St Pinnock is a hamlet and civil parish just over a mile south of Dobwalls and 3 miles south-west of Liskeard
Includes material from the paper St Pinnock – 120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Silver Band by Fiona Pendray
1866: St Pinnock Temperance Band (Brass and Reed) formed to lead St Pinnock Band of Hope parade. “The Band donned a peaked cap and the Blue sash to show they had taken the pledge and renounced the ‘Demon Drink’.” The members were drawn from the workers of the lead mines and gunpowder mills in the area but just how popular the teetotal band was we will never know as there were four public houses in Herodsfoot alone, and little else! (Band website)
1902: A small Orchestra Band was formed for the coronation celebrations.(120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray) This, possibly, suggests that there was no other band at this time.
1903 to 1907: Many players of the Orchestral Band were forced to emigrate to find work.(120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1907: St Pinnock Band formed. (John Brush)
1907: Mr E Victor King, who had returned from America, formed St Pinnock Band. He was an accomplished cornet player and was helped by his brothers, Charlie, Tommy and Sid. The new band included brothers William and Arthur Pearse. The players were taught to play by ear. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1907: St Pinnock Band still wearing their blue sashes. (Band website)
St Pinnock Band 1907 (Photo: unknown)
Back row: Arthur Pearse, Ernest Pendray, John Haley, Edgar Bunt, Arthur Rawlings
Middle row: Will Glanville, E Harris, Charlie King, F Buckthought, Edwin Dennis, Sid King
Front row: Tom Pearse, C Tucker, C Dennis, Victor King, J Searle, Cyrus Tamblyn, T King, Bill Pearse
1907: St Pinnock Band joined by Victor King who had played in the Band as a boy but had left to play cornet professionally in America. When he returned to the area he and his two brothers set about improving the band. (Band website)
St Pinnock Band room in the sawmill engine house in East Taphouse which was owned by fellow Bandsmen from the Pearse family. The engine house had the big advantage of being a warm place to play of an evening. (Band website)
The band room was at East Taphouse, in Pearse’s Engine House. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
St Pinnock Band 1908-10 (Photo: unknown)
Back row: N Lobb, Jack Matthews, N Parsons, Sid King, Edgar Harris
Middle row: Edwin Dennis, Arthur Bunt, Bill Pearse, Archie Cole, J Haley, ????
Front row: Tom King, W Lobb, V King, Cecil Dennis, Charles King
1910: St Pinnock Band purchased old uniforms of the 14th Hussars. (Band website)
St Pinnock Temperance Band going through a tough time and Victor King returned to America.(120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1914: St Pinnock Temperance Band committee formed with a constitution and a set of rules for bandsmen. The first meeting was held on the 8th October 1914 and Mr F Salt was elected Chairman, Mr W M Vennard the Vice-Chairman, Mr S M Pearse Treasurer, Jonathan Tamblyn the Band Sergeant and Hedley Lobb the Secretary and Bandmaster.(120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1914 to 1922: Hedley Lobb (school master), St Pinnock Temperance Band MD. (Band website)
1914: Music blackboard installed so that the St Pinnock Band players could learn to read music. (Band website)
Band room in Bethal School room, initially for free, but later, they elected to pay a rent of 5 shillings per year as a good will gesture. (Band website)
1915: St Pinnock Band fees were as follows were a free tea / 10s for Conan, Bethal and Broadoak jobs / £1 all other jobs, plus the cost of hire of a brake to and from the event. A Brake being a wagon with seats drawn by a team of horses. The band had to get out at the hills though so as to spare the horses, all being on hire from Mr Edmonds of Liskeard. (Band website)
WWI: St Pinnock Band struggled to try and keep the Band going for the duration but after the players returned from war normal rehearsals resumed. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1920 March: New rule: “To join the Band you had to apply to the Bandmaster who then, depending on your ability, would put your name forward at the next committee meeting. Then you were usually put on three months’ probation – or for as long as it took to become proficient. At the committee meeting, after probation and upon the approval of the Bandmaster, you become a full member of the Band, signed the roll of membership book and paid a one shilling entrance fee. You were then entitled to a share of the money received for away engagements outside the immediate area, equally distributed amongst the players attending – subject to the usual gratuity to the Bandmaster.” (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1921: Introduction of charabancs which stopped the need for St Pinnock Temperance Band players to get out, although they were definitely not a comfortable means of travel, being in effect an engine on the front of a wagon. (Band website)
