Penryn is a civil parish and town on the Penryn River about 1 mile north-west of Falmouth

 

Unknown formation date.

1861: Physiology of Plants, by the magic lantern, the proceeds of which were appropriated to the Penryn Band of Hope Drum and Fife Band.” (4 January 1861 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

21 Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles / K Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles / K Company 1st Volunteer Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry / K Company 4th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Territorial Force). “The band’s strength between 1865 and 1881 fluctuated between 10 and 14 players. It was fully functional by 1869. The band is on record as having attended two contests, achieving a 2nd and a 3rd placing.” (John Brush)

1865: St Gluvias in the following order: Stithians Band … Band of the 21st Penryn D.C. Rifle. (10 June 1865 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1868: Penryn Volunteer Band. With respect to reports complaining of Captain Jenkins’s refusal to allow the Volunteer Band to join in a political … (5 November 1868 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1869: Penryn Independent Band played at Penryn Regatta. (John Brush)

The Penryn Independent Band was so named to distinguish it from the Penryn Volunteer Band which existed concurrently. How much of these two bands were in fact one group of men under two titles is not known but it is difficult to see how Penryn’s population of those days would be able to support two bands. (John Brush)

There follows a period when, as was often the case, newspaper reporters could not decide on the correct title for this Band and were referring to it as Penryn Independent Band, Penryn Town Band, Penryn Brass Band and even Penryn Band. (John Brush)

1869: Oddfellow and Foresters marched through the grounds of Place to the mansion, headed by the Penryn Independent Band. (10 July 1869 – Royal Cornwall Gazette / 10 July 1869 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1869: The creek presented a lively appearance. All the vessels displayed their colours. The 21st D.C.R. Volunteers and Penryn Independent Brass Bands played selections throughout the day. The fields bordering the creek contained many hundreds of spectators. (31 July 1869 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1869: Penryn Independent Band intend to give a concert vocal and instrumental music, at Penryn. (9 October 1869 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1870: Penryn Independent Brass Band gave a concert at the Town Hall. The band is considered the best in the neighbourhood. (1 January 1870 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1870: Penryn Working Men’s Club. Some overtures by the Penryn Independent Brass Band. (21 April 1870 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1871: Penryn Independent Band, and the Coastguard under Captain Hambly and Chief Officer Tierney, followed. (3 June 1871 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1871: Penryn Independent Band was on board and played several airs throughout the day. (30 September 1871 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1875: Penryn Independent Band seemingly disbanded and re-formed as there is a report which refers to “the recently inaugurated Town Band. (John Brush)

1875: Penryn Rifle Corps Band was in attendance. (28 August 1875 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1875 to 1888: Penryn Rifle Corps Band contesting. (Contest archive)

1877: Truro and Penryn Independent Bands were in attendance. (6 July 1877 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1880: Master of ceremonies (on horse-back) Independent Band; … Penryn Volunteer Band; Congregational; Wesleyans. (1 July 1880 – Cornishman)

1880: The teachers and children formed a procession and headed by the Penryn Royal Volunteers’ Band. (15 July 1880 – Cornishman)

1881: Mabe Wesleyan Sunday-scholars (of Trenoweth) on Wednesday were at Tremough. Penryn Rifle Band. (4 August 1881 – Cornishman)

1881: Penryn Independent Brass Band was also in attendance, and played some choice selections during the evening. (18 November 1881 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1882: Penryn lndependent Band performed a selection of music throughout the day, under the conductorship of Mr Esgenhigh. (8 September 1882 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1883: Teachers and scholars formed a procession, headed by the Penryn Brass Band, and marched to the beautiful grounds. (29 June 1883 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1883: Falmouth Mission, and also accompanied by the bands of the Falmouth Corps of the Salvation Army and the Penryn Independent Band. The procession proceeded from Arwenack to the Congregational Chapel, where the route ended. (20 July 1883 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1883: The children, numbering about two hundred, assembled at the Temperance Hall; and, headed by the Penryn Volunteer Band, paraded the principal streets of the town. (27 July 1883 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1883: Penryn Horticultural Show. The Independent Brass Band enlivened the proceedings with a selection of popular music. (24 August 1883 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1884: W Beard, Penryn Band MD. (John Brush)

1884: The proceedings were enlivened by the strains of the Penryn R.V. band, under the leadership of Mr Greenslade. (6 June 1884 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1884: Oddfellowship at Penryn headed by the Independent Brass Band. (6 June 1884 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1886: Penryn Orchestral Society, who kindly gave their services, both in their corporate capacity, as a String and Brass Band, and in their individual capacity as vocalists. The performance of this band (under the conductorship of Mr. Thomas). (29 January 1886 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1886: Penryn Volunteer Band played some capital selections of music. (12 February 1886 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1886: Carnkie Primitive Methodist Sunday School held their tea-treat. Penryn Brass Band and the Carnkie Fife and Drum Band were in attendance. (23 July 1886 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)

1887: Penryn Independent Band in a procession. (7 July 1887 – The Cornish Telegraph)

1888-89: J Greenslade, Penryn Volunteer Band MD. (John Brush)

1889: Swanpool, where two three vessels of the defending fleet were anchored. There was no lack of music, the Penryn Volunteer Band being stationed near the committee boat, and the Band of the Submarine Miners. (29 August 1889 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1889: Penryn Firing Band. (28 November 1889 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1892: Three selections were also rendered by members of the Penryn Orchestral Band. (28 January 1892 – RCG)

1892: Falmouth hospital demonstration. Penryn Rifle Volunteer Band. (10 November 1892 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

Penryn Volunteers Band (Photo: unknown)

