1837: “St Austell [Amateur Brass Band]. It gives us much pleasure to announce that several young men of this town have formed themselves into an amateur Brass Band, under the able tuition of Mr Colless, professor of music from Jersey, whose efforts to instruct them seem to be crowned with complete success. During the past week, they have been playing several popular airs in public; and their profiency not only reflected the highest credit on both tutor and pupils, but general satisfaction to all who heard them. We trust they will persevere, and that Mr Colless maty meet with that encouragement which his endeavors to please so justly entitle him to receive.” (1 December 1837 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1837: November: St Austell Amateur Brass Band performed in public. (Music in the Westcountry by Stephen Banfield)
1838: St Austell Sax-Horn Band formed under the patronage of J S Graves Sawle. (Band website) Probably reflects the purchase of new instruments.
1838: “Some short time since we noticed a band which had been formed at St Austell, under the direction of Mr Colless, from Jersey; and it now gives us pleasure to add to that the one above mentioned (St Blazey Band), which is under the superintendence of the same gentleman. On Monday last, both bands met at St Austell, and united in playing several popular and favourite airs in different parts of the town. Their performances were excellent and considering the short time the St Blazey Band has been formed, their proficiency is almost astonishing.” (WB 20th April 1838)
1852: St Austell Sax Horn Band. We understand that a Sax Horn band is about to be established in St Austell, under the patronage of Sir J S Graves Sawle, Bart, and the principal inhabitants of the place. Upwards of £52 have already been subscribed towards purchasing instruments, through the indefatigable exertions of Mr John Perrow. (West Briton 3rd December 1852)
1852: St Austell (Miners) Saxtuba Band active. (BBHD)
1853: “St Austell Band. On Tuesday last, the members of this band, to the number of 16, sat down to an excellent dinner …” (13 May 1853 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1854: The St Austell Sax-horn Band performed appropriate music. (4 August 1854 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1858: St Austell (Miners) Saxtuba Band Active. (John Brush)
1859: St Austell Band, the St Dennis Band, and a smaller band played alternately. (5 August 1859 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1860: 9 Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles / D Company Duke of Cornwall’s Rifles / D Company 2nd Volunteer Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry / D Company 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Territorial Force). “In 1859 there was a brass band in St Austell which will have helped considerably, when the volunteers were formed in 1860, in achieving an immediate and competent band. From 1879 to 1914 they had only two Bandmasters – William Jago and RJ Bennetts, both of whom encouraged their men to enter at least twelve contests, this despite opposition from the civilian bands against volunteers taking part. St Austell was one of the very few Cornish volunteer bands who engaged professional conductors for some of their contest appearances. In 1919, this group of men were, in the main, the new St Austell Town Band.” (John Brush)
1861: St Austell Volunteer Band and the Royal Miners Military Militia band were engaged. (23 August 1861 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1862: St Columb, Launceston and St Austell Bands played. (9 May 1862 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1862: St Austell Brass Band and the Drum and Fife Band in a long procession. (20 June 1862 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1862: The men marched into the town with the Band of the St Austell Rifles at their head. (20 June 1862 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1864 circa to 1867 circa: Pengover Teetotal Brass Band active. (John Brush)
1870s: St Austell Volunteer Band contesting under William Jago. (Band website)
1874: The St Austell Volunteer Band appointed as the regimental band of the 2nd Administrative Battalion Duke of Cornwall Rifles.
1874: Brass Band of the St Austell Rifle Corps. (28 May 1874 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1874: St Austell Band under the leadership of Mr W Jago. (1 August 1874 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1879 to 1914: MDs William Jago and R J Bennetts both encouraged their men to enter at least twelve contests, despite opposition from the civilian bands against volunteers taking part.
1880: The Band of the St Austell Rifle Volunteers played a choice selection of music. (24 December 1880 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1882: St Austell and Falmouth Bands of the Rifle Volunteers marched to the cathedral…” (24 and 31 August 1882 – Cornishman)
1885: St Austell Volunteer Band, under the direction of Mr W H Jago, at the Foresters’ fete at Wadebridge. (22 May 1885 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1888: Stennals (St Austell) Brass Band active. (BBHD)
1889: The Brass Band of the St Austell Company Volunteers under the leadership of Mr W Jago at Lostwithiel. (23 May 1889 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1889: The Salvation Army parade the streets of St Austell nightly with Brass Band. (5 September 1889 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1890: “…three hundred tenants and visitors were entertained at luncheon and tea … The excellent band of the St Austell Volunteers, under Mr Jago, added …to the day’s enjoyment…” (7 August 1890 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1892: St Austell Volunteer Band, under the direction of Mr Jago, bandmaster. (9 June 1892 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1893: St Austell Orchestral Band, accompanied by Mr W H Jago (cornet). (19 January 1893 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1895: St Austell Volunteer Brass Band at the Primrose Fete at St Austell. (13 June 1895 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1897: The Brass Band of the D. C. St. Austell Volunteers, under Bandmaster Jago… (2 September 1897 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1898: The St Austell Volunteer Band, under the conductorship of Mr W Jago … (7 July 1898 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1900: Brass Band of St Austell Volunteers, under the direction of Bandmaster Jago … (1 February 1900 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Early 1900s: Re-formed as the St Austell Territorial Band. (Uppermill Whit Friday Contest Programme 2012)
Circa 1905 with St Austell TA Band (probably) leading a Freemasons parade in Church Street, St Austell (Photo: courtesy of Phillip Hunt)
1900s: R J Bennett, St Austell Territorial Band MD.
