Stourbridge park bandstand in £3m tune up

The bandstand is being renovated alongside many of the parks other key features during the long awaited-revamp.

It was bought by Ernest Stevens at an auction in July 1929 and presented the park to Stourbridge Council later that same year.

Originally made by Hill & Smith Ltd of Brierley Hill, it is now being revamped as part of an overhaul at the historic park.

Chairman of the Friends of Mary Stevens Park group, Councillor Heather Rogers, said she hoped the work will lead to the bandstand being used more in the future.

The work will replace parts of the original ironwork and the Stourbridge coat of arms plaques.

The steps will also be replaced with dwarf brick walls topped with sandstone in keeping with the original look.

A new power supply to the bandstand will also be laid.

Councillor Rogers said: "I am looking forward to seeing the bandstand when it is done and I am confident that this will contribute to making the park as a whole a better place for people to come and enjoy themselves.

"Currently, it has been used for a number of local musicians to perform on a Sunday but I hope this will encourage more performers to use it in the future.

"It has the potential to be a key attraction at the park.

"It is fantastic that the coat of arms plaque will be replaced, it is a key symbol for our history in this area."

A famous photograph taken in 1957 shows The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in front of the bandstand.

Following their visit, the main park boulevard was renamed Queen's Drive.

Recently, the Grade II listed ornate gates at the entrance of the park, which had been in place since 1931, were removed for restoration to take place.

The money for the overhaul has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.

The lottery cash is also funding improvement works to the park's railings, war memorial and pool and has paved the way for a new cafe, which will serve hot drinks and light refreshments from the tea gardens area when it opens in July.

The grant will also be used for improvements to the Heath Pool, which will include a viewing platform, as well as a revamp of the tea gardens and war memorial.

The regeneration of the park is set to be complete by July next year.