Morwenstow is a civil parish in north Cornwall about six miles north of Bude

 

1868:  Morwenstow Band formed by John Cholwill. (Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

John Cholwill (B. 1844: D 1916) founder / clarinet & cornet (Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

Circa 1868: John Cholwill Morwenstow Band MD for 37 years (John Brush).

1871: Headed by the Morwenstow Brass Band then walked in procession to the Chapel-of-Ease. (4 August 1871 – Exeter and Plymouth Gazette)

1881: Free Methodist Chapel where an address was given by the … of Stratton and Poughill … Morwenstow Brass Band attending, and at … the children received their tea ….” (8 July 1881 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1885: Morwenstowe Brass Band, conducted Mr Cholwill was present and discoursed variety selections of new music. (23 January 1885 – Western Times)

Morwenstow Band on Cross Town Green 1896

John Cholwill (MD), Herbert Tape, E Cholwill, Jack Oke, Claude Tape, Harold Cholwill, Christopher Cholwill, William Cholwill, William Oke, Archibert Tape, John Burrow, small boy Leapold (Leapy) Burrow

(Bude Stratton Post – Cornish & Devon – June 1961 / Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

1902: Kilkhampton Friendly Society. The member’s, headed, by the Morwenstowe Brass Band, under Bandmaster Cholwill. (6 June 1902 – Exeter and Plymouth Gazette)

Morwenstow Band 1903 at Tonnacombe Manor (Photo: F W Crane, Holsworthy)

Back row: Bill Pomeroy, William Cholwill, Christopher Cholwill, William Oke, Harold Cholwell, William Archibert Tape, Jack Oke

Front row: Fred Tape, John Cholwill (MD), Claude Tape

Sitting on ground: Lambert Cholwill

(F W Crane / courtesy Mrs V Moore)

1904: The proceedings commenced with a procession round the town, headed by the Morwenstowe Brass Band (conductor Mr F Cholwill). (16 July 1904 – Cornish & Devon Post)

1904: Morwenstow Brass Band, which accompanied a portion of the singing. (15 September 1904 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1905: Two bands were present. The Morwenstow Band and Stoke Damerel band, conducted by Mr W J Cholwill. (12 August 1905 – Cornish & Devon Post)

It is possible that by now, the band was being conducted by another member of the Cholwill family. Archie, Harold and Claude Cholwill were also associated with the band.

1905: The absence of the Bude Volunteer Band, which has gone to camp, the Morwenstowe and Boscastle Village bands were in attendance and performed most satisfactorily. (12 August 1905 – Cornish & Devon Post)

1906: At the conclusion of the meeting a procession was formed, and headed by the Morwenstow Village Band, paraded the town. (23 June 1906 – Cornish & Devon Post)

1906: One of the features was a wrestling tournament. The Morwenstow Band, under Mr J Cholwill, were present and rendered a nice programme. (7 August 1906 – Western Times)

Morwenstow Band at Tonnacombe Manor Fete circa 1906

Back row: Dick Harris, Bert Burrow, William Cholwill, Archibert Tape, William Oke, Harold Cholwill, Christy Cholwell

Front row: Lambert Cholwill, Fred Tape, John Cholwill (MD), Claude Tape, Jack Oke (Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

 

1909: The tower flag and other bunting was flown, the Church bells rang, arches were erected, and Morwenstow Brass Band and Kilkhampton Fife and Drum Band were also in attendance. (10 July 1909 – Cornish & Devon Post)

1910: Marched to church headed by the Morwenstow Brass Band, under the conductorship of Mr J Cholwill (bandmaster). (27 June 1910 – Hartland and West Country Chronicle)

1920 circa: Fred Tape, Morwenstow Brass Band MD. (Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

1922: The proceedings were greatly enlivened by the Morwenstow Band, under Bandmaster Tape. (14 July 1922 – Hartland and West Country Chronicle)

1926: Music was supplied by the Morwenstow Band, under the direction of Mr Tape. (4 June 1926 – Western Times)

