MORE than two hundred people attended a meeting to discuss the future of Swanage’s historic bandstand.

Around £13,000 has been pledged towards restoring the 94-year-old sunken bandstand, which Swanage Town Council has previously threatened to dismantle and fill in.

A new group, Save Swanage Bandstand, was set up recently as part of the bid to save the structure.

Lead campaigner Alan Houghton, who set up the group, gave an update on the work that had been done so far, and the pledges of cash received from businesses, groups, and individuals.

Speaking at a public meeting at Emmanuel Church in Victoria Avenue on Tuesday, May 16, he declared: “We will get our bandstand back” – words which were met with applause by those assembled.

At the end of the meeting, Swanage Mayor Steve Poultney said: “We hear you” as residents and supporters made it clear that nothing short of a full bandstand restoration would be acceptable.

Paul Rabbitts, a leading bandstand expert and campaigner, outlined both the history and opportunities that bandstands present and said he was “amazed by the attendance and enthusiasm that Swanage people have shown for this neglected but loved bandstand”.

He said, providing the necessary funds could be raised to restore it – which could be as high as £100,000 – there was nothing to prevent the bandstand’s restoration.

He also said, due to the rarity of the bandstand, which was constructed in 1923, heritage lottery funding should be available for the community facility.

Earlier this year, council officials announced a proposal to fill in the sunken site if no firm plans to replace the bandstand were proposed before the end of August.

Swanage Town Band members say they want to play their part in the future strategy for the bandstand. And dozens of locals have expressed dismay at the possibility of losing the Victorian structure.

The town council says the roof of the bandstand was declared structurally unsound during refurbishment works in 2012. These refurbishment works took place to address serious storm damage that the bandstand sustained previously.

The council also says that if the sunken site is filled in, the performance area at the town's Prince Albert Gardens - where Swanage Town Band also plays - could be improved.

The band will be performing at Swanage Bandstand this summer, with dates yet to be announced.