1922 – 30th June: “The Band shall be named St Pinnock Silver Band.” (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1922 to 1945: Fred Salt Jnr St Pinnock Band MD. Hedley Lobb continued at Secretary and was made an honorary member.(120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1923: Reflecting the St Pinnock Band membership of predominantly farmers and farm labourers, and probably the secretary’s problems in finding deputies in the summer, no engagements or rehearsals were to take place for one month after the start of the summer harvest each year. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1924: St Pinnock Band uniform consisted of a badge to be worn at engagements. (Band website)
St Pinnock Band 1925 (Photo: unknown)
Back row: Revd N Lobb, J Tamblyn, F Salt, S Pearse, R Nicholls
Third row: J Toms, F Buckthought, J Russell, J Triggs, A Cole, J Ede, B J Welshman, E Bunney
Second row: J W J Pearse, C King, J Haley, A Uglow, W Lobb, A Pearse, F Ede, John Honey
Front row: T Ede, F Edmonds, S Crago, F J Salt (Bandmaster), R Uglow, J Buckthought, W Hoskin,
1926: On Sunday afternoon the annual service was held at the East Taphouse War Memorial St Pinnock Temperance Band played selections, and the collection in aid of St Pinnock Nursing Association. (21 September 1926 – Western Morning News)
1926: St Pinnock Temperance Band played selections on the Green at Trevelmond on Tuesday. (30 December 1926 – Western Morning News)
1927: Musical items were given by Pelynt Methodist choir and St Pinnock Temperance Band. (6 January 1927 – WMN)
1927: St Pinnock Band was in attendance, and sports and games were held. (20 May 1927 – Western Morning News)
1928: Old Country Fair at Boconnoc. St Pinnock Silver Band played selections during the afternoon on the lawn. (23 August 1928 – Western Morning News)
St Pinnock Band 1930 (Photo: unknown)
Back row: F Buckthought, J Russell, J Triggs, J Ede, A Cole, F Searl, E Bunney
Middle row: W Pearse, J Haley, Charlie King, W Bunney, W Lobb, J Rolstan, A Pearse, F Ede
Front row: W Hoskin, J Buckthought, Cyril Salt, F Salt, Marsh Kessell, S Crago, Reg Uglow, Tom Ede
1930: St Pinnock Silver Band new uniform of navy blue with silver and green facings. These lasted for almost 20 years.(120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1930: Marsh Kessell to conduct St Pinnock Silver Band at contests for a fee of £20 per year plus an equal share of engagement fees. (Band website)
1931: In the morning St Pinnock Temperance Prize Band and members of the local friendly societies paraded. (2 June 1931 – Western Morning News)
1931: Hospital Sunday at Looe … St Pinnock Prize Band. (18 August 1931 – Western Morning News)
St Pinnock Prize Band 1932 (Photo: unknown from 120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1934: St Pinnock Band provided programme music. (24 August 1934 – Western Morning News)
1935: Music was played by St Pinnock Prize Band directed by Mr M Kessell. Lostwithiel children performed maypole dance, under the guidance Mrs L Bennett. (16 August 1935 – Western Morning News)
WWII: Playing suspended. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1942: A playing member of St. Dennis Silver Band for 23 years, its secretary for a number of years, also the trainer St. Pinnock Band for nearly ten years, and the conductor of St. Dennis Male Voice Choir, Mr. Marshall Kessell. Wellington-road, St Dennis, has died at the age of 66. (6 June 1942 – Western Morning News)
1945: St Pinnock Silver Band re-formed under Fred Salt but he later resigned due to ill-health. (Band website)
1948 January: Fred J Salt, St Pinnock Silver former MD, died. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1948: Parade of the Show Prizewinners. St Pinnock Silver Band. (8 May 1948 – Western Morning News)
1949 to 1952 – July: Frank Edmonds, St Pinnock Silver MD. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1949: St Pinnock Silver unplaced in the Fourth Section at the Regional Championships under F S J Edmonds playing Pride of the Forset by J A Greenwood.
