Cornish Brass Band Contest results are recorded separately and can be found using this link

 

 

“In 1859, due to threats from France, the government formed volunteer units all over the country. Here in Cornwall was set up “Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles” and various artillery units, these last being at the major ports of the county. In this photo the band is definitely army. The nearest Volunteer Rifle unit to Gweek was Helston, who formed in 1860, but I can find no more newspaper reports on them after 1908. On the other side there was a Rifle unit at Falmouth, but they ceased to operate 1903/4. As to the band in your photo, they are wearing khaki and the probability is that this is the Helston outfit. As for the year – these volunteer units were not issued with khaki uniforms until about 1905, so again the probability is that this Sunday school event took place between 1905 and 1908.  Please remember, these comments are only educated guesses!!!”

Circa 1880: Gweek Rifle Band formed. (see following report)

1882: “Seworgan Drum. This excellent accompaniment to a band, its recent adventures, and probable future welfare, has of late been the subject of much speculation both at Constantine and Wendron. The Seworgan Band has been for some time in a state of inactivity, the drum meanwhile being in the hands of the recently formed Gweek Rifle Band. The latter, on being presented with a new drum by the Gweek Company of D.C.R.V., returned the absent article, but whether it was sold to the Gweek Band for £1 2s. 6d., as alleged, or simply loaned them till their new drum arrived, will be a matter for Judge Bere to decide at the ensuing June sitting the Helston County Court.” (1 June 1882 – Cornishman)

1882: Gweek Brass Band perambulated the village and grounds of Mr Wm Opie. (14 July 1882 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1883: Gweek Rifle Band, under the leadership of Mr Emmanuel Harris at Gweek Wesley and Band of Hope tea. (14 June 1883 – Cornishman)

1885: Gweek Brass Band marched to the Rev. W. H. Bloxsome at the Rectory. (19 June 1885 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1885: The Gweek Rifle Volunteer Band played selections of music during the day. (25 June 1885 – Cornishman)

1886: Gweek Brass Band, proceeded to the parish church. (6 August 1886 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1887: Bands Employed in the Helston District. Constantine and Gweek bands are also engaged. (16 June 1887 – Cornishman)

1887: Gweek Rifle Band in attendance. (28 July 1887 – Cornishman)

1887: Gweek Brass Band active. (John Brush)

1913: Gweek Band active with Charles Reynolds MD who was also the Constantine DCR Band MD. (John Brush)

1913: The Band of Gweek is meeting with every encouragement, and is doing excellent work. (18 December 1913)

????: Gweek Band disbanded. Possibly because of WWI.

1926: Gweek Silver Band re-formed. “Samuel John Moyle and a few other local men first discussed the possibility of forming a band. One or two of them owned instruments and they started to practise. Mr E Matthews, one of the men, had a relation in the North of England and through him the band acquired a set of instruments at a very reasonable price. They then started to recruit members with an enlistment fee of £2 (a week’s wages at the time) and lots were drawn to decide the allocation of instruments. Practices were held in various local buildings and the band made its public debut playing carols in Gweek at Christmas, a tradition still maintained today.” (Band website) “It is assumed that that they then swapped instruments between themselves until they found something that suited them and began rehearsing in earnest.” (West Briton 10^th August 2017)

(Photo: Gweek Silver Band website)

(Photo: Gweek Silver Band website)

(Photo: Gweek Silver Band website)

1926: Gweek Silver Band’s first public performance when they toured the village playing carols. (West Briton 10^th August 2017)

1927: On behalf of the newly-formed Gweek Brass Band, a sacred concert was given in Gweek Wesleyan Church by Mabe Prize Male Quartette. (12 March 1927 – Western Morning News)

1928: Gweek Band under Mr G Floyd at Hospital Sunday and district Hospital Sunday. (14 August 1928 – Western Morning News)

Gweek Band 1928

1928: Gweek Brass Band Contesting under William Floyd. (Contest archive)

1928 circa to 1933: Gordon Floyd Gweek Brass Band MD.

1929: “Cycling Accident Near Gweek. Bandmaster Found Unconscious. Mr. Gordon Floyd, bandmaster of Gweek Band, met with a serious accident on Monday morning, as the result of which he is an in-patient in the HeIston Cottage Hospital. Mr. Floyd, who is employed as a blacksmith at Gweek, lives at Four Lanes, near Redruth, is in the habit cycling to his work, and about 9 o’clock in the morning was found on the road at Chapel Hill, Gweek in an unconscious condition. His bicycle, practically undamaged, was found in the hedge close by. It is thought that the machine skidded and he was taken to the Cottage Hospital in Helston in the Helston Ambulance, and attended by Dr. Walker, who found he had sustained concussion of the … and a broken collar bone. The Band is entered for the band contest at Marazion on Saturday, and it is unfortunate that they should thus lose the services of their conductor. (25 April 1929 – Cornishman)

Gweek Band circa 1930 – Gordon Floyd MD

1930/31: Gweek Brass Band contesting under Gordon Floyd. (Contest archive)

1932: Gweek Brass Band contesting under S Reynolds. (Contest archive)

1932: The Fire Brigades in the procession were from Camborne, Redruth, St Ives and Falmouth. The bands taking part were Camborne Town, Redruth, Gweek, St Erth, Hayle, and Helston. (23 June 1932 – Cornishman)

1932: Helston, Breage, Porthleven and Gweek Bands mentioned. (28 July 1932 – Cornishman)

1932: Gweek Brass Band contesting under A W Parker. (Contest archive)

1933: Gordon Floyd, Gweek Brass Band MD died.

