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HOE BANDSTAND

One feature of Plymouth Hoe that was not replaced after the Second World War was the Bandstand.

The picture on the right was taken from Smeaton's Tower, with the Belvedere and Esplanade in the background.

It was erected in about 1880 in Hoe Park, where the bowling green now stands. 

The Bandstand on Plymouth Hoe

Eactly when it was removed to its more familliar site near Smeaton's Tower is unclear.  A large number of bands entertained the crowds here. 

The Hoe Bandstand at Plymouth, from thr Sound           The cover of the concert programme for summer 1938

For example, during the summer of 1938:-

Sunday June 5th 1938, 7.45pm - Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines, Plymouth Division, under Captain F J Ricketts, RM.

Monday June 6th 1938, 3 & 7.30pm - Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines, Plymouth Division

Wednesday June 8th 1938, 7.30pm - Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines, Plymouth Division

Sunday June 12th 1938, 7.45pm - Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines, Plymouth Division

Wednesday June 15th 1938, 7.30pm - Band of the 2nd Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment

Sunday June 19th 1938, 7.45pm - Band of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Sussex regiment

Wednesday June 22nd 1938, 7.30pm - Band of the 2nd Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment

And for the remainder of the season at 3 and 7.45pm on Sundays and 3 and 7.30pm every weekday, weather permitting:-

Sunday June 26th - Saturday July 2nd 1938 - Band of the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers

Sunday July 3rd - Saturday July 9th 1938 - Band of the 2nd Battalion, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

Sunday July 10th - Saturday July 16th 1938 - Band of the 1st Battalion, The Prince of Wales's Volunteeers

Sunday July 17th - Saturday July 23rd 1938 - Band of the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guiards

Sunday July 24th - Saturday July 30th 1938 -Band of 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)

Sunday July 31st - Saturday August 6th 1938 - Band of 1st Battalion, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Sunday August 7th - Saturday August 13th 1938 - Band of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst

Sunday August 14th - Saturday August 20th 1938 - Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines, Plymouth Division

Sunday August 21st - Saturday August 27th 1938 - The Foden Motor Works Band

Sunday August 28th - Saturday September 3rd 1938 - Band of His Majesty's Royal Air Force College

Sunday September 4th - Saturday September 10th 1938 - Band of His Majesty's Royal Scots Greys

If the weather intervened, then the concert would be held in the Guildhall and notices to that effect would be posted at The Hoe, St Andrew's Cross, The Guildhall, Derry's Clock and in Princess Square.

Sadly the Hoe Bandstand gave way to the neccesities of war.  It was removed as scrap metal and turned into warplanes, bullets or bombs. 

the Hoe Bandstand was dismantled for salvage

Instead of replacing the bandstand, a large marquee was erected on a different spot and was named the Hoe Summer Theatre.  This became the home of the innumerable band concerts that followed the end of the Second World War.

 

Copyright: Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

Page created: 19 April 2006

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