Public outcry over bandstand demolition plans
A selection of our many comments on the bandstand in Calverley Grounds.
It is set in an area with good acoustics for its positioning, and I imagine it was once a common attraction for residents and visitors alike. Just organise some events such as those held on the bandstand in the Pantiles last summer.
Annie Barnes, Rusthall
I like many am shocked that the council has decided to demolish the bandstand. If we can find out when it is being demolished we can all turn up and block the bulldozer! The council is definitely out of touch. Shame on them.
Mary Hill, Tunbridge Wells
The town must keep the bandstand.
Gilly Simpson, Calverley Park
Well, so far there have been no positive comments regarding the decision to destroy the bandstand – is anyone at the council listening to us or doesn't the public's opinion count?
Katie Randall, Rusthall
Has it really come to this, that we are in danger of losing the bandstand? I get back to Tunbridge Wells two or three times a year to see my family and Calverley Grounds means a lot to me. This is a focal point and we don't want it flattened.
Brenda Stephenson, Plymouth
It really is awful that they are planning on demolishing the bandstand. As a youth who spends many a summer day in Calverley Grounds, it is one of the few features left which makes it pretty and different from any other local park. It gives it character and it seems the council are intent on destroying the culture and history surrounding Tunbridge Wells!
LAF, Tunbridge Wells
Shame on the council. Why did the council allow the deterioration to something unique that was also used by various bands during Sunday afternoons, etc, instead of maintaining it? Does Tunbridge Wells really want to look the same as other towns?
Christine, United Kingdom
Save the bandstand.
David Scott, Tunbridge Wells
I am sure there are plenty of builders in these credit crunch times who would be glad to take on what would appear to be the simple task of restoring the structure with the £26,000 already set aside.
RDP, Tunbridge Wells
Comments
by Daniel Bech, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Wednesday, March 04 2009, 11:55AM
“I just recently saw a movie called ¿The Wave¿, ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1063669/ ) in which a school teacher influenced his pupils to an extent where the experiment went out of control when he formed a social unit with a life of its own. Here in town, the Courier has taken over ¿political leadership¿ and obviously the reporting style worked for the cause. Whose cause? The Courier¿s independent reporting was once much appreciated, but this is opinion making!
Your reporter was at the last meeting of the Royal Tunbridge Town Forum, when valid reasons were brought forward why the bandstand is rather a liability than an asset. Unfortunately all this information is missing here for people to make a judgment. How many of those having signed the petition have actually inspected themselves the object of quarrel?
Daniel Bech”