Morwenstow Band outside Bude Methodist Church circa 1928 (Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

Back row: Dick Harris, Christy Cholwill, Archie Tape, Harold Cholwill, Fred Found, Jack Oke, Claude Cholwill, Bert Burrow, Bill Farmer, Charles Rattenbury

Front row: Charles Vanstone, Tom Curtis, Jack Harris, Fred Tape (MD), Herbert Tape, Claude Tape

1929: New uniforms

1931: Devon Beekeepers’ Association. Morwenstow Band, under Mr F Tape, gave selections. (24 July 1931 – Western Times)

Morwenstow Band at Crosstown Green 1934

Back row: John Harris, Tom Curtis, Jack Oke, Harold Cholwill, Bill Ham, Reg Tape, Claude Tape, Fred Tape (MD), Archibert Tape, Charles Vanstone, Evin Cholwill

Front row: Herbert Tape, Bert Wooldridge Tape, Dick Harris or Bert Burrow, Claude Cholwill, Henry Tape

(Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

Morwenstow Band circa 1935

Back row: Herbert Tape, Dick Harris Jnr, Tom Curtis, Harold Cholwill, Claude Cholwill, Henry Tape, Archie Tape, Charles Vanstone, Ernie Francis

Front row: Reg Tape, Bill Farmer, Claude Tape, Fred Tape (MD), Bert Woolridge Tape, Jack Oke, Jack Harris

(Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

Morwenstow Band at Tonnacombe Fete 1935

Back row: Henry Tape, Unknown, Bill Farmer, Charlie Vanstone, John Harris, Jack Oke, Archie Tape, Dick Harris, Harold Cholwill, Leonard Manning, Ernie Francis, Tom Curtis

Front: Reg Tape, Claude Tape, Bert Tape, Fred Tape (MD)

(Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

1935: The Jubilee celebrations were highly successful. Morwenstow Brass Band (under Bandmaster F Tape) led the scholars. (15 June 1935 – Hartland and West Country Chronicle)

1937: Children of St Mark’s School formed up in procession headed by the Morwenstow Brass Band under the leadership of Mr W H Pitman (headmaster of St Mark’s School). (20 September 1937 – Hartland and West Country Chronicle)

At some time the Old Malt House behind the Post Office was used for practise. (Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

1930s late: Reg Tape Morwenstow Brass Band MD. Reg was Fred’s son and John Cholwell’s great nephew.(Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

Morwenstow Band at Poughill Revel / Cuckoo Fair 1939

Standing: Jan Harris, Leonard Manning, Tom Curtis, Claude Cholwill, Henry Tape

Seated: Bert Woolridge Tape, Jack Oke, Bill Farmer, Claude Tape, Reg Tape (MD), Charlie Vanstone, Archie Tape

Centre with drum: Ern Francis

(Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

The Coombe Dance Band comprised of the Tape family – all related to John Cholwill

Frederick Tape, Tryphosa Tape, Claude Tape, Amy Tape, Archibert Tape, Henry Tape, Herbert Tape, George Tape

(Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

Blue Ribbon Day at Shop Chapel for a meeting of the Morwenstow Gospel Temperance Society

Back row: Charles Vanstone, Harold Cholwill, Jack Oke, Jack Harris, Herbert Tape

Middle row: Bill Farmer, Claude Tape, Dick Harris, Christy Cholwill, Tom Curtis

Front row: Fred Found, Claude Cholwill, Bert Burrow

(Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

1939: Morwenstow Brass Band playing suspended for WWII. (John Brush)

Post WWII: Morwenstow Brass Band re-formed.

1950: The children joined in the procession, carrying bunches of flowers. After the service Morwenstow Band led the children to the Lamb Park, where there were sports and a public tea.  (4 August 1950 – Exeter and Plymouth Gazette)

1960s: Morwenstow Brass Band disbanded due to a lack of members. (Herbert Walker Tape / Audrey Aylmer article)

 

 

 

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.