Revamp of 'much-loved' bandstand in castle grounds
Stephen Craven/GeographWork has begun on a £600,000 refurbishment of Clitheroe Castle's bandstand.
The project will see the Lancashire attraction's bandstand repainted, its stage resurfaced, new lighting installed and its tiered steps repaved; railings, benches and pathways throughout the castle grounds will be replaced or resurfaced.
It is the latest phase of a £2.3m investment in the castle by the site's owners, Ribble Valley Borough Council.
The steel and timber bandstand was built in the 1970s as a replacement for the original structure which was destroyed by a fire.
Claire Sutton / Ribble Valley Borough Council Stuart Hirst, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council's community services committee, said: "The bandstand is a much-loved structure in the castle grounds and has hosted many concerts over the years, and we are delighted to be behind its refurbishment."
Improvements to the grounds include work on a multi-use games area and skatepark, and the installation of an outdoor gym on the former tennis courts.
As part of the refurbishment, the crumbling stonework of the castle's 800-year-old will also be repaired.
Clitheroe Castle's Grade I-listed keep dates back to the 12th Century and originally stood at the centre of a vast estate owned by the de Lacy family.
The castle and grounds remained in private ownership until 1920, when it was bought with money raised by public subscription to create a memorial to 260 soldiers from the town who died in World War One.
The bandstand has hosted numerous concerts and carol services over the years, and every summer it hosts the Last Night of the Proms, featuring the Clitheroe Town Band.
It is hoped the restoration work will be completed in time for this year's Proms performance on 22 August - although the official reopening is scheduled for next spring, when the programme of works at Clitheroe Castle are expected to be completed.
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