1865
12th Truro DCR Fete and Band Contest
Tregullow, Scorrier
Organisers: Chacewater detachment of the 12th (Truro) Duke of Cornwall Rifle Volunteers
Monday 4th July 1865
Adjudicator: Mr Purton, Professor of Music, Plymouth
This was advertised as the 12th such event but did the previous 11 include a band contest? No reports have been found but the search continues.
Test piece: Martha (Flotow) / Own choice
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Camborne DCR | J Dunn | |
| 2 | St Day Amateurs | T Cara | |
| 3 | Truro 11th DCR | G T White | |
| 4 | Truro 12th DCR | R Pascoe | |
| 5 | Stithians | ||
| 6 | Chacewater Amateurs | J Moyle | |
1865: “Mr Purtun of Plymouth, late of the Royal Marine Band, acted umpire and awarded the first prize of the Camborne band; second to St Day; third, £3, to the 11th D.C.R.V. Truro; fourth, to the 12th D.C.R.V. Truro;…” (8 July 1865 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)
“VOLUNTEER FETE AND BAND CONTEST AT TREGULLOW. On Monday, a grand fete was given in the beautiful grounds of Tregullow, for the benefit of the Chacewater detachment of the 12th (Truro) Duke of Cornwall Rifle Volunteers. The grounds were generously thrown open for the occasion by W. Williams, Esq., and this act of kindness appeared to be thoroughly appreciated by the assembled thousands, whose chief enjoyment during the day, notwithstanding the various attractions prepared for their amusement, was in wandering about the beautifully arranged gardens and admiring the choice as well as the more ordinary specimens of floriculture which are here produced with great perfection. Nearly 6,000 persons perambulated the grounds during the day, and it may be mentioned to their credit that not the slightest injury was inflicted on either flowers or shrubs. The arrangements were entirely confided to the members of the Chacewater detachment, assisted by their chaplain the Rev. G. L. Church, who was most active during the day. … The only point where a different arrangement might have been introduced with benefit was one which did not so much affect the public as those immediately concerned, but which, nevertheless, caused considerable dissatisfaction. We speak of the appointment of an umpire to decide the merits of the various bands which performed in the chief event of the day – the band contest. There ought always to be three umpires to decide upon the merits of musical performances; but if the question of expense interfere with an arrangement of that nature, and only one gentleman be selected fur the onerous duty, he should undoubtedly be a person having no connection whatever with any of the competing bands. We do not mean to question for a moment the motives which induced Mr Purton to decide as he did, but certainly his awards astonished not only ourselves, but the majority of those present who had given the subject any attention. The contest music, which took the six competing bands upwards of two hours to perform, consisted of selections from Flotow’s opera, ” Martha,” which included the beautiful and favourite air ” the Last Rose of summer.” Surely in the performance of such music as this, taste and expression ought to go for something, but in the decision these all-important qualities appear to have been overlooked, for had they been taken into account the 11th (Truro) D.C R. must have had the first prize. The “Last Rose of Summer” was exquisitely rendered by this band; … The St. Day band was doubtless entitled to the position which they obtained — that of second place, but we doubt if even they are satisfied with the award which placed Camborne in the highest position of honour. The 12th (Truro) also played with much taste, and need not, we feel assured, be afraid to compete with the Camborne band on any occasion where proper regulations as to umpires are in force. As a young band, the I2th has attained a very satisfactory position. We would suggest that by way of allaying the discontent to which Mr Purton’s decision has given rise, the four prize bands should play before three properly qualified umpires. Let the two Truro bands challenge the others, or let the contest take place at another fete where prizes should be offered open to the county. The merits of the bands would then be fairly tested. The contest was for four prizes — £8, £5, £3, and £2 — the sole judge being Mr J. C. Purton, professor of music, Plymouth…” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Friday 07 July 1865)
1875
Truro Band Contest
High Cross, Truro
17th July 1875
Adjudicator: Mr Fly
Test piece: Own Choice
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles (St Austell) Band | William Jago | |
| 2 | Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles (Penryn) Band | ||
| 3 | Truro Town Band | ||
| 4 | Grampound Band | ||
| 5 | St Dennis Band | James Yelland | |
1878
Truro Forester’s Fete and Contest
Tremorvah
26th July 1878
Adjudicator: Mr Goold of the 32nd Regiment
Test piece: fantaisie symphonique (Hector Berlioz) & Own Choice
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Truro 12th DCR | Samuel Traise | |
| 2 | St Austell Rifles | William Jago | |
| 3 | Charlestown DCR | William Tamblyn | |
| 4 | Seworgan | ||
| W | St Dennis | ||
