At the Development Control Committee meeting on 9 January Richard welcomed the proposal to erect a bandstand in the gardens next to the library in Wallington.

Richard – who plays the trumpet with a number of local bands such as the Phoenix Concert Band (one of the SCOLA family of bands) – pointed out that he has played on many of the bandstands in south London, including those at Battersea Park, Canbury Gardens in Kingston (pictured above) and Clapham Common. He welcomed the proposal, even though the proposed bandstand was too small to take the type of 30 piece brass band or concert band he is used to playing with.

Richard said “This bandstand will be an advance in the cultural life of Sutton. Perhaps in the future we can find funding for a larger bandstand as well.”