Results and continuous records of the South West Brass Band Contest are not included in this paper (see individual band histories) but it should be noted that many Cornish bands have crossed to border to compete in it and it was occasionally held in Cornwall before it settled on a fixed venue. This page lists the first contest, held in 1947, and also includes two that were held in Cornwall – it’s probable that there were others.
1946
7th December 1946: The first meeting of the South West Brass Band Association (SWBBA) when nine bands attended and became founder members.
1946: SWBBA Elected Members: President: L Brookholding Dawes, Chairman: R W Davison, Vice Chairman: W E Jerwood, Secretary: J F Wilson, Treasurer: A Owers, Organiser: R H Penrose
1947
1st South West Brass Band Contest
Civic Hall, Exeter
22nd November 1947
Adjudicator: George C Cave
Eleven bands entered in two sections
First Section:
Test piece: Recollections of Meyerbeer
Bideford Borough Silver, Exeter Southern Railway & District, Kingsbridge Borough Silver (winner), Launceston Municipal, Plymouth Silver, Sidmouth Town Silver and Topsham Silver.
Second Section:
Test piece: Wayside Scenes
Axminster Institute Silver, Bude Town (winner), Okehampton Excelsior Silver and Ottery St Mary Silver.
1949
Membership had increased to 30 bands (including 14 from Cornwall) of which 18 entered the contests
1950
South West Brass Band Contest
Launceston
November 1950
Adjudicator: Dr Denis Wright
Championship and First Section test piece:
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | Truro | A W Parker | |
2 | Kingsbridge | George Cave | |
3 | Mount Charles | T Hubbard | |
4 | Bugle | W Gordon Bennetts | |
Second Section test piece:
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | Helston | C L Hender | |
2 | St Pinnock | F S J Edmonds | |
3 | Bideford Town | A J Headon | |
4 | Bodmin | W T Lobb | |
5 | Launceston Municipal | R T K Walter | |
Third Section test piece:
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | Axminster E I Silver | C E Turner | |
2 | Tavistock Town | D J Carthew | |
3 | Newton Abbott Town | E Smithies | |
4 | Dartmouth Borough | J Courtney | |
“The annual contest by the South-West Brass Bands Association was held at Launceston for the first time on Saturday. Nineteen bands competed in the Town Hall, the adjudicator being Dr. Dennis Wright. Dr. Wright congratulated the bands on their standard of play, which was higher than he had anticipated. The prize, presented by Bude Town Band for the best individual player was won by E. S. Ashton, of the Helston Band with a trombone. At a concert in the evening Dr. Wright was guest conductor, and Mr. H. Brooking-Dawes compere. The winners of their respective sections played their test pieces, while the Kingsbridge, Mount Charles, and Topsham Silver Bands played as massed bands. … During the contest Mrs. Conibear gave a silver cup to the Association for competition, and they awarded the trophy to Appledore Boys’ Brigade Band for their pluck in entering the contest. …” (20 November 1950 – Western Morning News)
1954
South West Brass Band Contest
Bodmin
6th November 1954
Adjudicator:
Championship and First Section test piece:
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | Redruth | ||
2 | |||
3 | |||
4 | |||
Third Section test piece:
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | Newton Abbot | W O Oliver | |
2 | |||
3 | |||
Third Section test piece: Tyrolean Scenes
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | Wadebridge Town | A H Dawes | |
2 | |||
3 | |||
Third Section test piece:
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | |||
2 | |||
3 | |||
4 | |||
The South-West Brass Band Association Autumn Band Contest was held at Bodmin on the 6th November 1954 (Camborne Town Band Contest programme 11th September 1954)
1970
Additional contest – the Spring Contest held at Barnstaple on the 14th March
Evening concert provided by Bodmin and South Molton Bands
1993
Final Spring Contest held
1996
Membership had increased to 68 bands
1996: SWBBA Elected Members: President: Goff Richards, Chairman: Phillip Hunt, Vice Chairman: Wesley Wilton, Secretary: Brian Elliott, Treasurer: Keith Gibbs, Trophy Officer: Ken Crocker, Executive Committee: Reg Beardon, Nigel Chadd, Cyril Pascoe, David Pilkington
A more detailed history of the Association can be found in the publication
South West Brass Band Association 1946-1996 Fifty Years of Service
A copy of this has been deposited at Kresen Kernow
Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)