Tregony (Tregoney) is a civil parish and village in Cornwall on the River Fal
(With appreciation to Frank Grigg for contributions from his book, Tregony Happenings)
Unknown formation date.
1846: They walked to the parish church, headed by the Tregony Brass Band. An excellent sermon was preached to them by the Rev. Mr. Nisbett. (2 October 1846 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1846: Tregony Band played at Tregony Friendly Society meeting. (RCG 2nd October 1846)
1852: About one hundred and fifty repaired to church, preceded by the Tregony Brass Band, where the greatest attention was paid to an excellent and appropriate sermon, delivered by the Rev. Henry Peter Gurney. (8 October 1852 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1956: Tregony Band played at Veryan Peace Celebrations. (RCG 15th August 1856)
1858: … the club walked in procession to church, preceded by the Tregony Brass Band. (1 October 1858 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1859: Last week, in stating that the Veryan Friendly Society, at their Whit-Tuesday festival, was accompanied by the Grampound Brass Band. We learn that it was the Tregony Band, which headed the procession; and we are further informed that the Tregony Band have expressed to Colonel …, of Veryan, their desire to join the volunteers. (24 June 1859 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1862: The Duke of Cornwall Lodge, 4839, Helston, proceeded in full regalia, carrying their dispensation, and headed by the Tregony Brass Band, to the parish church. (27 June 1862 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1862: Tregony Band played at Truro District Odd-Fellows meeting at Tregony. (West Briton 4th July 1862)
1862: Friendly Society. The thirty-fourth anniversary of this society was held on Wednesday week. The members, headed by the Tregony Brass Band, walked to church. (10 October 1862 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1873: The society held their annual meeting at the Town Arms Hotel. The members as usual, marched in procession, headed by the Tregony Brass Band, to Cornelly church. (11 October 1873 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1874: Gerrans. The annual meeting was held on Monday last, when the members walked in procession to church, preceded by the Tregony Brass Band. (1 October 1874 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1875 circa: Name change to Tregony Temperance Brass Band. (RCG 22nd May 1875)
1875: The members met at the schoolroom, and afterwards proceeded through the village churchtown and green, headed by the Tregony Temperance Brass Band. (22 May 1875 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1875: Whitsuntide Festivities. Members met at the schoolroom, and afterwards proceeded through the village churchtown and green, headed by the Tregony Temperance Brass Band. (RCG 22nd May 1875)
1875: St Austell Wesleyan. There was a procession through the town of St Austell, 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)
1879: Whitsuntide Celebrations. At half past two the children and teachers met at the Gow, and a procession having been formed, headed by the Tregony Brass Band, they perambulated the village. (13 June 1879 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1880s early: Tregony Temperance Brass Band disbanded. (BBHD)
Assuming the above statement to be correct, the players soon re-formed as Tregony Brass Band.
1892: The afternoon’s amusements took place in a field belonging to Hart House. The Tregoney Brass Band was in attendance throughout the day, and gave general satisfaction. (13 October 1892 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1902: Tregoney and District. Coronation day was spent very quietly, in harmony with the sad circumstances. There were well-attended intercession services the parish churches of Cornelly and Tregony. On Friday the provisions which could not be kept were partaken of. Tregony band played the National Anthem and other suitable music. After tea a short intercessory service was held, and some of the young people enjoyed themselves games, etc., while portions of food were sent to many unable to be present. (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 03 July 1902)
1902: The Oddfellows, school children, and members of the various public bodies, headed by the Tregoney Brass Band, after which there was a service in the parish church. (14 August 1902 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Tregony Band disbanded at some time between 1902 and 1906.
