Unknown formation date.

1832: The morning was ushered in by the discharge of cannon. Liskeard Band arrived in Boat, adorned with flags, which was rowed for some time about the river. (28 June 1832 – Worcester Journal)

1846: Liskeard Band played throughout the day, which passed off in the most orderly and quiet manner. (31 July 1846 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1849: Polperro Band. On Tuesday week, Polperro New Road was completed and, on the following day, it was opened to the public, amidst such rejoicings as could only be excited by a general sense of the utility and importance of the improvement. Preparations for celebrating the event commenced at an early hour in the morning, and tastefully decorated arches were soon to be seen in all the principal parts of the place. From the highest points of the opposite hills, which rise on either side, several hundred feet above the level of the sea, a rope was drawn up just over the centre of the town, and at least three hundred feet above it, from which were suspended a vast number of flags, waving triumphantly over its brightening prospects, and forming a display grand beyond anything within the recollection of the oldest inhabitant, and which will not cease to be remembered and spoken of as long as the youngest eyewitness shall live. About eleven o’clock in the forenoon the Liskeard Band, whose services had been engaged for the occasion, played in good style, and were soon joined by the excellent little band belonging to the town. They proceeded together to the pier and embarking in a boat played delightfully in their course out of the harbour and also on their return. Shortly after two o’clock, a procession consisting of little less than a thousand persons left the town by the old road for the purpose of performing the opening ceremony. The Polperro Band took the lead, and was followed by several carriages, headed by a boat on wheels, decorated for the occasion and drawn by hand. Then came a vast concourse on foot, while the Liskeard Band brought up the rear. Having reached the point where the new road commences, the gate was thrown open and the procession passed through, the bands playing appropriate airs, which were continued for the greater part of the way. Among those who were first to have a crack over this road in their carriages, was our townsman, Mr Francis Coath, and Mrs Coath, whose united ages amounted to some- where about 160 years. At the terminus of the road a public tea was provided, which did infinite credit to the ladies under whose management it was conducted. Several hundred sat down, and all seemed highly gratified with the proceedings, music being kept up during the greater part of the time. In the course of the evening the bands paraded the streets and wound up the pleasures of the day by playing God save the Queen underneath the flags beforementioned. (WB 20 July 1849)

1858: The Liskeard Band attended on the occasion and greatly enlivened the day’s enjoyment. (10 July 1858 – Cornish Times)

4 Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles / A Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles / A Company 2nd Volunteer Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry / A Company 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Territorial Force). “Another Volunteer Band that, whilst not overly busy, quietly got on with their musical life. 1887 to 1903 seems to have been their most popular period. For this time the conductor was John Phillips. He was succeeded by James Mitchell, and finally RJ Honey took them from 1912 to 1914. They were down to 12 players in 1912 and one must wonder if this poor turn-out had anything to do with the fact that the Town Band started contesting and that the conductor of both bands was our already mentioned Mr Honey. It is also probable that the company’s Commanding Officer would not allow them to compete, a not unusual attitude.” (John Brush)

1860: Major Hume, accompanied by Col. Cocks and Captain Barnett, inspected the Rifle Corps on Monday evening last, at Liskeard. The [Volunteer] Bands of both were present. (20 July 1860 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1863: John Rowe, Liskeard Brass Band MD. (John Brush)

1863: Inhabitants of the borough are invited to meet the Mayor at the Town Hall, and to form a procession, to be accompanied by the Liskeard Band. (7 March 1863 – Western Daily Mercury)

1867: Mr Pearson, Liskeard Brass Band MD. (John Brush)

1867: Boconnoc Cottage Garden Society. The Liskeard Brass Band played at intervals during the day. (1 August 1867 RCG)

1867: Liskeard Brass Band, under the direction of Mr Pearson, was present and played selections during the day. (1 August 1867 – Western Morning News)

1870: The Brass Band of the Liskeard Rifle Corps played a choice selection of music. (5 May 1870 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1870: During the course of the day, the Liskeard Amateur Town Band, under the leadership of Mr William Phillips, played a number of pieces. (28 July 1870 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser / 30 July 1870 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1871: Exhibition Ground. The Liskeard Brass Band will be present. (15 July 1871 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1872: Exhibition Ground. The Liskeard Brass Band will be present. (20 & 27 July 1872 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1873: Liskeard and Truro bands were attendance during the day. (4 June 1873 – The Cornish Telegraph)

