Cornish Brass Band Contest results are recorded separately and can be found using this link
From the band’s website we see that the St Dennis Band was formed in 1836, in time for it to become a part of the celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Coronation in June 1838. At that time, its instrumentation would not have been restricted to brass instruments and band historian Phillip Hunt, suggests that it certainly included a violin, flute, keyed bugle and a serpent.
1836: Thomas Best, St Dennis Band founding MD (Died 1899). (John Brush) Later, in 1899, it is reported that Capt. T Best, “was chiefly instrumental in organising the St Dennis Brass Band … and became the first appointed bandmaster, a position which he held over thirty years.” (17 August 1899 – RCG)
1837: Jim Yelland St Dennis Band MD. (Phillip Hunt in a presentation for Gorsedh Kernow) Jim Yelland clearly took a leading role but may not have been the band’s MD.
1838: St Dennis Band played at Queen Victoria’s Coronation local celebrations. (Phillip Hunt in a presentation for Gorsedh Kernow)
“It is thought that Jim Yelland may have fallen out with his band [St Dennis Band] and gone off to the nearby village of Nanpean to start another Band.” (Phillip Hunt in a presentation for Gorsedh Kernow)
1857: The Royal Cornwall Gazette of the 1st May 1857 records “Credit is due to the musicians of the St Dennis Brass Band for the manner in which they played on the occasion”.
1859: At the St Austell Cottage Gardening Society, three bands of music were stationed in different parts of the building namely, the St Austell Band, the St Dennis Band, and a smaller band. These continued to play alternately during the afternoon. (5 August 1859 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1862: St Dennis Band took part in a procession which went to St Blazey Gate, through Par to Tywardreath, and returned to St Blazey church. (13 June 1862 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1869: “The old established St Dennis Brass Band” at a tea treat. (14 August 1869 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1870: Jim Yelland was the St Dennis Band MD. (Phillip Hunt)
1871: St Dennis Brass Band performed some excellent music at Probus. (24 June 1871 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1871: St Dennis Band played at Ladock Bible Christian Sunday school Anniversary. (RCG 24th June 1871)
1873: St Dennis Brass Band headed the procession at St Stephen. (17 April 1873 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1873: St Dennis Brass Band led the procession pf lodges. (23 October 1873 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1875 to 1882 or later: St Dennis Band contesting under James Yelland. (Contest archive)
1875: The Brass Band from St Dennis, paraded the village of Portloe. (10 July 1875 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1875: “St Austell Wesleyan procession headed by the Charlestown and Par Artillery Volunteer Bands and amateur bands from Tregony, Grampound, Mollinis, and St Dennis. (7 August 1875 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1877: The “well-known St Dennis Band who rehearsed some new and choice selections from our most popular composers, especially for this fete.”(13 July 1877 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1878: Despite the difficulties presented by the standard of the roads and the basic modes of transport, the band was widely travelled and in 1878 we find them all the way down to St Just. (9 August 1878 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1882: St Dennis competed at the second Cornwall County Contest at Pendennis Castle on the 5th August 1882. James Yelland was conducting as it collected first prize in a section comprising seven bands. It is possible that the band also attended the 1881 contest but the records for this remain elusive. The results which have been found suggest that this contest existed for over 30 years with St Dennis often appearing, always in the top section, and returning home with several of its players clutching special awards.
1883: “… commencing with an overture by the St Dennis Brass Band, which was brilliantly rendered …” (5 January 1883 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1883: “Both schools were headed by a brass band. The Church party patronised the Newquay Band, while the Wesleyans enlisted the services of the famed St Dennis Band.” (15 June 1883 – RCG)
1883: Oddfellows demonstration at Perranporth headed by the St Dennis Brass Band marched in procession through the village to Bolingey. (13 July 1883 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1885: The St Dennis Brass Band, under the leadership of Mr H Richards, was in attendance. (6 March 1885 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1885: “The St Dennis Brass Band, under the direction of Mr Henry Richards, at a Church bazaar on Thursday.” (7 August 1885 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1885: St Dennis Brass Band at a Grand Fancy Bazaar at St Dennis. (21 August 1885 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1887: St Dennis and Indian Queens Brass Bands marched to the church green, where each scholar received a new coin as jubilee souvenir. (29 July 1887 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: Teetotal Society headed by Queens and St Dennis Brass Bands proceeded to Porth. (19 July 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: St Dennis Brass Band at Parkandillack China Clay and Stone Works. (20 September 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1890: St Dennis Brass Band at Porth and Porth Veor. (24 July 1890 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1891: Death of Mr. John Yelland, butcher, who was for nearly 40 years connected with the St Dennis Brass Band. (29 October 1891 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1893: Bugle and St Dennis Bands at Newquay Regatta and Athletic Sports. (24 August 1893 – RCG)
1898: St Dennis Brass Band at the Horticultural and Bird Show at St Columb. (11 August 1898 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
The Royal Cornwall Gazette of the 17th August 1899 reported on the funeral of Captain T Best who, it said, was an ardent musician and chiefly instrumental in organising the St Dennis Brass Band (some fifty years ago). It stated that he became the first appointed bandmaster, a position which he held over thirty years.
???? to 1907: William H Juleff Foxhole Brass Band MD left to take over St Dennis Band. (John Brush)
1903: St Dennis Brass Band at Chacewater Band of Hope festival. (28 May 1903 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1904: St Dennis Brass Band at Newquay Belmont United Methodist Church, …” (25 August 1904 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1907: St Dennis Band at St Dennis New School event. (14 March 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1907: Brass Bands from Foxhole, Treviscoe, St Dennis, and Indian Queens at the annual demonstration of the St Dennis One and All Rechabites. (17 June 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1907: St Dennis Brass Band at Perranporth, St Michael’s. (11 July 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1907: Brass Bands of Foxhole, Queens, Treviscoe, and St Dennis at St Dennis Hospital Day at St Dennis. (29 August 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
By 1908, maybe sooner, the name changed to St Dennis Temperance Band. This may well have been for very laudable reasons but from newspaper debates it was clear that some bands considered it advantageous to add that epithet to capture some of the lucrative events organised by the temperance societies.
