
and missed by millions, but hopefully a site
where future legends might also one day cut their
teeth as well.
The
Council is continuing to work closely with the
magnificent Friends of Croydon Road Recreation
Ground and other local partners to raise the
funds still needed, which has already been backed
by many supporters. You can help restore the
bandstand by making a cash donation towards the
Bowie Bandstand restoration project. Please visit
our donation page to make your
contribution via the London Borough of Bromley.
Donors will have the opportunity to leave a
memorial message and print a certificate to mark
their gift.
The
findings of the initial survey carried out in
September 2013 can be viewed here and are
estimated to be in the region of £90,000 for a
full restoration.
Sample
pictures from the survey
report
Bowie
bandstand restoration appeal
Plans for
restored bandstand:
Bandstand
plan
(pdf)
Bandstand
elevation and sections (pdf)
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