St Columb Major is a civil parish and town approximately 11 km southwest of Wadebridge and 10 km east of Newquay
1850s: St Columb Volunteers, G Company of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry formed. (Ivan Rabey)
16 Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles / G Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles / G Company 2nd Volunteer Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry / G Company 5th Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Territorial Force). “The ladies of the town (no, not those kind of ladies!) decided that their new Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles Volunteers should have a band, so they embarked on money making activities. Amongst other things, they organised a fete in 1860 at which “Capt. Vyvyan, of her Majesty’s Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms, contributed a splendid cornet-a-piston, inscribed ‘Presented to the St Columb 16th Cornwall Volunteer Rifle Corps on the formation of the band, by R.H.S. Vyvyan, Esq., of Trewan, August 1860’.” I wonder what became of it. One of the first engagements was the St Columb Rifle Corps Fete in 1861. They were soon caught up in the hurly burly of band life – tea treats, fetes, concerts, dances and processions, on top of their army musical duties. Their first conductor was, from 1881, a Mr Webber. From 1897 to 1910, the Bandmaster was B Colliver. They are known to have attended at least one contest.” (John Brush)
1861: Captain Trediren and the two Lieutenants Pearse and Richards. This corps was put through a variety of movements, and the Padstow Band took turn with that of St Columb in playing throughout the day. (18 July 1861 – Western Morning News)
1861: The Band of the St Columb Rifle Corp had a picnic at Lower St Columb Park on Wednesday. (3 September 1861 – Western Morning News)
1862: Sistant music announced the arrival of the four companies that came by train, headed by the St Columb, Launceston, and St Austell Bands. (9 May 1862 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1863: The music was played by the Padstow and St Columb Volunteer Bands. (17 July 1863 – Western Daily Mercury)
1863: The corps were attended by the No. 1 Padstow Artillery Band, the Band of the St Columb Rifles being also effective members of that corps. (24 July 1863 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1864: The beautiful grounds were opened shortly after two o’clock, and about three o’clock the St Columb Band, conducted by Sergeant Webber, left the Armoury, and, having paraded the town, proceeded to the Parsonage. (23 July 1864 – Western Daily Mercury)
1866: It has been resolved to establish a new Brass Band in connexion with the St Columb Rifle Corps, Mr Berryman to conductor and Sergt. J. James to be bandmaster. (13 December 1866 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1874: St Columb. On Saturday evening the D.C.R.V. assembled their drill-room and marched through the streets, headed by their Brass Band, (27 August 1874 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1881: Mr Webber, St Columb Rifle Corp Band MD.
1883: St Columb Volunteer Band, under Mr E Rickard, attended and played some excellent music. (14 September 1883 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1884: St Columb Brass Band active. (BBHD) Probably the Rifle Corp Band.
1884: A procession of carriages was then formed headed by the St Columb Brass Band, which was engaged for the day. (18 July 1884 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1885: A capital programme of music was given by a portion of the St Columb Volunteer Band, under Mr E Rickard. (23 January 1885 – RCG)
1886: The Salvation Army. On Sunday last the Brass Band of the St Columb corps of the Salvation Army, headed by Capt. Williams, bombarded the village of Roche. (23 April 1886 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: After the sports there was a torchlight procession round the village. The excellent Band of the G Company (St Columb) was in attendance and played admirably throughout the day. (9 August 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1889: G Company Queen’s Division Brass Band (St Columb) active. (John Brush)
S Kassell, G Company Queen’s Division Brass Band (St Columb) MD. (John Brush)
1891: The bands of music engaged during the coming week are the Padstow Artillery, the St Columb Volunteers, and the Stenalees Band, near St Austell. (14 May 1891 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1891: Messrs A Stephens, and … Sergeant Rickeard, of the St Columb Volunteer Band, gave some splendid cornet solos and the Newquay Town Band gave some good music which was strongly encored. (21 May 1891 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1891: St Columb Volunteer Band, under the leadership of Mr E Rickeard, and the Padstow Artillery Band, played some excellent selection of music during the day.