St Austell Volunteer Band 1907. (Facebook Lyndon Allen Collection)
1908: ‘We shall be wanted again yet’. That the honour of representing the battalion has fallen to St Austell Band. (4 January 1908 – Cornish & Devon Post Launceston)
1909: St Austell Territorial Band, under Mr R J Bennett … (10 June 1909 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1910: St Austell Territorial Band, under Mr R J Bennett… (21 July 1910 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1912: St Austell Territorial Band contesting under J G Jubb. (Contest archive)
Unknown year (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1912: St Austell Military Band was in attendance under Bandmaster R J Bennetts. (15 August 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: “St Austell Band’s challenge to St Dennis. It seems probable that there will an interesting sequel to the recent band contest at Bugle. On that occasion St Austell Territorial Band secured only 48 marks out of a possible 90 for the test Maritana.” (23 September 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: “St Austell Band Challenge. There has been certain amount of rivalry between St Austell Territorial Band, who divided fourth prise in the recent contest Bugle, and St Dennis, who won third prize.” (26 September 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1913: St Austell Territorial Band contesting under Tom Eastwood. (Contest archive)
1913: St Austell Territorial Band contesting under Tom Morgan. (Contest archive)
St Austell Territorial Band was one of the very few Cornish volunteer bands who engaged professional conductors for some of their contest appearances. (John Brush)
Circa 1913: Name change to St Austell Town Band. (Uppermill Whit Friday Contest Programme 2012)
1917: St Austell & District Wartime Band formed comprising men not in the Services.
1917: Samuel Rowe, of Mevagissey, St Austell & District Wartime Band MD – a fine musician and cornet player. The band was formed around the Bennett Brothers of Trethowel with some former members of the old volunteer band from before the war. (Keith Brewer)
1919: St Austell Town Band re-formed with the inclusion of many members of the defunct Volunteer Band.
1919: St Austell Town Band rehearsals were initially held in the Drill Hall before moving to a room owned by F J Kirk at North Hill, opposite the signal box. (Keith Brewer)
1919: Bob Bennett, St Austell Town Band MD. (Keith Brewer)
1920: “At a meeting of the St Austell Town Band Committee, on Monday, it was decided that the band should compete in the contest at Newquay…” (1 July 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1920: St Austell Town contesting under George Nicholls. (Contest archive)
1921 to 1922: J M Hinchcliffe, St Austell Town Band MD. (Keith Brewer)
1922 to 1938: E F Woodhead, St Austell Town Band MD. (Keith Brewer)
1923: St Austell Town at Feast Week Church Parade. (31 May 1923 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1923 to 1939: St Austell Town moved from its first rehearsal room (The Drill Hall) to new premises at the Old Mill at Trenance. (Keith Brewer / Uppermill Whit Friday Contest Programme 2012)
1927: St Austell Town placed 3rd in the Junior Shield B (sixth tier) of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under E F Woodhead playing Cosi Fan Tutte by Mozart.
29th September 1928: St Austell Town participated in the Junior Shield A (fifth tier) of the National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under E F Woodhead playing Accrington by Donald Munro.
1929: “Cornish Bands for the Crystal Palace. Among the Cornish bands who will take part in the band contest at the Crystal Palace next Saturday are St Dennis, Stenalees, Falmouth (who won prizes there last year), St Austell, and Penzance.” (26 September 1929 – Cornishman)
1929: St Austell Town participated in the Junior Shield A (fifth tier) of the 24th National Brass Band Championships of GB at Crystal Palace under E F Woodhead playing Romanique by Schumann.
