Wadebridge is a civil parish and town straddling the River Camel 5 miles upstream from Padstow
Unknown fiormation date.
1856: Accordingly, on Wednesday last the fete took place. Triumphal arches were erected, the Wadebridge Band was in attendance, and the parish bells, which had long been silent, sent forth their tuneful melodies. (25 April 1856 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1861: A procession was then formed, headed by the Wadebridge and St Issey Brass Band, immediately followed by the Band of Hope; a vast concourse of people from many miles around bringing up the rear. (2 April 1861 – Western Morning News)
1877: The members met at the Court-house, the Molesworth Arms Hotel, at ten a.m., and headed by the Wadebridge Brass Band proceeded to St Breock Church. (25 May 1877 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1890s: Wadebridge Mission Band active. (BBHD)
1890: The chief feature of the programme, Haydn’s Toy Symphony, was well rendered by the Wadebridge Amateur Band, led by Miss Wills. (5 April 1890 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1895:Liberal candidates. The large gallery was occupied by ladies, and prior to the opening of the meeting the Wadebridge Orchestral Band rendered a number of selections. (20 July 1895 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1899: The programme of the so-called regatta, which, though on a small scale, was thoroughly enjoyable. The Wadebridge Band discoursed sweet music. (10 August 1899 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
A photograph taken around the end of the 19th century shows a large brass band in splendid uniforms marching along the Platt close to where the Regal Cinema now stands. There are no records to say whether this particular band belonged to Wadebridge but we do know that the town has had a history of brass banding. (Band website)
1900: R Elford, Wadebridge Brass Band MD. (John Brush)
1900: 13 Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles / F Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles / F Company 2nd Volunteer Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry / F Company 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Territorial Force). “Wadebridge Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles Band made its first appearance in 1900 under their first Bandmaster, Robert Elford, who stayed with them until relieved by John Males. The band was not a contesting group but did continue to give good service up to WW1.” (John Brush)
1900: Bro H… dressed in khaki uniform and mounted on a bicycle, which was beautifully decorated; Wadebridge Brass Band, conductor Mr B Elford. (26 May 1900 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1901: F Co., Wadebridge. 2nd V. 8., D.C.L.I., held their annual Church parade on Sunday last. Headed by the Brass Band of the company, and under the command of Capt G. L. Ellis, about 60 of the company marched to Egloshayle Church. (30 May 1901 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1901: An open-air temperance meeting. Wadebridge Volunteer Band played several bright selections. (25 July 1901 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1900s: Wadebridge Town Band active. (BBHD)
1903: Wadebridge Volunteer Band will be in attendance. (9 April 1903 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1906: The grounds are beautifully kept, and great praise is due to Mr Roberts, the gardener. The selections by the Wadebridge Volunteer Brass Band greatly added to the enjoyment of all. (23 June 1906 – Cornish & Devon Post)
????: John Males Wadebridge Military Volunteer Band MD.
1908: The fete held in connection with Wadebridge Foresters, took place on Monday. Headed by the Wadebridge and Bugle Bands the members paraded the streets in the morning, and afterwards attended service at St Breock Church. (13 June 1908 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1910: The death of King Edward. The scholars met and formed a procession, headed by the Wadebridge Territorial Band, under Bandmaster B Elford, who rendered excellent service throughout the afternoon. (25 June 1910 – Cornish & Devon Post)
Wadebridge Town Band 1910
1911: Some excellent music was discoursed by the Liskeard Temperance Band, under Bandmaster R. J. Honey, and the Wadebridge Town Band, under the hon. conductor (Mr. Argyll Saxby). (10 June 1911 – Cornish & Devon Post)
1911: A procession will be formed at 2.30 outside the Town hall, headed by the Wadebridge Town Band, and will proceed to Meadow’s Head. (22 June 1911 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
The Ball family had many musical connections including George Charles Ball’s brother, James (George Thomas Ball’s uncle), who, according to the Cornish Guardian of the 2nd August 1912 (page 6 – St Issey), was band master of Wadebridge Silver Band. James’ sons John, William and Andrew were also members of Wadebridge Silver Band.
1912: Wadebridge Brass Band Contest organised by Wadebridge Town Band. (Contest archive)
1914: Wadebridge Military Volunteer Band gave good service up to WW1.
1914: Wadebridge Brass Band contesting under W T Lobb. (Contest archive)
1914 to 1918: Wadebridge Brass Band strength of band reduced due to WWII. (Band’s website)
1915: A rosewood … with inscription, has been presented to Mr W T Lobb bandmaster, Wadebridge Town Band. (18 November 1915 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1919/23: Wadebridge Brass Band contesting under W T Lobb. (Band website)
1920: James Ball (1855-1920) died. He had been a member of Wadebridge Brass Band for about 20 years and its conductor circa 1912.
1923: Wadebridge Band. (22 March 1923 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1923: Wadebridge Brass Band new set of silver instruments costing £400. (BBHD)
1930s: Harry Roberts Wadebridge Brass Band MD. He is said to have been an outstanding cornet player. (Band website)
St Minver Band band room sold to Wadebridge Band and instruments stored by John Francis Wills in a barn at Higher Pityme.(St Minver Band – A Century and More)
1939: The procession included Wadebridge and Newquay Town Bands, and the newly-elected Miss Newquay, 1939 (Mrs. Jesmond Castle). (13 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1940: Wadebridge Town Band players support to Bodmin and St Minver Bands. (Band website)
Wadebridge Brass Band purchased band hut from St Minver Band.
Mr W A Mills Wadebridge Brass Band MD. (Band website)
????: Mr R Dawes Wadebridge Town MD. He had been band sergeant with the Devon and Cornwall Light Infantry. (Band website)
1950s: Wadebridge Tony players accepted for the National Youth Brass Band of GB. (Band website)
1954: Wadebridge Town placed 1st in the Third Section at the SWBBA contest under A H Dawes playing Tyrolean Scenes by Drake Rimmer.
1956: Wadebridge Town contesting under A V Creasey. (Contest archive)
????: David Blake Wadebridge Brass Band MD. (Band website)
1960 / 1961: Wadebridge Juniors contesting under David Blake. (Contest archive)
1962: Wadebridge Juniors contesting under D Bunt. (Contest archive)
1962: David Blake’s son, Philip, formed the Wadebridge Youth Band. (Band website)
1960s: Wadebridge Youth Band / Wadebridge Juniors / Wadebridge Boys contesting. (Contest archive)
1968: Wadebridge Brass Bands disbanded and instruments disposed of. (Band website)
1970s: Wadebridge Town Band re-formed by Philip Harris. (Band website)
1978: Wadebridge Town Band appeared on the children’s TV show “Multi-Coloured Swap Shop” held at the Egloshayle playing fields. (Band website)
Philip Harris, Jack Wills, Lionel Boundy, and Keith Babbs sharing the Wadebridge Town Band MD duties. (Band website)
1985: Wadebridge Town Band disbanded and instruments passed on the St John’s Ambulance Band for their community use.(Band website)
2002: Wadebridge Town Band re-formed with the driving-force coming from Eric Gill. (Band website)
2002: Mr M Bennett Wadebridge Town Band MD. (Band website)
????: Keith Babbs Wadebridge Town Band MD. (Band website)
2005: Nick Chadd Wadebridge Town Band MD. (Band website)
Wadebridge Town Band MD position vacant. (Band website)
????: Peter Meanwell Wadebridge Town Band MD. (Band website)
Wadebridge Band (Photo: Website)
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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