Description

2nd Section Band.

The Cinderford Band was formed in 1879 and is proud to have given a service of music to the community in Cinderford and District for more than one hundred years.

History and traditions of the band very often have shown repeated involvement of families, father and sons, brothers and sisters and also husbands and wives.

The late James Jones and brother Evan, both conductors, worked extremely hard before the 1900s creating the band from its original form as a Drum and Fife Band with assistance from the late Mr. Sirers who also conducted and trained the Band.

The band was helped at this time by aid from the Volunteer Service and rehearsals took place in a wooden hut on the Seven Stars Green.

During 1880 - 1890 many local competitions for Brass instruments and voices took place with concerts and public appearances becoming most popular.

The Contest and Competitions arena made great progress in the 1880 - 1890s especially in the North of England, which acted as a spur to the band.

The first National Contest took place at 'Crystal Palace', London in the year 1860. In 1906 Cinderford Band was invited to take part and despite the horrendous transport difficulties, travelled the breadth of the country to achieve an amazing 4th place.

The band still retains the engraved certificate which recognises this momentous day. This success started a profusion of brass playing in the Forest of Dean area.

Description

Scarr Bandstand lies in a natural amphitheatre, surrounded by the woodland of the Forest of Dean. It is an ideal and unusual venue for outdoor summer events such as concerts, fetes and activity days.

After falling into disuse in the late 1980s, the Scarr Bandstand is now being restored, thanks to support from the Foresters’ Forest Landscape partnership, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the West Dean Parish Council and is available again for community events.

Close to the ancient market town of Coleford, Scarr Bandstand lies on the outskirts of a hamlet called Sling, on land now run by the Forestry Commission.

There is parking a few steps from the site.

On the B4228,

near Sling,

Coleford,

Gloucestershire,

England,

GL16 8JA.