Perranporth is a small seaside resort town on the north coast of Cornwall
Unknown formation date.
1868: On Wednesday, the members of the St Agnes Lodge of Oddfellows, held their annual demonstration. The members, numbering 130, formed in procession, accompanied by their juvenile Lodge of Oddfellows, which numbering about 40, and headed by the Perranzabuloe and St Agnes Brass Bands, marched to the parish church, where an excellent sermon was delivered by the Rev. A A Vawdrey. (2 July 1868 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1869: The proceedings were enlivened by some excellent music by the Perran Brass Band and Emidy’s Band, of Truro, and a very agreeable afternoon was spent. (17 June 1869 – RCG)
1869: The children belonging to this school, held their annual tea treat. They marched in procession, headed by the Perranzabuloe Brass Band, from their school-room to the lawn and gardens of Mr W. N. Carne, Rosemundy, and from thence to the town. (17 July 1869 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1869: … lights were shown, fireworks let off, bonfire blazed, and houses were illuminated with tasteful designs. The Perran Brass Band played, and everyone did all that could be done for the honour of the day, which will long be pleasingly remembered. (4 September 1869 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1870: Perranporth Band played two evenings a week during the summer in Perranporth. (John Brush)
1870: The scholars and teachers met in the chapel, formed a procession, and, headed by the Perranzabuloe Brass Band, marched to Lanhily, the seat of Mr. J. Odgers, who, to show his approval of such an institution. (30 June 1870 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1870: Second demonstration. The brethren assembled at the lodge-room, and from thence, headed by the Perran Brass Band, walked in procession to the parish church. (30 June 1870 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1870: Newquay Cottage Gardening Society. The Perran Brass Band enlivened the proceedings of the day with selections of music in their usual effective style. (1 September 1870 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1872: The company were enlivened frequently by the performance of the Perranporth band. (7 September 1872)
1873: Perranporth Band possibly disbanded. (John Brush)
1873: Jas Richards. He has left a widow and six children. For several years past he had been the leader of the Perran Brass Band, whose merits it is unnecessary to extol. (27 March 1873 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1874: The dinner, which was an excellent one, was provided by the hostess, Mrs. Pascoe, and the Perran Brass Band was in attendance. (18 July 1874 – Royal Cornwall Gazette / 16th July 1874 – West Briton)
1878: Teachers and scholars assembled in the Wesleyan Chapel, from whence they proceeded in procession, headed by the Perran Brass Band to the residence of Mr John Jose, Melingey (Bolingey?). (28 June 1878 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1883: The Perranporth Brass Band, under the direction of Mr E Veale, jnr., was in attendance, and played choice selections of music. (17 August 1883 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1885: L Company, Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles / L Company 1st Volunteer Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry / L Company 4th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Territorial Force). “The Perranporth Volunteer Band was formed later than most other volunteer bands, but was in action from 1885 up to WW1. The only name that can be found as Bandmaster is a Harry Robins, a much respected local musician who later went on to conduct St Agnes Town Band. He had control of this volunteer band from 1903 to 1911. The band did not seem to be rushed off their feet with work but they did attend a contest in 1904 in Chacewater where they were placed third.” (John Brush)
Perranporth Volunteer DCR Band was apparently known as the “Hellers”
1886: E Veale Perranporth Band MD. (BBHD) Possibly the DCR band.
