amplification. They wanted it to be vandal proof and something which, when it was locked up and left, wouldn’t look like an out of use arts venue, but something beautiful in the landscape.’ The use of corten steel was most unusual at the time, but ‘represented something rooted, earthed’, he says. At the rear of the structure is a steel door which leads into surprisingly spacious back of house facilities. Says Oliver: ‘It’s quite a Tardis on the inside, with changing rooms, make-up rooms [and] a green room. The main use in the 1990s was for classical or orchestral music, so there is space
for 100 performers to get changed. We’d like to do something to make that space more flexible, more of a multi-use space.’
For the festivals in 2021, a temporary pontoon stage was constructed by outdoor events specialists Star Live. Thanks to crowdfunding money of over £60,000, the first phase of restoration was completed in 2022, with the stage’s rotting timber replaced with new timber ready for this summer’s festivities. For phase two, architects will be appointed to adapt the structure sensitively so it can be usable all year round.