1908: St Dennis Temperance Band at Cross Coombe Band of Hope and Sunday School tea treat. (RCG 20th August 1908)
1908: St Dennis Brass Band at the sports at St Dennis. (10 September 1908 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1909: St Dennis Band at Nanpean Tea Treat
1909: St Dennis Temperance Band at Cross Coombe tea treat. (RCG 5th July 1909)
1909: St Dennis Temperance Band contesting under J E Wilkinson. (Contest archive)
1909 to 1913: St Dennis Temperance Band contesting under William Juleff. (Contest archive)
1910: St Dennis Temperance Brass Band at the annual Festival of St Issey Teetotal Society. (11 June 1910 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1910: St Dennis Band at Chacewater school treat. (30 June 1910 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
St Dennis Temperance Brass Band 1910 (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
Back row, from left: Back row: Charles Coombe, James Bunt, Alfred Varcoe, Owen Bunt, Harry Rodda.
Middle row: C Parkyn, Melville Coombe, Clifford Snell, J H Liddicoat, Marsh Kessell, Fitz Rogers, James Best.
Front row: Jack Docking, Charles Coombe, Hedley Martyn, William H Juleff (Bandmaster), Stanley Blight, John Coombe.
1910: St Dennis annual hospital parade included bands from Queens, Stenalees and St Dennis Brass. (25 August 1910 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1911: St Dennis Temperance Band and the Queens Brass Band at the Bristol and West England Operatives Provident Society. (18 May 1911 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1911: St Dennis Brass Band at Devoran. (10 August 1911 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1912: St Dennis Temperance and St Columb Bands at Trezaise. (16 May 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: St Dennis Brass Band, paraded the village and Perranporth Wesleyan Sunday School treat. (25 July 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: St Columb Town Band and St Dennis Temperance Band at St Columb Hospital Sunday. (22 August 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: St Dennis Temperance Band attended the first West of England Bandsmen’s Festival in 1912 and since then it has been a regular competitor and a good supporter of this Cornish institution.
1912/13: St Dennis Silver Band contesting under J G Jubb. (Contest archive)
1913 to 1919: J E Fidler St Dennis Silver Band MD. (Contest archive)
1915: St Dennis Brass Band, under Bandmaster W Juleff. (2 September 1915 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1915: St Dennis Temperance Brass Band
1915: St Dennis Brass Band, under Bandmaster W. J. Juleff, at St Dennis Wesleyan Church. (30 September 1915 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1915 – October: Queens Prize Band and St Dennis Prize Band at Indian Queens Hospital Demonstration. (Trusting Fully Trusting by Dick Cole and Ann Reynolds)
1915: St Dennis Brass Band at Providence United Methodist Church and wore their new caps for the first time. (16 December 1915 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1917 – May: Queens Band and St Dennis Band at the Indian Queens Hospital Demonstration. (Trusting Fully Trusting by Dick Cole and Ann Reynolds)
1919: Either due to careless reporting, or because of another name change, the title of St Dennis Silver Prize Band was in use by 1919.
1920: St Dennis Silver Band contesting under William H Juleff. (Contest archive)
1920: St Dennis Orchestral Band, under the conductorship of Mr Kellaway. (19 February 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1920: St Dennis and Foxhole Prize Bands at St Stephens and St Dennis branches of the Comrades of Great War demonstration at Nanpean. (24 June 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1920: St Dennis Band at the St Dennis Branch of the Comrades of the Great War parade. (8 July 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1920: It won the Championship Section at the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival and returned the short distance home with the Royal Trophy but that was just the beginning as it successfully defended its title for the next two years making it the first hat-trick winners.
1921 to 1924: Thomas Valentine St Dennis Silver Band MD.
1922: St Dennis Silver Band contesting under T Eastwood. (Contest archive)
1922: The St Dennis Prize Band, the champions of the West of England, and winners of the Prince of Wales Cup. (21 September 1922 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
Several bands are selected to take part in the massed band concert at the end of the competition and in 1939 St Dennis Silver Band had the honour of being the first Cornish Band to be included.
1922: St Dennis Silver Band participated in the Second Section / Grand Shield final of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under Thomas Valentine.
1923: St Dennis Silver Prize Band at Redruth Derby Races. (3 & 17 May 1923 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1923: St Dennis Silver Band gave two concerts at Launceston. (31 May 1923 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1923: St Dennis Silver Prize Band at St Columb Major Show. (21 June 1923 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1923: St Dennis Silver Prize Band at Chace Water Horse and Cattle Show. (5 July 1923 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
1923: St Dennis Silver Band participated in the Second section / Grand Shield final of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under Thomas Valentine.
1923: St Dennis and Newquay Silver Prize Bands at Littleton Park, Shepperton. (2 October 1923 – Western Morning News)
1923: Stanley Dowrick, euphonium, left Tregony Band to play for St Dennis Band. (RCG 19th December 1923)
1923: R W Davison fromSouth Shields became St Dennis Silver Band MD.
St Dennis Prize Band 1924 (Photo: courtesy Alan Blake)
1924 – Sept: St Dennis Silver Band placed 5th in the Second Section / Grand Shield final of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under R W Davidson.
1924: “Crystal Palace Band Festival. Mr R W Davidson, who conducted the St Dennis Band, was solo cornet player in the St Hilda band when they won their former victories. In the evening the St Dennis Band were the guests of the London Comish Association. (1 October 1924 – Cornishman)
1924: Crystal Palace Band Festival. … fine account of themselves in their respective competitions (says the Western Morning. News and Mercury). The St Dennis Silver Band, which, competed in the Grand Shield contest, secured fourth place, the shield being won by Callenders’ Cable Works. (1 October 1924 – Cornishman)
1924: The National Brass Band Festival at the Crystal Palace on Saturday was taken part in by one hundred and fifty of Britain premier bands (and, for the first time, one from Australia). There were six contests and three [Cornish] bands took part – Truro, St Dennis, and Newquay. “The St Dennis Silver Band, which competed in the Grand Shield contest secured fourth place, and the Truro Town Band did even better in their contest taking third place and cash prize [in the Junior Shield B 6th section]. Newquay Town Band, who were also in the junior section, although they did not figure high the lists, played very well indeed. … The Grand Championship of Great Britain was won for the fourth time by the famous St. Hilda Colliery Band, and the New South Wales Band won the third prize in the premier division. This was the first time a Colonial band had ever entered for the trophy. The test piece for the championship was a Rhapsody on the Cornish Coast specially composed for the brass bands H. Geehl. It is interesting to note that Mr. R. Davison, who conducted the Dennis Band, was solo cornet player in the St. Hilda Band when they won the championship in 1912, 1920 and 1921. In the evening the St. Dennis Band were the guests of the London Cornish Association at a Bohemian concert at the Cannon-street Hotel. A large gathering of Cornish exiles turned up and enjoyed an excellent musical programme The St. Dennis Band included in the programme the test piece. “Oliver Cromwell.” and the beautiful “Military Church Services.” On its return on Sunday the Truro Band were given a rousing reception. The bandsmen had gone to London at their own expense, accompanied by about 100 supporters. In the absence of the Mayor (Mr E. J. Lodge) who was attending a civic service at the Cathedral – the bandsmen were welcomed outside the station by Mr. J. Cleave. He said the success of the hand was one of the greatest achieved in the history of the city or of Cornwall; in fact, was the first occasion on which a Cornish band had won a prize at the Crystal Palace, He heartily congratulated Bandmaster Hubbard on the success attained.” (2 October 1924 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
1924: Mr E Calverley of Bacup appointed St Dennis Silver MD. He had been the solo euph with Besses-o’-the-Barn.