1949: St Pinnock Silver mass meeting at 5.30 p.m. (16 July 1949 – Western Morning News)
Following contests St Pinnock Silver caught the train from Doublebois, formed up at Redpost and marched back to the village to the cheers of the residents of East Taphouse, cups proudly borne in front. (Band website)
1950: St Pinnock Silver purchased new uniforms of maroon with gold braiding. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
St Pinnock Band 1950 (Photo: unknown)
Back row: Ernie Repper, Wilf Hancock, G Mitchell, D Herring, F Buckthought, David Stevens, D Northcott, E Bunney
Middle row: C King (Drum), C Pollard, J Russell, P Tamblin, D Parsons, D Pote, J Royston, Ivan Parsons, S Crago
Front row: T Ede, J Buckthought, Tom Priest, F Edmonds, Ford Knight (MD), Albert Pote, C Nicholls, Bill Hoskin,
Seated on ground: Cedric Buckthought, Derek Buckthought
1951: St Pinnock Silver Band invited Miss B Uglow to be its first female member but she declined because when she had previously applied she was refused entry because she was a female.(120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1952 to 1953: St Pinnock Silver Band had no MD. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1953 to 1958: Mr A J Newton of Liskeard, St Pinnock Silver Band temporary MD. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1957/58: St Pinnock Silver Band at a low ebb with finance problems and irregular practices. Mr Newton forfeited his fee to help the situation. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1958 to 1964: Mr A C Repper of Liskeard, St Pinnock Silver Band temporary MD.(120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
St Pinnock Band 1962 (Photo: unknown)
Back row: W Hancock, G Trehane, P Sweet, A Tamblin, A Gwillam, D Herring, ? Stephens, D Tamblin, D Pote, Banbury Oliver, D Stevens
Front row: J Russell, T Rayson, D Howlett, C Repper, W Hoskin, W C Nicholls, C King, P Tamblin, F Ede, ? Dawe
(Some names missing)
1964 – 9th March: Bandsmen W J Russell and W Hosken presentation for 50 years loyal service.(120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1964: Wilf Hancock, Deputy Bandmaster, conducting while the search goes on for a new MD.(120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1964: New uniforms of navy blue with light blue reveers and silver braiding.(120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1965 to 1972 or later: Joe Armstrong (ex-Grimethorpe euphonium player) MD. This had the immediate effect of helping St Pinnock Band win the 3rd and 4th section at Bugle contest in 1966. (Band website)
St Pinnock Band 1966 (Photo: unknown)
1966: St Pinnock Silver placed 1st in the Third Section of the SWBBA Contest under J Armstrong playing Northward Ho by Sam B Wood and Diademata hymn.
1967: St Pinnock Silver unplaced in the Second Section of the SWBBA Contest under J Armstrong playing William Tell Ballet Music and the hymn Tune Belmont.
1968: New set of low-pitch instruments purchased for £3,000. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1968: St Pinnock Silver unplaced in the Second Section of the SWBBA Contest under J Armstrong playing Land of the Ever Young and own choice march.
1969: St Pinnock Silver placed 3rd (Othello by Drake Rimmer) in the Second Section of the W D & H O Wills Regional Contest under J Armstrong.
1971: St Pinnock Silver placed 3rd (Galantia) and unknown (own choice march) in the Second Section at the SWBBA Contest under J Armstrong.
1971: St Pinnock Silver appear to have withdrawn from the Third Section at the SWBBA Contest under J Armstrong.
1971: Females first allowed to join St Pinnock Silver. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
Paignton 1971 (120 Years with St Pinnock Band)
Back row: N Pendray, B Cole, J Russell, S Greet, N Brodey, E Bunney, P Tamblin, D Tamblin
Middle row: S Musgreaves, W Hancock, D Herring, J Salisbury, M Sweet, T Rayson, J Byfield, D Pote, S Crago
Front row: S Martin, A Tamblin, B Ede, R Vernon, C Vernon, J Armstrong (bandmaster), R Reed, D Howlett, I Rescorle
1972 circa: Norman Pendray, St Pinnock Band temporary MD. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
St Pinnock Prize Band 1972 (Photo: unknown from 120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
St Pinnock Band date unknown (Photo: unknown from 120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1974: St Pinnock Band placed 1st in the Second Section of the SWBBA Championships under Joe Armstrong playing Simon Called Peter.
1975: St Pinnock unplaced in the Championship Section of the SWBBA Championships under Joe Armstrong playing Force of Destiny by Verdi.
