Marazion is a civil parish and town on the shore of Mount’s Bay, 2 miles east of Penzance and 1 mile east of Long Rock
1860: 12th Duke of Cornwall’s Royal Garrison Artillery – Marazion. “The unit was formed as a result of the Government order of 1859. As early as 1860, the Marazion Artillery Volunteer Band marched through Marazion (“to excellent music”) in their new uniforms. Their musical life was not much different to others of the same period – processions (Sunday school, Temperance Societies, etc.,) Regattas, concerts and army training camps. In 1892 the Bandmaster was one RJ Williams who was uncle to E J Williams, a very active band trainer in the first half of the 20th century, who in turn was the father of E J Williams (yes, same initials) – playing for Camborne Town, Brighouse & Rastrick and finishing up as conductor to St Dennis Band. There was an unsuccessful attempt at contesting in 1877.” (John Brush)
1860: The Marazion Artillery Volunteer Band marched through Marazion (“to excellent music”) in their new uniforms. Their musical life was not much different to others of the same period – processions (Sunday school, Temperance Societies, etc.,) regattas, concerts and army training camps. (John Brush)
1867: Marazion Town Band active and playing at the opening of a public building in Penzance. (John Brush
1868: The Marazion Artillery band played through Penzance, and at the bazaar. (9 January 1868 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1875: Marazion band travelled to Redruth to take part in a Temperance Fete. (John Brush)
1877: Marazion band contesting. (Contest archive)
1877: A fair cornet and very fair euphonium. A very promising band, Marazion. This band, like Hayle, has to learn very much before it can expect success at a contest. It is not well in tune or in time. 24 August 1877 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1883: On Whit-Tuesday the school, headed by the Marazion Artillery Volunteer Band, and carrying a large banner and small flags, marched through the town to the grounds Polwithen. (17 May 1883 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1887: Festivities At Goldsithney were enlivened by selections of music admirably rendered by the Penzance Town Band. In the evening a dance was held, and was kept until after midnight. The Band of the Marazion battery of the D.C.A.V. (3 February 1887 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1891: Marazion; that the brass band of the town played early and late and were generally welcomed. (31 December 1891 – Cornishman)
1892: R J Williams, Marazion band MD. He was an uncle to Edwin J Williams, a very active band trainer in the first half of the 20th century, who in turn was the father of Eddie J Williams who played for Camborne Town, Brighouse & Rastrick and later became the St Dennis Band MD.
1893: Marazion band contesting. (Contest archive)
1895: Crowlas Wesleyan Band of Hope held their annual festival the 28th ult. Having paraded the villages, headed by the Marazion Artillery Brass Band, the members numbering about 250, partook of tea in the chapel. (2 February 1895 – Western Morning News)
1898: Marazion Artillery Brass Band active but seeminly approaching the end of its life. (John Brush)
1912: The Territorials were accompanied by Marazion Town Band under Bandmaster Floyd. (30 May 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: Marazion Town Band supplied the music. (3 August 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall)
1913: The annual festival of the Marazion Sunday-school was held in delightful weather. The usual procession was held, and Marazion Town Band, which seems in great demand this year for functions of this kind, furnished the music. (10 July 1913 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1913: Marazion band had been engaged for the day, and under Mr Alfred Floyd they played choice selections of music throughout the afternoon. (14 August 1913 – Cornishman)
1914: St Hilary Feast. The Marazion Territorial Co., … by the Marazion Town Band, under Sergt. Floyd, attended the mid-day mass at St Hilary Church. (15 January 1914 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1914: Wesleyan Sunday-school on Saturday. Marazion Town Band, under Alfred Floyd, were in attendance and rendered a fine musical programme. (16 July 1914 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1915: Wesleyans held their annual Sunday school festival headed by Marazion Town Band the procession marched to the “Falmouth Packet” Hotel on the Helston Turnpike. (8 July 1915 – Cornishman)
1915: Selections were also given by Marazion Toy band, under Mrs. S. G. Penny, and by the Town Band. (28 October 1915 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1916: Marazion. After discussion it was resolved to reorganise the band under the designation of the Town Band and that instruments purchased for a sum not exceeding £65. (16 November 1916 – Cornishman)