1891: St Columb Volunteer Band, under the leadership of Mr Rickeard, has been engaged for both days. (22 May 1890 – RCG)
1891: G Company, St Columb [Band], under the leadership of Mr Enoder Rickeard, and the Padstow Artillery Band, under the leadership of Mr Wm Berry. (28 May 1891 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1893: Padstow Annual Regatta and Athletic Sports. During the day the Band of the Padstow Artillery, under Bandmaster Berry, and the St Columb Rifle Volunteer Band, under Bandmaster Rickeard (by kind permission of their officers) played beautifully well-arranged selections. (25 May 1893 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1897 to 1910: B Colliver, St Columb Rifle Corp Band MD. (John Brush)
1907: St Columb Volunteer Band was in attendance. (18 July 1907 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1911: The whole proceedings were greatly enlivened by the presence of St Columb Town Band. (20 July 1911 – Royal Cornwall)
1911: St Columb Town Band played a programme of up-to-date selections, and tea was served on the lawn. (7 September 1911 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1911: It is a matter of regret to the townsfolk that St Columb Town Band has disbanded, owing to the new Army Order. Although the bandsmen the Territorials, they were not actually a part of the force, only two or three of them being Territorials, while the rest were men who have all but are now retired. The instruments were the property of the Coy. Three have been handed in and an effort is being made to reorganise the band on a strictly Territorial basis. It will, however, be some time before the new hand can hope to attain the high standard efficiency of the old one. (9 November 1911 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1912: Gathering held at St Columb in aid of ” G.” Co. D.C.L.I. Several enjoyable musical items were rendered by the newly-formed Town Band, consisting of 17 members, under the conductorship of Mr. W. H. Webber. (15 February 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: Scouts, under Scoutmaster Hilton marched round the village and on to Trezaise accompanied by St Dennis Temperance and St Columb Bands. (16 May 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: St. Columb’s Coronation Memorial. They marched through the main streets of the town, headed by the Town Band, under Mr. W. H. Webber, jun., and thence to the grounds. (30 May 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: St Columb Horse Show. St Columb Town Band were in attendance and rendered a capital selection of music, under Bandmaster W. H. Webber. (27 June 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall)
St Columb Rifle Corp Band are known to have attended at least one contest. (John Brush)
1912: G Company. 5th D.C.L.I., marched to Carworgie at the invitation of Mr H J Rowe, J.P., on Tuesday, headed by St Columb Town Band under Bandmaster W H Webber. (4 July 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: St. Columb Flower Show. St Columb Town Band played selections of music during the afternoon. (15 August 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: Hospital Sunday at St Columb. St Columb Town Band and St Dennis Temperance Band were massed at Station road and marched through the town to the Institute. (22 August 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: St. Columb Flower Show Sports. A dance was held in the Drill Hall to the strains of St Columb Town Band, under Mr. W. H. Webber. (22 August 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: A Territorial whist tournament was held in the Drill Hall, St. Columb on Monday, and about 85 attended. St Columb Town Band, under Mr. W. H. Webber. gave a choice selection of music at intervals. (21 November 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1914 to 1924: St Columb Town Band contesting under W H Webber. (Contest archive)
1915: W H Webber, St Columb Band MD. (John Brush)
1916: Teachers and scholars of the Council schools had also done excellent work in sending socks. St Columb Town Band had also had a share in the good work. (10 August 1916 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
It would seem from the following item that St Columb Town Band was disbanded.
1920: St Columb Town Band formed (Ivan Rabey)
1920: On behalf of the fund for providing instruments for the Town Band, a concert was given in St. Columb Town Hall, last week. It is estimated that over £101 had been subscribed to the fund. (15 April 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1920 – June: St Columb Town Band under bandmaster W H Webber attended the unveiling of the war memorial in St Columb. (Trusting Fully Trusting by Dick Cole and Ann Reynolds)
1920: Horses At St. Columb Success Attends Annual Show. During the day the St Columb Town Band played selections. (15 July 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1920: St Columb Town Band rendered selections. (12 August 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
St Columb Town Band 1920 (Photo: courtesy Dick Cole / “Bill” Glanville)
1920: St Columb Town Band, on their return from Bugle, on Saturday, played the test piece, and speeches were made Mr. U. Wilson, of Birmingham (trainer). (9 September 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1924: St Columb Town Silver Band rendered selections of music under the conductorship of Mr A E Joyce. (6 March 1924 – Western Morning News)
1923: St. Columb Garden Fete. Musical items were contributed by St Columb Town Silver Band, under Mr. W Webber, and also provided dance music in the evening. (21 June 1923 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1924: St Columb Town Band contesting under J W English. (Contest archive)
1928: St Columb Silver Band (conducted by Mr H E Wills) rendered selections and later a dance took place the Red Lion Assembly Room. (3 August 1928 – Western Morning News)
1929: Friendly Societies, representatives of which assembled at the Institute and, headed by the St Columb Town Silver Band, marched to the Bridge and through the grounds of the Institution to the Wesleyan Methodist Church. (8 October 1929 – Western Morning News)
1928 to 1924: St Columb Town Band contesting under H E Wills. (Contest archive)
St Columb Town Band disbanded at some point.
1990s: St Columb Town Band re-formed (Dick Cole)
1997 – 7th August: Some young St Columb Band players at St Columb Victorian Fair with Colin Toghill with his back to camera. (Photos: courtesy Sheila Fermor Clarkson)
St Columb Band 1990s (Photo: courtesy of Dick Cole)
1999: St Columb Town Band contesting under Colin Toghill. (Contest archive)
(Courtesy British Bandsman 26th February 2000)
2003: St Columb Town Band probably disbanded. (BBHD)
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.
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