Scarr Bandstand lies in a natural amphitheatre, on Forestry England land, secluded but close to the hamlet of Sling, and just a mile from the town of Coleford in the Forest of Dean. It is an ideal and unusual venue for outdoor summer events such as concerts, fetes, activity days and private parties.
After falling into disuse in the late 1980s, the historic Scarr Bandstand is now restored and used by and for the local community and visitors, with a vibrant summer season of brass bands, choirs, theatre, jazz, blues and other entertainment.
Come to an event – or just come and have a picnic. The site is always open. There is parking a couple of minutes’ walk from the Bandstand arena, and disabled parking right by the Bandstand on performance days.
Thank you to Forestry England for their continued support, enabling Friends of Scarr Bandstand charity to manage the Bandstand for the benefit of the local community.
What the visitors say….
“I congratulate the Friends committee on a superb summer of events. This venue has a great future.”
“Thank you for all your efforts to make this beautiful, unusual and very “forest” music venue come alive again – well done all of you”
“Really lovely local event – myself and my children 14 and 4 plus dogs thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you”
“I was only going to stay an hour as it was so hot but the welcome I got and the great bands meant I stayed for three of the four bands.”
“Dead interesting to discover the Scarr Bandstand. Thanks for organising the event”
“What a fantastic achievement with the bands event on Saturday. Really outstanding. I know the audience and bands loved every minute of it.” Roger Deeks, Forest Musical Landscape Project
“It was such a well run event, hosting four brass bands in a few hours! Thank you to the team for hosting us and inviting us – the band had a lovely time playing to a great crowd.” A W Parker (Drybrook) Band
…and from West Dean Parish Council
“It has been a delight for us at West Dean Parish Council to see the Scarr Bandstand evolve into an important event venue in the last few years. West Dean Parish Council was involved right from the start of its rebirth as a bandstand, and we continue to provide support, but councils can do nothing without strong community involvement, and we are proud to give our backing to a great community with great ideas doing great things. We’re looking forward to some wonderful entertainment this summer at “The Scarr”.
Join the Forest Lottery and help us raise cash
Here’s a way to support the Scarr Bandstand, buy some unusual Christmas or birthday presents, and possibly even win some money!
The Forest Lottery, backed by the Forest of Dean District Council, gives you the chance to directly support Friends of Scarr Bandstand – and the chance to win in the lottery.
For each £1 ticket sold via the Friends lottery page:
https://www.forestlottery.co.uk/support/friends-of-scarr-bandstand
the Friends will directly receive 50 pence to help our objectives
The downloadable leaflet gives further information.
Thank you for your support and good luck!
