Background
In March 2021, a local musician, Stephen Williams, had two ideas: how to honour the NHS, key workers and volunteers who have helped us through the Pandemic and to remember those who had lost their lives; and how to create a much needed, new, open air performing venue in the heart of Dorking. Early, informal consultation and publicity generated much support for the idea of creating a fl
exible, multi – use “bandstand”. Joined by two friends, Nick Wright and Tony Earnshaw and with the support of several councilors, the group have formed a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to realise this vision. Location and nature of the venue
The proposed site is in the Meadowbank Park, in the centre of Dorking where there is good access, parking and facilities nearby. Even “conventional” bandstands come in many shapes, sizes and configurations and are increasingly used for a wide variety of purposes, as the early research has shown. The Pandemic has also seen their use increase dramatically as people seek outside but protected space in which to perform and hold their activities. Dorking had its own Edwardian bandstand until it was demolished in the early 1960s. Whilst no final decisions have yet been taken on the exact size, shape and nature of the design, an emerging idea is to build a multi-use bandstand, in a similar style but incorporating modern technology and features to enable the wider uses to which bandstands are now being put from music to drama; sports to promotion and beyond. Costs and Timescale
It is estimated that the project will need around £200,000 to build the structure and provide for running and maintenance costs in the early years while a programme of events is developed.
