Alan Dearling
It had been a long time in coming. The Bandstand in Centre Vale Park, Todmorden, has had an illustrious past history. It’s a splendid example of an Edwardian Bandstand and was built and opened in 1912. But it had also been badly damaged through vandalism and the deterioration inflicted by neglect. Arson in 1999 made it totally unusable. But a brave group of locals and enthusiasts, who became the Todmorden Bandstand Group, battled on steadfastly to obtain support for its repair and regeneration. And the endurance and TLC has paid off. After the metropolitan Calderdale Council had suggested demolition in 1999, the Todmorden Town Council took over ownership and working with the Bandstand Group, funding for renovation has been obtained through the government’s £17.5m Town Deal, plus a substantial contribution from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. And so, it has been re-born! https://todbandstand.org/
Following on from the well-received opening act, the Todmorden Community Brass Band, the eclectic, gaily-clad Calderdale Fantasy Orchestra performed an exuberant confection of music written and/or performed by local legendary talents. Some were born in or around Todmorden and Hebden Bridge, or lived in the Calderdale Valley. The Fantasy Orchestra is multi-talented, with a diverse array of musical instruments and lots of singers. There must have been about 50 of them at this event, wonderfully attired, appropriately ‘bonkers’!
These were the ‘legends’ whose music was performed by the musicians and singers from the Calderdale Fantasy Orchestra:
Emerson, Lake and Palmer (Keith Emerson)
Terry Logan
Geoff Love
The Lounge Society
Supertramp (John Helliwell)
Ed Sheeran
Owter Zeds (John Armstrong)
At this time in the afternoon, the park area around the newly renovated Bandstand was heaving with people. Some sat in seats provided, some brought their own, or rugs, some enjoyed picnics, many danced and sang – loudly – along with the brightly dressed members of the Fantasy Orchestra.
John Helliwell, an original member of Supertramp came to the stage and the park erupted with applause!
‘Logical Song’ live in Centre Vale Park, Todmorden with Supertramp’s John Helliwell on sax: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2024968624718320?locale=en_GB
The afternoon continued with on-the-Bandstand stage entertainment from Todmorden Nasheeds (Islamic songs); the talented, Music For The Many Youth Orchestra, and then, soulful a cappella harmonies from Vocal Highs. As the afternoon wore on, the temperature dropped. There were no drinks or food available at the park site, and quite a lot of the audience drifted away. Unfortunately, for the three mid-afternoon ‘acts’, there was not enough amplification, mics and PA on the stage to allow for much of the crowd to hear the performers, even fairly close to the stage. The organisers are a positive bunch of locals and they know that they are on a journey, a ‘learning curve’ – so plenty of food for thought for the future.
At 4:40pm, the brass-band ‘ravers’ hit the stage: Mr Wilson’s Second Liners. They are enormously popular and spread smiles, fun and frolics wherever they perform. And thankfully, there were still plenty of people in the crowd to sing along with them, to bounce, jump, cavort. Rave anthems performed with oodles of musical magic. It was energetic, joyful, lively, electrifying, and most of all crowd-involving. This was exactly the sort of show that will put the Tod Bandstand back on the musical entertainment map.
Well done to all the performers, the organisers and to the local audience!
