Description

The Durham Constabulary Band came into being when the Sunderland Borough Police (whose band was formed in 1863) amalgamated with Durham County Police in April 1967.

The Durham Police Authority provided the band with new instruments in 1968. The band quickly established itself, and since then has gone from strength to strength, fulfilling engagements in County Durham and beyond. It has competed in various brass band contests at both local and national levels with considerable success.

For many years now it has been the policy of Durham Constabulary to promote and enhance relations within the community. The Durham Constabulary Brass Band forms a small but nonetheless vital part of the force community relations, working hard to strengthen the present excellent understanding between the police and the public.

In the main band members are experienced civilian band personnel from the surrounding areas with a small number of serving police officers attending when duties permit.
Rehearsals are held on a regular basis at Police Headquarters and the band, with the permission of the Chief Constable, attend parades, concerts and other engagements in the northern region. The band trumpeters are also called upon to provide fanfares for the High Sheriff and other civic dignitaries throughout the year, at important occasions within the Durham area.

Since 2004 the band has had considerable success in brass band contests throughout the region. In September 2004 the band played in the national finals of the Boosey & Hawkes National Brass Band Champions of Great Britain at the International Conference Centre, Harrogate. In June 2005 the band had notable success at the Ripon Festival - Brass in Ripon, brass band contest in Ripon Cathedral winning two major prizes and also in the inaugural Durham Brass Band Association Contest at the DLI Museum in Durham where the band won first prize and a trophy for best hymn.

Description

Not actually a Bandstand but an outdoor Amphitheatre in the centre of the park.

You can drive into the park from 8.30am to 7.00pm daily. After this time pedestrian access remains open with 24 hour access to the park.

There is limited parking for 25 cars which includes three blue badge holder bays - 50p per half hour (max stay of 3 hours)

Wharton Park is built on a hill and access for many visitors may be a problem. We have improved access to the park where possible but this is a difficult site due to the steep inclines around the park.
From the car park located at the top of Framwellgate Peth you can access the Heritage Centre with ease and use our disabled viewing area to look down on the Amphitheatre and over the park and city.
Should you wish to access the Amphitheatre and lower level of the park such as the Community Garden area, we would advise you to use the North Road ramped access point. Using this entrance will still involve an incline however this is far less steep than accessing via the upper car park.

Wharton Park,

Durham,

County Durham,

England,

DH1 4UF.