1893: Oddfellows and Foresters Juvenile Societies; Penryn Rifle Volunteer Band, Bandmaster Franklin; adult members Oddfellows, Foresters, and Rechabites; the Falmouth Volunteer Band. (7 September 1893 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1895: Bands of … Co.’s D.C.L.I. and Penryn Independent Band under Bandmasters Hallett, Frank and Basanko, respectively, perambulated the streets. (23 September 1895 – Western Morning News)

1896-99: GH Hallett, Penryn Volunteer Band MD (who had previously conducted Falmouth Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles Band. (John Brush)

1898: “A processional march composed by Mr G Hallett, bandmaster Penryn Volunteer Band, is said to have been played by the Naples band a short time since, before their Highnesses the Prince and Princess …”(29 September 1898 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1899: “… twelve-mile march to Falmouth. There were a few halts on the way, the most considerable one at Longdowns. When near Penryn the Band of the Local Volunteers, under Mr …, met the soldiers and played them into the borough, …”(1 June 1899 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1900: Funeral, at Ponsanooth. Bandmaster T Andrew and several members of Perranwell and Penryn Bands were present. (27 December 1900 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1900: “Hospital Sunday at Mylor. Mylor friendly societies’ hospital parade took place on Sunday afternoon, when Penryn Volunteer Band, under Bandmaster Beard; …” (13 September 1900 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1900 to 1903: W Beard, Penryn Rifle Volunteer Band MD. (John Brush)

1903: Penryn Volunteer Brass Band perambulated the principal streets of the village. (3 July 1903 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)

1903: Headed by the Falmouth and Penryn Bands. (30 July 1903 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1903: Friendly Societies in aid of the hospital funds. On Saturday afternoon the Penryn Rifle Volunteer Band (Bandmaster Andrew) and the Mabe and Flushing Fife and Drum Bands played selections of music. (3 September 1903 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1904: During the afternoon Penryn Volunteer Band, Perranwell Brass Band, and Drum and Fife Band rendered selections in different parts of the town. (1 October 1904 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)

1906: Penryn and Volunteer Bands amalgamated, and the Mabe Fife and Drum Band played at various places. (29 September 1906 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)

1907: Zion Bible Christian Sunday school annual tea treat. Penryn Volunteer Band. (4 July 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1908: Restronguet Regatta. Penryn Town Band, under Bandmaster Beard, rendered selections of music on the committee boat in the afternoon, and gave a concert on shore. (3 August 1908 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1908: A most successful function was brought to a close by the Penryn Town Band. (14 August 1908 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1908: Mylor Regatta. Penryn Town Band was in attendance, under Bandmaster Beard. (17 August 1908 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1908: Penryn Town Band was in attendance and played selections on the committee-boat. (20 August 1908 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)

1908: Penryn Town Band was in attendance and played a selection of music on the quay. (4 September 1908 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1908: The tug Bazoo was used as the committee vessel and during the regatta the Penryn Town Band played selections. (18 September 1908 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

Considering the following item, it seems that Penryn Town Band disbanded.

1909: The formation of a Town Band for Penryn is fairly on the way towards being an accomplished fact. All brand-new instruments have been ordered. (1 October 1909 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1909: Christmas Day at Penryn. During the afternoon and evening, some members of the newly formed Town Band rendered selections of sacred music in different parts of the Borough. (31 December 1909 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1910 circa to 1930s: C Burton, Penryn Town Band MD. (John Brush)

1910: Penryn Town Band played selections under the leadership of Mr. Charles Burton. (19 August 1910 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1911: The Town Band, under the conductorship of Mr. C. P. Burton, rendered music. (7 April 1911 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1911: Reception at Penryn. The Town Band was in attendance. (21 April 1911 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1911: Restronguet Regatta. Penryn Town Band was in attendance, under Bandmaster C. Burton. (11 August 1911 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1911: Penryn Town Band, under Bandmaster Burton, rendered selections of music during the afternoon. (17 August 1911 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1911: Penryn Town Band, Bandmaster C. P. Burton, tendered enjoyable selections of music. (22 September 1911 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1911: Friendly Societies and of the Falmouth Hospital and Penryn Nurse Fund took place Saturday last, during which the Town Band, under Bandmaster Burton, played selections of music in various parts of the town. (29 September 1911 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1911: Penryn Town Band, under Bandmaster Burton, opened each part with a selection. (15 December 1911 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)

1912: Penryn Town Band in attendance. (24 June 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1912: Church Bazaar. Penryn Town Band was in attendance. (27 June 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

1920: Pony Race encored. Penryn Town Band in attendance. (5 August 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)

Mid-1930s: Penryn Town Band probably disbanded. (John Brush)

1978: Penryn School Brass Band made a concert tour of west Germany.

1979: Penryn School Brass Band made a concert tour of Brittany.

1980: Penryn School Brass Band made a concert tour of the Isles of Scilly.

1981: Penryn School Brass Band made a concert tour of the Home Counties.

1982 circa: Barry Tresidder, Penryn Concert Youth Band MD.

1981-1982: Penryn Concert Youth Band registered with the CBBA and SWBBA and contesting under Howard Barnes. (Contest archive)

1980s: Saracen Brass (Penryn) formed by former pupils of Penryn School to continue playing after leaving school.

Howard E Barnes, Saracen Brass MD.

1984 to 1986: Saracen Brass contesting under H Barnes. (Contest archive)

1984: Saracen Brass unplaced (The Prizewinners) in the Third Section of the SWBBA Contest under H Barnes.

1984: Penryn School Band unplaced (Own choice and March Bandology) in the Junior Section of the SWBBA Contest under H Barnes.

1985: Saracen Brass – unknown result (Three Inventions) in the Third Section of the SWBBA Contest under H Barnes.

1980s late: Saracen Brass disbanded.

 

 

 

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.