(Photo: courtesy Frank Grigg)
(Photo: courtesy Frank Grigg)
(Photo: courtesy Lorna Leadbetter, a local girl, who now lives in London where she is very involved in the London Cornish Association)
1906: Tregony Brass Band re-formed. (19 April 1906 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1906: James Buckingham was MD of Tregony Brass Band. (John Brush)
1906: Mr Garnett drove to Tregony, and was met by Tregony Brass Band, and escorted to the hall by cheering throng. (25 January 1906 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1906: Tregony. The newly-formed Brass Band fulfilled its first public engagement at Grampound-road on Good Friday, and on Easter Monday several very enjoyable selections were rendered in Tregony village. The band has made wonderful progress since its re-organisation. (19 April 1906 – Royal Cornwall Gazette”
(Photo: courtesy Frank Grigg)
1906: Tregony Brass Band engagement at Grampound-road on Good Friday, and on Easter Monday several very enjoyable selections were rendered in Tregony village. The band has made wonderful progress since its re-organisation about a year ago… (19 April 1906 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1906: Portscatho. The pleasure boats were well patronised. Gerrans Friendly Society had their annual gathering on Monday, and the Tregoney Brass Band, which attended in their perambulation of the parish, was a great attraction to visitors and others. (7 June 1906 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
The Tregony Temperance Brass Band band room was beside Tregony Clock Tower. (Frank Grigg)
1906: Tregony. A concert was given on Monday evening in Penlee Grounds, by kind permission of Mr. W. H. Williams, in aid of Tregoney Brass and Reed Band. The band rendered several selections with spirit and skill. (2 August 1906 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1906: Report that Tregoney Brass and Reed Band is making rapid progress under Mr James Buckingham, ex bandmaster of the 1st East Yorks Regiment. They were said to have a fine set of instruments, a good music library and smart uniforms. (RCG 4th October 1906)
1906: Tregoney. The members assembled the Town Arms, and headed by the Brass and Reed Band, under the leadership of Mr. Buckingham, marched to the parish church. (4 October 1906 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1907: Grampound-Road Horse Show. The Tregony Brass Band, under Bandmaster Buckingham, rendered a choice selection of music throughout the day. (16 May 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1907: Portloe Regatta and Sports. While on the cliff the Tregony Brass Band rendered selections of music. (18 July 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1907: St Austell Primrose League. A company of about 400 present, and the afternoon was spent in the delightful grounds, music being supplied by the Tregony Brass Band, who also rendered selections for dancing on the lawn in the evening. (22 July 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1907: Veryan Institute Cottage Garden Society. The Tregony Brass Band contributed largely to the prevailing air of gaiety. (1 August 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1907: Gerrans – Best donkey. Tregony Brass Band played a good selection of music. (1 August 1907 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1907: The early part of the afternoon was spent in promenade concerts by the Tregony and Grampound Bands. (22 August 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1908: Gerrans – the National School. They marched, headed by Tregony Brass Band, to a field lent by Mr. George Nicholls. where sports and tea were provided. (28 May 1908 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1908: On Monday evening Tregoney Brass Band, of about 20 performers, under the direction of Mr. C. Buckingham, rendered several much appreciated selections of music. (11 June 1908 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1908: Monday – the children met in the schoolroom, and, headed the Tregony Brass and Reed Band, took their usual walk returning to the schoolroom they were provided with tea. (25 June 1908 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1908: The stalls, four in number, were prettily arranged in convenient spots in the garden. Tregony Brass Band was under the conductorship of Mr. C. Buckingham. (30 July 1908 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1908: During the afternoon and evening selections were rendered by Tregony Brass Band, under Mr. Buckingham. (3 August 1908 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1909: The annual sports were held at Probus on Tuesday on the school cricket ground, in the presence of a large crowd. Tregoney Brass Band, under the conductorship of Mr. J. Buckingham, rendered selections of music. (15 July 1909 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1909: Tregony Brass Band, under Bandmaster M J Buckingham, was in attendance. (19 August 1909 – RCG)
