Greensplat is a location in south Cornwall immediately west of Carthew and approximately two miles north of St Austell
1914 – July: Greensplat Brass formed. (Greensplat Band minutes – CCHS)
Greensplat Band circa 1914 (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
1914 to 1919: Renan Hancock Greensplat Band MD. (Band minutes – CCHS)
1914 circa: “WW1 interfered somewhat and Greensplat Band experienced problems with repayments on the instrument loan and so had to cease activities.” (John Brush)
1919 circa: “Immediately after that little European disagreement was resolved Greensplat Band life restarted.”(John Brush / Greensplat Band minutes – CCHS)
1919: Greensplat Band played at Gover Valley Feast. (Greensplat Band minutes – CCHS)
1919 to 1930: Greensplat Band contesting. (Contest archive) “Situated just outside the village of Bugle, for Greensplat bandsmen, contesting was an important activity.” (John Brush)
1920: unknown Greensplat Band MD. (John Brush)
1921 – August: Greensplat Band at Nanpean C of E tea treat. (Greensplat Band minutes – CCHS)
Greensplat Band contesting under Edwin J Williams and J Bassett. (John Brush)
Greensplat Band 1922 under Len Manhire (Photo: courtesy CCHS/Wheal Martyn Clay Country Museum)
Greensplat Band 1922: Jack Manhire – front row left (trombone) Sydney Manhire – back row 4th from left (no uniform) Len Manhire (band master holding cornet (Photo: Datlene Cook of Bugle)
Len, Sydney and Jack Manhire (Photo: Darlene Cook of Bugle)
1923: Greensplat Band contesting under G Attwood. (Contest archive)
1924/5: Greensplat Band contesting under W Adamson. (Contest archive)
1929: Greensplat Band at Landrake Sports. (12 August 1929 – Western Morning News)
1926: C H Baker, Greensplat Band professional adviser. (John Brush)
1926: Greensplat Band at Penwithick AFC Sports. (Greensplat Band minutes – CCHS)
1926 to 1930: Greensplat Band contesting under C H Baker. (Contest archive)
1928: S J Marriot Greensplat Band MD (Greensplat Band minutes – CCHS)
1930: Greensplat Band competed in Class A at the WEBF – Bugle. (Contest archive)
Greensplat Junior Band – date unknown (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
1930 circa to 1935 circa: Len Manhire Greensplat Band MD. (John Brush)
27th September 1930: Greensplat Band participated in the Junior Shield A (fifth tier) of the 25th National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under Charles H Baker playing In Old Vienna by Schubert.
1930: “This being a special meeting to consider the future of the band, several members attended, and after the Secretary outlined the position of the band some important suggestions were made, one that a deputation go around and invite all the old Bandsmen to rally around their own band. After some discussion a committee of two were formed to see L Manhire, N ‘tethered’, J Manhire, R Gilbert to know their exact position, as some members of the band believed they would return.”(Greensplat Band minutes 29th September 1930 – courtesy CCHS)
1930: W Manhire was elected Bandmaster for the coming season. (Greensplat Band minutes 29th September 1930 – courtesy CCHS)
1931 – 17th June: Greensplat Band played at Withiel Hospital Fete. (Band minutes – courtesy CCHS)
1931: The annual summer festival of Portloe Band of Hope was held on Sunday and Tuesday, July 5th and 7th. The preacher on Sunday was Mr. Teague, of Gorran Haven. On Tuesday the members of the Band of Hope, headed by the Greensplat Prize Band, marched through the village. Tea was provided in the U.M. Schoolroom after which a well-attended service was held in a field lent by Mr. A. Julyan. The chairman was Pastor Phillips and the speaker Mr. W. Rowse, Probus. A recitation was given by Miss Rowse, Probus. The Band gave a much appreciated musical programme. Sports and games finished a very happy festival. All the proceeds were for Band of Hope funds. (Cornish Guardian – Thursday 16 July 1931 / Nev Meek)