1938 to 1940: Cecil Brewer, St Austell Town Band MD. (Keith Brewer)
(Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1939: A meeting of bandsmen and members of the public was called with the idea of terminating the St. Austell Town Band. The secretary of the Band Committee reported that attendances at practices had declined, and for some time the band had not met at all. It was decided that all the bands instruments, uniforms and other equipment should be returned and held in trust until such time as the band was re-formed. Messrs. F. Hart, C. Higman, C. G. Brewer and A. S. Husband were elected trustees, to supervise the return of the instruments and uniforms and to be responsible for their being kept in good condition on behalf of the town, whose property they are. The bandsmen present agreed that they would attempt to re-form the band as soon as possible after the instruments have been recalled, the consenting bandsmen undertaking to continue to serve the band. Mr. C. Brewer, acting bandmaster, stated that the band had been unable to accept any engagements for this summer and it was also very unlikely that the band would be in a position to play on Hospital Saturday in six weeks’ time. (13 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1940: St Austell Town Band disbanded due to outbreak of war. (Keith Brewer)
1943: St Austell Town Band re-formed under C H Baker. (Uppermill Whit Friday Contest Programme 2012)
1943 to 1947: St Austell Wartime Band active under Charles H Baker. (Keith Brewer)
1943: St Austell wartime band room in a converted bakery on West Hill. (Keith Brewer)
1945: St Austell Town Band at Camborne Show. (19 July 1945 – Cornishman)
1946: St Austell Town Band placed 1st in the Second section of the National Brass Band Regional Contest. (18 and 25 July 1946 – Cornishman)
1947: St Austell Town Band rehearsed in a building used by the old carnival committee at Trevarrick before returning to the Drill Hall again. (Keith Brewer)
1947: St Austell Town either unplaced or withdrew from the National Brass Band Regional Contest.
1947: Charles H Baker resigned as St Austell Town Band MD to resume as MD at St Dennis.
1947 circa to 1962: Cecil Brewer St Austell Silver Band MD.
1948: St Austell Town Band placed 2nd in the West of England Regional Championships.
1948: Name change to St Austell Silver Band. (Uppermill Whit Friday Contest Programme 2012)
1951: St Austell Silver Band contesting under Charles Baker. (Contest archive)
1952: St Austell Silver Band disbanded due to the lack of a rehearsal room. (Keith Brewer)
1953: St Austell Silver Band re-formed under Cecil Brewer and used a Nissen hut at the Priory, opposite the car park before returning to the Drill Hall yet again. (Keith Brewer)
Cecil Brewer receiving a trophy at the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival “Bugle Contest” (Photo: Ellis)
Cecil Brewer (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1956: St Austell Town placed 4th in the Second Section (second tier) of the Regional Championships under C E Brewer playing Snowdon Fantasy by T J Powell.
1958: St Austell Town unplaced in the Second Section (second tier) of the Regional Championships under C E Brewer playing Venus and Adonis by Drake Rimmer.
1962 to 1966: Telfor Rule St Austell Silver MD
1960s: St Austell Junior Band contesting: (Contest archive)
1962: St Austell Silver placed 3rd in the SWBBA Contest under T Rule playing Peter Schmoll arranged by Drake Rimmer and Sovereignty hymn.
1962: St Austell Silver promoted to the Championship Section. (Uppermill Whit Friday Contest Programme 2012)
1963: St Austell Silver placed 2nd in Championship Section of the SWBBA Contest under T Rule playing Scheherazade and Moscow hymn.
1964: St Austell Silver placed in the top three in the Third section of the Regional Championships.
1964: St Austell Silver participated in the Second Section of the National Championship of Great Britain under Telfer Rule.
1965: St Austell Silver unplaced in the Second Section of the Regional Championship under Telfer Rule playingThree Castles by W Rimmer.
1966: St Austell Silver withdrew from the Second Section of the Regional Championship.
1966 to 1969: A G “Tim” Richards St Austell Silver Band MD.
1966: St Austell Silver placed 1st in the Championship Section of the SWBBA Contest under Tim Richards playing Eroica and hymn tune St Francis.
1967: St Austell Silver placed 1st in the Section Section of the Regional Championships under A G Richards playing Kenilworth by Bliss.
1967 (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
St Austell Silver Band (date unknown)
1967: St Austell Silver placed 1st in the Second Section (second tier) of the National Championship of GB under A G Richards playing Rococo Variations on a Tchaikovsky Theme.
1967: St Austell Silver placed 2nd in the Championship Section of the SWBBA Contest under Tim Richards playing Les Preludes and the hymn tune Davinia Lorraine
1968: St Austell Silver purchased premises for a band room / St Austell Band Social Club. (Uppermill Whit Friday Contest Programme 2012)
1968: St Austell Silver placed 1st and 2nd in the Championship Section of the SWBBA Contest under Tim Richards playing The Shipbuilders and own choice march.
1969: St Austell Silver unplaced in the Championship Section of the Regional Championships under A G Richards playing Diadem of Gold by G Bailey/Frank Wright.
1969: St Austell Silver placed 1st/1st in the Championship Section of the SWBBA Contest under A G Richards playing Symphony in C by Schubert/Greenwood and own choice march.
1969: St Austell Silver placed 3rd in the Championship Section at the W D & H O Wills Regional Contest under Capt A G Richards playing The Fogs of Aristophanes by Granville Bantock.
(Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1970: St Austell Silver placed 6th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under A G Richards playing The Corsair by Berlioz/Geoffrey Brand.
1970 to 1976: Fred Roberts St Austell Silver Band MD. (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1970: St Austell Silver Band placed 1st and unknown in the Championship Section of the SWBBA Contest under Fred Roberts playing Judges of the Secret Court and own choice march.
