Fitting tribute as Wallace Hartley bandstand is opened

The Wallace Hartley bandstand was officially opened on Saturday, a fitting tribute to the man the led the famous Titanic band.

Mr Hatley lived in Dewsbury before setting off on the doomed liner’s maiden voyage, which ended in disaster in 1912.

In the 1920s, his family, who lived at West Park Street, were promised that a bandstand would be built in his memory, and now thanks to the work of Dewsbury Regeneration Board and Dewsbury Area Committee, it stands in Longcauseway Memorial Gardens.

It was officially opened on Saturday with a host of bands performing.

Coun Paul Kane, chairman of Dewsbury Regeneration Board, said that despite a few teething problems, the event was a success.

He said: “There was a good turn out, the music was fantastic and Donal O’Driscoll was an absolutely fantastic compere. Everybody performed for free and they have to be thanked - as does Coun Darren O’Donavan for organising the event.”

Concertsare already being planned for the winter.

Coun Kane added: “It had to be dedicated to Wallace Hartley and members of his band. I’m glad we’re now on the map as far as bandstand tributes to him are concerned - we join two others in Australia.

“He may not have been born in Dewsbury but he lived here. In the 1920s his family were promised a bandstand and now we have delivered, nearly 100 years on.”