1879: Liskeard Band had to borrow men to make their number. He had resolved when the matter was brought forward again to challenge the Liskeard Band to a competition for £5, if members of the Launceston Band were agreeable. (5 April 1879 – Cornish & Devon Post)

1870s: It appears that Liskeard Brass Band ceased activities, (John Brush)

1884: An excellent entertainment was given with music by the Liskeard Orchestral Band. (18 January 1884 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1885: The Council assembled in the Town Hall at a quarter to ten and formed a procession, headed by the Liskeard Volunteer Band and the sergeants-at- mace. (7 August 1885 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1885: The Battalion (Liskeard) Band enlivened the proceedings with choice selections of martial music. (7 August 1885 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1885: The Liskeard Volunteer Band will attend. (14 September 1885 – Western Morning News)

1886: The Liskeard Volunteer band attended under Mr Philips and played some excellent music. (23 July 1886 – RCG)

1887 to 1903: “It seems to have been the Volunteer Band’s most popular period although not overly busy, quietly got on with its musical life. John Phillips was the MD for most of the early period.” (John Brush)

1889: At the concert the members of the Liskeard Orchestral Band, under Mr J Phillips, played several selections of music. (10 January 1889 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

Early 1890: Liskeard Borough Band formed. (BBHD / John Brush)

1890: About two o’clock in the afternoon a procession was formed outside Webb’s Hotel, and headed by the Town Band in their bright scarlet uniforms, marched to the site. (17 April 1890 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1890s: Mr C Penny, Liskeard Borough Band MD.

James Mitchell, Liskeard Voluntary Band MD.

1895: Whilst tea was being served, the Liskeard Band, under the direction of Mr Mitchell, rendered good service, and their efforts were much appreciated. (21 September 1895 – Western Morning News)

1895: The Town Brass Band came to the assistance of the organ in the accompaniment to the vocal music. (24 October 1895 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1900: Liskeard [Voluntary] and Borough Bands have been engaged. (31 January 1900 – Western Morning News)

1900: Liskeard Lieutenant off to India. On leaving Liskeard by the mail train on Thursday evening he had a very hearty and enthusiastic send-off. The Brass Band of the 2^nd with the Bugle Band of the A Company (Liskeard), escorted him to the railway station from Trewithian House. (20 September 1900 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

If the following is correct then it would seem that Liskeard Borough Band disbanded.

Circa 1900: Greenbank Brass Band disbanded to help form Liskeard Borough Band. (John Brush)

Circa 1901: Liskeard Temperance Band formed. (Band’s website)

1901: Liskeard Temperance Brass Band had 23 bandsmen. (John Brush)

Liskeard Temperance Band circa 1901

1902: Liskeard Temperance Brass & Reed Band (26 performers) are open for engagement. Mr. J. Couch, Liskeard, (Hon. Secretary). (19 April 1902 – Cornish & Devon Post)

1902: “Blackwater. The children marched through the village, headed by the Liskeard Temperance Band. (4 September 1902 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1902: On his arrival at Liskeard, he was met by the Liskeard Temperance Brass and Reed Band, who played See the Conquering Hero come as the train drew up. (11 September 1902 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1902: Previous to the match, the Liskeard Borough Band paraded the town and proceeded to the field at Addington where they played selections. (9 October 1902 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

Liskeard Temperance Brass and Reed Band (Photo: unknown)

1903: Cornwall United Temperance Council. The Liskeard Temperance Band played selections. (19 March 1903 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1903: Liskeard Temperance Brass and Reed Band tendered £8 and Liskeard Volunteer Band £3 with a luncheon ticket for bandsman, to play in the procession, with £3 for evening concert. Members took exception to the request for luncheon tickets. (21 May 1903 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1903: Liskeard Volunteer Band, under Bandmaster Phillips, marched to Liskeard Parish Church. (17 September 1903 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1905: Liberal Club. Liskeard Temperance Band playing. (27 May 1905 – Cornish & Devon Post)

