Penwithick or Penwithick Stents is a village 2.5 miles north of St Austell, in the civil parish of Treverbyn in the ‘clay country’ area
1919 circa: “Penwithick Band formed by some of the many bandsmen living in the St Austell area who had played in brass bands before the war, some of whom had been with the old Volunteer Bands that had disbanded on the outbreak of hostilities. And as not all civilian bands had immediately reformed there was a surplice of spare musicians who wanted to make music again.” (John Brush)
“Penwithick Band played at many events like Sunday school processions and their tea treats; processions for the various Friendly Societies: Rechabites, Oddfellows, and the like); raising funds for the local hospitals; sports days, including their own and, inevitably, the Flora Dance – and there were lots of them.” (John Brush)
Penwithick Band attended the third West of England Bandsmen’s Festival in 1919 when it collected fifth place out of the nine bands in Class B. Mr T Hancock conducted it on this occasion. During the 1920s and up to 1931 it competed in contests from St Ives to Plymouth playing under various conductors including the redoubtable W D Lawton, George Cave and W Adamson. Indeed, historian John Brush commented that Penwithick Band was taking part in contests shortly after it was formed, and this underlined the fact that it comprised experienced players. He wrote, “Almost from day one they indulged in that favourite pastime of brass bands – the contest. Considering that they were only a village band whose close neighbours were the St Dennis Band, who in those days happily poached all the best players from around the area, the Penwithick Band history of contest successes can sit comfortably with them.” The band achieved some very respectable results which indicates that it had made steady progress against stiff competition.
1922: Penwithick Band contesting under T Eastwood. (Contest archive)
1923: Penwithick Silver Band at Feast Tuesday and paraded to Mount Charles. (31 May 1923 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1924: Penwithick Band contesting under R W Davison. (Contest archive)
1926: Bugle, Penwithick and Stenalees Silver Bands at Treverbyn District Friendly Societies. (19 May 1926 – Western Morning News)
1926 to 1931: Penwithick Band contesting under W Adamson. (Contest archive)
1929: Penwithick Silver Band at Bugle British Legion service. (12 November 1929 – Western Morning News)
1930: Mr R Richards appointed resident bandmaster of Penwithick Silver Band. (1 April 1930 – WMN)
1930: Penwithick Silver Band at Grampound sports and carnival. (31 July 1930 – Cornishman)
1935: Penwithick Band at Tywardreath. (7 May 1935 – WMN)
1945: Penwithick Silver Band in a procession. (18 August 1945 – Western Morning News)
1946: Penwithick Band contesting under Harold Bennett. (Contest archive)
1946: An appearance at Nanpean (Old pound) Contest signalled that it had emerged from the war period a viable entity and during the late 1940s and early 1950s the Penwithick players were back on the contest stage again – at the Mid-Cornwall Bandsmen’s Festival at Stenalees.
Penwithick Silver Band c. 1950s (Photo: courtesy Malcolm Gould)
1950: Constantine and Penwithick Silver Bands at Carnival to end Navy Week.(3 August 1950 – Cornishman)
1950: Penwithick Band contesting under W Lawton. (Contest archive)
1952: Penwithick Band contesting under E Richards. (Contest archive)
1952: Penwithick Band contesting under R Lean. (Contest archive)
Penwithick Band 1956 (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
Back row: Northey (Jumbo) Trethewey, Roy Vincent, Will Richards, Laurance Lean, Norman Grose, Geoffrey Rowe, Jose Kessell
Middle row: Harry Dyer (drum), Harry Webber, Melville Robins, Percy Nicholls, John Fahey, Fred Lean, Bill Robers, Michael Bray, Arthur (Okey) Rowse (side drum)
Front row: Les Lean, Roland Burley, Henry Lean, Tommy Nicholls, Fred Lean, Mr Langdon, William Vincent, Eldon Robins, Henry Fahey
1950s mid to late: Penwithick Band disbanded.
“Most bands, like old soldiers, fade away rather than die suddenly. Penwithick was another of these. For the players in the last couple of years of its life, it must have been a sad period to go through despite those who stay to the bitter end in the hope that fortunes will improve.” (John Brush)
“Penwithick Band was yet another brass band which closed during the period that professional entertainment was being beamed into our living rooms.” (John Brush)
1970s: Penwithick Band re-formed in the early 1970’s. (Malcolm Gould)
Roy Richards of Rescorla, Penwithick Band MD (Malcolm Gould)
“Roy played the cornet and conducted at the same time. We played in the village at Christmas, also I remember a gymkhana at Rescorla where we played “Wandrin’ Star” and boy, didn’t we wander. One section of the band played one part whilst the rest played another; clearly not enough practice but all good fun!” (Malcolm Gould)
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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