Shanklin Town Brass Band

Rylstone Chalet, which can be found at the end of Popham Road and situated in the picturesque cliff top Rylstone Gardens, is the home of Shanklin Town Brass Band.  The Grade II listed building provides space not only for the twice weekly band practices but also the Saturday Morning Brass Academy.  At present the Chalet is in the process of being restored and once this is done the Band intend to open it up to the public and other groups.

The Band is very fortunate to have a historic Grade II listed building constructed in the style of a Swiss Cottage as its base. Rylstone Chalet is located in the beautiful cliff top Rylstone Gardens, which have been described as the most picturesque in the south of England.

A sign outside the chalet says:
"This building in the Swiss style is a good example of nineteenth century romantic architecture at the end of its period in fashion. Built at the same time as Rylstone Manor it was designed to complement a dramatic situation on the edge of rugged cliffs and a wild sea shore. The use of stone instead of wood is unusual but consistent in using a local material for an idealised peasant home."

The building is based on the design of a Swiss Cottage in the grounds of Osborne House in East Cowes, the former home of Queen Victoria. It has most recently been used as the home of the Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeology Society. Prior to that it was used as a tea rooms and cafe, and pictures from the early 20th Century show bands playing outside the chalet whilst refreshments were served from the veranda.

The chalet is owned by the Isle of Wight Council, which has leased it to the Band. STBB is responsible for maintaining the premises, and is currently looking into a number of funding avenues to ensure this happens.

The building had been unused for sometime and is in need of substantial repairs. This work is urgently needed to bring the state of the building to a reasonable level, allowing it to become a resource for the wider community. If you are interested in helping us make this a reality, and give Shanklin a much needed community resource, you could support us, either through resources, equipment, time or money.

Inside the chalet are a number of rooms, which allows the Band to have full rehearsals and provide individual tuition at the same time. It is an amazing resource, and the Band would like to share it with the local community.

Band President Dennis Wilby conducts the Senior Band inside Rylstone Chalet

RYLSTONE GARDENS
Rylstone Gardens sits on the south side of Shanklin Chine, a fissure in the cliff with plants and waterfalls that is a popular tourist attraction. The gardens are equally popular amongst Islanders and visitors alike, and have a number of exciting features - besides being the home of the Band!

With beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking Shanklin beach, Rylstone is a quiet corner of Shanklin easily accessible from the Old Village. Red squirrels, which only now exist in a few parts of Britain, can be found in the park. There is also a tribute to Elvis Presley in the north corner of the gardens, obviously continuing a musical theme in Rylstone!

STBB plays on the Bandstand, conducted by Band President Dennis Wilby

Central to the gardens - and across the park from the chalet - is a prominent bandstand. With the gardens clearing into an open-air space, surrounded by trees, it is ideal for band concerts and is easily the best venue on the Island for outside performances. STBB, along with other Island and mainland bands, regularly performs on the bandstand in the summer. The park is soon filled with deckchairs as a packed audience soak up the sound of the Band broadcasting across the gardens and beyond.

An audience listens to STBB play with Rylstone Chalet in the background

The gardens are also home to crazy golf, a cafe and the Rylstone Manor Hotel. There are steps all the way down to Shanklin beach in the corner of the gardens next to the chalet.

Page last updated 12 April 2010