1905: During the afternoon, the Liskeard Temperance Brass Band, specially augmented for the occasion, welcomed the visitors and provided a choice musical programme. (9 September 1905 – Cornish & Devon Post)

1907: Lostwithiel Regatta. The Liskeard Temperance Band were present and played a first-class programme of music. After the conclusion the sports, etc., the Band played the Flora Dance. (18 July 1907 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1909: “Botternell, North Hill, Annual Races. Liskeard Temperance Band will be in attendance. (24 July 1909 – Cornish & Devon Post)

1910: During the afternoon programmes of music were rendered Liskeard Band and Bugle Band. (19 May 1910 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1910: Wadebridge. The annual dinner and sports in connection with the Ancient Order of Foresters Court. Accompanied by Liskeard Temperance and Bugle Bands. (19 May 1910 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1911: Liskeard Temperance contesting under J Honey. (Contest archive)

1911: St. Breock portion of the town visited. The procession included Liskeard Temperance Band. (10 June 1911 – Cornish & Devon Post – Launceston)

1911: Some excellent music was discoursed by the Liskeard Temperance Band, under Bandmaster R. J. Honey, and the Wadebridge Town Band, under the hon. conductor (Mr. Argyll Saxby). (10 June 1911 – Cornish & Devon Post)

1911: Mid-Cornwall Legion Frontiersmen, and the Liskeard Temperance Band under Bandmaster Honey. (24 June 1911 – Western Morning News)

1912: Regatta at Looe. Liskeard Temperance Band was in attendance. (29 August 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1912 to 1914: R J Honey, Liskeard Voluntary Band MD.

1912: “Only 12 Liskeard Voluntary Band players remained and one must wonder if this poor turn-out had anything to do with the fact that the Town Band started contesting and that the conductor was our, already mentioned, Mr Honey who was conductor of both bands. It is also probable that the company’s Commanding Officer would not allow them to compete, a not unusual attitude.” (John Brush)

1913: Liskeard Temperance contesting under J Phillips. (Contest archive)

1914: Mr T Edmonds, Liskeard Temperance MD. (BBHD)

“Some of the Liskeard Temperance Brass Band, together with a few who played in the old Volunteer Band, continued playing for the duration of the war under the baton of Mr T Edmonds.” (John Brush)

1915: Liskeard Temperance Band was in attendance, and led the cortege, playing the Dead March Saul. Three volleys were fired over the grave. (11 February 1915 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1916 or maybe a bit later: Liskeard Temperance Brass Band disbanded. (BBHD)

1920: Liskeard Town Band formed. (Band website) The fact that the band was immediately contesting suggests that the players were previously members of Liskeard Temperance Band.

1920: Contesting as Liskeard Town under J Priest. (Contest archive)

1920 to 1929: Mr T Priest Liskeard Town MD. (Band website)

1921: Red Cross Motor Ambulance. Music was supplied by the Liskeard Band, under Mr T Priest and in the evening there was a May pole dance by children. (21 July 1921 – WMN)

1925: Sports in aid of the Nursing Association. Liskeard Silver Band, under Mr T Priest, played selections. (29 June 1925 – Western Morning News)

1925: United Methodist Church. The procession was headed by Liskeard Silver Band. (10 August 1925 – Western Morning News)

1928: Contesting as Liskeard Silver Band under E F Woodhead and F Priest. (Contest archive)

Liskeard Silver Band 1928 (Photo: unknown)

1929 to 1935: Mr G Strand, Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website)

1930: Callington United Friendly Societies’ annual hospital effort headed by Liskeard Silver Band – conductor, Mr G F Strand. (4 August 1930 – Western Morning News)

1932: The procession was led by Liskeard Silver Band, under Mr G Strand. (17 May 1932 – Western Morning News)

1934: Liskeard Town Band, with a Cornish brass band of 1850 bringing the rear. (6 August 1934 – Western Morning News)

1935 to 1937: Mr T Priest, Liskeard Town MD. (Band website)

1935: Liskeard Silver Band, under the direction of Mr T Priest, rendered selections. (1 July 1935 – Western Morning News)