1925: St Dennis Silver Band contesting under Edwin Calverley. (Contest archive)
1925: St Dennis Silver Prize Band at Lanner Wesley Garden Fete. (25 June 1925 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
1926 to 1939: Charles H Baker St Dennis Silver Band MD.
1927: St Dennis Silver Band placed 2nd in the Grand Shield (Second Section) of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under Charles H Baker playing An Epic Symphony by Percy Fletcher.
1928: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Grand Shield (Second Section – second tier) of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under C H Baker playing Egmont.
1928: St Dennis Silver placed 2nd/1st for the test piece/march at a Plymouth Contest. (1958 Souvneir Programme)
1928: At the Crystal Palace in London, St Dennis Band were the winners of the Challenger Shield, first prize in the second division against all England. (1 November 1928 – Cornishman)
The date is uncertain but the Bugle and Stenalees trophies suggest that it could have been 1929 (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
St Dennis Band – Champions of the West – date unknown (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
1929: “Cornish bands for the Crystal Palace. Among the Cornish bands who will take part in the band contest at the Crystal Palace next Saturday are St Dennis, Stenalees, Falmouth (who won prizes there last year), St Austell, and Penzance.” (26 September 1929 – Cornishman)
1929: St Dennis Silver Band participated in the Championship section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under Charles H Baker playing Victory by C Jenkins.
1930: St Dennis Silver Band participated in the Championship Section of the 25th National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under Charles H Baker playing The Severn Suite by Sir Edward Elgar.
1931: St Dennis Silver Band participated in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under Charles H Baker playing Honour and Glory.
1931: St Dennis Silver Band, under Mr. C. Baker at Lowertown Agriculture Show. (20 August 1931 – Cornishman)
1932: St Dennis Silver Band participated in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under Charles H Baker playing A Downland Suite. Presumably relegated.
1933: Mr C H Baker, conductor of Redruth Town Band, formerly conductor of St Dennis Band, appointed conductor of Falmouth Town Band. (30 March 1933 – Cornishma
1933: Mr A G Richards, of No. 7, Regents Square, Penzance, has been appointed Bandmaster of St Dennis Band in succession Mr C H Baker. (20 July 1933 – Cornishman)
1933: “St Dennis Silver Band, West of England champions will be broadcasting. (10 August 1933 – Cornishman)
1934: BBC doing their best. The first broadcast from Bodmin was very successful and the performance given by the St Dennis Band was excellent. (19 April 1934 – Cornishman)
1934: “St Dennis Band will make their second broadcast supported by Mr Jack Collings, the well-known Cornish fisherman bass-baritone.”(Cornishman – Thursday 10 May 1934)
St Dennis Silver Band 1934 – Charles Baker MD
Back row: Preston Juleff, Joe Varcoe, Coventry Barrett, Melville Brewer, Claude Trudgian, Frank Brewer, unknown, unknown
Middle row: Jim Williams, Harley Brewer, unknown, Frank Arthur, David Coombe, ? Halford, unknown, unknown, unknown
Front row: Ron Polmounter, Steve Dunstan, unknown, William Juleff, Charles H Baker, Maurice Bunt, Stan Penhaligon, unknown, Hedley Martyn
Not identified but probably maked as unknown: Orlando Kent, Gordon Alford, Albert Kessell, Debbie Gilbert, Aubrey Cowling, Harry Rodda,
Gordon Bennets and possibly Russell Miners
1934: “Mr A G Richards, of Penzance, till recently bandmaster of St Dennis, has been appointed bandmaster of Redruth Town Band. Mr C H Baker, the Redruth bandmaster, has now returned to St Dennis, and is once more in charge of the clayworkers”. (8 November 1934 – Cornishman)
1937: St Dennis Silver Band (Champions of the West of England) at the 33rd Annual Cornwall Spring Flower Society Exhibition in the Regent Theatre, Truro. (8 April 1937 – Cornishman)
1937: “St Dennis Band’s Broadcast. Once again the St. Dennis Silver Prize Band have been honoured by BBC who arranged for them to broadcast from the Foster Hall, Bodmin,. on Wednesday evening. …” (15 July 1937 – Cornishman)
1938: St Dennis Band placed 1st in the Grand Shield (second tier) of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at the Alexandra Palace under Charles H Baker playing Owain Glyndwr by R Maldwyn Price . (St Dennis Band Records)
1939: St Dennis Silver Band at Portloe Festive Day. (17 August 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1939: “St Dennis Silver Band are to have the honour of being the first Cornish Band to take part in the massed bands concert at the Alexandra Palace, in September after the Brass Band Festival. The invitation, received by the Secretary Mr. F. Halford, has been accepted.” (24 August 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1939: St Dennis Silver managed to keep going to some extent during WWII due to the involvement of retired players under the baton of Mr Juleff.
Mr Juleff retired after a couple of years and Horace Bennett took over for a short time.
Mr Baker also conducted for a short time as did Mr R Polmounter.
1947: Players returned from the war and St Dennis Silver re-formed.