1931: (1) That we have the Report of Deputation. (2) Bandmaster’s position. (3) Proposed by J Grose, seconded by Wes Sleeman that the band hang together under Mr Minear (Band minutes 5th October 1931 – courtesy CCHS)
1932: F C Alford presiding. The minutes of the last meeting were read and passed after which followed a very lengthy conversation regarding the future of the band, and after some members ventilated their feelings and expressed their views the members settled down to business. (1) Mr Vincent proposed, Jabez Grose seconded, that all bandsmen holding instruments and intend playing them must report same to Bandmaster. Those not intending playing must hand them in to the Secretary. (2) Proposed by R H Lean, seconded by Mr Vincent, that all bandsmen meet the Bandmaster here in a fortnight. (Greensplat Band minutes 23rd September 1932 / courtesy CCHS)
Greensplat Band circa 1933 although the cups displayed suggest that it could be 1929 (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
Greensplat Band – date unknown (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
Circa 1935: Greensplat Band disbanded. (John Brush)
1946: “(1) Proposed by W Chapman, seconded by S Robins, that all instruments the property of the band be called in. (2) Proposed by S Robins, seconded by D Joslin that each old member of the band holding an instrument be asked to bring them to the next meeting for inspection.” (Greensplat Band minutes 27th February 1946 – courtesy CCHS)
1946: “Proposed by W Chapman, seconded by S Robins that all instruments be called in. (2) That all old members hand in their instruments on Wednesday March 6th at Greensplat Sunday School. (3) The following gentlemen be asked to act as a committee for the band: … (4) That the band [Greensplat Band] start as a new band. … (6) That we offer the G trombone to Lostwithiel Band for £10. …” (Greensplat Band minutes 6th March 1946 – courtesy CCHS)
1946: Greensplat Band re-formed.
(Courtesy CCHS)
1946: “The following resolutions were passed: (1) That seeing the band has started on a fresh beginning that we purchase a new set of books for the Treasurer and Secretary. (2) That we get instruments the band require repaired …”(Greensplat Band minutes June 12th 1946 – courtesy CCHS)
Greensplat Band marching through Bugle to celebrate the end of WWII
1947: Greensplat Band contesting under Richard Dean. (Contest archive)
1949: “(1) The meeting accepts Mr R H Lean’s resignation as Bandmaster… (2) Secretary to note where all instruments are, and each member of the band takes care of their instruments for the time being, or until next meeting is called.”
Besson cornets: T Angilley, Lewis Chapman, J Bassett, ? Bassett.
Besson tenor horns: G Chapman, G Chapman, Tony Crowle.
Hawkes baritone: M Robins.
Hawkes trombones: M Robins, D Chapman.
Boosey euphonium: Fred Lean.
Hawkes Eb bass: F Joslin.
Hawkes Bb bass: R H Lean (2)
(Greensplat Band minutes 25th October 1949 – courtesy CCHS)
1949: “(2) Proposed by F Joslin, seconded R Joslin, that as there was no future for the band, that we should disband and dispose of the instruments. (4) Proposed by R H Lean, seconded J Harper, that instruments be sold by tender. (6) Closing date for tenders 17th January [1950].” (Greensplat Band minutes 8th November 1949 – courtesy CCHS)
1950: “(3) Proposed J Grose, seconded H Barry that Mayers and Harrisons tender for instruments for £260 be accepted. (4) That £5 be given the bandmaster R H Lean, and that caretaker F H Joslin be given £3. Secretary R Joslin refused to accept. The remainder of the band funds be given to the Sunday School with appreciation. (5) Proposed L Manhire, seconded J Grose that £260 be used towards an organ fund in Greensplat Chapel…” (Greensplat Band minutes 24th January 1950 – courtesy CCHS)
(Courtesy CCHS)
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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.
If you own the copyright to any of the photographs included here then please let us know and they will be credited or removed.
If you are able to correct or update any information included here then please leave a comment.