1933 to 1939: Thomas Chainey, Gweek Brass Band MD.

1935: Members of the Gweek Silver Band, of which deceased was a valued member, attended in their uniforms. (30 May 1935 – Cornishman)

1935: Gweek Silver Prize Band at a show.  (20 June 1935 – Cornishman)

1935: Gweek Silver Prize Band at Lizard Feast. (27 June 1935 – Cornishman)

Gweek band attending the village festivities for the Silver Jubilee of King George V 1935

1935: Gweek Silver Band under Mr T Chainey at hospital demonstration at Constantine. (20 August 1935 – Western Morning News)

1936: Gweek Silver Prize Band at Gweek Methodist Sunday-school. (25 June 1936 – Cornishman)

1936: Gweek Silver Band played throughout the day. (23 July 1936 – Cornishman)

1936: Gweek Band at Camborne Carnival. (3 September 1936 – Cornishman)

1936: Gweek Silver participated in the Junior Shield B (sixth tier) of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under Thomas Chainey playing Gems of Tchaikovsky aranged by Maurice Johnstone.

Gweek Silver Band (Photo: unknown)

Gweek Silver Band 1930s (Photo: unknown)

1937: Gweek Silver Band at Connor Lower Methodist Church. (8 July 1937 – Cornishman)

1937: Gweek Silver Band participated in the Junior Shield B (sixth tier) of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Alexandra Palace under Thomas Chainey playing Ballads of the Twentieth Century by Haydn Wood’s Orchestral Selection.

1938: Porthleven and Gweek Silver Prize Bands at St Peter’s Day at Porthleven. (7 July 1938 – Cornishman)

1939: Falmouth Town Band and Gweek Band at Ambulance Parade at Falmouth. (29 June 1939 – Cornishman)

1939: Gweek Silver Band at Ventonleague Methodist Sunday-school tea-treat. (29 June 1939 – Cornishman)

1939: Newlyn Male Voice Choir and Gweek Silver Band, under Mr. T. J. Chainey at Old Scholar’s Tribute at Gweek. (6 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1939: “Gweek Silver Band at the Annual Gala Day. (20 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1939: Gweek Silver Band (under T. J. Chainey) in concert at the Vicarage, Crowan. (27 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1939: Gweek Silver Prize Band, under Mr. T. J. Chainey rendered selections. (27 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1939: Gweek Silver Band in the afternoon a procession. (10 August 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1939: Gweek Silver Band at Mawgan Hospital Sunday. (17 August 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1939: Gweek Silver Band and the newly formed Constantine Band at Constantine Hospital Sunday. (24 August 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1939: The annual gala day at Higher Quay, Gweek, on Saturday, in aid of band funds, was organised by the Gweek Silver Band and a Ladies’ Committee. 31 August 1939 – Cornishman)

1939: Gweek Silver Band led a church parade to the parish church. (16 November 1939 – Cornishman)

1939: Gweek Silver Band, under Mr. T. J Chainey, marched in procession to the church. (16 November 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1942: Manaccan Band players helped the wartime Gweek Band play at the Gweek Hospital Sunday. (John Brush)

Gweek Silver Band merged into the Home Guard Battalion Band. (12 September 1946 – Cornishman)

1944: Gweek Gala. During the evening the 8th Battalion of the Home Guard Silver Band (under Bandmaster E. S. France) was in attendance, and later played the Furry Dance, the people dancing through the village. (14 September 1944 – Cornishman)

Gweek Silver Band emerged from WWII as an independent band.

1945: Gweek Silver Band at the West Cornwall Shows and Sports. (24 May 1945 – Cornishman)

1945: Gweek Silver Band mentioned. (24 May 1945 – Cornishman)

1945: Gweek Silver Band, under the baton of Mr S J C Moyle, proceeded to the Methodist Church, and afterwards returned to the Memorial. (14 June 1945 – Cornishman)

1945: Gweek and St Keverne Combined Bands, under Bandmaster E S France at St Keverne Show. (12 July 1945 – Cornishman)

1945: Headed by the Gweek Silver Band (under the conductorship of Mr. S. J. C. Moyle) the school paraded the streets and then proceeded to a field. (19 July 1945 – Cornishman)

1945: The children marched through the Cove, headed by the Gweek Silver Band. (23 August 1945 – Cornishman)