1947: St Dennis Band played at the Cornwall Football Association final. (22 May 1947 – Cornishman)
1949 to 1951: W D Lawton of Foden’s Band, St Dennis Silver MD.
1949: St Dennis Silver placed 4th in the Championship Section of the Regional Championships under C H Baker playing Morning Rhapsody by Eric Ball.
1950: St Dennis Silver placed 3rd in the Championship Section of the Regional Championships. (22 May 1950 – Western Morning News)
1950: St Dennis Silver placed 3rd at an Oxford contest. ((1958 Souvenir Programme)
1951: St Dennis Silver Band placed 1st in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships.
1951: St Dennis Silver Band participated in the Championship section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB under W D Lawton playing Epic Symphony.
James Best and Rodney Richards of St Dennis Silver Band 1951 at the Royal Albert Hall – Rodney’s first appearance there. (Photo: Rodney Richards on Facebook)
1953: St Dennis Silver placed third in the Championship Section of the Regional Championships under W D Lawton playing Rhapdody in Brass by Dean Goffin.
1954: St Dennis Silver Band placed 2nd in the Championship section at the Regional Championships.
1955: St Dennis Silver Band John Harrison MD. He was formerly of with Crossley Carpets.
1955: St Dennis Silver Band placed 2nd in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships.
1955: St Dennis Silver Band participated in the Championship section final of the National Brass Band Championships of GB under John Harrison playing Blackfriers.
St Dennis Band at Lower Cosgarne 1956 (Photo: John A Vaughan courtesy CCHS)
Back row: Rodney Richards, Ralph Hooper, Desmond Angilley, Alfred Niles, Harold Dunstan, David Combe, Melville Brewer, Bill Clift, Coventry Barrett, Vivian Willcock, Donald Williams, Kenneth Tucker, Tony Willcock, Fred Northey (drummer)
Front row: Bill Willcock, Steve Dunstan, Les Stanaway, John Harris, Sir John Keay, Frank Arthur, Geoffrey Harrison, Charlie Dean, Hedley Martin
1956: St Dennis Silver unplaced in the Championship Section of the Regional Championships under J Harrison playing Orion by Granville Bartock.
1957: George Thompson of Grimethorpe Colliery, St Dennis Silver MD.
1957: St Dennis Silver placed 2nd in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under G Thompson playing Themes from Symphony No. 9 – Beethoven.
1957: St Dennis Silver participated in the Championship section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB under George Thompson playing Variations for Brass Bands by R Vaughan Williams.
1958 – April: Eddie Williams appointed St Dennis Silver MD. Eddie Williams had been a member of Camborne Town Band before moving up-country to play with the Brighouse and Rastrick Band and then with the Fairey Band. In 1958 he returned to Cornwall to take up the baton at St Dennis Silver Band. A momentous point in Eddie’s life and in the band’s history.
St Dennis Silver Band 1958/59 – Eddie Williams MD (Photo: unknown)
1958: St Dennis Silver placed 2nd in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under E J Williams playing The Moor of Venice by William Alwyn/Frank Wright.
1958: St Dennis Silver participated in the Championship section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Variations on the Shining River.
1959: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under E J Williams playing Wuthering Heights by Austin Rayner.
1959: St Dennis Silver participated in the Championship section final of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Le Roi d’Ys by Edouard Lalo.
1960: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under E J Williams playing Themes from Symphony No. 5. Tchaikovsky/Eric Ball.
1960: St Dennis Silver placed 11th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Three Figures by Herbert Howells.
1960s/70s: The band’s results at the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival are impressive and its run of eleven consecutive Royal Trophy wins in the 1960s/70s seems unlikely to be surpassed.
1961: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under Eddie Williams playing Les Preludes by Liszt.
1961: St Dennis Silver participated in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Les Francs Juges.
1962: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Championship section at the Regional Championships playing Salute to Youth.
1962: St Dennis Silver – unknown result in the Championship section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing The Force of Destiny.
1962: St Dennis Youth formed. (2005 WEBF Contest programme)
1963: St Dennis Silver unplaced in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under E J Williams playing Rienzi by Wagner/Haydn Johns.
1963: St Dennis Silver possibly 12th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Belmont Variations.
1963 – Linda Trethewey with St Dennis Silver Band outside the Royal Albert Hall
1960s: St Dennis Junior and Youth Bands contesting. (Contest archive)
1964: St Dennis Silver in their new red and black uniforms participated in the British Open Championships at Belle Vue, Manchester under Eddie Williams playing Lorenzo by Thomas Keighley.
St Dennis Silver Band at Bugle Contest 1964 (Photo: unknown)
1965: St Dennis Silver Band placed 1st in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under E J Williams playing Themes from the 1st Symphony – Beethoven/Eric Ball.
1965: St Dennis Silver Band placed 10th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Triumphant Rhapsody Gilbert Vinter.
1965: St Dennis Silver placed 16th in the British Open Championships at Belle Vue, Manchester under Eddie Williams playing Saga of the North by Cyril Jenkins.
1966: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under E J Williams playing Force of Destiny by Verdi’Frank Wright.
24th September 1966: Opening Ceremony of New Bandroom at Park Head.
1966: St Dennis Silver unplaced in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Le Carnaval Romain.
1967: St Dennis Silver placed 2nd in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under E J Williams playing Festival Music by Eric Ball.
1967: St Dennis Silver placed 10th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Journey into Freedom by Eric Ball.
St Dennis Band at John Keay House 1967 (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
1968 – 30th March: St Dennis Silver placed 5th at the Excelsior Festival of Music Invitation Contest under E J Williams at Sophia Gardens Pavilion, Cardiff.
1968: St Dennis Silver Band unplaced in the British Open Championships under Eddie Williams playing John O’ Gaunt by Gilbert Vinter.
1968 – 16th March: St Dennis Silver and St Agnes Silver took part in the Thomas Merritt commemoration concert at Truro Cathedral under Sir Malcolm Arnold. The Thomas Merritt commemoration concert at Truro Cathedral in 1968 was masterminded and conducted by Sir Malcolm Arnold and St Dennis were one of the two Cornish bands chosen to take part.
