Stratton is a small town near the coastal resort of Bude in north Cornwall
1846: Stratton Brass Band formed. (BBHD / John Brush)
1848 – Wednesday 31st May: “A great day at Stratton. The weather in the morning was very unpropitious, however the church bells early struck up a merry peal and flags were hoisted on the tower and in other places. At one o’clock the first stone was laid by little Miss Killick, daughter of the vicar, who handled the trowel and mallet, to the admiration of all. Amongst the other events a vote of thanks to the ladies for giving their countenance to the ceremony in such inclement weather, was moved and received with cheers. At two o’clock the men who had booked in the New Market House and about 80 in number dined there. After that the school children began to assemble for tea; when they were satisfied (and it was astonishing to witness the destructive powers of some of them) the mothers and grandmothers were regaled with the cup that cheers but not inebriates; after them, the visitors. Soon arrived the men with instruments and a flag bearing the motto ‘Stratton Amateur Band’. The men were left to their tea, and then the procession was again formed and went into a field, and here the children got up several games. About 8 the procession was again formed headed by the Band, and walked back to the Market Place. Here the men received tickets for bread, and after a few words from the vicar the men went to their homes quickly to avoid intoxication. Three cheers were given for the Queen, and the company separated, all appearing to be highly pleased with the day’s amusement.” (Original school log)
1848: Stratton and Holsworthy Bands of music paraded the streets, with banners, through the forenoon. (28 July 1848 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1863: A band from Stratton, and Mr Clifford’s band from Launceston, were in attendance, and discoursed sweet music at intervals. (31 July 1863 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1864: Stratton Brass Band had 15 members. (John Brush.
1864: Mr Clifford, Stratton Brass Band MD. (John Brush.
1865: The excellent Band of the Stratton Musical Union, and also the Temperance Band from Stratton were in attendance. (4 August 1865 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1866: National School, Stratton, on Monday evening by the members the church choir, assisted by the Stratton Musical Union Band. The instrumentalists were conducted by Mr Clifford, of Launceston, and gave entire satisfaction. (3 February 1866 – Launceston Weekly News, and Cornwall & Devon Advertiser)
1865: J W Morfill, conducting the Stratton Temperance Brass Band. (BBHD)
1867: On Thursday, the Stratton Musical Union and Brass Band gave a successful vocal and instrumental concert at the lecture-hall, Stratton, in aid of the village hospital. (28 February 1867 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1869: Stratton Temperance Brass Band active. (BBHD)
1873: Stratton I O G T Brass Band active. (John Brush)
1874: November, a torch-light procession, headed by the Stratton Brass Band with an illumination light, paraded the streets, returning to a field adjoining the town. (14 November 1874 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1878: The members, numbering about 200, met in the Lecture Hall and formed in procession, headed by the Stratton Brass Band, composed chiefly of teetotallers, and under the leadership of Mr Harry Rattenbury, proceeded to Bromell. (13 July 1878 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1879: About 250 sat down. The Stratton Brass Band, (composed chiefly of total abstainers), played during the afternoon. (9 August 1879 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1885: The 20th annual festival of the Stratton Band was celebrated on Thursday of last week, headed to the Bude Temperance Fife. (27 June 1885 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1887: The Queen’s Jubilee in Cornwall. Representative committees have been appointed, and all are joining heartily to make the jubilee a success. The Stratton Brass Band will be in attendance. (10 June 1887 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1887-1897: Stratton Musical Union Band active. (John Brush)
1888: Formed in procession, paraded the principal streets of the town headed by the Stratton Brass Band. (28 June 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: The Stratton Musical Union Band, which had been in attendance throughout the afternoon, supplied the music for the dancing that followed the concert. (11 August 1888 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1888: Stratton Band kindly contributed three pieces, and the bandmaster (Mr C H Rattenbury) gave us a cornet solo. (22 November 1888 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: At the Schoolroom the second of a series of entertainments to aid the Institute funds was given on Thursday evening. Stratton Musical Union Band, under the direction of Mr C Rattenbury… (15 December 1888 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1890: Stratton Musical Union Band will play during tea. (26 April 1890 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1890: We have heard it suggested that an announcement