1945: Selections were given by the Helston and Gweek combined bands and the Bugle Band of the Army Cadet Force. (4 October 1945 – Cornishman)

1946: Gweek Silver Band at Illogan Highway Fore-street Methodist Sunday-school annual tea treat. (11 July 1946 – Cornishman)

1946: Gweek Silver Prize Band under bandmaster W Hocking led the procession to the parish church. (18 July 1946 – Cornishman)

1946:Gweek Silver Band at Gweek Hospital Sunday. (8 August 1946 – Cornishman)

1946: Gweek Silver Prize Band is trying to get into its pre-war position. During the war, it was merged into the Home Guard Battalion Band. Since its inception Gweek Band has won several trophies and awards, and are looking forward to further distinctions. They have been fortunate in getting as their new bandmaster, Mr. J. Volante, of Camborne. (12 September 1946 – Cornishman)

1947: Gweek Silver unplaced in the Fourth Section of the Regional Championships under J Volante playing Divertimento by Eric Ball.

1947: Later in the evening Gweek Silver Band (under bandmaster J Volante) headed the procession of scholars and officers through the village. (Cornishman 19^th June 1947)

1947: Music was by the Gweek Band (under the conductorship of Mr Joe Volante). (Cornishman 17^th July 1947)

1947: They should get the youth interested, declared Mr J H Cox, presiding at the 21st annual meeting of Gweek Silver Band, when he appealed for it to be brought up to its pre-war standard. Mr J Volante, whose departure they regretted. (Cornishman 18^th September 1947)

1948: Gweek Silver Band formed 21 years ago, continued their Christmas Day custom of playing carols. (8 January 1948 – Cornishman)

1948: Gweek Band were present and, under Bandmaster William Hocking. gave a selection of carols. (Cornishman 23^rd December 1948)

1949: Gweek Silver Band at St Martin’s Band Sports and Concert. (22 September 1949 – Cornishman)

Circa 1950 to 1964: Thomas Chainey, Gweek Brass Band MD.

1950: Gweek Silver Band (under Bandmaster T. J. Chainey) gave selections in the afternoon at Mawgan Feast. (Cornishman 15^th June 1950)

Early 1960s: At an extraordinary general meeting it was decided to permit girls to join Gweek Silver Band. (West Briton 10^th August 2017)

Promotoed by Gweek Silver Band – this programme has been lodged with Kresen Kernow

T J Chainey probably 1962

Gweek Silver Band and Committee probably 1962

1964 to 1969: Kenneth Hamlod, Gweek Silver Band MD. (Contest archive)

1968: Gweek Silver Band contesting under Roy Cottam MD. (Contest archive)

Gweek Silver Band June 1968 (Osborne Studio Helston)

1971 to 1973: George Goodale, Gweek Silver Band MD. (Contest archive)

1971: Gweek Silver placed unknown (A Holiday Suite) and unknown (own choice march) in the Third Section at the SWBBA Contest under G Goodale.

1973 to 1981: William Dower, Gweek Silver Band MD. (Contest archive)

1978: Gweek Silver Band contesting under Desmond Burley. (Contest archive)

1981 to 2000: Roy Williams, Gweek Silver Band MD.

1999: Gweek Silver Band obtained a grant from the Lottery and Regional Development Agency to rebuild its ageing band room. It also received much support from local business and band supporters. The new Reading Room was opened in November 1999 and provided us with much needed dry and warm practice and storage facilities. (Band Website)

2000 to 2001: Glyn Thomas, Gweek Silver Band MD. (Band Website)

2001 to 2002: Barry Jacques, Gweek Silver Band MD. (Band Website)

2002 to 2004: Trevor Naden, Gweek Silver Band MD. (Band Website)

2004 to 2006: Roy Williams, Gweek Silver Band MD again. (Band Website)

Other Gweek Silver Band MDs or conductors since 1948: Simon Morris, Edgar Floyd, Ian Edwards. (Band Website)

2006: “Unfortunately, players had dropped to just six and it looked as though the band would have to disband. In a last ditch bid to save the group, local musicians Ian Edwards and Tony Richards were invited to conduct an open evening and several players, who were not at that time members, were asked to come along and have a blow. The evening was a great success, with most of the players deciding to stay and Tony Richards took on the role of musical director.” (West Briton 10^th August 2017)

2006 to 2017: Tony Richards, Gweek Silver Band MD.

Gweek Silver Band 2008

Tony Richards, Gweek Silver Band MD (Photo: Band Website)

2011: CBBA Contest at Tremough

Gweek Silver Band with Tony Richards MD 2015 (Photo: Band Website)

Gweek Silver Band with Tony Richards MD

2017: Gweek Silver Band celebrated its 90^th year. (West Briton 10^th August 2017)

2018: Nathan Tootill, Gweek Silver Band MD. (Facebook page)

Nathan Tootill (Photo: Band Facebook page)

 

 

 

 

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.