1970: St Austell placed 1st in the Championship Section of the W D & H O Wills Regional Championships under Fred Roberts playing Embassy Suite by Allan Street.
1971: St Austell Silver placed 1st in the Championship Section of the W D & H O Wills Regional Championships under Fred Roberts.
1971: St Austell Silver placed 1st (Lorenzo) and 1st (own choice march) in the Championship section of the SWBBA Contest under Fred Roberts.
1971: St Austell Silver placed 2nd in the Championship section of the W D & H O Wills regional under Fred Roberts.
1971: St Austell Silver placed 1st in the Championship/First section of the SWBBA Contest under Fred Roberts playing Lorenzo.
1972: St Austell Silver placed 2nd in the Championship Section of the Regional Championships under Fred Roberts playing Concert Overture for Brass Band by Vilem Tausky.
1972: St Austell Silver placed 13th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB under Fred Roberts playing A Kensington Concerto by Eric Ball.
1972: St Austell Silver placed 2nd in the Championship section of the W D & H O Wills final under Fred Roberts.
1973: St Austell Silver placed 4th (The Plantagenets by Edward Gregson) in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under F Roberts.
1973: St Austell Silver participated in the Championship section of the W D & H O Wills final under Fred Roberts
1973: St Austell placed 1st (own choice test piece) and 1st (own choice hymn) in the Championship Section at the SWBBA Spring Festival.
1974: St Austell Silver placed 2nd in the Championship Section of the Regional Championships under Fred Roberts playing Variations on a Ninth by Gilbert Vinter.
1974: St Austell Silver placed jnt 15th in the Championship section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB under Fred Roberts playing Fantasy for Brass Band.
1974 under Fred Roberts (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1974: St Austell Silver placed 1st in the Championship/First section of the SWBBA Contest under John Harrison playing Blackfriars.
1975: St Austell Silver placed 3rd in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships at Colston Hall, Bristol, under Fred Roberts playing Journey Into Freedom by Eric Ball.
1975: St Austell placed 3rd in the Championship Section of the SWBBA Championships under F J Roberts playing Force of Destiny by Verdi.
1977: Alan Jenkin St Austell Silver MD. (Contest archive)
1978/79: Derek Johnston Snr St Austell Silver MD. (Contest archive)
St Austell Silver Band with MD, Derek Johnston (Photo: courtesy of David Cox)
1978: St Austell Silver placed 4th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest.
1978: St Austell Silver placed 8th in the Championship Section of the Regional Championships under Derek Johnston playing The Belmont Variations by Sir Arthur Bliss.
1978: St Austell Silver placed 4th in the Championship Section of the Pontin’s Qualifying Finals under D Johnston playing Kenilwoorth by Arthur Bliss.
1978: St Austell Silver Band placed 1st in the Championship Section of the SWBBA Contest under Derek Johnston playing Judges of the Secret Court by Hector Berlioz.
1979: St Austell Silver Band placed 7th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest.
1979: St Austell Silver Band placed 17th in the Spring Festival / Grand Shield playing Sinfonietta.
1979: St Austell Youth unknown results (own choice test piece and hymn) in the Juvenile Section at the SWBBA Spring Festival under B Sutton.
1979: St Austell Juniors placed 1st in the Youth Section at the SWBBA Championships under B W Sutton playing Fanfare and Soliloquy by Trevor Sharpe.
1980: St Austell Silver Band placed 6th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest.
1980: St Austell placed 6th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under A Chappell playing Beatrice and Benedict by Berlioz/Keith Wilkinson.
1980: St Austell Junior – unknown results (own choice test piece and hymn) in the Junior Section at the SWBBA Spring Festival under B W Sutton.
1980: St Austell Silver Band placed 1st in the Open Section of the SWBBA Contest under David Loukes playing Beatrice and Benedict.
1980: St Austell Juniors unplaced (Roller Coaster) in the Juvenile Section of the SWBBA Contest under B W Sutton.
1980 to 1984: Albert Chappell MD. (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
March 1980 (Photo: G Rindley Studios courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1981: St Austell Silver Band placed 1st at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Albert Chappell.
1981: St Austell placed 4th (Variations on a Shinging River) in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under A Chappell.
1981: St Austell Silver placed 3rd in the Championship Section of the Pontin’s Regional Championships under A Chappell playing Tournament for Brass by Eric Ball.
1981: St Austell Silver placed 1st in the Championship Section at Pontin’s National Championships under Albert Chappell playing James Cook, Circumnavigator.
November 1981 (Photo: Alan Joyce – courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1981: St Austell Youth at the SWBBA contest (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1980 or 1982 under Albert Chappell (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1981: St Austell Youth placed 1st in the Youth Section at the SWBBA contest under Albert Chappell.
1982: St Austell Silver Band placed 2nd at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Albert Chappell.
1982: St Austell placed 5th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under A Chappell playing Essay by Edward Gregson.
