Friends of Birkenhead Park

Music in the Park

Musical performances were part of the Park’s function right from the start, although they greatly diminished by the latter part of the 20th Century. The Boathouse was said to have been Paxton’s idea of a bandstand. However in 1885 a circular cast iron bandstand was erected in Lower Park with regular weekly evening brass band performances in summer.

This was replaced in 1929 by a more ambitious bandstand which was demolished in the post-war period. Music in the Park gave Birkenhead one of its greatest days - in 1917 the Welsh National Eisteddfod was held in the Park and was attended by the Prime Minister himself, David Lloyd George. He is said to have even chosen some of the hymns to be sung.

Music at various events continues to be heard in the Park though maybe not as sedate as once once!