Latest news with #FriendsofStonehousePark
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Stunning Scottish park home to historic landmark that once stood in Glasgow
A historic bandstand that once stood in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park has been restored to glory in a scenic South Lanarkshire park A once-forgotten piece of Glasgow's heritage has been brought back to life in the rolling countryside of South Lanarkshire. Overlooking the lush Avon Water valley and framed by the towering remains of an old railway viaduct, the bandstand at Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park in Stonehouse has been fully restored after a £250,000 community-led campaign. Nestled in a dramatic natural amphitheatre, the ornate structure is now a proud centrepiece once again, and few know it once stood in the heart of Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Live reports. The intricately detailed bandstand was originally built for the 1911 Scottish Exhibition of Natural History, Art and Industry, which drew nearly ten million visitors to Kelvingrove Park. The exhibition included everything from boat trips on the River Kelvin to an aerial railway, a scale Highland village and now-controversial displays of people from Lapland and West Africa. Following the exhibition, the bandstand was purchased by the Fourth District Council and relocated to Stonehouse, where it was officially opened in 1924. The park went on to become famous for another reason too, its enormous chute, said to have been the longest in Scotland. Local historian and Friends of Stonehouse Park committee member John Young, 58, has spent years researching the bandstand's remarkable story and leading the restoration efforts. 'It's one of the iconic features of the village,' said John. 'It stands out. It's set in the Avon valley, overlooking the River Avon and the old viaduct.' He added: 'Folks would come from all over Lanarkshire to come to the park, because not only did it have the bandstand, it had the longest chute in Scotland. Through the thirties, there were always four figures there at weekends during the summers. It must have been quite the sight in those days.' The restoration, which uncovered intricate ironwork long hidden beneath layers of old paint, has sparked a revival in the park's fortunes. 'It was only when it was restored that we realised the detail in the metalwork,' said John. 'There are cherubs and a lion's head and all these other things we hadn't seen because they were buried under 100 coats of paint over 100 years. It looks outstanding.' Much of the funding came from windfarm-linked community benefit funds, and the bandstand finally reopened in May 2023. Although some work is still ongoing, including rendering at the base, the site has already begun hosting live music and events once more, often with large and enthusiastic crowds. 'There has been a revival in the park over the last ten years,' said John. 'Like so many parks across Scotland, it was getting run down. There wasn't the money there from the council.' Now, Friends of Stonehouse Park runs all events in the park, with live performances returning to the bandstand — from gigs to community celebrations. 'There were a good few hundred at an event last week, and folk are already saying that it's amazing and that we should be doing more for it,' John added. 'Where it is at Stonehouse, it's in a natural amphitheatre. It's a great place to play music and to see music.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He believes few people know there was another bandstand in Kelvingrove Park before the one currently hosting big-name acts such as Elbow, Public Image Ltd, Billy Ocean and Teenage Fanclub this summer. 'You can see what an impetus live music has given the current bandstand at Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, and we're trying to do the same in a rural setting,' he said. 'It looks magnificent, and there's no finer setting to see music.' Recent performers have included Glasgow-based Spanish rock band Clay Rings and Ewan McFarlane, former frontman of Grim Northern Social, with all gigs free to attend. The Friends have also launched a food tent to raise further funds and secured an additional £300,000 to restore the park's old pavilion into a café. Meanwhile, the bandstand is being woven into the life of the village, from gigs to craft sessions during the Stonehouse Art Trail.
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Stonehouse Gala events kick off with fun-filled football night
The gala football night was hosted by Royal Albert FC and saw over 100 kids, from primary one to secondary school pupils, taking part. Stonehouse Gala events officially kicked off with a fun-filled football night at Tileworks Park. The gala football night was hosted by Royal Albert FC and saw over 100 kids, from primary one to secondary school pupils, taking part. Every player taking part received a medal while there was also the chance to tuck into hot dogs, juice and crisps served by gala committee volunteers. Unfortunately the bad weather put pay to the second event of the week - the first gala colour run which was postponed on Sunday. However, the Friends of Stonehouse Park annual duck race will be held on Wednesday, June 4, at 6.30pm. The judging of the best decorated homes will take place on Friday, June 6, before gala day itself on Saturday, June 7. More details on all the activities are available on the Stonehouse Gala Day Group's Facebook page.
