Following the success of last years Young Plugged @ The Bandstand, we are running this again on 23rd June 2011 from 6pm.

If you are you a young (under 18), talented performer, and want to showcase your musical abilities with friends and peers then come and be part of Young Plugged @ The Bandstand!!

First prize this year is the chance to play at The Voodoo Lounge, at Mama Liz’s, in Stamford.

Auditions:
Acts are being invited to take part in auditions to be held at Stamford Arts Centre, Cellar Bar on Friday 3rd June or Sunday 12th June.

We’re looking for any kind of musical act; from The Beatles to Beethoven, solo or duo, or small bands. But most of all, you’ve got to have a burning passion to get out and perform.

If you are under 18 and musical, and would like to take part in Young Plugged @ The Bandstand 2011, please contact Nicky on 07738 154452 or nicky@friendsofstamfordrec.org.uk

Current projects are:

• The ‘Spend-a-Penny’ Campaign for new toilets which we hope to get built by the school summer holidays
• ‘Young Plugged’ an event for under 18’s to play live music at the Bandstand in the Summer
• Planting at the bandstand and elsewhere at the Rec.

… and anything else you would like to discuss about the Rec.

Everyone welcome!

Summary
Due to a long-term lack of capital investment and ongoing maintenance the facilities offered at Stamford Recreation Ground are limited and in a poor condition.

We desperately (!) need a toilet facility for ladies and gentlemen that includes a nappy changing station.  We are currently working with the Town Council, South Kesteven District Council, Belton Bowls Club, Stamford Skate Park Committee, Rock Tennis Club and local residents, to work up a Project Plan to achieve a new facility but would welcome your ideas and support for the project – please email us.

There were well over 200 people in attendance, of all age ranges. I took great pleasure in watching such a diverse group of people come together and enjoy this underused area so much.

We had 9 bands and solo artists, all under 18, playing to win a chance to perform at the Riverside Festival (Bob Cliffe, Jump the Void, Centre Excuse, Bass End, Amicus, Hannah Joyce, Adam Richardson, Tux-edo, Charlotte Redding), and all were of a very high standard. Each band / individual played 2 songs, some were covers but there was also a lot of material written by the bands, which was great to hear.

There were 3 judges, Andy Croft from The Cellar Bar, Kendal Mills from Stamford School, and Michael Houlihan who runs Voodoo Lounge at Mama Liz’s, along with a public vote.

The first prize went to Centre Excuse, who are a three piece band from Casterton Community College, Teddy Lewis (15), Jamie Rush (17) & Alex Rush (15). This was actually their first gig ever, and they did amazingly well. Second prize went to Bob Cliffe (13). He has played live on Rutland Radio, and was a finalist in Casterton’s Got Talent a few months ago.

Centre Excuse played The Buskers Stage at 3pm on Saturday and had the place packed out! People were 10 deep out the doors of the tent! It was a fantastic show, and the band really went down so well. I hope to see much more of them in the future as I am sure they have a successful career ahead of them.

We have for the last two years, put on a number of events as part of Love Parks Week. Below are details of what we did in 2010. If you have any ideas, or would like to be part of Love Parks Week, in 2011, please contact us.

Sunday 25th July

City of Peterborough Concert Band 3-4 pm

Organised by Stamford Arts Centre

Wednesday 28th July

Tiddlywinks 10-11.30 am

The local branch of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT)  held their Wednesday morning group for under 5’s at the Bandstand. Craft activities and singing – bring along your teddy to share your snack!

Story Time 2-3 pm

Stamford Library moved their Story Time for children to the Bandstand for a summer special!

And it doesn’t stop there! We have other events throughout the Summer, outside of Love Parks Week

Sunday 8th August

Kibworth Brass Band 3-4.30 pm

Sunday 22nd August

Swineshead Silver Band 3-4.30 pm

If you would like any more information on events, please contact Penny

]]> http://www.friendsofstamfordrec.org.uk/archives/234/feed 0 http://www.friendsofstamfordrec.org.uk/archives/193 http://www.friendsofstamfordrec.org.uk/archives/193#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:56:16 +0000 nicky http://www.friendsofstamfordrec.org.uk/?p=193 After some amazing auditions, there are 9 bands / solo acts that will be performing at The Bandstand on 1st July from 6pm.

All bands are competing to win a place to play at Stamford Riverside Festival, and 2nd prize are vouchers for Stamford Music Shop.

So, come along and show your support for these local young bands, you are guraranteed an entertaining evening.

This is a free event so make the most of it!

From the auditions 20th June

The concept behind ‘Bandstand 100′ is a simple one, this year is the 100th anniversary of The Bandstand, and one way we are celebrating this is to get as many people as possible to do a performance in or around The Bandstand.

These do not have to be master pieces, visit our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/stamfordbandstand or our Facebook page ‘Stamford Bandstand 100′.

There are already several recorded performances, including:

• our Vice Chair bouncing on a pogo stick 100 times
• Max Savage with his ukelele
• a superb rendition of Mamma Mia
• a Woman Police Officer singing  ‘If you’re Happy and you know it’
• and children singing their favourite songs!

We hope the summer will bring lots of planned acts and hopefully lots more spontaneous performances, we want everything from busking to dancing, and from poetry to performance knitting!!

The project will culminate in a huge carol concert at Christmas. We hope to sail past our target of getting over 100 people to perform at the bandstand in its 100th year! If you have an idea, please get in touch with Matt, mattswaine@hotmail.com

It was a beautiful display, and gave a great insight into The Rec.

We are very lucky to have had a new bench bought for us by The Urban Group, part of Stamford Town Partnership. As many of you who walk up Recreation Ground Road will know, sometimes a rest is needed half way up. The previous bench was rather old and not very attractive.

Have you sat on the bench yet?!

Many thanks in advance to The Urban Group!

Love Parks Week is a national event, that was held between 25th July & 2nd August 2009, across the country. It is the perfect excuse to get outside and visit your local parks, and make the most of the events that they have to offer.

This year, Friends of Stamford Recreation Ground got involved with a number of different events throughout the week. These were held in and around the bandstand on the upper rec thoughout the week:

• Junk Drumming Workshop, organised by soundLINCS and sponsored by Stamford Arts Centre
• Bandstand Busking, organised by FOSR
• Story Telling. Picture book story reading, rhymes and songs for children and their families. Organised by Stamford Library
• Building ladybird hotels and digging for worms as part of the national earthworm survey. Organised by Stamford Wildlife Watch
• Toddler Fun organised by The National Childbirth Trust (NCT)
• Stamford Museum presented a history for the Recreation Ground, an opportunity to share your memories and photographs
• Kibworth Brass Band

We are hoping to be part of Love Parks Week in 2010, and look forward to seeing you there!

For more information on Love Parks Week visit  loveparksweek.org.uk