Chairs are set out for a performance in Matlock Bath's Victorian Band Stand, or Band Kiosk as it was originally called. More often than not it was to listen to performances by the brass band, but entertainment was also provided by a group of Pierrots, local choral societies and even members of the Operatic Society during the first couple of decades of the twentieth century. The Band Stand, which was centre stage in the Venetian Fête in the 1950s and 1960s, was first lit up during the Fête of 1905 when "there was a gas illumination of the band kiosk in colours^[1]".

The Band Stand was built as a result of an application to the Local Board by Matlock Bath's Military Band; this band had been founded by Mr. Hilder in 1891 and they were to play together for 10 years[2]. In 1892 the secretary of the band committee wrote to the Local Board asking for permission to erect a band kiosk on the promenade for concerts in the evenings and a tentative permission was granted[3]. The new kiosk, erected by public subscription, was opened on the left bank of the promenade by Mrs C. A. Peters, of Guilderoy on 29 June 1893. Mrs. Peters was presented with an inscribed silver key by the Hon C. W. Trollope and Miss Lucy Sprintall, on behalf of the band, presented her with a bunch of flowers. The door was then thrown open by Mrs. Peters. The event was followed by a promenade concert, the first of very many enjoyed by Matlock Bath's residents and visitors over the years[4]. However, in 1894 the Local Board held a special meeting to discuss the issue of Sunday afternoon performances by the Matlock Bath Military Band. Mr. J. E. Lawton chaired the meeting at which a lengthy letter was read out from the vicar, Rev. Baker, vigourously protesting about the proposal. "Mr. Buxton presented a petition signed by 62 ratepayers in the immediate vicinity of the band kiosk, in favour of the innovation. The opinion of the Board was that the petition was a fair representation of the views of the residents who would be in close proximity to the band, and a resolution was adopted asking Mr. Arkwright to give his permission for occasional concerts on Sunday afternoons[5]". Unfortunately for the band Frederic Arkwright found it difficult to decide between the two differing opinions and declined to give permission for the Sunday concerts, to the great disappointment of the band's supporters. Mr. Lennox, a member of the Local Board, felt that "if it had been looked at in the right light there would have been no necessity for opposition. It would have helped to bring love and harmony into the place"[6].

The bandstand, taken from the first floor of the Parade View Restaurant run by Mrs. Elizabeth Hardstaff. Probably 1930s. There were still no protective railings on the Prom.

The Military Band wasn't the first band in Matlock Bath, nor would it be the last. As early as 1863 a band from the village competed in a brass band contest at Crystal Palace. Twenty one bands took part and the third prize, of 15l. (£15), was awarded to the Matlock Bath group^[7]. Twenty years later Matlock Bath had a Quadrille Band^[8] and shortly afterwards Mr. Barnes's Matlock Bath Orchestral Band were performing locally^[9].

In 1903 the Royal Italian Military Band performed in the village throughout the season and then extended their stay for a further two or three weeks longer than normal before heading for South Africa^[10]. This was the band that first brought Romolo Tinti, a young man from Bologna in Italy, to Matlock Bath^[11]. Its conductor was Signor Emanuele Guidi and the band was made up of nine men, playing two cornets, two clarionettes, two trumpets, an euphonium, bombardine and drums^[12]. They gave three performances here daily. Brass Band music is, of course, still enjoyed today.

But in September 1914 the Bandstand was used for a different purpose. Frederic Arkwright addressed a public meeting from its stage in support of Lord Kitchener's demand for men in a heartfelt plea to persuade more men from the locality to join up. Nineteen men from Matlock Bath had already done so and Mr. Arkwright told the assembled crowd that he had one son already at the front, whom he hadn't heard from for a fortnight, and the other was in the Derby Recruiting office; the latter was signing 1,150 recruitment forms each day. He just wished he (Frederic) were 20 or 30 years younger as he would have been amongst those volunteering^[13].

About 1900	Before 1902	About 1904-05	Before 1905	Before 1904
About 1902	About 1905		About 1915		1920s
Tufa fountain	War memorial		Road widening

References:

^[1] "Derby Daily Telegraph" 4 September 1905.

^[2] Bryan, Benjamin (1903) "History of Matlock - Matlock, Manor and Parish" London by Bemrose & Sons, Limited.

^[3] "The Derby Mercury", Wednesday, June 22, 1892. See Matlock Bath & Scarthin Newspaper Cuttings, 1892.

^[4] "ibid.", Wednesday, 5 July 1893. Matlock Bath. Public Improvement.

^[5] "ibid.", Wednesday, May 16, 1894.

^[6] "Derbyshire Times", 9 June 1894. His decision was reached mostly because of the opposition of the Wesleyans, whose chapel was almost directly opposite the bandstand. Arkwright had also received strong objections from the Church of England and the Congregationalists.

^[7] "The Derby Mercury", Wednesday, August 5, 1863.

^[8] "ibid.", Wednesday, December 26, 1883. Report of Matlock Bath's Quadrille Band playing at Fritchley.

^[9] "ibid.", Wednesday, November 17, 1886.

^[10] "Derbyshire Courier", 19 September 1903. Romolo Tinti married the same year and went with this band to South Africa (this last from family members).

^[11] "Derbyshire Times", 26 April 1940. Mr. Romolo Tinti. Death of Matlock Bath tradesman.

^[12] "ibid", 27 June 1903.

^[13] "Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal", 11 September 1914. Matlock Bath War Meeting.