A Suffolk town marked the opening of a new bandstand with a musical celebration.

Ipswich Star: Brighton singer-songwriter Chris Athorne, originally from Suffolk, performing under solo alias, Oktoba, at the opening of a new bandstand for WoodbridgeBrighton singer-songwriter Chris Athorne, originally from Suffolk, performing under solo alias, Oktoba, at the opening of a new bandstand for Woodbridge (Image: Archant)

Woodbridge Community Council (WCC) raised £45,720 for the Diamond Jubilee Bandstand in Elmhurst Park, where acts included soprano Anna Cooper – granddaughter of the late Gerry Cooper, a founding member of the community council – as well as the Woodbridge Excelsior band and Chris Athorne, also known as Oktoba.

WCC suggested a bandstand as a permanent memorial of the Jubilee in 2011. The idea for a covered metal structure was put forward by deputy mayor, Lady Caroline Blois, as chairman of the town council amenities committee. The town council also paid for delivery and installation.

County councillor, Caroline Page who gave £3,000 of her locality budget to help launch the fundraising drive, said the event was ‘truly wonderful’, adding that bandstand would be a wonderful asset for the town for decades to come.

It will be the last of WCC’s projects, which include Deben Pool and the community hall.