The Friends of Scarr Bandstand is a registered charity, the objects of which are to restore, maintain and improve the historic Scarr Bandstand and site in Sling, near Coleford, Forest of Dean. Scarr Bandstand lies in a natural amphitheatre, surrounded by the woodland. The Trustees organise and run an annual summer season of music and theatre events, mainly free entry, for the community in an area of social deprivation without an arts centre or dedicated theatre building. In doing so the Trustees also preserve the cultural heritage of local brass bands and enable community groups to use the site for cultural and health activities. The Friends received an Award in 2019 from the Council for the Protection of Rural England (Gloucestershire) for their reinstatement by volunteers of an historical site for community gathering. They already have a good number events planned for 2023 and their application was specifically for help with the costs of a free entry event on Bank Holiday Saturday, 26 August 2023, featuring the county-based Glevum Big Band, as part of an eight event summer season of brass bands, community choirs and professional theatre, mostly with free entry. The Trustees were pleased to award a grant of £1,000.
