Links at Whitley Bay
LINKS Bandstand, Whitley Bay - The bus route terminus at the southern end of Whitley Bay Links was once referred to as the "Bandstand" stop and many older residents will remember the bandstand positioned nearby.
Not the first bandstand, there had been a stand there from the turn of the century.
Speaking in July 1910, Councillor W Dowling recalled that Whitley and Monkseaton U.D.C. had tried to establish a recreation ground in 1895, 1898, 1900, 1902, and 1909.
They had failed to buy the grounds of both Whitley Hall and Whitley Park Hall and Rockcliff rugby ground had been too expensive.
Now he was proposing that they enclose the southern end of the Links, establish shrubberies, replace the temporary bandstand, lay out bowling greens, and perhaps a tennis court.
There was some opposition to the scheme on various grounds but the Bandstand was built.
The official opening was held on Coronation Day, 22nd June 1911.
Local schoolchildren, led by the Percy Main N E R Silver Prize Band and the Newcastle People's Hall Brass Band, marched down Whitley Road and back up the Promenade.
Upon arrival at the Links the opening ceremony was performed by Sir James Baxter Ellis, Lord Mayor of Newcastle. He had been bringing his family to the coast for forty years, and thought it was now much improved.
However, the Front was too naked, they needed to plant thousands of trees for shelter. It had beautified Newcastle, and he thought of Whitley Bay as Newcastle-by-the-Sea. The Bandstand lasted until the 1950s, but the rest of the recreation ground was never built.
If anyone has further information ask for Local Studies on 0191 200 5424 leave a message at any branch of North Tyneside Libraries.
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Weather for Whitley Bay
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
