Mullion is a civil parish and village on the Lizard Peninsula: the nearest town is Helston approximately five miles to the north
Unknown formation date.
1871: Accompanied by the Mullion Brass Band. After marching on the cliffs, & the young ones again started for home. (5 August 1871 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1873: At 11 o’clock they formed a procession, wearing their regalia of the order, and headed by an excellent Brass Band from Mullion, proceeded to Ashton and Breage On returning to Porthleven they perambulated the port. (12 July 1873 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
(3rd April 1875 RCG – Courtesy Colin Roberts of Mullion)
1879: At Horse Downs tea, on Saturday, the Mullion Band was well received. (7 August 1879 – Cornishman)
1879: A concert in aid of the Mullion Brass Band was given on Monday evening. (20 November 1879 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1881: HELSTON FESTIVAL MUSIC. Shadrack answers where, like the echoing refrain of the Helston Rifle Band. Mullyon suffers the loss of its leader, Mr Samuel George, who thinks too many irons in the fire a poor thing, and while engaged in training horses by day requires rest at night, and so has to give the training of young ideas. The Mullyon Band, consequently, has had to refuse numerous engagements, though not “skat-up!” The Lizard Band is certainly popularizing itself; but, according to a certain printed placard, issued recently, the honor of leadership falls to neither of the individuals mentioned, but to a stylish little fellow, with high heeled shoes. Shadrack has not had the pleasure of hearing this wonderful Lizard Band, but a friend of his has, and tells Shadrack that he considers them to be very good, but thinks the Lizard fog-horn would improve the Band considerably! (21 July 1881 – Cornishman)
1887: A vocal and instrumental concert given in aid of the local Brass Band. (16 September 1887 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: Samuel George, Mullion Brass Band MD. (John Brush)
1888: A selection with variations from La sonnambula was played on the cornet by Mr. Samuel George, the leader of the Mullion Brass Band. (26 April 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: Mullion brass Band, under the able conductorship of Mr Sam George, which rendered very valuable and appreciated service. (31 May 1888 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1894: Entertainment at Mullion. The proceedings commenced about half-past seven with an overture by the Mullion Brass Band. (8 February 1884 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1895: Welcome Home to a Cornishman. Mullion Brass Band in uniform was engaged, and met the carriages in the Helston Road, a short distance from the Lizard. (25 July 1895 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1897: A photo [unfortunately not included here] shows a smart Mullion Band, well-balanced band of ten players, consisting of 4 cornets, tenor horn, baritone, valve trombone, euphonium, Eb bass and a bass drum. (John Brush)
1898: Lizard Feast. U.M.F.C. children headed by the Mullion Brass Band. (30 June 1898 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1902: Friends of the United Methodist Free Church Society, who had engaged the Mullion Brass Band, under Mr Downing. (3 July 1902 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1902: Sports and pleasure and the accommodation of stall keepers. Mullion Brass Band was in attendance, and rendered good music, and plenty of it, and attracted very large concourse of people. (24 July 1902 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1902: Mullion Brass Band was in attendance during the afternoon. (21 August 1902 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
(9 April 1903 – Cornishman – courtesy Colin Roberts of Mullion) / (30th July 1903 Cornishman – courtesy Colin Roberts of Mullion)
13th August 1903 Cornishman – courtesy Colin Roberts of Mullion)
1903: Mullion Band contesting. (Contest archive)
1904: The teachers and children having formed in procession, headed by Mullion Brass Band, under the conductorship of Bandmaster T Downing, marched to Breage. (18 August 1904 – Cornishman)
From the following item it would seem that Mullion Brass Band disbanded.
1907: Mullion Brass Band made its first public appearance on Christmas afternoon, when they discoursed a choice selection of music in the village. (3 January 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1907: The concert given in Mullion Reading room on Wednesday evening before a crowded audience, on behalf of the funds of Mullion Brass Band, proved highly successful. (21 February 1907 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1907: Chapel anniversary. A programme of music was rendered by Mullion Brass Band. (4 April 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1907: Scholars marched in procession through the village, headed by Mullion Brass Band. (18 July 1907 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1915: The Garrison headed the Village Brass Band, the occasion being the first time in history that a Mullion Band had taken part in a military Church … (11 June 1915 – Western Times)
1915 or soon after: Mullion Band disbanded.
2014: Mullion School Brass formed under Ben Martin. Instruments borrowed from St Ives Town Band.(Sarah Hall of St Ives Concert Band)
Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)
This collection is a part of the Cornish National Music Archive (CNMA) project to Collect, Preserve and Share our Cornish Heritage and Culture.
It is based on location as each may have had more than one band.
Our thanks go to all of the organisations and individuals, whether named or not, who have provided information and photographs for this archive.
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