Contesting
Not all bands enter competitions and there are some which shun the contest stage, preferring to concentrate their efforts in providing music for local events. For most players, though, contesting has always been an important part of brass banding, the reason that they spend so many hours trying to perfect their art. It provides them with the opportunity to test their musical skills against others and, of course, to bring home that silverware.
This section includes brass band contests which have taken place in Cornwall. I doubt that all are here, and there are certainly some results missing, but, over time, it is hoped that it will become a comprehensive record of all Cornish Contests.
1888
Cornwall Railway Sick Club Contest
Trevenson Park
23rd August 1888
Adjudicator: Mr H C Tonking of Camborne
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Towednack | ||
| 2 | Four Lanes Brass | ||
| 3 | Truro | ||
| 4 | Pool | ||
1888: “… Cornwall Railway Sick Club a fete was held Thursday afternoon (by permission of Captain W. Teague) at Trevenson, Pool. There was band contest, in which Mr H C Tonking, of Camborne, was the judge; Towednack won the first, Four Lanes the second, Truro…” (30 August 1888 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1888: “…but the latter were dissatisfied with the decision of the judge and left the ground without their prize money. The Pool Brass Band also competed.” (30 August 1888 – The Cornish Telegraph)
“The band contest was exceedingly good, the competitors being respectively from Truro, Four Lanes, Towednack and Pool. Mr H C. Tonking, of London, (formerly of Camborne) adjudicated and awarded the first prize of £5 to Towednack, Four Lanes taking second and Truro City band being third with £1. The judge’s decision was unanimously approved. It is to be said for the unsuccessful Pool men that their band is yet only in a state of comparative infancy, and, no doubt, their present experience will spur them on with renewed exertions and increased practice, so that, on another occasion, they may come out prize-winners.” (30 August 1888 – Cornishman)
Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)