1886: On Monday the members of the Temperance and Band of Hope met, and after perambulating the village, headed by the Perranporth Brass Band, returned to the schoolroom. (13 August 1886 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1886: Perranzabuloe Cattle Insurance Society. The Perranporth Brass Band, under the direction of Mr E Veale, jar, was in attendance and played choice selections of music. (6 August 1886 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: Goonown Band of Hope held their annual demonstration on Whit-Monday. In the afternoon a procession, headed by the Perranporth Brass Band, perambulated the neighbourhood and then proceeded to a field at Goonown where a public tea was provided. (24 May 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: On the following Monday the annual treat was held, when the teachers and scholars, headed by Perranporth Brass Band, paraded the streets of St Day and proceeded thence to the field, where they were supplied with tea and cake. (14 June 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: Annual tea at Greenbottom. The Perranporth Brass Band was in attendance. (28 June 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: The teachers and children met in the schoolroom and forming a procession, headed by the Brea and Perranporth Brass Bands, marched through the principal streets of the town, and through the grounds of S H Moyle, Esq., Tregullow. (6 July 1888 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
1888: The proceedings opened with a procession of Oddfellows, headed by the Perranporth Brass Band. (19 July 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1889: Perranporth Brass Band was in attendance, and the resultant effort was most satisfactory, over £10 being realised. (10 January 1889 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1889: The roof and windows and spire of the church [Mithian] being in a very unsatisfactory condition, Mr. J. P. St. Aubyn, architect, was asked to inspect the church and report on it. A bazaar was held at Perranporth to raise funds for rebuilding at which the Perranporth Band played. (22nd August 1889 – RCG)
1890: Perranporth Brass Band enlivened the proceedings by playing selections during the evening. (6 November 1890 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1891: William Veale, Perranporth Band MD. (BBHD)
1891: A County Convalescent Home. They marched in procession to the site headed by the Perranporth Brass Band, under Mr William Veale. (2 April 1891 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1891: The members assembled at the schoolroom at two p.m., formed a procession, headed by the Perran-porth (sic) Brass Band, walked to Chacewater. (21 May 1891 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1892: The carriage was unhorsed, and a more than enthusiastic crowd pulled him into the Church. On the arrival of the Perran Brass Band a crowd of several hundred gathered and cheers were raised for Mr. Conybeare. (21 July 1892 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1893: Annual festival on Whit- Monday. The members met in the school, when they formed a procession, headed by the Perranporth Brass Band, and after perambulating the principal streets returned to a field at Goonown, kindly lent for the occasion by Mrs Stribley. (25 May 1893 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1893: St Agnes on Sunday had its first Hospital Sunday, headed by the Perran Brass Band (who kindly gave their services). (26 October 1893 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1894: Perranporth Band, under the direction of Rev S E Marsh (curate of the parish), played a selection of music. (23 August 1894 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1895: No doubt, the St Austell people would have approved of the suggestion. I hope the Council will invite the Perranporth Brass Band at some time. (16 May 1895 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1895: An invitation has been sent to the Perranporth Brass Band. Possibly some other arrangements have been made. I cannot fancy a demonstration without a brass band. (20 June 1895 – RCG)
29th July 1895: Porthtowan Wesley Sunday School Treat was on Saturday and was largely attended. The children assembled at the school, and then headed by Perran Brass Band, walked to the beach, and back to a field kindly lent by Mr Goad, where tea was provided… (Photo: courtesy Malc McCarthy / Report: Cornubian and Redruth Times / Susan Coney)
1897: Goonown Band of Hope held their annual festival on Whit-Monday. The members formed a procession, headed by Perranporth Brass Band, and after parading the district adjourned to a field at Goonown (kindly lent Mr. J. Houghton), where a tea was provided. (10 June 1897 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1897: The children assembled in a field near the parish church, lent by Mr Pope, and marched in procession, headed by the Perranporth Brass Band. (1 July 1897 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1898: The recent concert given in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Perranporth, and a few subscriptions, the members of the Perranzabuloe Brass Band (Mr Harry Robins, bandmaster) have been provided with new uniforms. (17 February 1898 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1898: The united Bands of Hope held their annual festival on Whit-Monday. Headed by the Perranporth Brass Band, a procession was formed and paraded the principal streets. (2 June 1898 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1898: The members of the Oddfellows and Philanthropic friendly societies, headed by the Perranporth Brass Band, paraded the principal streets, the appointed collectors calling at the houses en route. (13 October 1898 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1900: To the strains of Auld Lang Syne by the band, and vociferous cheers from the children and friends. Perranporth Brass Band was in attendance. (17 May 1900 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1900: Headed the Perranporth Brass Band, the scholars had a parade before tea. (20 April 1900 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
1900: Perranporth Volunteers Brass Band active. (John Brush)
1901: Perranporth Rifle Volunteer band and fife and drum bend marched out the short distance to meet him. (14 November 1901 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1901: Perranporth Band played at a tea treat. (John Brush) Possibly the DCR band.
1902: Perranporth Company Ist V.B. D.C.L.1.. under Captain J. Teague and Lieut. Olive, and their band, on Thursday headed a large procession to the parish church, where intercessory service was held. The band played the National Anthem at the beginning and end of the service. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 03 July 1902)
1903 to 1911: Harry Robins, Perranporth Volunteer DCR Band MD, a much respected local musician who later conducted St Agnes Town Band.
