Whitemoor is a village in St Stephen-in-Brannel civil parish, northeast of Nanpean
Little is known of this band which is a great shame because it was a part of Cornwall’s rich music history. We do know that it competed in the Sixth Annual County Volunteer and Independent Brass Band Contest at Newquay on the 2nd August 1886 which at that time included Fife and Drum Bands but probably not in direct competition to the brass bands. Whitemoor Fife and Drum Band were in a section of eleven bands but were unplaced by adjudicator, Samuel Traise.
From another report in the West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser of the 24 June 1897 we read: “St. Stephens Branwell (sic). The day was ushered in by merry peals on the church bells. All the children attending the Sunday schools met at Gunnabarn at three o’clock. Several triumphal arches, bunting, etc., had been erected. Headed by Foxhole Brass Band, with Whitemoor Fife and Drum Band in the centre, and preceded by Mr. T. Stocker, acting marshal, the procession, with banners and flags, went to the top of the Beacon-hill. Returning to the Jubilee field, tea was provided for 1,300 children and 1,200 adults. Athletic and other sports, followed by a splendid display of fireworks and a huge bonfire, successfully terminated the day’s proceedings.”
We have found no other information about this band nor do we know when it ceased to exist. However, we have no reason to doubt that it contributed to the many local events which would have been held during the period of their existence.
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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