Arboretum Days

50 years on	Arboretum Days and Band Concerts
	Arboretum (Anniversary) Days start in 1843 It is very likely that Joseph Strutt attended this open day, which took place just one year before his death in 1844.
Gas-filled Balloon Ascent Illuminations visit the Arboretum during one week 10,000 in one night
	Advertisement from Derby Mercury (August 1st 1843) Courtesy of Derby Local Studies Library
Over the next five decades there would be celebrations to commemorate the opening of the Arboretum. Steam trains would be laid on specially to bring thousands of people from all over the Midlands to enjoy this special day. Hot air (fire) balloons were a great attraction, Blundell, the Tight Rope walker of Niagara fame put on a show at one of the celebrations.	Regular Band Shows took place in the Arboretum This created a public demand for a "Modern" Bandstand" Foden's Motor Works Band Visit the Foden's Richardson Band Website perform at the new bandstand designed by Charles Aslin Live broadcasts on BBC Midlands Radio
The Arboretum turnstiles would be used to admit paying guests, with charges between 3d and 6d (old pennies) = 1¹/₄pence and 2¹/₂ pence
Top of Page	Emmanuel Jackson's Balloon Launch 1850 Note that the Arboretum Lodge is visible in the background of this image The fountain was placed here in 1846. Drawing courtesy of Local Studies Library. Later balloon launches included a launch by the celebrated Aeronaut, Mr. H Coxwell made an ascent in a gas-filled balloon "Mars" with two passengers on Monday June 24th 1861.

Top of Page	The Derbyshire Advertiser (1890) looks back 50 years to the completion and opening of Derby Arboretum: "Fifty years ago today, that gifted Arborator and Landscape Gardener J. C. Loudon F. L. S. H. S., author of 'The Arboretum Britannicum' and conductor of the Gardener's Magazine, was busily engaged in beautifying Mr. Strutt's endowment, and stocking it with the choicest specimens known to the arboriculture of the day. In September following, the inaugural ceremonies were performed, and the town rejoiced and feted, and junketed, and remained in that remarkable condition three whole days. This festival was by no means a half and half affair. It needed no pressure from the half holiday associations to induce the tradesmen to close their places of business. The people of Derby were then actuated by a spirit of unanimity, which upon say any other subject or occasion would have been absolutely marvelous. The balls and bands, the feasts and the fireworks, the dejeunera and dances, continued from Wednesday to Saturday. The excitement was intense, and for more than half a week Derby's mental condition approached that of Middlesex Bashem on his wedding morn ... an effervescence of 'delirious delight' of 'rollicking rapture'. Even the sick and ailing forgot their aches and pains, or else the prevailing tittup effected some miraculous cures; for it is on record that the during the period only one sixth of the accustomed number of out-patients presented themselves at the Infirmary for medical treatment. The people of Derby know well how to meet generosity with thanks, and the town of the Buck in the Park, which had never possessed a park wherein to trot its traditional buck, was showered upon the munificent giver must have been positively embarrassing". Copyright Christopher Harris 2002-2006
	Derby Evening Telegraph, July 6th 1933
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	Derby Evening Telegraph, July 10th 1933
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Illuminations Top of Page
	Above: The illuminations were a big attraction for many years at the Arboretum.
Photo Courtesy of Derby Evening Telegraph (1933) Top of Page
	Above: This concert in 1933 was held at a makeshift bandstand at the front of the Strutt Bowling Green. The new Charles Aslin designed bandstand was opened on May 6th 1935.
Derby Daily Express 1928 Top of Page
Top of Page		Derby Daily Express 1928
The use of a tent as a bandstand in the Arboretum, was proving inadequate for the number of concerts and quality of brass bands performing. Since 1933 a campaign for a "Modern" bandstand had been underway. This was the precursor to the Charles Aslin stand, which opened on May 6th, 1935.		Derby Evening Telegraph, September 1933
Top of Page		Left, advertisement from the Derby Evening Telegraph, June 1940. Below: the Foden's Motor Works Band at the Arboretum's new, modern bandstand, in June 1935. (opened May 6th 1935). (Conductor Fred Mortimer) Photo courtesy of Derby Parks Dept.
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*For more about the Foden's Motor Works Band, see their website by clicking* HERE Many of the band shows were broadcast live by the BBC in the Midlands This news item was published by the Derby Evening Telegraph in September 1935
Top of Page	Unfortunately interests changed, other parks offered more open space and the Arboretum eventually lost its special attraction to people from other towns. We hope that the refurbishments will bring back a greater interest, both from visitors at home and abroad.
	Return to the Procession in the Arboretum (1840)