1903: Royal Cornwall Infirmary and the District Nursing Association at St Agnes on Sunday. Headed by the Perranporth Volunteer Band (Bandmaster Robins), the members of the philanthropic and Oddfellows’ lodges paraded the streets. (30 July 1903 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Perranporth DCR Band circa 1903 (Photo: courtesy Harold Philp)
Back row: N Hubbard, G Rippon, unknown, Will Robins
Middle row: S Cowling, ? Dunstan, E Jolly, Harry Robins (MD), Nick Robins, J Cowling
Front row: B Gilbert, ? Williams, ? Mackenzie, unknown, Maurice Goddard Kimber, J Findlay
1903: Perranporth Volunteer Band on Friday last gave an open-air concert, which attracted a good gathering. (30 July 1903 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1904: Band of Hope festival. The members marched to Chacewater and back to the school, headed by the Perranporth Volunteer Band, under Bandmaster Robins. (26 May 1904 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1904: Headed by the Perranporth Volunteer Band (Bandmaster Robins) the teachers and children paraded the streets. (28 July 1904 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1905: St Agnes Philanthropic Society fete – Perranporth Volunteer Band in attendance. (15 June 1905 – Cornishman)
1905: Scholars and teachers assembled at 3 o’clock in their new schoolroom, when a procession was formed, headed by the Perranporth Volunteer Band, under Bandmaster H Robins. The procession marched through the porth to a field kindly lent by Mr Pearce. (6 July 1905 – Cornishman)
1904: Perranporth DCR Band contesting. (Contest archive)
1906: Perranporth Band played at St Agnes Regatta. (RCG 6th September 1906)
1907: After the enrolment, the new company paraded headed by the 2nd Company Truro Band and the Perranporth Company’s Fife Band. (8 August 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1907: Perranporth DCR Band disbanded. (BBHD)
1930s: Perranporth Band active. (BBHD)
1931: Harry Robins, Perranporth Band MD. (John Brush)
1931: Carnival at Perranporth. In the afternoon and evening, concerts were given by the Perranporth Town Band, conducted by Mr H Robins. The day’s programme closed with a firework display in Boscawen Park. (13 August 1931 – Cornishman)
Perranporth Band – unknown date (Photo: courtesy Eileen Carter, Perranporth)
1931: A concert was given in Boscawen Park, Perranporth, on Friday by Perranporth Town Band, under Mr Harry Robins. (24 August 1931 – Western Morning News)
1932: Perranporth Band, under Mr Harry Robins, gave concerts on the sea front. (2 August 1932 – Western Morning News)
1932: Perranporth Carnival. Music for the procession was provided by Camborne Town Band under Mr A W Parker, Redruth Town Band under Mr E J Williams and Perranporth Town Band under Mr H Robins. (11 August 1932 – Cornishman)
(photo courtesy Derek Brooks who was given it by Ashley Jose)
Leslie Bown is the young lad, third from the right – sat on a chair. He would have been about 12 or 13 in this photo. He was later tragically killed at the Nobel Explosives Factory in 1902 aged 17 along with two brothers named Menadue from Rose. He was the eldest of five children of my great-grandmother Elizabeth who was widowed and lived in Callestick. She depended on her children to help support the household. He was the older brother of Bernard Bown (mentioned in an earlier post) and of my grandfather Oscar Bown. (Andrew Bown)
1932: Perranporth and St Agnes Bands, under Mr H Robins and Mr Langford, combined to give concert at Perranporth on Saturday evening. (30 August 1932 – Western Morning News)
1933 – 6th April: Members of Perranporth Band acted as bearers at the funeral of Ralph Dunstan who had been the band’s president. Ralph Dunstan was a collector of Cornish folksongs and a musician having played the euphonium amongst many other instruments. (John Dunstan writing in the Royal Institution of Cornwall Journal 2016)
1933: Harry Robins. During the war he was bandmaster of the R.D.C. Military Band at Hayle and had also led St Agnes Band, besides Perranporth Band, of which he was leader at the time of his death. He was founder and conductor of the district choir.” (17 August 1933 – Cornishman)
1934: Perranporth Band, under Mr T Swift (bandmaster), gave a programme of music on the Promenade on Wednesday evening. (6 July 1934 – Western Morning News)
1934: Perranporth Band, under Mr T Swift, bandmaster, gave a programme on the Promenade, Perranporth, on Bank Holiday. (8 August 1934 – Western Morning News)
1935: Perranporth Band, under Mr T Swift, played during the evening. (12 November 1935 – Western Morning News)
Perranporth Band (Photo: courtesy Harold Philp)
Back row: J May, P Truran, L Salmon, L Keast, A Buddle, K Pope, J Roberts, A Hoskin
Middle row: S Smith, E Jolly, P Tregonning, W Dunstone, H Robins (Bandmaster), P White, S Cowling, J Kellow
Front row: A Soloman, T Keast, A Hoskin, J Flamank, R Menadue, E Lavin
(Photo: courtesy Harold Philp)
1948: Flora Dance at Perranporth featured Perranporth Band before funds had been raised for uniforms.