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Music festival taking place at landmark Stonehouse bandstand
Bandstand Beatz takes place on Saturday, May 10, and is organised by Friends of Stonehouse Park and Avondale Radio The historic Stonehouse bandstand will be filled with the sound of a range of music as it provides the spectacular stage for a community festival. Friends of Stonehouse Park and Avondale Radio are teaming up to run the Bandstand Beatz event on Saturday, May 10, showcasing a host of talented local musicians – and with organisers saying 'tickets are flying' for the free event. It takes place at the century-old bandstand in the town's Alexander Hamilton memorial park from 1pm to 7pm, during what is the park's centenary year. Organisers promise 'a fantastic line-up of local talent [on] an afternoon packed full of performances from Ewan MacFarlane, Clay Rings, Ciaran Whyte, Pilgrims Society, Mairs Family Band, Megan Black, Ellijai, Broghan, Amy Louise and Ross Smith'. Visitors are asked to try to reach the event on foot due to the limited parking for the Lawrie Street park, and can bring picnics or sample the Park Pizzas on offer. READ MORE: Marathon sisters raise thousands for charity with London double success The historic B-listed bandstand was renovated and brought back into use two years ago after a decade of work by the park's volunteer Friends group to have it painstakingly restored, including successfully applying for £230,000 of grant funding. A focal point of the park, it had fallen into disrepair in the 1980s and had not been used at all in more than 20 years due to its then-unsafe condition, before the major renovation including dismantling and reconstructing the main structure, restoring the roof and metalwork with a new support structure and rebuilding brick base walls. It was originally built at Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow for the major 1911 Scottish exhibition of natural history, art and industry; and the bandstand was moved to Stonehouse to become a focal point in the new Alexander Hamilton park for its opening in May 1925. Now a second landmark project is underway at the Stonehouse park during its 100th year with the renovation of its other original structure, the Alexander Hamilton memorial fountain. Workers are currently on site repairing and cleaning the fountain in a comprehensive £50,000 restoration funded by a grant to the Friends group from the renewable energy fund distributed by South Lanarkshire Council. The project – which includes renewing the fountain's railings, painting them to match the restored bandstand, rebuilding a brick wall and installing a new plaque – is due to be completed in time for the anniversary of the park being gifted to the people of Stonehouse by businessman and former local resident Alexander Hamilton on May 30, 1925. Friends of Stonehouse Park committee member and local historian John Young previously told Lanarkshire Live: 'This funding will allow us to retain a historic landmark which recognises the opening of the park, and enable us to bring the community together in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the park being opened. 'The bandstand restoration showed what we can do as a community if we put our minds to it – it was a massive community effort and looks incredible and it's great to see it being used again.'
Daily Record
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Stonehouse Arts Trail puts talented residents' skills in the picture
Creative residents are teaming up to showcase their crafts and share skills on a unique visitor trail across the area. Stonehouse is getting set for a wondrous weekend showcasing the artistic talents of residents – ranging from paintings and pottery to jewellery and sculptures, as well as giving visitors the chance to try out some new crafts. The village is hosting a fee community art trail on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, with clever creatives exhibiting their work at 11 varied venues around the area and one in neighbouring Glassford, and even running hands-on workshops for fellow locals. Colourful trail maps are available online and at participating venues including cafes and community hubs. while organisers hope that this year's inaugural arts celebration will go on to become an annual event. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today The creatives taking part include artists Brian Finnan and Claire Biggar; Kith and Kin potter Lesley Yule and her distinctive quirky creatures and sea-life inspired pieces; crafters from Wonkyheart Glass and Thistle Felts; laser engraver Lindsey McMurtrie; and Glassford's Alan, Louise and Hazel Mairs who create jewellery, linocuts, paintings and prints. Picture framer Peter Ramsay will demonstrate techniques and allow visitors to his workshop to try their hand at the craft, while artist Roda Young is offering the chance to try pyrography on wood or leather, and Friends of Stonehouse Park are running children's workshops at the historic bandstand to 'create artworks of the park and its fantastic vistas across the Avon Valley'. Graphic designer John Young will showcase his paintings on slate, wood and materials found on shorelines and riverbanks, as well as his creations for previous village projects 'including a full-size great white shark' of which he adds: 'Everyone should have one in their garage!' Community groups are taking part, with Sally Pyper's craft group based at the Auld Cross social enterprise cafe showcasing slates, personalised ornaments and jewellery made by members at their weekly Monday sessions; and Stonehouse Men's Shed inviting visitors to see the creations made in their workshop and enjoy their backyard garden featuring flowers, fruit trees, vegetables, beehives and a pond. Mental health charity Trust Jack foundation, which hosts a number of interest and support groups at its King Street base, will also be using community garden space for both a showcase of young writers' creative talents and for members of the 'knit and natter' group to create woollen flora and fauna. The Brewbarn cafe and farm shop will also be using its picturesque surroundings to feature the work of photographer Les Hoggan and artists Jenny Parry and Garry Owen during the special two-day event. A photography competition is also taking place to celebrate the art trail, asking participants to submit their own original landscape photos of Stonehouse 'to highlight talented local photographers and the beauty of the village and surrounding countryside'. Entries close on May 9 with the winning shot being displayed at at the premises of sponsors Castle Estate Agency during the weekend and framed by Picture Framer (ML); with full details available on the Stonehouse Arts Trail page on Facebook. Running from 10am to 4pm on both days, the innovative art trail is being sponsored by Stonehouse Business Association and brings together both full-time artists and amateur enthusiasts to share their skills and inspire fellow locals aiming 'to inspire others to explore their own creative talents or get involved in our rich cultural community through the many musical, drama or dance organisations thriving within Stonehouse'. John Young, one of the event organisers, said: 'Artists will be opening their garages, sheds and gardens for the Stonehouse Arts Trail, inviting residents and visitors to view the art of sculptors, potters, glassmakers, pyrographers, crafters, photographers, illustrators and painters and be inspired. 'Some exhibitors will be selling their art whilst others will be simply participating to share their creations with the public. The event aims to increase awareness of community organisations providing creative opportunities in our village and encourage greater awareness of artists working in our communities.' He added: 'This initiative follows the success of similar events throughout Scotland, inspiring visitors to discover new talents they didn't know they had – it's the first event of its kind locally and we hope it will become a regular event in the future as well as encouraging other communities to do likewise in promoting arts.' * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
