Polperro is a village and fishing harbour on the south-east Cornwall coast

 

Unknown formation date.

1849: Polperro Band. “On Tuesday week, Polperro New Road was completed and, on the following day, it was opened to the public, amidst such rejoicings as could only be excited by a general sense of the utility and importance of the improvement. Preparations for celebrating the event commenced at an early hour in the morning, and tastefully decorated arches were soon to be seen in all the principal parts of the place. From the highest points of the opposite hills, which rise on either side, several hundred feet above the level of the sea, a rope was drawn up just over the centre of the town, and at least three hundred feet above it, from which were suspended a vast number of flags, waving triumphantly over its brightening prospects, and forming a display grand beyond anything within the recollection of the oldest inhabitant, and which will not cease to be remembered and spoken of as long as the youngest eyewitness shall live. About eleven o’clock in the forenoon the Liskeard Band, whose services had been engaged for the occasion, played in good style, and were soon joined by the excellent little band belonging to the town. They proceeded together to the pier, and embarking in a boat played delightfully in their course out of the harbour and also on their return. Shortly after two o’clock, a procession consisting of little less than a thousand persons left the town by the old road for the purpose of performing the opening ceremony. The Polperro Band took the lead, and was followed by several carriages, headed by a boat on wheels, decorated for the occasion and drawn by hand. Then came a vast concourse on foot, while the Liskeard Band brought up the rear. Having reached the point where the new road commences, the gate was thrown open and the procession passed through, the bands playing appropriate airs, which were continued for the greater part of the way. Among those who were first to have a crack over this road in their carriages, was our townsman, Mr Francis Coath, and Mrs Coath, whose united ages amounted to some- where about 160 years. At the terminus of the road a public tea was provided, which did infinite credit to the ladies under whose management it was conducted. Several hundred sat down, and all seemed highly gratified with the proceedings, music being kept up during the greater part of the time. In the course of the evening the bands paraded the streets and wound up the pleasures of the day by playing God save the Queen underneath the flags beforementioned.” (WB 20 July 1849)

????: Polperro band disbanded.

1887: Polperro Band re-formed. (See following item)

1888: During the afternoon and evening, selections of music were most creditably performed by the Polperro Brass Band, which was only formed during the past winter. (21 June 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

1888: The opening proceedings commenced with a procession of the members of the Order, headed by the Polperro Band, and after perambulating the village they returned to the hall, where a public tea was well attended. (19 July 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

 

 

 

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.