Looe is a small coastal town, fishing port and civil parish in the former Caradon district of south-east Cornwall

 

Unknown formation date.

1846: According to Arthur Quiller-Couch in one of his stories, Queen Victoria visited Fowey and the men of Looe Band were invited to augment the Fowey Band who were to welcome her. The combined Band was in place and ready for the arrival of the Queen but it seems that she was running late. It was a hot day and their thirsts got the better of them so they adjourned to the nearest public house – all except one of their number. A very young member of the Looe Band was left in charge of the deserted instruments. The inevitable happened. The Queen arrived and there was no band to greet her except, of course, the young bandsman. He took up his bugle (probably a cornet) and played the National Anthem. Alerted by the sound of playing the bandsmen returned – suitably embarrassed and it’s said, “… the Looe men in particular looking perfectly ridiculous with their anxious, much be-whiskered faces surmounted by the silly little pill-box hats they then wore”.  True or not?  Well, if ‘tid’n then it oughta be.

1849: Tradesmen of the town partook of an excellent supper at the New Inn, kept by Mr Lamb. Looe Band, led by Mr Olver, kindly came over to increase the enjoyment by their delightful music. (23 February 1849 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1864: No. 2 Battery, Duke of Cornwall’s Artillery Volunteers. “There was an artillery band in 1864 when the corps was being inspected on their gunnery expertise. The band carried on without a lot to do until, in 1912, the ‘Cornish Times‘ regretted that a recent church parade was carried out without a band. The reporter’s inference was that Looe no longer had neither volunteer nor town band.”

1864 to 1907: The Band of the 2nd Duke of Cornwall Artillery Volunteers active althogh John Brush states that the corp was sometimes had no band.

1870: Looe Artillery Volunteers. Brass Band of the corps. (22 September 1870 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1881: Lostwithiel. Looe Volunteer Band was in attendance and added much to the afternoon’s enjoyment. (19 August 1881 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1888: Looe Volunteer Band performed selections of music at intervals. (16 August 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1893: Looe Artillery Band was in attendance and gave very good selection. (8 July 1893 – Western Morning News)

1902: Looe Town Brass Band formed. (John Brush)

1902: Looe: On Monday evening hundreds of people assembled a the Church End to listen a programme of music by the newly-formed brass band. The programme included a grand Coronation march, composed by the conducted by Mr A. R. Michell. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 03 July 1902)

1903: Music was supplied by Looe Town Band. (9 July 1903 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1904: Primrose Fete at Looe. Looe Town Band. (11 August 1904 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1904: Looe Town Band had a benefit concert on Friday night in the Congregational schoolroom. (15 September 1904 – RCG)

1905: The Volunteer Band played excellent selections in the Market Square on Friday evening and on the afternoon of Christmas Day. (30 December 1905 – Cornish & Devon Post)

Looe Town Band 1906 under Richard Mitchell with twenty-four players, including five clarinets and one flute/piccolo

Back row: J Henderson, W Tregenna, R Marshall

Third row: Jim Mutton, A Sargent, Jack Mutton, C Simmonds, W Fletcher, F Brown, W Martin

Second row: W Tregellis, F Doney, J Blight, N Moore, W Scantlebury, S Hosking, J White (one name missing)

Front row: Names missing

 

1906: Looe Town Band was present at the handover of the new fire engine. (The Book of Looe)

1907 to 1912: There appears to be two bands in the town, the Artillery and a Town Band, with most players in both bands. (John Brush)

1907: Looe Regatta. Looe Town Band gave a capital performance. (29 August 1907 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1907: Looe Town Band efficient enough to play such items as the overture Tancredi. (John Brush)

1907: A Richard Mitchell, Looe Town Band MD. (John Brush)

1908: “Truro heard with profound regret on Monday of the sudden death of Mr. Albert R. Mitchell, watchmaker and jeweller. He was born at Truro. He joined the Truro Volunteer Band. The formation of the Looe Town Band was largely due to his organisation and leadership. Under his careful and enthusiastic training the band made remarkable progress, and their public performances during the summer and on other occasions were much appreciated. (18 June 1908 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1910: Sunday morning members of the Court Goodwill, No. 5077 attended service at St. Martin’s in procession, headed by Looe Town Band. (29 September 1910 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1912: The band carried on without a lot to do until, in 1912, the Cornish Times regretted that a recent church parade was carried out without a band. The reporter’s inference was that Looe no longer had neither Volunteers nor Town Band.” (John Brush)

1919 to 1939: Several attempts to re-form Looe Town Band but all to no avail. (John Brush)

 

 

 

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.

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