Seworgan is a village in the parish of Constantine in west Cornwall
Unknown formation date.
1873: The Recent Band Contest. Mr Thomas Veal, bandmaster of the Constantine band, writes to us to correct sundry errors, which he alleges appeared in our paragraph respecting the contest at Gweek between the Constantine and Seworgan bands. Mr Veal declares that the bands did not play together at all; the Seworgan Band was not invited into the Ship Inn by the landlord, who was away from home at the time. Moreover, the Constantine Band has the honour of being styled the “Teetotal Band,” and when employed by Sunday schools the members always avoid entering public houses. In conclusion Mr Veal says that if a contest piece is provided and an impartial judge appointed, the Constantine Band will not hesitate to try their skill. (24 May 1873 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1873: We see in your last week’s paper that the Constantine Band is titled ‘The Teetotal Band’. We know very different from that, for if the leader, Mr Veal, is a teetotal he must have signed the pledge very lately. Besides, we see that the Constantine band have challenged us to play, if a contest is provided. We shall not back out. We had the praise at Gweek and that is the reason why the Constantine Band is not very well pleased. Yours respectfully, Seworgan May 26th 1873. Seworgan Band. (RCG)
1873: Children and teachers met the schoolroom, formed a procession, headed by the very competent Brass Band Seworgan. (24 July 1873 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1874: H.M.S. Ganges, under the direction of Mr. Bishop ; the Band of the Helston Volunteers, under Mr. Cope and the Seworgan Brass Band discoursed excellent music, and added much to a most enjoyable afternoon. (28 May 1874 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1874: Scholars met at the chapel at two o’clock; after singing a favourite hymn, formed a procession, headed by the Brass Band of Seworgan. After parading the adjacent villages, they returned to the chapel, where they were abundantly regaled with tea. (25 July 1874 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1874: Seworgan Band took up the strain and led to the lodge-room, where a sumptuous dinner was provided. (29 July 1874 – The Cornish Telegraph)
1874: Seworgan Brass Band was in attendance, and a very pleasant day was spent. (30 July 1874 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1874: Wendron. The annual tea of the above school was held recently. The teachers and scholars formed a procession, headed by the Brass Band of Seworgan, and, after perambulating the adjoining villages, returned to the chapel. (30 July 1874 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1874: Seworgan Brass Band played operatic and other selections throughout the day. (1 August 1874 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1875: … preceded by the Seworgan Brass Band. (3 July 1875 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1875: Teachers and scholars met at the chapel at 2 o’clock, and after singing a favourite hymn formed a procession, headed by the Brass Band of Seworgan, and parading the adjacent villages, returning to the chapel, where the children were regaled with tea and cake. (24 July 1875 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1876: From Bethel the party marched to Mrs. Moyle’s, and thence to the pretty little village of Gweek, headed by the Seworgan Brass Band, who gave great satisfaction throughout the day. (17 June 1876 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1877/78: Seworgan Band contesting. (Contest archive)
1877: Annual tea. They assembled in the afternoon and marched through Helston, headed by the Seworgan Brass Band, and they looked gay sure enough. (3 August 1877 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1877: Headed by the Seworgan Brass Band, proceeded to the Wesleyan Chapel. (10 August 1877 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1879: Wendron Bible Christian Chapel Sunday School tea treat marched to the top of Carnkie Hill led by Seworgan Brass Band. (Cornishman 17th July 1879)
1880: The choir sang a glee and a Christmas carol, and the Seworgan Brass Band also contributed to the pleasures of the evening. (16 January 1880 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1880: The juveniles were recruiting their strength by satisfying their appetites, the Seworgan Band sent its music across the vale and over the surrounding hills. (15 July 1880 – Cornishman)
1880: Manhay school festival was held on Thursday last. Seworgan Brass Band was in attendance. (22 July 1880 – Cornishman)
1881: “Helston’s Festival Music… honours for the drummer! Most singular fact! Constantine and Mabe ‘Zulu’ Bands are popular – the latter especially. Porkellis Band, Seworgan Band, Burras Band, and Black Rock Band are no more, while Porthleven Band, alas! it is skat up.” (16 July 1881 – Cornishman)
1882: Seworgan Drum. This excellent accompaniment to a band, its recent adventures, and probable future welfare, has of late been the subject of much speculation both at Constantine and Wendron. The Seworgan Band has been for some time in a state of inactivity, the drum meanwhile being in the hands of the recently formed Gweek Rifle Band. The latter, on being presented with a new drum by the Gweek Company of D.C.R.V., returned the absent article, but whether it was sold to the Gweek Band for £1 2s. 6d., as alleged, or simply loaned them till their new drum arrived, will be a matter for Judge Bere to decide at the ensuing June sitting the Helston County Court. (1 June 1882 – Cornishman)
1887: Porkellis (Wendron) Brass Band formed of players from Porkellis, Seworgan, Camborne – played at Wendron Jubilee celebrations. (Cornishman 16th June 1887)
1895: Seworgan Brass Band active. (John Brush)
Unknown closure date.
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.
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