1982: St Austell Silver placed 3rd in the Championship Section at Pontin’s National Championships under Albert Chappell playing Festive City by Eric Ball. (Denis Chapman, St Austell Band member)
1982: St Austell Youth – unknown result (West Sou’West & own choice) in the Youth Section B of the Pontin’s Final under L R Richards.
1982: St Austell Silver Band placed 1st in the Open Section of the SWBBA Contest under Albert Chappell playing Kensington Concerto.
1983 (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1983: St Austell Silver Band placed 1st at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Albert Chappell.
1983: St Austell B Band – unknown result (1st Suite in E flat) in the Fourth Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under L R Richards.
1983: St Austell Town placed 3rd (Images) in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under A Chappell.
1983: St Austell B Band placed 1st in the Third section at the SWBBA contest under Rodney Richards playing The Seasons.
(Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1983: St Austell B Band placed 1st in the Third Section at the SWBBA contest under Rodney Richards playing The Seasons.
1983: St Austell B Band placed 1st in the Fourth Section at the SWBBA contest under Rodney Richards playing The Seasons.
1983: St Austell Silver placed 3rd in the Championship Section of the Pontin’s Regional Contest under Albert Chappell playing The Accursed Huntsman by Cesar Franck.
1983: St Austell Silver placed 6th (Carnaval Romain) in the Championship Section of the Pontin’s Championship Final under Albert Chappell.
1983: St Austell Silver placed 11th (James Cook Circumnavigator) in the Championship Section of the Joshua Tetle Open Brass Band Championships under Albert Chappell.
1984: St Austell Silver Band placed 4th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Albert Chappell.
1984: St Austell Silver placed 4th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Albert Chappell playing Waverley by Hector Berlioz/Howard Snell.
1984: St Austell Silver B Band placed 4th in the Fourth section of the Regional Championships under R Richards playing Divertimento by Eric Ball.
1984: St Austell Silver placed 10th (Rhapsody for Brass Band) in the Championship Section of the Joshua Tetle Open Brass Band Championships under Albert Chappell.
1984: St Austell Silver placed 1st in the Open Section of the SWBBA Contest under Ken Dennison playing James Cook Circumnavigator.
1984: St Austell B Band placed 1st in the Third section at the SWBBA contest under Rodney Richards playing The Prizewinners.
1985: St Austell Silver Band placed 4th (probably) at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Albert Chappell.
1985: Placed 23rd in the Spring Festival / Grand Shield under Kenneth Dennison playing Journey into Freedom.
1985: St Austell Silver placed 4th (Contest Music) in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under K Dennison.
1985: St Austell “B” Band placed 2nd (A Malvern Suite) in the Fourth Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under R Richards.
1985: St Austell “B” Band participated in the Fourth section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB. (Rodney Richards).
(Courtesy British Bandsman 7th December 1985)
1985 to 1987: Derek Greenwood St Austell Silver Band MD.
St Austell Silver Band under Derek Greenwood (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1986: St Austell Silver Band placed 11th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Kenneth Dennison.
(Courtesy British Bandsman 26th April 1986)
1986: St Austell Silver Band placed 22nd in the Spring Festival / Grand Shield under Kenneth Dennison playing The Wand of Truth.
1986: St Austell Silver Band participated in the Championship Section of Pontins Regional Championships under Kenneth Dennison playing Lorenzo by Thomas Keighley.
1986: “Parting of the ways: Kenneth Dennison and St Austell have parted company. Ken’s firm in Exeter has expanded recently, increasing his workload.” (British Bandsman 7th June 1986)
1986: St Austell Silver Band placed 2nd in the Championship section at the 50th Reading Band Festival under Derek Greenwood playing Journey into Freedom by Eric Ball. Denis Chapman said, “We were short of a timps player so I stood in”.
1987: St Austell Silver Band placed 9th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Derek Greenwood.
1987: St Austell Silver Band placed 2nd in the Championship section at Reading Contest under Derek Greenwood playing High Peak by Eric Ball. (British Bandsman 21st November 1987) Best Player award went to Ross Chapman (tenor horn) of St Austell Silver Band.
1987: St Austell Silver Band placed 2nd in the Championship section of the Regional Championships under Derek Greenwood.
1987: St Austell Silver Band Placed 6th in the Championship section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB under Derek Greenwood playing Harmony Music.
1987: St Austell Silver Band placed 2nd in the Championship section at Weston-Super-Mare Contest under Derek Greenwood.
1987: St Austell Silver Band placed 1st in the Championship/First section of the SWBBA Contest under Derek Greenwood playing High Peak.
1987 to 1988: Leonard Adams St Austell Silver Band MD.
St Austell Town at SWBBA 1988 (Photo courtesy Leonard Adams)
1988: St Austell Silver Band participated at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Derek Greenwood.
(Courtesy British Bandsman 30th April 1988)
1988: St Austell Silver Band placed 4th in the Championship section of the Regional Championships under Derek Greenwood.
1988: St Austell Silver Band placed 6th in the Spring Festival / Grand Shield under Derek Greenwood playing Un Vie de Matelot.
