Remembering the Pier Bandstand in Weymouth

We're casting our minds back to when the pier bandstand was a hive of activity for dancing, sunbathing, swimming and much entertainment.

Sadly, this glorious structure was demolished in 1986. Although the seaward end of the structure was blown up, the amusement arcade at the entrance lived on. It was later refurbished - the original 1930s art deco style was restored complete with a brand-new restaurant. The Sea Palace Chinese restaurant was officially opened in July 2002 and the space is now occupied by Al Molo restaurant.

But for many readers the original and much larger pier bandstand still holds a special place in their hearts.

Here's what our readers remember about it after seeing this overhead photo, which was taken in August 1984. From above you can see the jetty that people would walk along to reach pleasure boats.

Richard Harris said: "What a wonderful picture, my brother and I went there for wrestling nights, and the jetty, boat trips and Portland Harbour to see the battle ships."

The pier bandstand was also a popular venue for special occasions. Reader Dee Stabb has her wedding reception there in June 1975 and Darren White's parents had theirs there in 1963.

Weymouth's old pier bandstand

Steve Reynolds remembers the pleasure boats and the days out they would offer.

He said: "These were the White Motorboats, two of the original boats still run from the coaling jetty steps in Trinity Street running to Portland Castle."

It would be about 2s 6d in the 1960s for a trip to see the warships in Portland Naval Base, John Clarke recalls.

For Sue Hogben, swimming off the pier bandstand played a large part of her childhood.

She said: "Where the canoes are on the right is where we used to have our swimming lessons from St John’s school."

And Steve Reynolds still has some certificates from these swimming lessons, he said. Another St John's School pupil Judy Acreman says she remembers those swimming lessons well and the 'freezing sea'.

Iain Loe, took part in the swimming sessions too in 1959/60 and got certificates for 25 and 75 yards. Liz Blount was a young swimmer too and says she used to propel herself by digging into the sand when the going got too tough! Mollie Ward used to dive off the jetty when she was a youngster!

We posted this photo onto our Facebook nostalgia group, We Grew Up in Weymouth and Portland, and Verity Burgess said she loved being able to zoom in and take a closer look.

"I saw the guest house owned by my parents on Brunswick Terrace at that time and parked outside I can see my late grandma’s car (it was a two toned Honda Acclaim) and I’m sure that my grandma and mum are sat outside the house. I would have been 12 and either on the beach or on the pier at that time of year!"

Jerry Thorpe said: "I spent most of his childhood in and around this beautiful building. What a shame they pulled it down."

Dancing on the pier bandstand

For Philip Hickman the pier bandstand holds very special significance.

He said: "I owe my life to this place. My parents met there at a tea dance after the Second World War."

Patricia Hounsell remembers: "I was taken to the beauty contests there (only to observe!) and the Good Old Days entertainments back in the 50s. My big sister went to pop concerts. My husband enjoyed the wrestling matches, especially Billy Two Rivers."

Even the most unusual events were held at the pier bandstand, with Liz Blount taking part in a skipping contest there in about 1960 and Tina Collins winning a talent show there in 1968.

Poppy Butcher sang there with the Bob Newsam Band, which played there in the 1940s and 50s.

Demolition work starts on the pier bandstand in April 1986

Danielle tells us: "I used to work up there in the early 80s taking photos of people and then printing it onto a t-shirt. My dog Petra use to come to work with me too."

Brian Macdonald would be hard at work on the bandstand in the winter.

He said: "I used to work there every winter rebuilding everything for the summer. The mirror show, helter skelter, all sorts. Paul Woods was the manager."

For Carole Brackley the pier bandstand was a 'huge loss'.

She said: "It should have been properly maintained and still be the amazing part of the seafront it was .. a huge loss .. who doesn't love a pier?!"