c.1906 - Roath Park, Cardiff - Oh, Listen to the Band!

Back in the 1980's, I played with the IMI Yorkshire Imperial Band under a fine bandmaster named Peter Kitson. During the first band practice at the works in Stourton, Leeds, after the summer holiday break, we played a march to warm up. Peter stopped the band half way through and stated : 'It sounds like a fried-egg sandwich! . . .  (bemused bandsmen) . . . There's bits hanging out all over!' On this basis, I wonder if the comment on the postcard above is complementary or somewhat sarcastic! Peter sadly passed away in 2020 aged 84.

Roath Park. This pretty park and pleasure-ground was presented to the people of Cardiff recently by the Marquis of Bute. It lies to the north of the town, and is easily reached by an omnibus from St. Mary Street.

Roath Park was officially opened on the 20th June 1894 by the Earl of Dumfries, the son of the Marquis of Bute, on his thirteenth birthday. In December 1904 the Parks Superintendent reported: "The total amount of Capital expended to date on Roath Park is £60,461-15s-9d, and includes the cost of forming nearly four miles of Carriageway outside the Park, constructing a Lake with an area of 32 acres, Boating and Bathing Stages, Refreshment, and Dwelling Houses, Works Depot, Stables, Aquarium, Bandstand, five Shelters, and six large Urinals, etc, etc. The area of this Park exclusive of Roads is 100 acres." [1182]

The bandstand of 27 feet diameter was erected during 1903 which superceded a temporary bandstand of 1899. During Whitsuntide, May 1908, it was estimated that between 30,000 to 40,000 people visited the park in 3 days! A concert pavilion was built in 1921 and the bandstand became redundant and was relocated to the Grange Gardens during 1943. [1330]

The postcard is a Tuck's "Oilette" series card with a postmark Penarth and dated August 1906 and is held within the Penarth Dock Collection. [001]