St Dennis Junior Band 1968 at the National Youth Finals where it was placed second. (Photo: Peter Bazeley, included courtesy St Dennis Band)
Back row: Raymond Trethewey, Mervyn Westlake, Kenneth Bazeley, Mike Faro, Sally Pascoe, David Jay, Malcolm Williams
Middle row: Robert Osborne, Linda Trethewey, Nigel Grose, Alison Williams, E J Williams (MD), Terry Sleeman, Peter Bazeley, Steven Bazeley
Front row: Barry May, Barry Trudgian, Karen Davey, Paul Hitchins, Heather Trethewey, Steven Menear, Kevin Davey
The St Dennis Youth Band under Eddie Williams was achieving good results during the 1960s and 1970s and, not to be outdone by the senior band, it picked up several national awards of its own. The success of the junior and youth members of this band has been maintained to the present day.
Eddie Williams St Dennis Silver Band MD (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
1969: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under E J Williams playing Diadem of Gold by G Bailey/Frank Wright.
1969: St Dennis Silver placed 12th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing High Peak by Eric Ball.
1969: St Dennis Silver placed 2nd (The Frogs of Aristophanes by Granville Bantock) in the Championship Section of the W D & H O Wills Regional Championships under E Williams.
1970: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Championship Section at the National Brass Band Regional Championships under E J Williams playing The Corsair by Berlioz/Geoffrey Brand.
1970: St Dennis Silver placed 3rd at the Excelsior Festival of Music Invitation Contest under E J Williams at Sophia Gardens Pavilion, Cardiff.
1970: St Dennis Silver placed 9th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Pride of Youth by Gordon Jacob.
1971: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Championship Section at the National Brass Band Regional Championships.
St Dennis Silver Band 1970 with a large array of trophies (Photo: courtesy Alan Blake)
Back row: R Richards, P Minear, B Minear, R Osborne, K Tucker, A Mennear, R Osborne, N Grose, D Angilley, R Craddock
Middle row: B Goudge, B Trudgian, M Strongman, D Williams, T Sleeman, M Westlake, M Yelland (Bandmaster) D Hambly, P Strongman, S Pascoe, M Bazeley (Vice-Chairman)
Front row: G Hitchens, F Arthur, J Dunstan, J Stephens (Treasurer), L Stanaway (Vice-Chairman), F H Grime (President), E J Williams (Musical Director), A N G Dalton (Patron), T J Skelton (Chairman), G H Tabb (Secretary), M Faro, K Bazeley, T Hitchens
St Dennis Silver Band 1971 Television Recording for ITV (Photo: Facebook)
1971: St Dennis Silver placed 6th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Le Roi d’Ys.
1972: St Dennis Youth Band placed 1st (A Dales Suite by Arthur Butterworth) becoming National Brass Band Youth Champions under Eddie Williams. (2004 Bugle Contest programme / Myra Davey in St Austell Voice 28th February 2018)
1972: St Dennis Silver placed 11th in the Championship Section of the Regional Championships under E J Williams playing Concert Overture for Brass Band by Vilem Tausky.
1973: St Dennis Youth placed 1st (Partita for Brass Band becoming National Brass Band Youth Champions under Eddie Williams. (2004 Bugle Contest programme / Myra Davey in St Austell Voice 28th February 2018)
1973: St Dennis Silver placed 6th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under E J Williams playing The Plantagenets by Edward Gregson.
1974: St Dennis Silver placed 5th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under E J Williams playing Variations on a Ninth by Gilbert Vinter.
1974: St Dennis Youth placed 3rd in the Butlin’s Youth National Final under E J Williams playing Torch of Freedom by Eric Ball and Patterns by Edward Gregson.
1975: St Dennis Youth placed 1st in the Youth Section of the Regional Championships at Colston Hall, Bristol, under Eddie Williams playing Petite Suite De Ballet by Eric Ball.
1975: St Dennis Silver placed 4th in the Championship section at the Regional Championships. at Colston Hall, Bristol, under Eddie Williams playing Journey into Freedom by Eric Ball.
1975: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Open section of the SWBBA Contest under Eddie Williams playing Force of Destiny.
1976: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under Eddie Williams playing Spectrum by Gilbert Vinter.
1976: St Dennis Youth placed 1st in the West of England Regional Qualifying Finals of the Butlin’s Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams. (Photo: The British Bandsman)
1976: St Dennis Silver placed joint 11th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Sinfonietta for Brass Band (The Wayfarer) by Eric Ball.
1976: St Dennis Youth placed 1st in the Youth Section of the Regional Championships under E Williams playing Little Suite No 2 for Brass Band by Malcolm Arnold.
1976: St Dennis Youth placed 3rd in the National Final of the Butlin’s Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Andalucia by Bryan Kelly.
1977: St Dennis Silver participated in the Championship Section of the Regional Championship under E Williams playing Pageantry by Herbert Howells.
1977: St Dennis Youth placed 3rd in the Youth Section of the Regional Championships at Colston Hall, Bristol, under Hugh Camps playing Concert Prelude by Philip Sparke.
1977: St Dennis Youth placed 3rd in the Youth Section at the Pontin Championships Brass Band Finals at Prestatyn playing Ceramic City Festival by Stuart Johnson plus own choice..
1977: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Championship/First section of the SWBBA Contest under Eddie Williams playing Benvenuto Cellini.
Eddie William and Don Williams – Jan. 1978 (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
Eddie Williams receiving the Pontins Youth Band Award – Jan. 1978 (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
1978: St Dennis Youth placed 1st in the Youth Section of the Pontins Finals.
1978: St Dennis Silver placed 3rd in the Championship Section at the Pontin’s Qualifying Final under E J Williams playing Kenilworth by Arthur Bliss.
1978: St Dennis Silver placed 2nd in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under E J Williams playing The Belmont Variations by Sir Arthur Bliss.
1978: St Dennis Silver placed 6th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Eddie Williams playing Checkmate by Arthur Bliss / Eric Ball.
1979: St Dennis Silver placed 8th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest.
1979: St Dennis Silver placed 2nd in the Championship Section at the SWBBA Contest under E J Williams playing Freedom by H Bath.
1979: St Dennis Youth placed 7th in the Youth Contest at the Pontins National Championships under E J Williams playing Prelude to Revelry by Gordon Jacobs plus own choice.
1980: St Dennis Silver placed 9th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest.
1980: St Dennis Silver placed 10th in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under E J Williams playing Beatrice and Benedict by Berlioz / Keith Wilkinson.
