Heamoor was a village but is now a suburb of Penzance and is situated approximately one kilometre northwest of the town centre

 

Unknown formation date.

1860s: Heamoor Brass Band active. (John Brush)

1892: Heamoor Band rendered selections of music during the tea. (19 May 1892 – The Cornish Telegraph)

Heamoor Band circa 1892

1894: Heamoor Brass Band, conducted by Mr J C Mathews, rendered selections of music at intervals. (16 August 1894 – Cornishman)

1899: Heamoor Brass Band played joyous Christmas carols. (5 January 1899 – Cornishman)

1899: Midsummer Day at St Just. North St Just and Heamoor Bands, paraded. (29 June 1899 – Cornishman)

1900: Heamoor Brass Band gave musical treats. (11 January 1900 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1906: Heamoor Bible Christian tea treat procession heading for “Picnic Fields” accompanied by Heamoor Brass Band

(Photo: Bill Dale courtesy Val Thomas of St Ives OCS)

1909: J C Matthews, Heamoor Brass Band MD. (John Brush)

“The entertainment at the scout fairs was provided by members of the troop and the participation of the village folk. Various stalls were set up, the senior scouts would demonstrate the versatility of the trek cart and perform sword dancing. The nearest to a beauty contest for the young ladies was when an ankle judging competition was held. The ladies walked into a tent, the walls of which were rolled up to reveal the feet and ankles of the ladies inside. The judges on the outside of the tent then had to decide on the best pair of ankles. The grease pole was another form of entertainment. Two contestants armed with pillows would endeavour to dislodge each other while sitting on the pole. A feat of skill and strength was the sheaf pitching. The winner being the person who could pitch the sheaf of corn the greatest height.” (Anon)

Heamoor Band in full uniform ready to lead the scout furry dance around the village 1920s (Photo: courtesy Val Thomas of St Ives)

Heamoor Band at the Scout Fair in the 1920s (Photo: courtesy Val Thomas of St Ives)

1923: Heamoor Brass Band, under the conductorship of Mr J C. Matthews. (11 July 1923 – Cornishman)

1926: Heamoor Brass Band, who gave their services (under the leadership of Mr Matthews) paraded the village. (8 December 1926 – Cornishman)

Scout Carnival led by Heamoor Band mid-1920s (Photo: courtesy Val Thomas of St Ives)

1929: Heamoor Brass Band, under the able conductorship of Mr W Giles, rendered a programme of Christmas carols and anthems in the district. (25 December 1929 – Cornishman)

1930: “Canon’s Town Wesleyans held their annual treat, the music being supplied the Heamoor Brass Band, under the direction of Mr Giles. (17 July 1930 – Cornishman)

Heamoor Band July 1931 (Photo: courtesy Roy Blewett)

1932: Heamoor Band, under the conductorship of Mr Richards. (28 July 1932 – Cornishman)

1932: Heamoor Brass Band contesting under S Gwennap. (Contest archive)

1934: H P Richards, Heamoor Brass Band MD. (John Brush)

Rowe Family Album – Scouts and Band before parade (Nicola Keast/Roy Blewett) “In front of the old Heamoor School with the scouts I believe is c1935 when the scouts each year organised Heamoor’s Furry Dance and the gentleman in the Scout’s uniform is Major Venning who was scoutmaster for years.” (Roy Blewett)

 

Heamoor Brass Band (unknown date) taken from the back of Rosparvah Gardens, Heamoor. It is probably from the site of the scout hut in barn lane.  (Photo: courtesy Val Thomas) This is also included as Madron Band!

The caption states 1933 Redruth Competition Hea-Moor Brass Band but it is unclear that this band attended in that year. It was there the following year however. The following notes accompanied the photo:

 

1937: “Penzance Carnival. Music provided by Penzance Silver Band, Marazion Town Band, Heamoor Bugle Band and amplifier vans. (20 May 1937 – Cornishman)

1939 The contest piece for this section was Knight of the Road. Heamoor were succeeded by Gweek band, who first marched around, and then played the contest piece. Gweek band was under the very able baton of Mr M J Chainey.

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.

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.