Unknown formation date.
Pendeen is a village and ecclesiastical parish 3 miles north-northeast of St Just and 7 miles west of Penzance
Pendeen Band 1854 (Photo: unknown)
1880: On Monday last an entertainment, consisting of readings, recitations and instrumental music by the Pendeen Band, was given in the rooms of the institute, and gave general satisfaction. (27 February 1880 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
J Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles. “This unit was an offshoot of the St Just company. They had a band and it was led by Thomas Andrewartha. It is certain that this band became the Pendeen Silver Band. The date that this occurred is not known for certain, but it was definitely out of army hands by 1903.” (John Brush)
1882: There was tea for all the children of the parish, given by the parishioners; and public tea in the afternoon. The Pendeen Volunteer Band (J Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles) played some excellent selections of music on the occasion. (28 September 1882 – Cornishman)
1887: The Pendeen Brass Band was also in attendance. The children and the adults, to the number of several hundreds, walked in the procession. (30 June 1887 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1887: The Pendeen Band gave life to the entertainment. (8 July 1887 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1890s: Thomas Andrewartha, Pendeen Volunteer band MD.
From the following comment, it seems that Pendeen Volunteer band disbanded.
1892: Pendeen Independent Band / Pendeen Silver Band formed following the demise of Pendeen Volunteer Band. (Band website / Cornish Magazine article by Phyllis Colenso 1960s)
Pendeen Band 1892 (Photo: unknown)
1892: On Midsummer Day the Wesleyan Sunday School, led by the Band of the Rifle Volunteers [probably an error and this was the new Pendeen Silver Band], followed by the Free Church School, cheered everybody with the strains of the band, lately formed under the leadership of Mr Thomas H. Andrewartha, which appeared in public for the very first time. There was, of course the usual ‘Tea’. (Cornish Telegraph 20th June 1892)
1892-1911: Mr J H Ellis, known locally as “Boy” Jim Henney, Pendeen Silver Band MD.(Cornish Magazine article by Phyllis Colenso 1960s)
1893: The Rev. F J Horsefield came to Pendeen from Manchester for a year and wrote Life in a Cornish Village and on page 82 we read. “Dissenters have their Sunday School parades accompanied by various bands, followed by tea parties on a large scale. On Midsummer Day the Church people hold their festival with the schoolchildren perambulating the district to the music of two brass bands, afterwards having buns and tea in a field opposite the Church – (fun, bonfires and gunpowder explosions). The hills resounded to the music produced by the bands”.
Pendeen Band played for the non-conformists. The organist at Carnyorth Free Church, Mr J H Ellis, known locally as ‘Boy Jim Henney’, got the Pendeen Band under way in 1892. (Band website)
1893: There were at least five bands in the area, Pendeen was classed as a part of St Just and rarely had separate recognition. (Band website)
1901 to 1911: J H Ellis, Pendeen Band MD. (John Brush)
1901: Pendeen processional order, each one being headed by a brass band; the Wesleyans engaged the St Just Artillery Band, the Bible Christians St Just Rifle Band, and the Free-church the Pendeen Band. (30 May 1901 – Cornishman)
1901: At 2 o’clock the procession was formed, the Sunday school teachers and scholars, which was led by the Pendeen and Newlyn Brass Bands. (27 June 1901 – Cornishman)
“Thought to have been taken in South Africa although possibly USA as they also worked there from time to time.
Early 1900s photo includes four of my father’s uncles: Matthew Eddy, John (Jack) Eddy, James Eddy and (I think) William Trembath Eddy.
