Godolphin Cross is a village in the civil parish of Breage, midway between Hayle and Helston
Unknown foormation date.
1855: Godolphin Teetotal Band played at engagements in Helston and Penzance. (John Brush)
1856: “The Cornwall Teetotal enjoyed their annual gala yesterday. Tehidy, one of the residences of J. N. Basset, Esq., was very readily and kindly placed at the disposal of the committee, and the teetotallers of Penzance and Truro repaired thither in great force. Early in the morning the committee, their assistants, and the excursionists were stirring in Penzance and towards nine o’clock many parties, on foot and in vehicles, were seen converging on the West Cornwall Railway Terminus, whither the Penzance band repaired in full force. Here 20 close and open carriages awaited the holiday-seekers. These were soon filled and, to the spirited strains of ‘Cheer, boys, cheer,’ the party moved off. As the train moved along the Eastern green it presented a very pretty sight. Each carriage bore its flag, with a motto appropriate to the occasion, such as Firm as oak, Built on the rock, Popular Principles, Come thou and all thy house into the ark, Temperance is the parent of virtue, The Penzance Total Abstinence Society,’ &c. At Marazion a few passengers were taken up. At Hayle 10 well-packed carriages awaited the train. One of these was occupied by the Godolphin Teetotal Band who carried their banner. At Gwinear Road the numbers were still further augmented, and at Camborne 13 more open carriages (one which was tenanted by the Camborne Band) were attached. All along the line of railway groups had collected to peep at the flying train – the agriculturist fresh from the plough or the hay-field; the miner in underground habiliments and with candle only just extinguished; the cottager’s wife, with hands snatched hastily from household work; his children, momentarily withdrawn from their gambols; and the bal-girl brown complexioned, (in spite of her comfortable sun-bonnet) healthy looking and cheerful – all shewed their interest the excursion by a smile, a cheer, or a wave of hand. When the train (which now consisted of 52 carriages, without reckoning engines and tenders) left the main line at Cara Brea and traversed the Portreath branch the sight both of, and from, the train was of very interesting description. Those at a distance saw between two and three thousand persons travelling at a rapid pace, but cheaply, and bent on the most innocent of recreations. This would be pleasant to the mind, while the eye might be gratified by the varied hues of the flags borne allot, and the ear delighted by the strains proceeding from the three sets of musicians. From the train at this juncture the landscape was certainly well worth a look. On the right hand Redruth, with Pedn-an-drea stack as a prominent object, backed by the hills stretching away towards Truro. On the left hand a slope of six or seven miles terminating with the Towans at Phillack, the high ground about St, Ives, and the elevated country near Ludgvan. Behind Carn Brea – its granite head looking somewhat sullen through the misty shower that had just touched the excursionists with its gentle hand, so gentle that they were not inconvenienced by it, and only seemed to enjoy the succeeding brilliancy the more – in front, the grounds of Tehidy with gay flags flaunting here and there amongst the trees, and the sound of more music swelling and dying away on the grateful breeze. This shews that our Truro friends have arrived. They came in 52 or 53 carriages, bringing with them variety flags and banners and Emidy’s band. At Redruth they were strongly reinforced, and the teetotallers of that town also brought their musicians with them. The monster trains discharged their swarming freight just outside the entrance to Fair field. To form a regular procession would have been of little service and have caused great trouble and delay, so along the highway the joyous throng tramped to the sound of the enlivening music. The Truro and Redruth bands and most of the excursionists had entered Tehidy park prior to the arrival of their Western acquaintances and look a circuitous route through shrubberies and grounds which led them down to the ponds and up to the back of the house. Over the lodge-gate was the Association banner inscribed West Cornwall Teetotal Association, instituted 1838 and the pretty, rustic lodge was otherwise decorated. The well dressed and well behaved crowd swept onward through the narrow avenue until the whole Park, with the antique, substantial mansion in the distance, came into sight. Here there was an opportunity of expanding, and the carriage drive was in many instances exchanged for the soft greensward. “And all the sloping pasture murmured, sown with happy faces and with holiday.” As the foremost of the walkers turned and looked back, just by the gate-way fronting the mansion, they saw the road throughout the park thronged from end. The house was shut up, but the gardens were open, and through these – along rows of the queenly dahlias and the groups of orange trees, with their golden fruit and darkling leaves – down to the ponds by the spreading beech and shady elm, the visitors merrily disported. There was abundant supply of eatables and drinkables from stalls, and, whist the bands promenaded and played, the company either walked about or sub-divided into groups, reposed and refreshed themselves during the warm mid-day. In the afternoon the people amused themselves in a variety of ways – cricket, dancing, and games of various description were engaged in. Teetotal addresses were also delivered by the Rev. Mr. Hartley, and Messrs. Lomax, Wheeler, Docton, Downing, &c. At five a return train left and its occupants arrived safely at Penzance at half-past seven; at seven a second followed and reached its destination westward at half-past nine. The arrangements of the W C R throughout were admirable. Some thousands of people were conveyed cheaply, and speedily, without the slightest confusion or accident. Whether viewed as a mere holiday or an imposing teetotal demonstration, the Tehidy monster pic-nic was completely successful for its promoters, and satisfactory to the public at large who are indebted to the Committee (amongst whom Mr. R. Matthews was foremost) for their exertions in rendering the trip agreeable and the occasion one of unalloyed pleasure.” (30 July 1856 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1856 – 29th July: The 4th Gala of the West Cornwall Teetotal Association at Tehidy Park… “Two monster trains from Truro and Penzance called at all the intermediate stations which converged into the Portreath line a quarter of a mile to the place. A procession was formed, headed by the Redruth Band followed by other bands from Truro, Penzance, Godolphin and Camborne.” (RCG 8th August 1856)
Unknown closure date.
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.
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