Description

Formed in 1912.

Villages such as Brailes, Ilmington and Halford supported a band and were indeed often engaged to perform in Shipston for carnivals and fetes. There was obviously a groundswell of opinion in the town that Shipston ought to have a band.

The Stratford Herald in March 1912 reports that a committee had been formed to begin raising funds to enable a band to be formed. Around the same time William Holman a former military bandmaster, moved into the town and during a conversation with Frank Parsons, a local auctioneer and something of a wag, he accepted a bet that in the space of six weeks he could train a band from scratch fit to march through the streets of Shipston.

Six weeks passed by and on Thursday, 16th May, 1912, Shipston Band gave its first public performance. Using an ingenious system of numbers, William Holman had managed to teach his raw recruits a march and a waltz. The band lined up 19 strong and marched up West Street along Darlingscott Road and down Sheep Street returning to the Square, pausing on route to play their waltz on each street corner. This, so the story goes, proved too much for most of these inexperienced bandsmen and by the time the band had returned to the square only William Holman and the drummer were still playing. Nevertheless William Holman was adjudged to have won his bet and the band has been in existence ever since.

Description

Jephson Gardens is a beautiful formal Victorian park in the centre of Leamington Spa. It's the perfect place for a relaxing stroll or family picnic. Lots of colourful flowerbeds and interesting sculptures make for a great day out.

The gardens are open every day from 8am. Closing times vary between 4pm and 9pm depending on the time of year. See entrance gates for current closing times.

There are multiple car parks nearby, some of which are free and other are pay and display.

as well as the bandstand, facilities in the gardens include...
Glasshouse - interesting tropical plants, goldfish pond and observation beehive
The Aviary Café – beautiful Victorian tea pavilion
Jephson's event venue – weddings, conferences and celebrations
Leam Boat Centre - boating in Mill Gardens
The Sensory Garden - taste garden, mirrored arch and colourful planting
East Lodge - art studio run by Leamington Studio Artists
East Lodge Garden - beehive with insect-friendly planting and gazebo from Chelsea Flower Show
Trees – around 140 species of native and non-native trees
Formal flowerbeds - colourful summer and winter bedding displays
Explore the sculpture collection and find the rhino, dragon and hedgehog
Watch ducks and geese on the lake
Play area in Mill Gardens

Jephson Gardens,

Leamington Spa,

Warwickshire,

England,

CV32 4AA.