1975: St Pinnock Band contesting under Alan Jenkin. (Contest archive)
1977: St Pinnock Band contesting under A J Willcock. (Contest archive)
1977: St Pinnock Band purchased Bethal Chapel as band room. (Band website)
1978: St Pinnock Band participated in the Third Section of the Regional Championships under V J Willcock playing Call of the Sea by Eric Ball.
1978: St Pinnock Juniors placed 6th in the Juvenile Section at the SWBBA Contest under N Pendray playing Indian Summer by Eric Ball.
1979: St Pinnock Band withdrew from the Second Section at the SWBBA Contest.
1980: St Pinnock Band contesting under N R Pendray. (Contest archive)
1980: St Pinnock Silver – unknown results (own choice test piece and hymn) in the Second Section at the SWBBA Spring Festival under N R Pendray.
1980: St Pinnock Band withdrew from the SWBBA Contest.
1982: St Pinnock unplaced (Mexican Fiesta) in the Third Section at the SWBBA Contest under G Bunt.
1983: St Pinnock contesting under G Bunt. (Contest archive)
1984: St Pinnock unplaced in the Fourth Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under N R Pendray playing Divertimento by Eric Ball.
1985: Norman Pendray, St Pinnock Band MD. (120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
1985: St Pinnock – unknown result (A Malvern Suite) in the Fourth Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under N R Pendray playing Divertimento by Eric Ball.
1985: St Pinnock – unknown result (Three Inventions) in the Third Section at the SWBBA Contest under N R Pendray.
1986: St Pinnock Band participated in the Fourth section of Pontins Regional Championships under N Pendray playing A Suite for Switzerland by Roy Newsome.
St Pinnock Band 1986 (Photo: unknown from 120 Years in Cornwall with St Pinnock Band by Fiona C R Pendray)
Back row: J Freeth, J Hawke, T Gough, L Summerfield, F Pendray, D Tamblin, P Jewell, A Pollard
Middle row: P Tamblin, I Prior, A Pearce, P Mutton, K Gordon, J Sobey, A Sweet, G Horn, B Wiltshire, G Stevens, D Howlett
Front row: T Moon, G Howlett, M Langford, N Pendray, J Northcott, S Tamblyn, C Sutcliffe,
(Absent: Deborah Tamblyn, Dawn Tamblyn)
1987: Lostwithiel Silver and St Pinnock Band combined for engagements and contests but by early the following year the arrangement had ceased. (Lostwithiel Town Band – A Brief History by Hugh Whitehead)
1987: St Pinnock Band placed 1st in the Third section at the SWBBA contest under W Hunt playing Suite in Bb.
1987: St Pinnock Band participated in the Fourth section of Pontins Regional Championships under N Pendray playing Simon Called Peter by Gilbert Vinter.
1991: St Pinnock Band placed 3rd in the Fourth section of the 45th SWBBA Championships at Paignton on the 2nd November under W Harris. (British Bandsman 9th November 1991)
1992 circa to 2000 circa: W N Harris, St Pinnock Band MD.
1992: St Pinnock Band placed in the top four in the Fourth section of the Regional Championships.
1992: St Pinnock Band placed 18th in the Fourth section of the National Championship of GB under W N Harris playing Prelude, Song and Dance.
1992: St Pinnock withdrew from the Fourth Section of the Pontin’s Regional Contest under W N Harris playing Rhapsody on Negro Spirituals No. 1 by Eric Ball.
1994: St Pinnock unplaced (Chorale and Toccata) in the Third Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under W N Harris.
1995: St Pinnock unplaced (Snowdon Fantasy) in the Third Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under W N Harris.
1995: St Pinnock placed 2nd in the Third section at the SWBBA contest under W Harris playing Scenes du Lac by Newsome.
1996: St Pinnock – unknown result in the Third Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under W N Harris playing Divertimento by Bryan Kelly.
1996: St Pinnock placed 1st in the Third section at the SWBBA contest under W N Harris playing Three Saints by Goff Richards.
1997 circa: St Pinnock built band room in East Taphouse (almost next door to the sawmills where Victor King rehearsed the band back in 1907). (Band website)
1997: St Pinnock placed 8th in the Third Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under W N Harris playing Tintagel by Denis Wright.
1997: St Pinnock placed 2nd in the Third section of the SWBBA Contest at Torquay under W Harris playing Three Memories for Brass by Relton. (British Bandsman 8th November 1997)
1998: St Pinnock placed 2nd (Three SAints) in the Third Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under W Harris.