WWI: Marazion Band active under MD Alfred Floyd who had conducted the Marazion Artillery circa 1909. (John Brush)
1917: Perranuthnoe Wesleyans held their annual Sunday-school festival on Saturday headed by Marazion Town Band. (9 August 1917 – Cornishman)
1917: The Volunteers were escorted by the Town Band. (9 August 1917 – Cornishman)
1917: Garden Fete And Concert At Goldsithney. Throughout the afternoon Marazion Town Band (under Mr. Alfred Floyd) was in attendance, and discoursed a capital selection of music. (9 August 1917 – Cornishman)
1917: Church. After service the Volunteers, under Lieut. Miners, and accompanied by the Marazion Town Band, under Mr. A. Floyd, marched to the beach, where they were inspected by Major Adams, the commanding officer for the district. (8 November 1917 – Cornishman)
1918: Trevene (Perranuthnoe) Wesleyans their annual Sunday-school festival headed by Marazion Town Band, the procession marched to the Falmouth Packet, back Roost (Mr. Harvey’s), back to Trevene the residence of Kitto Bros. (10 July 1918 – Cornishman)
1918: A special feature was the arrival of the Marazion Town Band, under Mr. A. Floyd. (30 October 1918 – Cornishman)
1919 to 1928: R J Berryman, Marazion Band MD. (John Brush)
1919: Marazion Town Band. (9 July 1919 – Cornishman)
1919: Marazion Town Band furnished much appreciated musical programme throughout the afternoon and evening. (9 July 1919 – Cornishman)
1920: In the evening a dance was given on the lawn, where a programme of music was given by the Marazion Town Band, under the direction of Mr. Alfred Floyd, of St. Hilary. (1 September 1920 – Cornishman)
1923: Cornish bandsmen and elsewhere, regret the death Mr Richard Taylor Williams, the bandmaster and conductor of Ludgvan Band. At one time, indeed more than once, he was the leader of Marazion Band. (28 February 1923 – Cornishman)
1924: Selections were given by the Marazion Town Band. (20 March 1924 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
1925: Selections were played by Marazion Town Band, under the direction of Mr. W. J. Gwennap, of Penzance. (15 April 1925 – Cornishman)
1926: The newly-formed Marazion Brass and Reed Band, under the conductorship of Mr A E Joyce, attended Rinsey Free Methodist Sunday-school festival. (23 June 1926 – Cornishman)
1927: A large number of people were present at Crowlas on Sunday evening, when the Marazion Brass and Reed Band, under the conductorship of Mr Trudgen, of Penzance, gave an open-air concert. (16 June 1927 – Cornishman)
1927: Marazion Brass and Reed Band. The bandmaster, Mr Norman Trudgeon, of Penzance, was the conductor, and the splendid programme of music. (29 June 1927 – Cornishman)
1928 to 1929: George W Cave, Marazion Band MD. (Contest archive)
1928: A dance concluded the day’s events, the music being provided by the Marazion Brass and Reed Band, under Mr G Cave. (28 June 1928 – Cornishman)
1928: Marazion Regatta. During the afternoon a musical programme was rendered by Indian Queen’s Prize Silver Band. After tea there was a carnival, which, headed by Marazion Prize Band, paraded the streets of Marazion and Longrock. (16 August 1928 – Cornishman)
1929: Mr. G. W. Cave, master of the Marazion Town Band was the adjudicator on Saturday at band contest at Bellevue Gardens, Manchester, when twenty-seven famous bands competed. (9 May 1929 – Cornishman)
1929: Mr. J. Willsher, of Marazion, has been elected sub-bandmaster of Marazion Town Band. (9 May 1929 – Cornishman)
1929: Edwin Williams, a native of Goldsithney, has been appointed bandmaster of Marazion Band, in succession to Mr G W Cave. There were 30 applications for the post. Mr. Williams was band master of St. Ives Town Silver Band, and had occupied a similar position in Camborne Band. (Western Morning News – Thursday 07 November 1929)
1929 to 1931: Edwin J Williams Marazion Band MD (Contest archive)
1930: The procession was headed by Marazion Town Band, under the new bandmaster Mr. E. J. Williams. (30 January 1930 – Cornishman)
1930: Assisting Marazion Town Band in their endeavour to provide new instruments, Penzance Independent Band, conducted by Mr. J. Frobert gave a splendid … (14 August 1930 – Cornishman)
1930: A dance was given Marazion Monday after the fair on behalf of Marazion Town Band, conducted by Mr E J Williams, bandmaster. (1 October 1930 – Western Morning News)
1931 to 1945: Beth David, Marazion Town Band MD. (Contest archive)
1931: Mr David, Marazion Town Band’s new bandmaster, arrived at Marazion on Monday from Wales, and was introduced to the band and committee. (1 January 1931 – Cornishman)
1930s: Played at Angarrack Wesleyan tea treat for a couple of years and in 1937 they played indoors and considering the size of the Sunday school it must have been overpowering. (Methodist tea-treats in Cornwall by Cedric Appleby)