1980: St Dennis Silver placed 2nd (Beatrice and Benedict) at the SWBBA Contest under E J Wiliams.
1981: St Dennis Silver unplaced (Variations on the Shining River) in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under E J Williams.
1981: St Dennis Silver placed 8th (Tournament for Brass) in the Championship Section of the Pontin’s Regional Championships under E J Williams.
1981: St Dennis Youth Band placed 6th in the Youth Section “B” of the Pontins Finals under E J Williams playing Festival Prelude by Stephen Bulla and own choice.
1982: St Dennis Silver Band unplaced in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under E J Williams playing Essay by Edward Gregson.
1982: St Dennis Youth Band – unknown result (West Sou’West & own choice) in the Youth Section B of the Pontin’s Final under E J Williams.
1983: St Dennis Silver unplaced at the Yeovil Entertainment Contest under E Williams.
1983: St Dennis Silver unknown result (Caprice Brass Fair) in the Second Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under E J Williams.
1983: Eddie Williams St Dennis Silver Band MD died.
The eulogy for Eddie Williams (Courtesy of the Revd Philip D Williams)
The early 1980s saw a change in the band’s fortunes with several players leaving to play elsewhere. Such is the story of banding but at St Dennis it was followed by the tragic death of its musical director in 1983 at the age of 61. It was the end of the Eddie Williams era. The record books record his considerable success as a player, a conductor and as a leader of youth bands. He remains a popular figure in the memory of those who knew him.
1983: John Brush appointed St Dennis Silver Band MD. (JB autobiog)
John Brush with his wife
1984: St Dennis Silver Band placed 3rd in the Second section at the National Brass Band Regional Championships under John Brush playing Dimensions by Peter Graham.
1985: St Dennis Silver Band placed 1st in the Second section at the National Brass Band Regional Championships.
1985: St Dennis Silver Band placed 5th in the Second section of the National Championship of GB under John Brush.
1986: “Major Arthur Kenney was the guest conductor at a recent charity concert given by the St Dennis Band. (British Bandsman 22nd February 1986)
1986: St Dennis Band advertising for a Musical Director. (British Bandsman July 1986 / British Bandsman 1st November 1986)
1986: St Dennis Band placed 1st in the Championship/First section of the SWBBA Contest under Derek Greenwood playing Oceans.
1987/88: St Dennis Silver Band contesting under S Appleton. (Contest archive)
1987: St Dennis Silver Band placed 3rd in the Championship section of the 19th Annual Weston-Super-Mare own-choice contest under S Appleton.
1987: St Dennis Youth Band placed 4th in the Youth Section “B” of the Pontin’s Brass Band Championships at Prestatyn under S Appleton playing A Circus Suite by Johnson. (British Bandsman 31st October 1987)
1988: St Dennis Youth Band placed 3rd in the Youth Section “B” of the Pontin’s Brass Band Championships under S Appleton playing Divertimento by Eric Ball.
1988 circa to 1991: Derek Greenwood St Dennis Silver Band MD.
(Courtesy British Bandsman 25th November 1989)
1989: St Dennis Silver advertising for a Musical Director. (British Bandsman April 1989)
1990: St Dennis Silver placed 2nd in the Second Section (second tier) at the Regional Championships of Great Britain under Derek Greenwood playing Forth Suite by Bruce Fraser.
1990: St Dennis Silver placed 6th in the Second section of the National Championship of Great Britain 1st November 1986 under Derek Greenwood playing The Belmont Variations by Arthur Bliss/Frank Wright.
1990: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Second section of the Weston-Super-Mare Contest under Derek Greenwood. Also awarded deportment prize for Championship and 2nd section bands, (British Bandsman 26th May 1990)
1990: St Dennis Youth placed joint 3rd in Section Youth “B” of the Pontins Youth Contest under Derek Greenwood. (British Bandsman 10th November 1990)
1991: St Dennis Silver placed 1st in the Second section at the Regional Championships under Derek greenwood playing Masque by Devreese. Adjudicator Gordon Higginbottom said, “They walked it!” (British Bandsman 27th April 1991)
St Dennis Silver Band June 1991 under Derek Greenwood
Back row: Andrew Jay, Linda Trethewey, Catherine Richards, John Knight, Nicola Crago, Harold Dunstan, Heather Trethewey, Barry Hawken, Kevin Brush, Darren May, Kevin Mackenzie, Colin Whitford, Helen Dunstan, Colin Barrett
Front row: Darren Hendy, Martin Juleff, Eric Trerise, Scott Allen, Rachael Trethewey, Gary Lannie, Derek Greenwood (Musical Director), Richard Knight, Nicola Haigh, Sara Stephens, Terry Sleeman, Andrew Haigh, Robert Jose,
1991: St Dennis Silver Band placed 8th in the Second section of the National Championship of Great Britain under Derek Greenwood playing Chorale by Steadman-Allen.
1991: St Dennis Silver Band advertising for a Musical Director. (British Bandsman 14th December 1991)
1992: St Dennis Silver Band participated in the Championship Section of the Pontin’s Regional Contest under Mike Cotter playing Symphony of Marches by Gilbert Vinter.
1992: St Dennis Silver Band advertising for a Musical Director/Resident Conductor. (British Bandsman 1st August 1992)
1993 to 1995: St Dennis Silver Band contesting under Gwynne Price. (Contest archive)
(Courtesy British Bandsman 11th September 1993)
1993: St Dennis Silver Band placed 2nd in the First section at the Southern Open Brass Band Championships at Plymouth Pavilions under Gwynne Price. (British Bandsman 17th July 1993)
1994 – St Dennis Silver Band under Musical Director: Gwynne Price with Andrew Turner, Terry Sleeman, Scott Allen, Rachael Sargent, Martin Juleff, Stephen Hawkey, Colin Barrett, Colin Whitford, Catherine Dowrick, Kevin Brush, Kevin Mackenzie (Photo: Band facebook page)
(Courtesy British Bandsman 2nd July 1994)
1994: St Dennis – unknown result (Maoriana) in the First Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championhips under Gwynne Price.
1995: St Dennis Silver placed 13th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Gwynne Price.
1995: St Dennis Silver – unknown result (Un Vie de Matelot) in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championhips under Gwynne Price.
1995: St Dennis Silver witdrew from the Pontin’s Championships.