1998: St Pinnock Band placed 15th in the Third section of the National Championship of GB under W N Harris playing Three Miniatures by Philip Sparke.
1998: St Pinnock Band placed 1st in the Third section of the Weston-Super-Mare own choice contest under W Harris. (British Bandsman 23rd May 1998)
1999: St Pinnock placed 4th in the Third Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under W N Harris playing Main Street.
Millenium funds financed an extension to building and car park. (Band website)
2000: St Pinnock placed 11th in the Second section of the Regional Championships under W N Harris playing Sword, Jewel and Mirror.
2001: St Pinnock placed 10th in the Second Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Jane Whitehead playing The Moor of Venice by William Alwyn.
2001: St Pinnock – unknown result (Resurgam) in the Second Section of the SWBBA Contest under Vivian Willcocks.
2001: St Pinnock Youth Band placed joint 3rd (own choice) in the Junior section of the SWBBA Contest under J Whitehead.
2002: St Pinnock Band placed 9th in the Second section of the Regional Championships under M Medlin playing Symphony for Brass.
2002: St Pinnock Youth unplaced (own choice and test piece) in the Junior Section at the SWBBA Contest under Jane Whitehead.
2003: St Pinnock Band participated in the Second section of the Regional Championships under Denzil Stephens playing Celestial Prospect by Wilfred Heaton.
2004: St Pinnock Band placed 9th in the Third section of the Regional Championships under Peter Minear playing Vizcaya by Gilbert Vinter.
2004: St Pinnock Band placed 2nd in the Third section of the 58th Annual Championships of the SWBBA at Torquay under Peter Minear playing Simon Called Peter by Gilbert Vinter. (British Bandsman 13th November 2004)
2005: St Pinnock Band placed 11th in the Third section of the Regional Championships under Peter Minear playing Tom O’Shanter’s Ride.
2006: St Pinnock Band placed 1st in the Third section of the Regional Championships under Peter Minear playing Entertainments.
2006: St Pinnock Band placed 13th in the Third section of the National Championship of GB under Darren Hawken playing Sinfonietta for Brass Band.
2007: St Pinnock Band placed 5th in the Third section of the Regional Championships under Simon Dobson playing Prelude and Jubilate.
2008: St Pinnock Band placed 11th in the Second section of the Regional Championships under S White playing Three Part Invention by Kenneth Downie.
2009: St Pinnock Band placed 8th in the Second section of the Regional Championships under Jeremy Willcock playing New World Sketches.
2010: St Pinnock Band placed 10th in the Second section of the Regional Championships under Chris Spreadbury playing The Kingdom of Dragons.
2011: St Pinnock Band placed 4th in the Second section of the Regional Championships under Chris Spreadbury playing Resurgam.
2011: St Pinnock Band placed 1st in the Second section of the SWBBA Championships under Chris Spreadbury playing Suite Gothique.
2012: St Pinnock Band placed 8th in the Second section of the Regional Championships under Chris Spreadbury playing Cross Patonce.
2013: St Pinnock Band placed 5th in the Second section of the Regional Championships under Chris Spreadbury playing The Plantaganets.
2014: St Pinnock Band placed 12th in the First section of the Regional Championships under Chris Spreadbury playing Cry of the Mountain.
2015: St Pinnock Band participated in the First section of the Regional Championships under Jane Whitehead playing A London Overture by Philip Sparke. They were disqualified before they took to the stage but decided to play anyway.
2016: St Pinnock placed 14th in the First section of the Regional Championships under Jane Whitehead playing Essay.
2017: St Pinnock placed 12th in the Second Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under John Ward playing Rhapsody in Brass.
2018: St Pinnock placed 6th in the Second Section of the Regional Championships under David Johnson playing Ex Terra Lucem by Jonathan Bates.
2019: St Pinnock placed 3rd in the Second Section of the Regional Championships under Colin Hudson playing Rise of the Phoenix by Darrol Barry.
2020: St Pinnock placed 11th in the First Section of the Regional Championships under Colin Hudson playing Legacy by Tom Davoren.
2023: St Pinnock withdrew from the Second Section of the Regional Championships.
2024: St Pinnock placed 9th in the Second Section of the Regional Championships under Jane Whitehead playing Triptych by Philip Sparke.
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.
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