might be made for the Stratton Brass Band, which now comprises 17 instruments. (28 June 1890 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1890: Stratton Brass Band was in attendance. (10 July 1890 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1890: Stratton Musical Band will be in attendance. (2 August 1890 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1890: … Society, which numbers 168 members, had its annual meeting lately. The members met at mid-day, and preceded by the Stratton Brass Band, marched to the parish church. (7 August 1890 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1891: A huge procession of members, headed by the excellent Stratton Brass Band, conducted by Mr C H Rattenbury, wended its way through the town. (5 June 1891 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1892: Primrose League at Stratton. Stratton Musical Union Brass Band played selections during the evening. (19 May 1892 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1893: Before leaving Stratton those members belonging to the Stratton Musical Union Band paraded the town and performed some excellent music. (1 July 1893 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1893: A large number of bicycles illuminated with Japanese lanterns with riders in character and fancy costumes. The Stratton Town Band being engaged for the occasion discoursed some good strains music, which greatly enlivened the proceedings. (11 November 1893 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1893: Procession through the town headed by the Stratton Musical Union Band, under the direction of Mr C H Rattenbury. (18 November 1893 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1894: Band of Hope. The annual festival of the above took place on Tuesday, with procession of members led by the Stratton Musical Union Band, under the direction Mr H Rattenbury. (28 April 1894 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1894: The members met at their headquarters, the Lecture Hall, Stratton, 10 a.m., and, headed the Stratton Town Band, under the leadership of Mr T Brown, perambulated the town, and thence to Bude. (28 July 1894 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1895: In the afternoon the members of the society met at Bangors, and marched in procession, headed by Stratton Brass Band, under bandmaster Brown. (20 July 1895 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1895: The midday service was held for the occasion in the Parish Church, to and from which there was a procession, headed by the Stratton Musical Union Band, under the leadership of Mr C H Rattenbury. (3 August 1895 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1896: Stratton Musical Union Band, conducted by Mr C H Battenbury played some nice selections. (29 August 1896 – Cornish & Devon Post)
Stratton Band circa 1900 (Photo: courtesy Audrey Aylmer)
1902: Stratton Corporation Brass Band active. (John Brush) Possibly replaced the Stratton Musical Union Band.
1906: One the most memorable days in Stratton was that of the marriage King Edward VII. (then Prince Wales), 43 years ago last Saturday. Public luncheon in the Market Hall, tea in the Lecture Hall, procession headed by the famous old Stratton Brass Band, bonfire at Stamford Hill, fireworks there and from the top of the Church tower, were doings never-to-be forgotten by those of us who were then children and permitted to participate in the festivities. Many happy returns of the day to the royal pair. (17 March 1906 – Cornish & Devon Post)
Stratton Band at Poundfield 1919 (Photo: courtesy Audrey Aylmer)
Unknown Stratton bandsman in Maiden Street, Stratton (Photo: courtesy Audrey Aylmer)
1921: Stratton Band referred to in a letter of February 21 asking for “the money I subscribed to the Bude Band returned to me at once as the Stratton Band is asking for it”. Signed by Constance E Gibbers
1920s late: Stratton Temperance Brass Band possibly disbanded. (BBHD / John Brush)
If the band did disband then it clearly re-formed considering the following items.
1937: Stratton Town Band active. (Bude OCS archives)
Stratton Town Band at Stratton Flower Show 1938 (Photo: courtesy Bude OCS archives)
Back row: Douglas Davey, Stanley Cobbledick, Charles Crowell, Bill Jewell, Sam Wonnacot
Middle row: Charles Davey, Bill Ford (bandmaster), Cyril Colwill, ?? Joliffe, Bert Bissett, Sidney Ford
Front row: Fred Dymond, Gordon Colwill, Mr Rattenbury “Pom Pom” (conductor), Bert Cann, Alfred Parnacott, Bill Wonnacott
1966: 53 years with Brass Bands – Stratton presentation to Mr C Cann. A dinner was held at the Tree Hotel on Tuesday week, when a very pleasant evening was spent by members and committee of the Stratton Town Silver Band. The occasion was to present Mr C Cann with a certificate of life membership of the National Brass Band Club. Mr Cann had spent 53 years playing in brass bands. He first started playing with Bude Band in 1912, under the late Mr Hancock… In 1950 he joined Stratton Town Silver Band of which he is still a member. (Bude & Stratton Post October 1966)
Unknow 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.
It is based on location as each may have had more than one band.
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