‘Don’t demolish our bandstand’ (From Basingstoke Gazette)

‘Don’t demolish our bandstand’

2:43pm Thursday 9th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(2)

A DECISION to remove a popular bandstand building from Vigo Road in Andover has hit all the wrong notes with residents, who turned up to protest about the decision at Andover Councillors’ Forum.

The meeting, the best attended for some time, was held just three days after the news about the proposed removal of the vandalism-hit building was revealed in the Andover Advertiser.

“The building was given to the people of Andover so why haven’t the people of Andover been asked for their views?” said town resident Paula Deverill.

“I have had so many people ring me up – it has been amazing. The people of Andover should have been asked.”

Last week the council revealed to the Advertiser, by email, that the decision had been taken by Romsey councillor and leisure portfolio holder Caroline Nokes – but the decision had not been reported back to Andover councillors.

John Barrell, chairman of the Andover History and Archeological Society, said: “We have discussed this matter and are extremely concerned.

“The building was provided as a gift by Alderman Lovell in 1930 and it is a familiar landmark.

“If we allow it to be demolished then vandalism appears to have won the day.”

Other residents questioned the borough council’s openness and accountability and asked why the matter had not been minuted.

Councillor Chris Lynn said the matter would be taken back to the leader of the council.

“None of us has heard about this so we will take it back and get a proper report to see what is going on,” he said.

The birds, mainly budgerigars that lived in the building, have long since gone to “good homes”.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(2)