Red Cross Garden Bandstand now fully restored

The Red Cross Garden bandstand in Southwark has now been fully restored and is open to the public. It was officially reopened on Thursday December 11th with a special festive event.

Southwark Council used its Cleaner Greener Safer (CGS) funding to rebuild the bandstand. The CGS funding was granted to the council by Borough, Bankside and Walworth Community Council.

In total, the project cost £18,000, with its opening marking the next stage in the Victorian garden's restoration, as laid out by Octavia Hill, social housing and urban gardening pioneer.

The opening event saw visitors gather in the garden in the evening, where the bandstand was lit with candlelight. The winter festivities on the night included carol singers, wreath making, Christmas music, mulled wine and children's activities and crafts.

A brass band provided a special performance, while speeches were also delivered by Councillor Darren Merrill, cabinet member for Environment, Recycling, Community Safety and Volunteering, and Peter Clayton from the Octavia Hill Society.

Councillor Merrill said: "I am delighted that Southwark Council’s CGS funding was able to support the restoration of Red Cross Garden. The Red Cross Garden has such a rich history and importance to the community and its recent improvement of the bandstand has helped more people come and enjoy this wonderful garden. I’m sure the late Octavia Hill would be very proud of all the work done and I’m glad Southwark Council’s CGS funding has been able to support her vision." 

The Red Cross Garden was established by Olivia Hill, co-founder of the National Trust, in 1887. It was restored in 2005 by Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST). The garden was established as an 'open air sitting room for the tired inhabitants of Southwark,' offering a clean outside area in what was a poor and overcrowded region in the 19th century.

Published 19th December, 2014

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