Resurrecting lost features
Birmingham Botanical Gardens: Bandstand
Reviving a local landmark
The site of Neville Chamberlain’s first public speech as Prime Minister has been restored to its former glory following a six-month programme of careful conservation work.
This Grade II-listed bandstand sits within Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Grade II*-listed grounds. Lost original features have been reinstated, including the colour scheme; extensive repairs included work to the roof and lead, timber, brickwork, mouldings, gold finials, and acoustic screen.
Extensive historical paint analysis by Crick-Smith revealed the bandstand has been redecorated up to 18 times. Further examination identified the earliest and most significant scheme, which dates back to 1874, as a two-tone treatment of dark blue/green with a dark red, both in lead-based oil paints – common during the Victorian era.
The restored bandstand has been named The Peter Sowerby Bandstand, following a substantial donation from The Peter Sowerby Foundation.
A venue for the local community
The transformation took place following a 12-month fundraising campaign that raised £138,000. Sympathetic adaptations, such as new steps, will provide public access for the first time.
The bandstand will be used as a platform for live music, weddings, other events, such as heritage and horticultural tours, and as an all-weather outdoor space for school groups.
" The bandstand looks stunning and we’re absolutely thrilled with the quality of the restoration work, which takes it back to its heyday, when it was first designed by distinguished Birmingham architect FB Osborn. It is a real testament to the expertise of the conservationists who went over every inch of the structure, used historic documents and drew on their expertise to restore it to how it looked when it was first unveiled almost 150 years ago.
This local heritage gem will be a fantastic space for musicians and events. We’ve no doubt our visitors will appreciate the work that has been done to ensure it is safeguarded for another 50 years and beyond.
"
Liz Frostick, development director at The Peter Sowerby Foundation
Project Team
- Client: Birmingham Botanical Gardens Trust
- Architect: Donald Insall Associates
- Specialist paint analysis: Crick-Smith
- Main contractor: Reynolds Conservation Ltd
- Cost consultant: PMP Consultants
- Structural engineer: Mann Willaims
With funding from:
- The Peter Sowerby Foundation
- The Garfield Weston Foundation
- GJW Turner Trust
- 29thMay 1961 Trust
- Loppylugs & Barbara Morrison Trust
- Feeney Trust
- Grimmitt Trust
- Limoges Trust
- George Henry Collins Trust
Project specs
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