(Courtesy British Bandsman 11th June 1988)
1988: St Austell Silver Band placed 1st in the Championship/First section of the SWBBA Contest under Derek Greenwood playing Judges of the Secret Court.
1988: St Austell “B” Band placed 2nd (Othello) in the Fourth section of the SWBBA Contest under J Taylor.
St Austell Youth Band at the SWBBA Championships 1988 (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1989: St Austell Silver Band placed 14th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Derek Greenwood.
1989: St Austell Silver Band participated in the Championship section of the Regional Championships under Derek Greenwood.
1989: St Austell “B” Band placed 6th in the Fourth section of the Regional Championships of Great Britain under J Taylor.(British Bandsman 29th April 1989)
1989: St Austell Silver Band placed 10th in the Spring Festival / Grand Shield under Derek Greenwood playing Ballet for Band.
(Courtesy British Bandsman 3rd February 1990)
1990: St Austell Silver Band placed jnt 18th in the All England Masters under David Loukes playing Blitz by Derek Bourgeois.
1990: St Austell Silver Band placed 11th in the Spring Festival / Grand Shield under David Loukes playing Trittico by James Curnow.
1990: St Austell School of Brass formed offering free music tuition to young people; this led to St Austell Youth Band becoming one of the best in the country and, at one time, there were over 100 people learning brass instruments with the organisation.
1990: St Austell “B” Band placed 2nd in the Fourth section at the SWBBA contest under J Taylor playing Overture to Youth by Hughes. (British Bandsman 10th November 1990)
1991: St Austell Silver Band placed 5th in the Championship Section at the Regional Championships under Mike Cotter playing Journey into Freedom by Eric Ball. (British Bandsman 27th April 1991)
1994: St Austell Youth placed 5th in the Clovelly Challenge Trophy under M Arnold. (British Bandsman 8th October 1994)
1994: St Austell Silver Band placed 3rd in the First section of the SWBBA Contest. (British Bandsman 12th November 1994)
1994: St Austell Youth placed 1st in the Youth section at the SWBBA contest under Maurice Arnold.
1995: St Austell Silver placed 6th in the First section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Leonard Adams playing Land of the Long White Cloud.
1995: St Austell Silver Band placed 2nd in the First section of the SWBBA Contest under Leonard Adams playing Symphony of Marches by G Vinter)
1996: St Austell Silver Band placed 1st in the First section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Leonard Adams playing Spectrum by Gilbert Vinter.
British Bandsman 11th May 1996
British Bandsman 8th June 1996
1990s: St Austell Town (Photo courtesy Leonard Adams)
St Austell Silver Band under musical director Mike Cotter (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
Unknown year (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
1996: St Austell Silver Band placed 2nd in the First section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB under Leonard Adams playing Prisms by Peter Graham.
1996: St Austell Silver Band placed 1st in the First section of the SWBBA Contest under Leonard Adams playing Journey Into Freedom by Eric Ball. (British Bandsman 23rd November 1996)
1996: St Austell Youth Band placed 2nd in the Youth section at the SWBBA contest under J Morford playing A Circus Suite by S Johnson. (British Bandsman 23rd November 1996)
1997: St Austell Silver Band placed 5th in the First section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Leonard Adams playing Ballet for Band by Joseph Horovitz.
(Courtesy British Bandsman 28th June 1997)
(Courtesy British Bandsman 16th August 1997)
1997: St Austell Silver Band advertising for a Resident Conductor. (British Bandsman 25th October 1997)
1997: St Austell Silver Band placed 2nd in the Youth section of the SWBBA Contest at Torquay under J Whitehead playing English Folk Song Suite by Vaughan Williams / F Wright) (British Bandsman 8th November 1997)
1997: St Austell Silver Band advertising for a Resident Conductor. (British Bandsman 1st November 1997)
1997: St Austell Town withdrew from the Championship Section at the SWBBA Contest.
1997: St Austell Town – unknown result (Judges of the Secret Court) in the First Section of the SWBBA Contest under Gwynne Price.
1997: St Austell Youth – unknown result (English Folk Song Suite) in the Youth Section of the SWBBA Contest under Jane Whitehead.
British Bandsman 20th December 1997
1998: St Austell Silver – unknown result (Montage) in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Champioships under Melvin White.
1998: St Austell Silver Band placed 2nd in the Championship section of the 52nd SWBBA Contest under M White playing Le Carnival Romain.
1998: St Austell Youth Band placed 2nd in the Youth section of the 52nd SWBBA Contest under C North playing Simon Called Peter by Vinter.
1998: St Austell Silver Band contesting under Chris North St Austell Silver Band MD / conductor. (Contest archive)
1999: St Austell Youth Band placed 2nd in the Action Research Youth Brass Band Entertainment Championship at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens under Chris North. The Band also received the top mark for Music and received the award for the best horn section. (British Bandsman 20th February 1999)
(British Bandsman 6th February 1999)
(Courtesy British Bandsman 29th May 1999)
(Courtesy British Bandsman 25th December 1999)
1999: St Austell Silver Band placed 13th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Chris North.