1937 to 1954: Mr A C Repper, Liskeard Town MD. (Band website)

1939: Liskeard Silver Band have acquired a new set of instruments, costing £250. (4 April 1939 – Western Morning News)

Liskeard Band 1939 (Photo: unknown)

1939: Liskeard Silver Band are to have an audition with a view to broadcasting. They will play before Mr Denis Wright, the well-known brass band expert. (28 June 1939 – WMN)

1946: Later a concert was given by the first three bands in each section. The Liskeard Silver Band was conducted by Mr C H Baker, conductor of St Austell Town Band, in the absence through illness of Mr A C Repper. (11 November 1946 – Western Morning News)

1947: Liskeard Silver placed 3rd in the Third Section of the Regional Championships under A C Repper playing The Merry Monarch.

1950: Burraton Community Association’s second flower and produce show, fete, and carnival. Liskeard Silver Band had to be crowded into a marquee. (17 July 1950 – WMN)

1954 to 1956: Mr Priest, Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website)

Liskeard Silver Band in 1954

1956 to 1959: Mr G W Humphrey Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website)

1959 to 1961: Mr D Olver Liskeard Silver MD. (Band website)

1961 to 1965: Mr T Priest Liskeard Silver MD. (Band website)

1965 to 1972: Mr Harry Edgecumbe Liskeard Silver MD. (Band website)

1972 to 1977: Mr Bernard Sutton Liskeard Silver MD. (Band website)

1970s: Liskeard Youth  contesting. (Contest archive)

1975: Liskeard Silver unplaced in the Third Section of the SWBBA Championships under B W Sutton playing Three Inventions by Jakeway.

1975: Liskeard Youth unplaced in the Juvenile Section of the SWBBA Championships under D Howlett playing Youth Salutes a Master by Eric Ball.

1976: Liskeard Silver placed 1^st (Peer Gynt Suite No 1) in the Third Section at the SWBBA contest under Bernard Sutton.

1977 to circa 1992: Mr Vyvian Wills Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website)

1978: Liskeard Silver Band contesting under Don Howlett. (Contest archive)

1979: Liskeard withdrew from the Fourth Section at the SWBBA Spring Festival.

1992 to 1993: Mr Stephen Puckey Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website)

1993 to 2001: Mr Don Howlett Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website)

1997: Liskeard Silver Band receive £4,500 to help with the new project of a training band. The money will be used to purchase new instruments and materialise to facilitate teaching young people to play brass instruments. (British Bandsman 9^th August 1997)

1998: Mr P P Cowling retired after 61 years association with the Band, 41 years as a playing member and 50 years as general secretary. (Band website)

(Courtesy British Bandsman 26 June 1999)

2001 to 2004: Mrs Tessa Lewis Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website)

2005 to 2007: Mr Malcolm Blamire Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website)

2007 to 2009: Mrs Tessa Lewis Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website)

2009 to 2011: Mr Gerard Morgan Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website) Gerard Morgan began rehearsing Liskeard Silver Band in January 2009 and right through until their Christmas concert at St Martin’s Church in December 2011.

The Band room is in the Salvation Army Citadel Hall in Church Street. (Band website)

Liskeard Silver Band date unknown (Photo: Band website)

Liskeard Silver Band – the trophy being held was taken after the Autumn concert at Liskeard Town Hall in 2011. The trophy was awarded to the band for winning 1st prize in the 4th section at the West of England Bandmans contest at Bugle in June 2011. (Photo: Band website)

Liskeard Silver Band date unknown (Photo: Band website)

2011 to 2013: Mr Adrian Letts, Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website)

2013 to 2014: Mr Dave Dobson, Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band website)

2014 to 2022: Mrs Ann Brown, Liskeard Silver Band MD. (Band’s website)

Liskeard Silver Band at Bugle Contest 2014

18th May 2023: “Tonight the band were honoured to receive the honorary freedom of the town from Cllr Simon Cassidy – Mayor of Liskeard and Liskeard Town Council for being in the community of Liskeard for approximately 190 years. This is an honour to receive such recognition from the local community, especially at a time where we are looking to the future, with some exciting work going on behind the scenes which we hope to be able to announce shortly.”

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.