End of era for Wisbech Bandstand’s free summer concerts as financial burden takes toll

It is the end of an era for free concerts that have been held in Wisbech Park for several years.

The monthly summer bandstand concerts, which have been a popular event in the town's calendar for the last five years, have come to an end.

The event started half a decade ago after a refurbishment project by the Fenland District Council, which saw thousands of pounds spent doing up the bandstand only for no one to use it - so a group of people came together and organised the free monthly performances.

But the financial burden of staging these musical afternoons has taken its toll.

Tom Read, one of the organisers, said funding these events has always been a problem.

He said: “We have always worked with a very limited budget and even with public donations, we have sometimes had to put our own money in to cover the expenses.

“It has become increasingly more difficult to attract new bands with such a small budget, paying them barely enough to cover their expenses. Using the same bands every year is probably why attendance figures were getting lower.”

He is ‘devastated’ that it has had to come to an end.

He added: “Everybody has enjoyed it so much, we met lots of new people, met new friends and it was good to see a mix of people go along.

“We tried to make the genre of the music suitable for everyone, and it worked as we were getting youngsters and old folks in their wheelchairs, they loved it, and all age groups were mixing quite well together – this is something we don’t see an awful lot.”

Tom said the events were a great success in the initial stages, and they have not used any public funds for it, raising their own cash.

On top of this, Tom said he has had a heart problem for a few years, and it is getting worse, so until he knows what is happening, he does not want to cause any extra stress for himself.

He said: “We have really enjoyed putting together these events over the last few years and will be sad to see it end.”

However, Tom, along with the team of organisers, may be looking into the possibility of putting on one or two special events later in the year.

The council has no current plans for the bandstand going forward, but is happy for other events and concerts to make use of it.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The summer concerts held at Wisbech Park Bandstand were organised by a third party.

“The council does not have any plans for the bandstand at present, but if other organisations are interested in putting on concerts or similar events at the bandstand, the council would be happy to consider applications.”

An application form is available on the events section of the council’s website at: www.fenland.gov.uk/organisingevents. Alternatively, contact 01354 654321.