2000: St Austell Youth Band advertising for a conductor and tutor for its School of Brass. (British Bandsman 15th July 2000)
2001: St Austell Silver Band and St Austell Kernow Brass merged. (Band website)
2001: St Austell Silver Band placed 8th in the First section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Melvin White playing The Undaunted by Eric Ball.
2001: St Austell Town – unknown result (Purcell Variations) in the First Section of the SWBBA Contest under Leonard Adams.
2001: St Austell Youth Band placed 2nd in the Youth section of the SWBBA Contest under S Osborne playing Hollywood by G Richards.
(British Bandsman 19th January 2002)
2002: Contesting under Stephen White St Austell Silver Band MD / conductor. (Contest archive)
2002: St Austell Silver Band placed 1st in the First Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Melvin White playing Royal Parks.
2002: St Austell Silver Band placed 3rd in the First Section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB under Melvin White playing Leonardo by Philip Wilby.
2002: St Austell Silver Band participated in the First section at the 29th Pontin’s Championship playing The Sicilian Vespers by Verdi/Bram Gay.
2002: St Austell Youth Band placed 2nd in the Youth section of the SWBBA Contest under Stephen Osborne playing Music for a Festival by P Sparke.
2003: St Austell Silver Band placed 7th in the Championship Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under Melvin White playing Prague by Judith Bingham.
2003: St Austell Youth Band placed 3rd in the Junior Section of the SWBBA Contest under Steven Osborne.
2003: St Austell Y0uth Band placed 1st in the Youth Section of the Exmouth Festival. Rachael Whittaker best soloist (soprano)(British Bandsman 13th September 2003)
2004: St Austell Silver Band placed 7th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under David Loukes.
2004: St Austell Silver Band placed 5th in the Championships Section of the National Brass Band Regional Championships under David Loukes playing Tristan Encounters.
2004: Kevin Ackford St Austell Youth Band MD (Kevin Ackford website)
2004: St Austell Silver Band placed 18th out of 23 in the Championship section of the Pontin’s Championships under David Loukes playing Dances and Arias by Professor Edward Gregson. (British Bandsman 6th November 2004)
(British Bandsman 20th November 2004)
2005: St Austell Silver Band placed 12th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under David Loukes.
2005: St Austell Silver Band placed 2nd in the Championship section of the Regional Championship under David Loukes playing Rienzi.
2005: St Austell Silver Band placed 19th in the Championship section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB under David Loukes playing Eden.
2006: St Austell Silver Band placed 8th in the Championship section of the Regional Championship under David Loukes playing Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
2006: St Austell Silver Band placed 13th in the Spring Festival / Senior Trophy under David Loukes playing The Essence of Time.
2007: St Austell Silver Band placed 11th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under David Loukes.
2007: St Austell Silver Band placed 8th in the Championship section of the Regional Championship under David Loukes playing Isaiah 40.
2007: Aaron Harvey Resident Conductor.
2008: St Austell Silver Band placed 7th in the Championship section of the Regional Championship under Dr Roy Newsome playing Festival Music by Eric Ball.
2009: St Austell Silver Band placed 3rd in the First section of the Regional Championships under Gareth Pritchard playing Pentacle.
2009: St Austell Town seemingly placed 22nd out of 80 bands at the Delph Whit Friday Contest playing Honest Toil.
2010: St Austell Silver Band placed 3rd in the First section of the Regional Championships under Gareth Pritchard playing A Moorside Suite.
2010: St Austell Silver Band participated in the 64th Annual Championships of the SWBBA.
2010: St Austell Silver Band at the SWBBA Championship under musical director Gareth Pritchard (Photo: courtesy St Austell Silver Band)
2011: St Austell Silver Band placed 10th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Gareth Pritchard.
2011: St Austell Silver Band placed 8th in the Championship section of the Regional Championship under Gareth Pritchard playing Paganini Variations.
2011: Contesting under Derek Greenwood St Austell Silver Band MD / conductor. (Contest archive)
2012: St Austell Silver Band placed 4th at Yeovil Entertainment Contest under Richard Evans.
2012: St Austell Silver Band placed 10th in the Championship section of the Regional Championship under Richard Evans playing The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
2013: Contesting under Aaron Harvey St Austell Silver Band MD / conductor. (Contest archive)
2013: St Austell Silver Band placed 4th in the First section of the Regional Championships under Richard Evans playing Brass Triumphant.
2014: Steve Sykes, St Austell Silver Band MD.
2014: St Austell Town Band placed 2nd in the First section of the Regional Championships under Steve Sykes playing Cry of the Mountain.
2014: St Austell Town Band placed 9th in the First section of the National Brass Band Championships of GB under Steve Sykes playing A King’s Lie.
2015: St Austell Silver Band placed 6th in the Championship section of the Regional Championship under Steve Sykes playing The Torchbearer by Peter Graham.
