The lost bandstand of Paisley has been found, dug out beneath a demolished pets corner.
Generations of Buddies had no idea there was a bandstand in Barshaw Park.
And now it has opened up hopes the town can have an amazing outdoor peformance space - just like the successful Kelvingrove in Glasgow’s West End.
The concrete and brick structure of the natural amphitheatre was so vast that workmen in the 1960s just covered it over rather than ripping it out.
Town councillors axed the beautiful stage building because it was being vandalised.
The site became Nature Corner and pens and walling have just been demolished because it had become unsafe.
Now people are urging Renfrewshire Council to bring the site back from the dead and get a new covered stage put up.
Hundreds of people could watch live shows and music events from before the First World War.
And local Kay Mathieson said: “I didn’t know this was there.
“It would be amazing - imagine Paolo Nutini opening it with a park bandstand gig!”
A mini digger has been carefully scraping back dirt and debris from the many rows of concrete terracing.
The sloping site is among the highest in the park, giving a dramatic view over the town.
The bandstand opened with the park in 1912 after 55 acres of land had been gifted to Paisley Burgh Council by the wealthy Arthur family.
A highlight was a special concert in 1952 for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth.
In their wisdom the council decided in August 1967 that it had to go after repeated vandal attacks.
Paisley Burgh Council bought the 55 acres of Barshaw from the Arthur family in 1911 and the park was officially opened in June 1912.
The grand stage structure had full facilities and performances could take place in the rain.
The original fence still surrounds the site and bushes that would prevent people from watching shows for free are
still there.
For decades it was a popular pets corner and home to animals including sheep and donkeys, but it was shut in recent years after a drop in visiting familiies.
After the old terracing was revealed, Lyndsay Mcknight said: “Wow, that is amazing. They really should do something with it like Kelvingrove.”
Kelvingrove and Queen’s Park in Glasgow both have money-spinning events at their bandstands.
The original Kelvingrove building was saved and restored, but in Queen’s Park there is a simpler covered structure which replaced the old full stage.
A spokeswoman for the Friends of Barshaw Park said: “The hedging and perimeter planting will remain in place, the fence will be repaired and the area secured.
“There are no immediate plans or funding for the future of the enclosure, but perhaps creating a multi-generational outdoor activity and events area would be good use of the space when plans and finances can be arranged.”
Renfrewshire Council has been asked for comment but failed to do so many hours later.
Download the FREE Renfrewshire Live app now for all the latest news, features and sport in your area. Available on both Android and Apple. Download here:smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocial
