Nonsuch Theatre Limited: At the bandstand: 80 years of story
Nonsuch Studios is proud to announce funding for a brand new community heritage project funded by Historic England’s Everyday Heritage grant programme, celebrating working class histories. At the Bandstand: 80 years Story focuses on bringing the history of The Meadows and The Bandstand to life.
This project is about bringing the memories and histories of Nottingham’s finest Art Deco Bandstand, at the Victoria Embankment, back to life. Built in 1937 on land given to the local community by Jesse Boot, the Art Deco bandstand was a space that was used and celebrated by the local people of Nottingham. In recent years, the bandstand became disused and has fallen into disrepair and suffered damage from vandalism, having been restored to its former glory more recently, Nonsuch are excited to celebrate the history of this space. Working with a local artist facilitator, community groups will reimagine what the bandstand can be used for and contribute to a legacy exhibition that maps the history of the Art Deco bandstand.
The team, along with community members will seek to investigate, discover and catalogue the social history of the bandstand, its surroundings, and the people who used to frequent it - mapping the histories of who performed at the Bandstand, and the people who gathered together to take in performances on summer evenings and weekends.
The project will include sessions for Bandstand Archivist group, masterclasses for research group with local historians and researchers, the collection of oral histories and historical artefacts, photographs and stories and a 1-day event At the Bandstand- co-produced with Bandstand Presenting History group.
Edward Boott, CEO and Artist Director says…
“It’s amazing to have been given the support of Everyday Heritage Grant to continue working with the communities of The Meadows to explore and celebrate the great cultural asset of the riverside bandstand. Following on from the Nonsuch on Trent Festival which took place during 2021 during social distancing but still welcomed thousands of people from near and far to the bandstand - we saw first hand the huge demand for activity to happen at the bandstand and the importance it has to the local communities.”