The Performance Space and Water Staircase
Description
There has never been a bandstand in Lowndes Park. In the 1920s, after Chesham UDC leased the Lower Park as a public recreation ground, a circular paved area with rose arbour was constructed in the middle of the Lower Park between The Avenue and Skottowes Pond. Steps with an arbour led down from the space to the pond and a smaller flight of steps led up to The Avenue. The Silver Band played concerts on the site. In 1970, a fountain was added to the centre of the performance area and the steps were converted to a water staircase. These features no longer operate. A programme of concerts is held on the performance area throughout the summer season.
Current condition
The water staircase was decommissioned due to vandalism and is fenced off to prevent access. The performance area has a crazy paving surface that is uneven and is not covered, so wet weather can cancel performances. The area is not accessible by wheelchair and there is a dearth of suitable seating.
Future Plans
The successfull Comunity Spaces bid will fund the refurbishment of this site..
News & Events
The Friends are moving the weekend working party to the second Sunday of the month and the next one will be on Sunday 12 February. We hope to be pruning roses, weeding the beds and then take a look to see if the snowdrops we have planted over the last few years are coming through. We meet at 10am in the Archena Garden which is next to the Temperance Hall in Church Street.
The Friends are hoping to plant around 30 native tree saplings in the Wildlife Area at their working party on Sunday 8 January. They have been donated by the 10th Chesham Guides and were given to them by the Woodland Trust. The varieties of tree include Holly, Wild Rose, Hawthron, Hazel and Dogwood.
We would like to thank Helena Mills who raised £570 for the Friends of Lowndes Park in memory of her good friend Ben Cargill. Over the course of the last summer she took part in not one but three triathlons. Please click on the title for more details and picture.
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