1878: “Oddfellows Fete at Truro. The bands entered were Truro volunteers, St Dennis, Seworgan, St Austell volunteers, and Charlestown volunteers. St Dennis band, however failed to put in an appearance; and the competition for the three prizes thus lay between the other four bands…” (9 August 1878 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
“The attractions provided consisted of a band contest cage bird, cat and rabbit show, together with Aunt Sally and other amusements. The brethren met at noon in front of the Town Hall and, after forming in procession, paraded the principal thoroughfares of the city; and subsequently proceeded to Tremorvah. The procession then headed by the Truro volunteer band; and the St. Austell volunteer, Sevorgan (Constantine), and Charlestown volunteer bands followed at intervals, some of the brethren were on horseback and in full dress; and the remainder, including the juveniles, on foot wearing the regalia of the order. Though small in number an effective display was made. On arriving at Tremorvah the brethren were kindly allowed by Mr. Smith to go through his private grounds. A halt was made in front of the house; and the band of the 11th and 12th rifles (Truro) struck up “The Fine Old English Gentleman,” with vocal accompaniment. Three cheers having been given for the worthy proprietor and Mrs. Smith the procession passed on to the rendezvous. THE BAND CONTEST. For this, the event of the day, there were four prized offered but in accordance with the rules framed by the committee, the last of these prizes was withhold, in consequence of there being only five entries. The bands entered were Truro volunteer, St. Dennis. Sevorgan, St. Austell volunteer, and Charlestown volunteer. St. Dennis band, however failed to put in an appearance; and the competition for the three prizes thus lay between the other four bands above-mentioned. The umpire was Mr. Goold, of the 32nd Regiment. Lots were drawn to decide the order in which the bands should play, and the result was: Charlestown first, St. Austell second, Truro third, and Seworgan fourth. Just after the first band commenced to play the rain began to descend, and continued drizzly with occasional heavy showers during the whole of the afternoon. In addition to the contest piece, “fantaisie Symphonique” — chosen by the umpire — each band played a selection of its own; and the music throughout despite the adverse circumstances, was exceedingly good. Within half-an-hour after the conclusion of the playing the judge made his decision known from the band- stand. He said he had not judged the bands by the way in which they played their own selections, but by the way in which they had rendered the contest piece. …” (9 August 1878 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1883
Truro Contest
Old Exhibition Ground, top of Lemon Street
6th August 1883
Adjudicator: S Mowbray
Test piece: Grand Fantasia – Field of the Cloth of Gold ” (Victor Bout) plus Own choice
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Camborne DCRV Crispino e la Comare by Ricci) | ||
| 2 | Penzance DCRV (Pirates of Penzance) | ||
| 3 | St Austell DCRV (La Son-nambula) | ||
| 4 | Truro Independent (Croix d’honor) | ||
“Band Contest. At the band contest at Truro, on Bank Holiday, the first prize (£10) was won by the Camborne D.C.R.V. band, the second by the Penzance D.C.R.V. band, and the third by the St. Austell D.C.R.V. band. The Truro Independent Band also took part, and Mr. S Mowbray, bandmaster of the 74th H.L.1., Plymouth, acted as judge.”
(11 August 1883 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)
“TRURO BAND CONTEST. For once, in fact for the first time for many years past, Truro was not a deserted city on the August Bank Hobday. It is true that nearly all pleasure seeking Truronians left the city for other places, where amusement was offered, but an equal number came in from the surrounding district, and the result was that Mr. Mark’s band contest venture was, as far as the weather would permit, a success. Some disappointment was caused by the absence of the band procession at mid-day as advertised, the management eventually deciding to send the various bands through various quarters of the town, all meeting in Lemon-street, and then marching to the field. This had the effect of collecting the people from all quarters, and all the bands meeting in Lemon- street, the body went en masse to the scene of the day’s sport — the Exhibition ground. This spot is well known, and offers great advantages for an affair of this kind, commanding a fine view of the town. About a couple of thousand people entered the field throughout the day, and the band contest were listened to with great interest. …” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Friday 10 August 1883)
1893
Truro Contest
Cricket Ground, St Clement’s Hill, Truro
7th August 1893
Adjudicator: R Willis
Test piece: Orpheus [Jacques Offenbach / unknown arranger] & Own Choice
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Illogan Reed & Brass (William Tell) | 960 | |
| 2 | Penzance Independent (Haddon Hall) | John Andrews | 940 |
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
1914
Truro Contest
St Dennis placed 1st and won specials for trombone, cornet and best player.