They originated from Pendeen where they were members of Pendeen Band. I have often wondered whether they travelled with their own instruments or whether they would somehow have acquired them where they were working.” (Jan Robinson)
1901: The procession took its usual route headed by the Pendeen Brass Band, under the direction of Bandmaster Ellis. (18 July 1901 – Cornishman)
1902: Trewellard cricket field, where the festivities were held, with a musical programme by the Pendeen Brass Band, under Bandmaster Ellis. (14 August 1902 – Cornishman)
1905: An added interest, the service was the presence of the Pendeen Independent Brass Band, under the leadership of bandmaster J. H. Ellis. (23 November 1905 – Cornishman)
1910: They met in the cricket field at Trewellard, after which they paraded the village, headed by the Pendeen Independent Band under bandmaster J. H. Ellis. (11 August 1910 – Cornishman)
1911: Pendeen Independent Band, under Bandmaster J H Ellis, led the singing of the National Anthem. (29 June 1911 – The Cornish Telegraph)
“The early Pendeen Band members practised in a barn loaned by Thomas Olds. Following that they moved to an old blacksmith shop near Trewellard Chapel before using a room in a house near Pendeen Post Office. The Church School Rooms were then used before a building in St John’s Terrace owned by James Oats. It had previously been a bakehouse, a mortuary, a Catholic church used by war evacuees during WWII, a chicken-house and a store. Within about five years the band had raised £200 to buy it.” (Cornish Magazine article by Phyllis Colenso 1960s)
1914: Wesleyan Sunday school held their annual festival. The children parade headed by the Pendeen Band, under Bandmaster W Warren. (2 July 1914 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1920: In aid of the Pendeen Brass Band entertainment was given at Pendeen on Saturday. (31 March 1920 – Cornishman)
1920: A concert was given in the Pendeen Church schoolroom on Saturday last by the Pendeen Brass Band, under the leadership of Mr Jas Williams. (28 April 1920 – Cornishman)
1921: The massed bands of Pendeen and St Just gave several selections at Pendeen on Saturday evening. (31 August 1921 – Cornishman)
1924: The Free Methodist Church Sunday-school was attended by the Pendeen Brass Band, Bandmaster Williams. (11 June 1924 – Cornishman)
1925: Sunday schools in the parish joined in the procession, which was led by the Pendeen Brass Band under the Bandmaster Mr James Williams. (24 June 1925 – Cornishman)
1928: A service, Lest we forget, was held around the War Memorial in Pendeen churchyard, when some 500 people gathered together. The Pendeen Band, under Mr James Williams, led the music to the hymns, and Rudyard Kipling’s Recessional hymns Lest we forget, was sung. (20 June 1928 – Cornishman Penzance, Cornwall)
1929: Pendeen Band contesting under James Williams. (Contest archive)
1930: The children met in a field adjoining the school, after which the usual route was taken, headed by the Pendeen Brass Band, under Bandmaster J Williams. (19 June 1930 – Cornishman)
1933: British Legion Parade at Penzance headed by Penzance Silver Band, Paul, Pendeen, St Just Boys, Marazion. Madron branch brass and bugle bands. (25 May 1933 – Cornishman)
1935: British Legion Rally. There were four bands in attendance: Madron Bugle Band, St Just Old Town Band, the Boys’ Silver Band, and Pendeen Brass Band. (6 June 1935 – Cornishman)
1935: The British Legion (Pendeen branch) and St John Ambulance headed by Pendeen Independent Band, under Mr Jas Williams. (12 September 1935 – Cornishman)
1936: The parade of the Carnyorth Methodist Sunday-school was headed by the Pendeen Silver Band. (4 June 1936 – Cornishman)
1936: The sports were arranged by Messrs. L. and B. Green. The Pendeen Silver Band was in attendance. (25 June 1936 – Cornishman)
1939: Pendeen Branch British Legion. Singing was led by the Silver Band. (22 June 1939 – Cornishman)
1939: Pendeen Brass Band under Bandmaster J Williams, were present. (6 July 1939 – Cornishman)