1990s: Colin Toghill St Dennis Youth MD (Sheila Fermor Clarkson)
Booklet thought to be from the middle 1990s
St Dennis Junior Band in 1995 as Eddie Williams gazes down from his photograph.
Members of St Dennis Junior Band in 1995 in fancy dress with David Clarkson second left.
(Photo: Mr C H Barrett of St Dennis and courtesy of Sheila Fermor Clarkson)
Included are Andrew Key, Sarah Brewer and David Clarkson
(Photo: Mr C H Barrett of St Dennis and courtesy of Sheila Fermor Clarkson)
British Bandsman 20th January 1996
St Dennis Silver Band at Trewen Hall 1996 (Photo: Andrew Turner on Facebook)
1996: St Dennis Silver Band placed 9th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Colin Toghill playing Sounds by John Golland.
1998 to 2001: John Brush MD of St Dennis Silver Band and St Dennis Youth Band. (JB biog)
2000: St Dennis Silver Band placed 11th in the Fourth section at the Regional Championships under Derek Greenwood playing The Haslemere Suite.
2000: St Dennis Silver Band placed 1st in the Fourth section at the SWBBA contest under John Berryman playing A Saddleworth Festival Overture.
2001 February to 2009: Brian Minear MD of St Dennis Silver Band and St Dennis Youth Band.
(Courtesy British Bandsman 3rd February 2001)
2001: St Dennis Silver Band placed 2nd in the Fourth section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Brian Minear playing Sinfonietta Pastorale by Henry Geehl.
2001: St Dennis Silver Band placed 2nd in the Fourth section of the National Championship of GB under Brian Minear playing Attleborough Suite by Sir Malcolm Arnold.
2001: St Dennis Junior Band placed 1st in the Junior section of the SWBBA Contest under Brian Minear.
2002: St Dennis Silver Band placed 1st in the Fourth Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championship under Brian Minear playing Suite in Bb.
2002: St Dennis Silver Band placed 1st in the Fourth Section of the National Championship of GB under Brian Minear playing A Cambrian Suite by A Ball.
2002: St Dennis Silver Band participated in the Fourth section at the 29th Pontin’s Championship playing Pennine Moor by Darrol Barry.
2002: St Dennis Youth Band placed 3rd in the Youth section of the SWBBA Contest under Brian Minear playing Music for a Festival by P Sparke.
(Courtesy British Bandsman 17th August 2002)
2003: St Dennis Silver Band placed 2nd in the Third section of the Regional Championships under Brian Minear playing Northern Landscapes by Peter Graham.
2003: St Dennis Silver Band placed 4th in the Third section of the National Championship of GB under Brian Minear playing Four Preludes by Eric Ball.
2004: St Dennis Silver Band placed 1st in the Third section of the Regional Championships under Brian Minear playing Vizcaya by Gilbert Vinter.
2004: St Dennis Silver Band placed 2nd in the Third section of the National Championship of GB under Brian Minear playing Diamond Heritage.
2004: St Dennis Youth Band placed 2nd in the Youth section of the 58th Annual Championships of the SWBBA at Torquay under Brian Minear playing Scenes du Lac by Dr Roy Newsome. (British Bandsman 13th November 2004)
2005: St Dennis Silver Band placed 4th in the Second section of the Regional Championships under Brian Minear playing Variations for Brass Band.
2006: St Dennis Silver Band placed 1st in the Second section of the Regional Championships under Brian Minear playing Images of the Millenium.
2006: St Dennis Silver Band placed 1st in the Second section of the National Championship of GB under Brian Minear playing Gothic Dances by A Fernie.
2006: St Dennis Youth placed 1st in the Youth section at the SWBBA contest under Brian Minear.
2007: St Dennis Silver Band placed 4th in the First section of the Regional Championships under Brian Minear playing The Wayfarer.
2007: St Dennis Youth Band placed 3rd (Gold Medal) in the Community Section of the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Brian Minear.
2007: St Dennis Band placed 1st in the Open section of the SWBBA Contest under Brian Minear.
2008: St Dennis Silver Band placed 5th in the First section of the Regional Championships under Brian Minear playing James Cook Circumnavigator by Gilbert Vinter.
2009: St Dennis Silver Band placed 11th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Brian Minear.
2009: St Dennis Silver Band placed 10th in the Championship section at the Regional Championships under Brian Minear playing Salute to Youth.
2009: St Dennis Band announce the imminent departure of musical director Brian Minear.
Appointed in March 2001 Brian has worked tirelessly for the band bringing them from 4th section through to championship in just eight years, gaining two national titles in the 4th and 2nd sections along the way. This has been a fantastic achievement and probably unsurpassed by any other band in the country. Brian also worked extremely hard with the youth band gaining many prizes including a gold award at the national youth championships in 2007. The band, committee and supporters would like to express their sincere gratitude to Brian and wish him every success in his future endeavours. (Published in The Mouthpiece.com)
Brian Minear (Photo: Tony Mansell)
2009: St Dennis Band placed 1st in the Open section of the SWBBA Contest under Derek Greenwood.
2009 to 2011: Garry Lannie St Dennis Silver Band and St Dennis Youth Band MD. (Garry Lannie)
2010: St Dennis Silver Band placed 5th in the Championship section at the Regional Championships under Philip Harper playing English Heritage.
Darren Hawken St Dennis Silver Band MD.
2010: St Dennis Silver Band placed 2nd in the Championship Section of Pontins Championships under Darren Hawken playing Les Preludes.
2011: St Dennis Silver Band placed 11th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Darren Hawken.
2011: St Dennis Silver Band placed 6th in the Championship section at the Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing Paganini Variations.
2011: St Dennis Silver Band placed 11th in the Spring Festival / Senior Trophy under Darren Hawken playing Benvenuto Cellini.
2012: St Dennis Silver Band placed 5th in the Championship section at the Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
2012: St Dennis Silver Band placed 6th in the Spring Festival / Senior Trophy under Darren Hawken playing Chivalry.
2013: St Dennis Silver Band placed 8th in the Championship section at the Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing Harmony Music.
2013: St Dennis Silver Band placed 8th in the Spring Festival / Senior Trophy under Darren Hawken playing Journey into Freedom.
2014: St Dennis Silver Band placed 3rd at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Darren Hawken.
2014: St Dennis Silver Band placed 7th in the Championship section at the Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing St Magnus.
