Help with "Bandstand" Identification please *SOLVED*

[Pennie]

I'm hoping that someone may be able to identify the domed building in this photo.  It looks like it could have been a bandstand at one time, and has now been converted to a seaside shelter.

My father appears in the photo and from his age I would think that it was taken in the 1930s.  His parents spent all their married life in Hastings.

From other photos that I have (taken at the same time), I would think this was an "extended family" day at the seaside, rather than a holiday far away from home.  One of these photos looks as if it could have been taken on a cliff-top.

Any help tracking down this location would be really great!

Pennie

[Yorkslass]

Hello Pennie,

you might want to click through this lot - loads of "vintage" bandstands.  I've started having a look, but it's going to take ages.....
http://www.satiche.org.uk/bandstands/bs-uk.htm

Yorkslass

[Roy G]

If in Sussex, the downward slope suggests it could be western side of Eastbourne, just before the coastal road rises to go up to Beachy Head.
Have also noted what could be a sign post in the distance behind the guy on the far left.  Perhaps you can get a magnification of this.
Roy G

[Little Nell]

Doesn't look like the current Eastbourne Bandstand, although that was only built in 1935.

http://www.eastbournebandstand.co.uk/about/

Nell

[Pennie]

Thanks to you all for your replies. 

I've had a look at the "vintage bandstands" website - what a brilliant resource! - but despite checking all those in Sussex and neighbouring counties I can't really see anything that matches.

Unfortunately, I can't make out anything on the signpost - well, not without some NASA-type computer imaging technology!

To me, the area doesn't look particularly built up - no parades of hotels and fancy municipal gardens, so I'm thinking that perhaps it's one of the "minor" resorts on the Sussex coast.

Still hoping that someone will take a look at the photo and go "Blimey that's ...!"

Pennie

[Flakdodger]

Definitely not Bexhill, and can't place the background buildings as neighbouring Hastings.
Good luck with the quest!
Dave

[Roy G]

Wonder whether it ever was a bandstand for it is hardly raised to give onlookers a good view, nor does there seem to be a dish shaped area for them to assemble .   The closed sides and the fixed bench seats inside and outside seem to make it a purpose built shelter against the elements rather than a place for public performances that has been converted. 

However, as you suggest, it is rather ornate for that purpose and I am reminded that there were occasions in Brighton at least, where buildings of style and character actually concealed an entrance to facilities like sewerage services.  For example, I have an illustration that shows a mock up house at the top of the cliffs in Telescombe hides the entrance to the sewerage outfall that goes out to sea beneath it.

By the way, in case you had not picked it up, the item they are all sitting on is a children's see-saw (note the unusual seat giving access from both right and left).  So wherever it was, it was near a play area and the council could afford quality equipment.
Roy G

[redwinelindy]

Is it the childrens park on the top of  West Hill, looking towards Plynlimon Road (not sure of the spelling!)
I seem to remember a shelter in the middle from my childhood

[Pennie]

Yes, you've found it - thank you so much!  It's definitely the playground and shelter situated at the junction of Priory Road and Plylimmon Road.  If you have a look at it on the "Bird's Eye" version of Multimap then all the buildings in the background match (the white building with the square bay windows on the first floor, and the other building to the left seen at an angle). 

I now know that the photo was defnitely taken in Hastings (my father's hometown) and that those pictured are very likely relatives, so can now carry on trying to identify them!

Once again, thanks to everyone for your interest - and to redwinelindy who came up trumps!

Pennie