1939: Boscaswell Methodist Sunday-school tea treat was held on Saturday. The parade in the village was headed by Pendeen Silver Band. (13 July 1939 – Cornishman)
1939: Pendeen Annual Sports. Pendeen Silver Band was in attendance, and tea was served in a large tent. (10 August 1939 – Cornishman)
1939 circa to 1945 circa: Pendeen Band playing albeit with difficulty. (Cornish Magazine article by Phyllis Colenso 1960s)
1942: The morning service was attended by members of the Home Guard, with Air Force cadets, led by the Pendeen Silver Band. (15 October 1942 – Cornishman)
1943: At St John’s Hall, Pendeen, and, headed by the Pendeen Band, Bandmaster, Mr J Loosley, parade to the church. (27 May 1943 – Cornishman)
1943: The summer festival of Tregaseal Sunday-school. The gay procession marched to the music of the Pendeen Silver Band from the valley and through the principal streets of the town. (8 July 1943 – Cornishman)
1943: The summer festival of the Boscaswell Methodist Sunday-school was held on Saturday, when the parade was headed by Pendeen Silver Band. (22 July 1943 – Cornishman)
1944: The Summer Festival of the Carnyorth Free Methodist Church Sunday School was held on Whit-Monday. Pendeen Band, under Bandmaster J Marks. (1 June 1944 – Cornishman)
1944: The festival of Boscaswell Sunday School was held on Saturday. The parade was headed by Pendeen Silver Band. (20 July 1944 – Cornishman)
1944: Sports and Games, Proceeds in aid of the Pendeen Silver Band. (7 September 1944 – Cornishman)
1944: Pendeen Carnival. … organised by Pendeen Silver Band was held at Pendeen on Saturday evening. (21 September 1944 – Cornishman)
1945: Summer Festival procession which came up from the valley and paraded the town was headed by the Pendeen Silver Band. (5 July 1945 – Cornishman)
1945: Boscaswell Methodist Sunday-school paraded the village, headed by the Pendeen Silver Band. (26 July 1945 – Cornishman)
1945: Newlyn. Both matches will begin at 3 p.m., Pendeen Silver Band will play at the first match. (1 November 1945 – Cornishman)
1950 to 1960s: Jim Trenoweth, Pendeen Band Bandmaster. (Cornish Magazine article by Phyllis Colenso 1960s)
1950: Mr C Richards from Wadebridge, MD.
1950: Capt. A G Richards, MD.
1952/53: Pendeen Band contesting under A G Richards. (Contest archive)
Pendeen Band 1952 (Photo: unknown)
Back row: J Harris, S Osborne, C Rendall, T Freeman, J Trenoweth, W Ellis, M Goninan, R Trevorrow, D Johns
Middle row: J Trudgeon, M Trathen, A G Dymond, B Olds, H Stevens, C Trezise, R Webber, M Angove,
R Angove, R O Harry, H Kemp
Front row: J Lawry, J Harvey, C George, W R Warren, Captain A G Richards, C May, R Lawry, J Thomas, T Semmens, H Wearne
Pendeen Band 1953. (Photo: unknown)
Back row: H Angove, D Johns, C Rendall, J Trenoweth, T Freeman, K Trevorrow, W Ellis, S Osborne, J Harris
Middle row: J Trudgeon, W Warren, J Roberts, M Angove, B Olds, N Dymond, C Trezise, H Stevens, R O Harry, M Trathen, C May
Front row: J Lawry, J T Harvey, C George, W R Warren (President), A G Richards (MD), C Nippard, H Wearne,
R Lawry, J Thomas, T Semmens
1954: Pendeen Band contesting under Rushworth Harry. (Contest archive)
June 1954-April 1955: Sidney Mitchell, MD.
April 1955-December 1955: Mr J Grand, MD.
1955: Pendeen Band contesting under J R Grand. (Contest archive)
Pendeen Band 1958 (Photo: unknown)
Other Pendeen Band MDs not mentioned elsewhere (in no particular order): John Casley, G Eddy, N H Grenfell and B Trembath. (Cornish Magazine article by Phyllis Colenso 1960s)
September 1964 to 1969: Thomas Chainey Pendeen Band MD. (Cornish Magazine article by Phyllis Colenso 1960s)
Pendeen Silver Band 1966 (Photo: Cornish Magazine Feb 1966)
The interesting article by Phyllis Colenso is taken from “The Cornish Magazine” and I hope that its inclusion will not offend
This programme has been lodged at Kresen Kernow
1968: Pendeen Silver unplaced and 3rd in the Third Section at the SWBBA Contest under T Rule playing Little Suite No 2 for Brass Band and own choice march.