(Photo: courtesy Frank Grigg)
1910: Feast Sports. Tregoney Brass Band, under Bandmaster Buckingham, rendered pleasing selections of music, and in the evening there was dancing on the green. (14 July 1910 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1911: A beautiful silver inkstand, inscribed: ‘Presented to C. J. Trescutt by the members of the Tregoney Brass and Reed Band, a token their highest esteem. Oct. 4th, I911’ Mr. C. J. Truscott thanked the members. (12 October 1911 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1912: Tregony Brass Band, under Bandmaster J. Buckingham, gave a sacred concert in the Town Square on Sunday. (2 May 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: Gerrans Friendly Society. At the close of the meeting the members, headed by Tregony Brass Band, paraded to Trewince, where they were addressed Mr. J C Thomas, who also provided light refreshment. (30 May 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: Tregony Church Sunday School held their annual treat last week. The children paraded Tregony, headed by Tregony Band, under Bandmaster J Buckingham. (15 August 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: There he remained for fourteen years, after which he returned to his native Tregony. In addition to being bandmaster of Tregony Band during his six years’ residence at Tregony, Mr J Buckingham has been successful in giving tuition with the violin. (3 October 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: Tregony Feast. The proceeding commenced on Sunday, when the Oddfellows and Rechabites paraded the village, headed by Tregony Brass Band, under Bandmaster Buckingham. (3 October 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: Temperance mission was commenced on Sunday, Mr. S. J. Burrow (U.K.A.), who preached in Grampound Road Wesleyan Chapel. Tregony Brass Band gave their services. (28 November 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
WWI: It is assumed that Tregony Brass Band disbanded for the duration of the First World War.
“Bob Lyndon’s Euphonium which is a Hawkes and Co Excelsior Sonorous (Serial No. 32668) that I think dates to 1886. The instrument can be seen on a couple of the band photos, he was an active member in the early 1900s. Sadly, following the death of two of his sons in WWI (Edwin Phillip (1918) and Henry (1916) he never played again.” (Tony Lyndon, Bob’s gt, grandson)
1919: Tregony Band resuscitated with Fred Roberts as bandmaster with the hope that Mr Buckingham will return as MD. (RCG 15th January 1919)
1919: Re-formed as Tregoney Victory Band under Mr Buckingham. (RCG 5th February 1919)
1919: Tregony Victory Band played at Tregony and Disctrict peace rejoicings. (RCG 23rd July 1919)
1920: Tregoney Victory Band (sic) played at Coalition Fete on the 3rd July. (West Briton 13th May 1920)
1920: Tregoney Band played (sic) at Armistace Demonstration for Tregoney ex-servicemen. (West Briton 4th November 1920)
1920: Tregoney Victory Band (sic) played at an event in aid of Cornish Miners’ Unemployment Relief Fund at Tregoney. (WMN 10th August 1920)
1920: Departing Tregoney Bandsman. Mr. S. W. Lidgey, who is leaving for America, was Saturday presented with a travelling case by the Brass Band, of which he is a member. The presentation was made by Mr. J. Buckingham (bandmaster). (26 August 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1920: Feast day was observed at Tregoney on Sunday. In the afternoon, headed by Tregoney Town Band, a house to house collection was made on behalf of the Royal Cornwall Infirmary, Truro. (30 September 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1920: James Buckingham seems to have resigned or retired as Tregony Band MD. (Frank Grigg)
1923: Stanley Dowrick, euphonium, left Tregony Band to play for St Dennis Band. (RCG 19th December 1923)
1924: Tregony Temperance Brass Band disbanded or so it seems. Even the local Tregony events in which they always played, were taken by outside Bands, such as St Dennis, Foxhole and Summercourt. (Frank Greet)
1929: Death of James Buckingham, former Tregony Band MD. (WMN 3rd December 1929)
1944: An article be-moaning the loss of Cornish sayings like “Backwards and forwards like Boscastle Fair,” “As deep as Dolcoath” and “Like Tregoney Band, three scats behind”. (WMN 22nd January 1944)
1944 circa: Tregony Silent Band formed. “They can’t play a note. They just go through the motions of playing while a gramophone record churns out their only tune – Colonel Bogey.” Frank Greet, second from left, conducting with a stick of rhubarb. (Sunday Pictorial 14th May 1944)
Compiled and written 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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