1932: Marazion Town Band, conducted by Mr. B. H. David, gave a concert in the Square on Sunday evening. (19 May 1932 – Cornishman)
1932: Ludgvan British Legion. Penzance Silver Band, Marazion Town Band, Ludgvan Branch of the British Legion, Towednack and Nancledra Band, visiting branches of the British Legion, and Boy Scouts, in this order of procession. (26 May 1932 – Cornishman)
1932: Breage British Legion. Porthleven Band headed the procession, and Marazion and Breage combined bands also assisted. (Cornishman 15th September 1932)
1933: “British Legion Parade at Penzance. The Legion marched to the Cricket Field via Morrab-road, Clarence-street, and St. Clare-street, and were headed by Penzance Silver Band. Other bands taking part were Paul, Pendeen, St Just Boys, Marazion. Madron branch brass and bugle bands. (25 May 1933 – Cornishman)
1933: H.M.S. Renown’s Visit to Penzance. I would take this opportunity to record our thanks due to the Marazion Apollo Male Voice Choir, the Penzance Silver Band, and the Marazion Band who came on board and provided us with some excellent music. (20 July 1933 – Cornishman)
1933: Marazion Bandmaster. Mr David’s career. He joined the band of the 7th Glamorganshire Rifle Volunteers, at the age of twelve, the Maesteg Town Band in 1889, and the Maesteg 2nd Volunteer Welsh Band a year or two later. He then found his favourite instrument, the bass trombone. (2 November 1933 – Cornishman)
1934: St Stithians Silver band, who were very finely conducted by Mr T Hubbard, Falmouth Town Band, conducted by Mr T G Moore, were the next to appear and they were followed by Marazion Town Band and St Agnes Town. (24 May 1934 – Cornishman)
1934: Marazion Town Band (conductor, Mr. B. H. David) has won four first prizes, four cups, and two second prizes … (6 December 1934 – Cornishman)
1935: Fore-street Methodist Sunday-school held their annual treat, and accompanied by Porthleven and Marazion Brass Bands, paraded the town. (4 July 1935 – Cornishman)
1935: A dance and band concert also took place, music being provided by radiogram and by Marazion Town Band, conducted by Mr B H David. (1 August 1935 – Cornishman)
1935: British Legion held a church parade at Perranuthnoe parish church on Sunday, being escorted by Marazion Town Band, under Bandmaster B. H. David. (14 November 1935 – Cornishman)
1936: Beth David, Marazion Town Band MD, resigned to become MD at St Keverne. (Phillip Hunt from Cornish Studies Library archives)
1936: Mr H B David (bandmaster of Marazion Band) has been appointed bandmaster of St Keverne Band, in succession to Mr Charles Carpenter, who is leaving the district. (16 January 1936 – Cornishman)
1937: Perranuthnoe and Goldsithney Feasts. Marazion Town Band marched at the head of the procession. (11 March 1937 – Cornishman)
1937: Penzance Carnival. Penzance Silver Band, Marazion Town Band, Heamoor Bugle Band. (20 May 1937 – Cornishman)
1937: Marazion Band is in a precarious position. It has been decided to dispense with the services of the bandmaster; seek a voluntary bandmaster, and place the instruments in charge of the Town Trust. (14 October 1937 – Cornishman)
1939: The morning service was attended by Marazion Town Band, under Mr. B. David. (3 August 1939 – Cornishman)
1939: Leaving Navy Inn Square, Penzance Silver Band and Marazion Town Band. (17 August 1939 – Cornishman)
1939: Penzance Silver, and Marazion Town at Carnival of Newlyn British Legion. (24 August 1939 – Cornishman)
1939: Marazion Town Trust. Town Band (under Mr. B. H. David). (16 November 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1939: The Town Band under Mr. B H David, played Christmas music in the district on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (25 December 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1942: Aid To Russia Week. Headed by Marazion Town Band. (5 February 1942 – Cornishman)
1942: Railwaymen’s March and Meeting. It was to salute the twelve months’ resistance of our Russian allies. Marazion Town Band led the march. (25 June 1942 – Cornishman)
1943: School Fete at Marazion. Town Band, under the conductorship of Mr. David. …” (23 September 1943 – Cornishman)
1944: Teachers and scholars assembled in the Schoolroom, and forming a procession, paraded the village headed by the Marazion Silver Band. (27 July 1944 – Cornishman)
1944: Germoe Horse and Cattle Show. Marazion Town Band will provide music. (17 August 1944 – Cornishman)
1945: Marazion Town Band disbanded around this time: (John Brush)
1950: Marazion Town Band. Vacancies exist for Cornets, Horns, Euphonium, E-flat and BB-flat Basses. Fares refunded. Maintenance of self-owned instruments. (22 & 29 June 1950 – Cornishman)
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.
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