Porthallow is a small fishing village on the east coast of the Lizard peninsula to the south of the Helford River and between the two neighbouring villages of St Keverne and Roskorwell
1883 – May: Porthallow Band newly formed. (Cornish Telegraph 24th May 1883)
1883 or 1888: “The Rival Bandsmen of Meneage or He Who Collars a Man and Gets Knocked Down is Rightly Served” was the heading in the Cornishman newspaper when reporting an assault case heard at the West Kerrier Petty Sessions. Roughly what happened was that there was a festival held in St Keverne when the Porthalla Band was engaged to provide the music. St Keverne Band had usually played at this event, but not this time, although several of their members turned up for a day out. The Lizard Band had had the nerve to bring their instruments but was not allowed to perform. During an interval, whilst the Porthalla players were having their tea, Richard Jose, John Tiddy and Mr Chiddock of Lizard Band were laughing together and jeering at the members of the other two bands. William Scobie of St Keverne Band remonstrated with them upon which Jose grabbed him by the collar. Scobie floored him with a punch to the side of the head rendering him unconscious for several minutes. That was the end of fracas and at the subsequent court session the case was dismissed and each party had to pay their own costs, estimated at being not less than £3.” (Cornish Telegraph 24th May 1883 / The Cornishman 1888 / JB)
1883: The Rival Bandsmen of Meneage: further newspaper report on the case. (12 July 1883 – Cornishman)
1891: Porthallow Brass Band enlivened the proceedings. (09 July 1891 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1902: Porthallow Brass Band played during the day. Lloyd’s signal station was ablaze with coloured lights, and rockets were discharged. (21 August 1902 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
It is possible that the following item indicates the disbandonement of Porthallow Brass Band. John Brush seems to state that it was active to 1902. However, Phillip Hunt, researching the Cornish Studies Library archives, indicates that it was a few yours later.
1907: It has been decided to form a Band for the parish of Manaccan, and Mr Edwin Nicholls, late bandmaster of Porthallow Band, has been appointed the leader. (10 January 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
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.
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