2014: St Dennis Silver Band placed 4th in the Spring Festival / Senior Trophy under Darren Hawken playing Les Franc Juges.
2015: St Dennis Silver Band placed 11th in the Championship section at the Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing The Torchbearer by Peter Graham.
2015: Placed 15th in the Spring Festival / Senior Cup under Darren Hawken playing Festival Music.
2016: St Dennis Silver Band placed 8thin the Spring Festival / Senior Cup under Darren Hawken playing Music for Battle Creek.
2016: St Dennis Silver Band placed 1st in the First section of the Regional Championship under Darren Hawken playing Essay.
2016: St Dennis Silver Band placed 1st in the First section of the National Championship of GB under Darren Hawken playing Ballet for Band and promoted to Championship Section.
2016: Terry Sleeman with the WEBF Royal Trophy, the best player trophy and his four Prince of Wales medals won with three different bands (Camborne Town, StAustell Town and two with St Dennis Silver), the only person to achieve this.
2016: Throughout the years brass bands have played the National Anthem countless times, but few have had the privilege of performing it directly in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen herself. This honour befell the St Dennis Band, conducted by Darren Hawken, at Poundbury in Dorset on Thursday 27th October. The Queen, accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, as well as HRH The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, and the Duchess of Cornwall, were in Poundbury for the Queen to unveil a statue of The Queen Mother in Queen Mother Square, at the heart of the new Town, the brainchild of HRH Prince Charles.
The St Dennis Band played throughout the day at the express Invitation of Prince Charles, by virtue of the fact they are the current holders of The Royal Trophy, awarded to them at our Festival in June this year. This unique trophy, presented to the Festival in 1913, by the then Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, is awarded to the Winning Band in the Championship Section each year. Prince Charles has taken a close interest in the Festival, with its Royal connection, becoming Patron of the Festival in 2014.
The Band played on a specially erected bandstand, proudly exhibiting The Royal Trophy, adjacent to the Royal Dias, outside the new Duchess of Cornwall Public House, officially opened by Prince Charles later in the day.
As current National Champions of Great Britain in the First Section , as well as Royal Trophy holders, the St Dennis Band performed a selection of attractive music for a total of over 4 hours, entertaining the invited guests, and the many thousands members of the public assembled for the occasion, with their Musical Director, Darren Hawken, summing up the proceedings by simply saying, “It was a lovely day”. (West of England Bandsmen’s Festival website)
2016: St Dennis Youth Band placed 2nd in the Youth section of the SWBBA Championships under Rachael Sargent.
2016 – What a year for St Dennis Band (Photo: Band Facebook page)
2017: St Dennis Silver Band placed 6th in the Championship section at the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing Pageantry.
2017: St Dennis Silver Band placed 5thin the Spring Festival / Senior Cup under Darren Hawken playing Fragile Oasis by Dr Peter Meecham.
2017 – 24th May: Roche Brass, St Austell Town Band, St Dennis Silver Band and Camborne Town Band took part in Bandtastic, a concert held at the Hall for Cornwall in aid of Carrick Mind and Cornwall Search and Rescue Team. A happy, sad, funny, poignant event that produced a roller-coaster of emotions and is etched on our memories for ever. It was in aid of Carrick Mind and Cornwall Search and Rescue Team and in memory of bandsmen Del Wilton and Rob Jose who took their own lives. It was superbly organised by Jeremy Squibb, splendidly compared by Bruce Taylor and bravely addressed by Noelle Wilton. The poignancy of the moment when the euphonium was placed centre stage will live on. RIP Del and RIP Rob. (Tony Mansell)
Rob Jose
2017: St Dennis Youth placed 1st in the Youth section at the SWBBA contest under Rachael Sargent playing Patterns.
2018: St Dennis Silver Band placed 4th in the Championship section at the Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing Odyssey by Kevin Norbury.
2018: St Dennis Silver Band placed 2nd and promoted in the Spring Festival / Senior Cup under Darren Hawken playing Diadem of Gold by George Bailey/Frank Wright.
2019: St Dennis Band placed 6th in the Championship section of the Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing Seascapes by Ray Steadman-Allen.
2019 – Retiring Chairman Rodney Richards and his wife Ann being presented with a Life Membership certificate in recognition of his work and dedication to the band
2019: St Dennis Band placed 13th in the Spring Festival / Grand Shield under Darren Hawken playing Fraternity by Thierry Deleruye
2019 – St Dennis Silver Band at the Spring Festival in Blackpool
2019 – St Dennis Silver Band at Bugle Contest
2019 – St Dennis Training Band at Bugle Contest
2020: St Dennis Silver placed 6th in the Championship section of the Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing A Tale as Yet Untold by Philip Sparke.
2022: St Dennis Silver placed 5th in the Championship section of the Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing Contest Music by Wilfred Heaton.
2022: St Dennis Silver placed 19th in the Spring Festival / Grand Shield under Darren Hawken playing Dynasty by Peter Graham.
9th July 2022: St Dennis Silver took part in the Cornish National Music Archive’s launch of its project Music From The Clay Country.
The Cornish National Music Archive commissioned Hannah Hawken to arrange the Rescorla Snail Creep for brass band. It was premiered by St Dennis Silver Band at the launch of the Cornish National Music Archive project, Music from the Clay Country, on the 9th July 2022 at the Wheal Martyn Clay Museum.
2023: St Dennis Silver placed 4th in the Championship Section of the Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing Red Priest by Philip Wilby.
2023: St Dennis Silver placed 3rd in the Spring Festival / Senior Cup (and promoted to the Grand Shield) under Darren Hawken playing A London Overture by Philip Sparke.
St Dennis Youth at Bugle 2023
2024: St Dennis Silver placed 6th in the Championship Section of the Regional Championships under Darren Hawken playing Variations on an Enigma by Philip Sparke.
2024: St Dennis Silver placed 14th in the Spring Festival / Grand Shield under Darren Hawken playing A Brussels Requiem by Bert Appermont.
St Dennis Silver competing in the Grand Shield at Blackpool Winter Gardens in 2024
St Dennis Silver Band at Portscatho Regatta 2024
Terry Sleeman whose long and illustrious brass band career ended at Portscatho Gegatta 2024
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 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 can correct or update any information included here then please leave a comment.