1969 to 1971: Telfor Rule, Pendeen Band MD
1969: Pendeen Silver placed 3rd in the Fourth Section of the Regional Championships under T Rule playing Petite Suite De Ballet by Eric Ball.
1969: Pendeen Silver placed 11th in the Fourth Section of the National Championships under T Rule playing American Sketches by Eric Ball.
1971: Pendeen Silver placed in the top four in the Fourth section of the Regional Championships.
1971: Pendeen Silver participated in the Fourth section final of the National Brass Band Championships of GB under Telfor rule.
1971 to 1980: Capt. A G Richards, Pendeen Band MD. (Contest archive)
1980: Pendeen Silverd Played during HM The Queen’s visit to Geevor Tin Mines. (Band Website)
1983 to 1992 circa: Rushworth Harry, Pendeen Band MD. (Contest archive)
1986: Pendeen Silver, with others, led a protest parade through Central London against the closure of Cornish Tin Mines.(Band website)
1986: Pendeen Silver received the Cornish Gorsedd Award by the Grand Bard – a 28 inch Copper Shield – awarded in recognition of successes in local and national competitions. (Band Website)
1992: Pendeen Silver played at the Service of Dedication and Naming Ceremony of the Sennen lifeboat The Four Boys conducted by HRH The Duke of Kent. (Band Website)
(Courtesy British Bandsman 1st August 1992)
1995: New band room opened. (Band Website)
1996: Pendeen Silver Band placed 1st in the Fourth section of the Regional Championships under G Thomas playing Mexican Fiesta.
1997: Pendeen Silver Band led a protest march through London against the closure of Cornish Hospitals.
2006: Pendeen Silver Band contesting under Simon Smith. (Contest archive)
2008: Pendeen Silver Band contesting under Steve Wearne. (Contest archive)
2011: Pendeen Silver Band contesting under Darren Jenkin. (Contest archive)
2012: Pendeen Silver Band competed at the Whit Friday competition in Yorkshire.
2013: Pendeen Silver Band placed 19th in the Fourth Section of the Regional Championships under Darren Jenkin playing A Devon Fantasy.
2014: Pendeen Silver Band placed 14th in the Fourth Section of the Regional Championships under David Hamilton playing Three Spanish Impressions.
2015: Pendeen Silver Band placed 12th in the Fourth Section of the Regional Championships under Darren Jenkin playing An English Pastorale by Dean Jones.
2015: Pendeen Silver Band placed 1st in the Fourth Section at the SWBBA contest under Daren Jenkin playing English Folk Song Suite.
2016: Pendeen Silver placed 6th in the Fourth Section of the Regional Championships under Darren Jenkin playing The Journal of Phileus Fogg.
2016: Pendeen Silver took part in the Uppermill Whit Friday Contest and, seemingly, won the Fourth Section.
2016: Pendeen Silver participated in the Fourth section of the SWBBA Annual Championships under Darren Jenkin playing Saddleworth Festival Overture by Goff Richards.
2017: Pendeen Silver placed 10th in the Fourth Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Darren Jenkin playing St Andrew’s Variations.
2018: Pendeen Silver placed 2nd in the Fourth Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Leonard Adams playing World Tour by Dr Rodney Newton.
2018: Pendeen Silver placed 10th in the Fourth section of the National Championships of Great Britain under Leonard Adams playing Divertimento for Brass by Darrol Barry.
2018: Pendeen Silver took part in the Whit Friday Delph Contest playing Castle Caeffell.
2019: Pendeen Silver placed 7th in the Third Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Leonard Adams playing First Suite in Eb by Gustav Holst arr. Herbert.
2020: Pendeen Silver placed 10th in the Third Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Leonard Adams playing Endurance — narrative variations for brass band by Andrew Baker.
Pendeen Band on route to the 2022 “Wakes Walks”
2023: Pendeen Silver placed 14th in the Third Section of the Regional Championships under Leonard Adams playing Chorale & Toccata by Stephen Bulla.
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.
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