2016: St Austell Silver Band placed 11th in the Championship section of the Regional Championship under Steve Sykes playing Cambridge Variations.
St Austell Band under Steve Sykes in 2016 (Photo: from the Band website)
2017: St Austell Town placed 9th in the Championship section of the National Brass Band Regional Championship under Steve Sykes playing Pageantry.
2017 – 24th May: Roche Brass, St Austell Town Band, St Dennis Silver Band and Camborne Town Band took part in Bandtastic, a concert held at the Hall for Cornwall in aid of Carrick Mind and Cornwall Search and Rescue Team. A happy, sad, funny, poignant event that produced a roller-coaster of emotions and is etched on our memories for ever. It was in aid of Carrick Mind and Cornwall Search and Rescue Team and in memory of bandsmen Del Wilton and Rob Jose who took their own lives. It was superbly organised by Jeremy Squibb, splendidly compared by Bruce Taylor and bravely addressed by Noelle Wilton. The poignancy of the moment when the euphonium was placed centre stage will live on. RIP Del and RIP Rob. (Tony Mansell)
Rob Jose
2017: St Austell Silver Band placed 12th in the Open section of the SWBBA Championships under Steve Sykes playing Trittico.
2017: St Austell Youth Band placed 2nd in the Youth section of the SWBBA Championships under Anna Minear playing Petite Suite de Ballet.
2018: St Austell Town placed 9th in the Open section of the SWBBA Championships under David Nicholson playing Odyssey by Kevin Norbury.
St Austell Silver Band under musical director David Nicholson circa 2019
St Austell Silver Band under musical director David Nicholson circa 2019
St Austell Silver Band under musical director Iain McKnight circa 2019
2019: St Austell Town placed 9th in the Championship section of the Regional Championships under Iain McKnight playing Seascapes by Ray Steadman-Allen.
2020: St Austell Town placed 14th in the First section of the Regional Championships under Iain McKnight playing Legacy by Tom Davoren.
2021: St Austell Town Band made video recordings of four traditional pieces which had been used in Cornish tea treats during the 19th century. The arrangements for brass band had been made by Hannah Hawkins of St Austell Band and the recordings were made individually and merged due to the current Covid 19 restrictions. The videos can be found here.
2022: St Austell Town placed 12th in the First section of the Regional Championships under Stuart Chappell playing Spectrum by Gilbert Vinter.
2022: St Austell Town placed 3rd in the Open Section at the SWBBA Championships under Stuart Chappell playing Coventry Variations by Bram Tovey (own choice).
December 2022: “This week we performed our last concert with Musical Director Stuart Chappell. The band cannot thank Stuart enough for all his work with the band. His enthusiasm, dedication, and support for each and every one of us has led to the band’s recent success at both Bugle and the SWBBA Contests. We will miss him greatly.”
January 2023: “WE’RE DELIGHTED TO INTRODUCE OUR NEW MD – ADAM GLYNN BA (Hons) GCGI LRSM Dip Mus. Born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, Adam’s musical upbringing was with the Salvation Army andlocal brass bands, following in the footsteps of his father and older brother. He joined the Army as a musician in June 1987 and studied at the Army Junior School of Music. Upon completion of the 2-year musical studies, he joined the Band of the Royal Hussars (PWO) in 1989 and remained in the Cavalry until the end of his military service in 2011. During his professional career, Adam travelled and toured extensively and regularly featured as a soloist in performances and recordings. In 1997 he was awarded the highly-esteemed Licentiate of the Royal School of Music Diploma in Music Performance on tuba and continued his studies gaining a Bachelor of Arts with Honours Degree in Music in 2011. Since leaving the British Army, Adam has worked at Denis Wick Products and more recently, just completed a 10-year career as the Orchestra Manager at the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. His interest and studies in conducting came early in his musical career and he has had developed several years of experience in conducting a variety of orchestras, brass bands, wind bands and choirs.” “I am honoured and privileged to be offered an incredibly exciting opportunity with St Austell Town Brass Band and look forward to working with a great team there”.
2023: St Austell Town placed 15th in the First Section of the Regional Championships under Adam Glynn playing A Day in the Life of a Knight by Philip Lawrence.
2023: St Austell Town placed 3rd (and highest placed Cornish band) in the Open Section of the SWBBA Championships under Adam Glynn, playing Tallis Variations.
2023: St Austell Youth placed 1st in the Youth section of the SWBBA Championships under Anns Minear.
2024: St Austell Town placed 1st in the Second Section of the Regional Championships under Adam Glynn playing Triptych by Philip Sparke.
2024: St Austell Youth placed 3rd out of 17 bands in the Performance Section of the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain under Anns Minear.
2024: St Austell Town placed 1st in the Second Section of the National Championships of Great Britain under Steve Sykes playing Albinus Variations by Etienne Crausaz.
2024: St Austell Youth placed 1st in the Youth section of the SWBBA Championships under Anns Minear.
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.
If you are able to correct or update any information included here then please leave a comment.