Romsey Bandstand
Our vibrant Romsey Bandstand has been in situ in the War Memorial Park since its opening in 1920. It was originally a timber and thatched structure which drew crowds from the local towns and villages.
Eventually the wooden bandstand had to be removed as it had become unsound, and on the 26th June 1946 Rear Admiral, The Viscount Lord Mountbatten of Burma presented a 150mm Japanese gun to the people of Romsey, following the end of WWII. It became a focal point for the park and replaced the bandstand until the 1990's.
It was at this time that a campaign was launched to restore the bandstand as the centrepiece of the park, but sadly financial constraints meant that the original request was refused. In response to this campaign, Miss Madge Saunders, offered a donation to erect a traditional bandstand in memory of her father, Mr Alfred George Saunders. Her only request was that her father's initials "AGS" were incorporated into the design. The installation was approved, and the Industrial Heritage Company ltd (Heritage Engineering) of Glasgow was contracted to create the bandstand in the War Memorial Park. The base of which is compounded of Portland Stone and Michelmersh brick, with a traditional Victorian cast-iron frame.
On the 16th August 2001 The Romsey Bandstand & Entertainment Trust was founded by councillors Mark Cooper and Jack Kemish, becoming a registered charity on 30th October of that year.
The project was completed on 23rd April 2002, and at 2pm on Saturday 27th April the Mayor of Test Valley, Jack Taylor, invited Miss Saunders to cut the ribbon and formally open the Romsey Bandstand. The Michelmersh Silver Band provided the inaugural concert and it has been a steadfast home for community entertainment ever since.
Eventually the wooden bandstand had to be removed as it had become unsound, and on the 26th June 1946 Rear Admiral, The Viscount Lord Mountbatten of Burma presented a 150mm Japanese gun to the people of Romsey, following the end of WWII. It became a focal point for the park and replaced the bandstand until the 1990's.
It was at this time that a campaign was launched to restore the bandstand as the centrepiece of the park, but sadly financial constraints meant that the original request was refused. In response to this campaign, Miss Madge Saunders, offered a donation to erect a traditional bandstand in memory of her father, Mr Alfred George Saunders. Her only request was that her father's initials "AGS" were incorporated into the design. The installation was approved, and the Industrial Heritage Company ltd (Heritage Engineering) of Glasgow was contracted to create the bandstand in the War Memorial Park. The base of which is compounded of Portland Stone and Michelmersh brick, with a traditional Victorian cast-iron frame.
On the 16th August 2001 The Romsey Bandstand & Entertainment Trust was founded by councillors Mark Cooper and Jack Kemish, becoming a registered charity on 30th October of that year.
The project was completed on 23rd April 2002, and at 2pm on Saturday 27th April the Mayor of Test Valley, Jack Taylor, invited Miss Saunders to cut the ribbon and formally open the Romsey Bandstand. The Michelmersh Silver Band provided the inaugural concert and it has been a steadfast home for community entertainment ever since.
Would you like to perform at the Romsey Bandstand?
Romsey Town Council are responsible for the bandstands bookings. If you are interested in performing, please email [email protected]
Bandstand reservations for 2026 are now closed! The dates for the 2027 season will be available later this year.
