Last month, many braved the wind, rain and cold of our English summer to witness the reopening of Brighton and Hove’s bandstand.

For the first time in about 40 years, music returned to the Birdcage, as it is also known.

Since it closed in the 1970s, it had become increasingly neglected and many believed it would go the way of the West Pier.

But a £950,000 restoration project, undertaken by Brighton and Hove City Council last year, has seen the structure restored to its former glory.

Among the musicians playing at the opening of the bandstand was Jim Calloway.

The cornet player with the Patcham Silver Band has been playing for 65 years, including at the bandstand, after first starting his musical career as a euphonium player with Boys’ Brigade.

The retired butcher, 84, of The Ridgeway in Woodingdean, remembers the concerts being popular with everyone except his wife Betty, who refused to go to watch him play.

He said: “The concerts were always very well attended. But Betty refuses to come. I think she hears enough of me at home.

“People used to watch from the promenade but now seats are set out on the seafront to the east and the west.

Landmark

“I think the bands that played at the opening will remember it for the terrible weather.

It was bitterly cold, with the rain blowing in off the sea.”

When the bandstand closed the concerts stopped but Patcham Silver Band remained busy, with plenty of bookings, including concerts on the bandstands in Worthing and Eastbourne.

Patcham Silver Band was among the groups that busked close to the dilapidated landmark to raise funds for its restoration.

Mr Calloway said he was very happy to see it restored.

He said: “It’s a good addition to the seafront. It’s an antique now. I’m very pleased it has reopened.”

The Birdcage also holds a special place in the memories of Dawn and Tony Colburn.

Some 55 years ago, the pair had their first date on the bandstand and met there regularly during their courtship.

The couple have been married for 53 years and have four children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mrs Colburn, 70, said they were now looking forward to more dates at the Birdcage now it had been restored.

She said: “We met when I was 13 but didn’t start going out until I was 15.

“We met for our first date at the bandstand but never stayed there to enjoy the music.

We’d go off ice skating, to the pictures or for a walk along the seafront.

“As youngsters we weren’t that interested in the music.

“We’ll definitely be going now, though.”

She said the couple watched in sadness as the Birdcage fell into ruin and were thrilled it had finally been repaired.

She added: “We had seen it go to pot, which upset us. To see it renovated is lovely.”

The bandstand may have been an eyesore for some during the years it lay in disrepair but for some it never lost its beauty.

Long-term city resident Alice Proctor applied to the council to get married there.

She said: “In my adult life I have enjoyed the bandstand, and I even contacted the registrar in 2000 to ask if it could be used as the venue for my wedding.

“I don’t think the registrar understood because at that time it was considered only a glorified public convenience.

“I have heard that the bandstand has been suggested for wedding use now, so I hope some lucky couples will get to enjoy it.”

She added: “I grew up in the streets around the bandstand, having lived in Oriental Place, Bedford Square and Western Street.

“One of my fondest memories of the bandstand was when my grandmother and my grandfather made the journey down from Sheffield.

“They very much enjoyed a brass band concert at the Birdcage.

“I remember my grandmother sitting in a deckchair, tapping her foot along to the music.

“I am really looking forward to enjoying the bandstand once again.

“I will be one of the first to queue up there for tea and cake.”

Musician Stan Keen regularly performed at the Birdcage in the 1950s in a popular group, the Odhams Press Band.

Mr Keen said: “We loved playing on the bandstand. It was a very popular venue and we never had a dull crowd.

“We would invite someone up on stage to conduct the band. It was always fun.

“We used to play classics from Oklahoma, The King And I and South Pacific.

“I’m thrilled that bands are going to be playing there again.”

Bands will be performing at the Birdcage on Sundays throughout the summer between 2pm and 4pm.