1949: Perranporth Town Band performing outside the Stork Club at Perranporth. (Maurice Kimber)
1953 to 1955 circa: Jack Eustace Perranporth Band MD.
Perranporth Band at Pentrigg House in June 1953 – the day after Stenalees Contest (Photo: courtesy Donald Waters & Chris Jeffery)
Back Row: E Stephens (committee), Clive Simmons (2nd cornet), John Roberts (solo cornet), P Lovelock (solo cornet), Leonard Keast (principal cornet),
Dicky Stocks (solo cornet), Sid Jeffery (2nd cornet), Michael Mitchell (2nd cornet – Zelah), Nip Stephens (drums), F Burley (committee)
Middle Row: H Drew (committee), Jack Hartland (drums), Unknown (solo trombone), Edmund Stephens (2nd trombone), Albert Davey (bass trombone),
Bill Keast (solo horn), John Hawker (1st horn), Robert Cocking (2nd horn), Donald Waters (2nd baritone – Zelah), Stewart Rowe (guest),
Front Row: Henry Morgan (treasurer – Perranporth Station Master), Stan Jacka (Bb bass), Stanley Smith (Eb bass – Grocer),
Wenworth “Wenty” Spraggs (principal euphonium), J Clark (Chairman), Jack Eustice (Musical Director), Dr D Robb (President – GP), J Lovelock (1st baritone),
Jonny Williams (euphonium – Bolingey Garage), B Williams (Eb bass – Jonny’s father), W Tregonning (secretary)
Billy and John Williams (father and son)
1955 circa: Joe Volante Perranporth Band MD.
1957 – June: Perranporth Band’s finances in a perilous situation – approximately £180 overdrawn. (Harold Philp)
1957: An impassioned letter was sent to members to try and keep the band going.
1957 – 2nd May: Donation received from the author, Winston Graham. (Harold Philp)
“Dear … Things are getting desperate and desperate measures have to be taken. I’m not writing this because I’m Secretary of the Band – just as a Bandsman. … Will you help me, and the few others, who are trying to keep things going. We want to hold a meeting on Wednesday week the 18th September to get the Committee and the few remaining players together, can you come and build up the numbers. Don’t please put this letter to one side and forget it! I beg you to write to me, let me know if you will join us, or if any changes in the Band organisation could be made to interest you in the future. Any points which are raised in your letters will be treated confidentially ‘No names – no pack drill’. Any changes which you suggest. I’ll do my best to put into action, so please, please drop me a line before the weekend. Yours sincerely, ???” (Harold Philp)
1957: Various responses and comments were received and a list dated 2nd October 1957 indicates that a positive response was received from B Stocks, A Stephens, E Stephens and J Hawken. G Blackman is referred to as a ‘very keen baritone’. Others had specific problems or reservations or were unable to. (Harold Philp)
1957: One of the responses was this letter dated 15th September 1957: “… Personally I do not think the band has made any improvements since ‘Jack Haines’ left, or at least [was] flung out. Another thing I strongly object to is girls being in the band. It might be Ivy Benson’s band. One cannot crack a joke etc., with girls present and I prefer a full men’s band. I will see you on Wednesday evening & have a chat. Yours sincerely, Nipper Stephens. (Harold Philp)
It seems that considerable efforts to keep the Band going was made by some members but it was in vain as Perranporth Band was disbanded. (John Brush)
1994: Attempt to form Perranporth Youth Band and on-loan instruments returned by Camborne Youth Band.
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.