Harry Robins conducting St Agnes Silver Band which won a first place with horn player, Joseph Northey winning a special award.
1920
Truro Contest
St Dennis placed 2nd and won the cornet special.
1922
Truro Contest
(Truro Band)
11th August 1922
Adjudicator: J Ord Hume
Second Section test piece: Classic Gems No. 2
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | unknown | ||
| 2 | Indian Queens | ||
| 3 | Newquay | ||
| 4 | Helston | ||
Third Section test piece:
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Fraddoon | ||
| 2 | St Erth | ||
| 3 | Fourlanes | ||
| 4 | Greensplat Band | ||
March:
| Placed | Points | |
| 1 | Stenalees | |
| 2 | Indian Queens | |
| 3 | ||
| 4 | Greensplat Band | |
“Truro Town Band contest took place on Saturday, … Ten bands contested in the march, seven in the third section, and five in the second. …” (17 August 1922 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
1924
1st Truro Winter Festival
(Truro Band)
26th January 1924
Adjudicator: Lt P S G O’Donnell, Royal Marine Band, Plymouth
Open Section
Test piece: Martina (Flotow)
| Placed | Conductor | ||
| 1 | St Austell | E F Woodhead | |
| 2 | Bugle | E J Williams | |
| 3 | Newquay | G W Cave | |
| 4 | Torquay | E Perring | |
| 5 | Falmouth Town | T Beresford | |
| 6 | Four Lanes | W Floyd | |
| 7 | Penzance | N V Trudgeon | |
Second Section
Test piece: Songs of Scotland
| Placed | Conductor | ||
| 1 | Newquay | G W Cave | |
| 2 | Stenalees | W Adamson | |
| 3 | St Blazey and District | E F Woodhead | |
| Falmouth Town | T Beresford | ||
Third Section
Test piece: Daughter of the Regiment (Donizetti)
| Placed | Conductor | ||
| 1 | Newlyn East | G W Cave | |
| 2 | Penzance | N V Trudgeon | |
| 3 | St Blazey and District | E F Woodhead | |
| 4 | Four Lanes | W Floyd | |
Report: Cornishman – Wednesday 30 January 1924
1925
(Truro Band)
2nd Truro Winter Festival
Market Hall, Truro
14th March 1925
Adjudicator: David Aspinall, bandmaster of Creswell Colliery Band
Open section test piece: Maritana (Wallace)
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Bugle | W Adamson | |
| 2 | Camborne | A W Parker | |
| 3 | Torquay Town | C Perring | |
| 4 | St Austell | E F Woodhead | |
Junior section test piece:
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Falmouth Town | T Beresford | |
| 2 | Greensplat | W Adamson | |
| 3 | Hayle Town | John Tanner | |
| 4 | St Newlyn East | George Cave | |
“The second annual Bandsmen’s Winter Festival, organised by Truro City Prize Band was held in the County Cinema, Truro, on Saturday. …” (19 March 1925 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
1929
Truro (Toc H) Contest
6th July 1929
Adjudicator: David Aspinall (Creswell Colliery Band)
Open section test piece: Labour and Love (Percy Fletcher) / Own choice march or hymn tune
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Camborne Town Band | A W Parker | |
| 2 | Penzance Silver Band | J Probert | |
| 3 | Indian Queens Band | Ford Knight | |
| Hayle Silver Band | John Tanner | ||
| St Austell Town Band | E Woodhead | ||
Cornet: Fred Roberts, Camborne
Horn: L Hocking, Camborne
Trombone: John Berryman, Camborne
Euphonium: J Thomas, Camborne
(Cornishman 11th July 1929)
Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)