Edwin (Eddie) John Williams St Dennis Silver Band MD (Photo: courtesy CCHS (1) )
Eddie Williams was born on the 7th April 1923, in Bugle, the little village that was to be the scene of so many of his contest triumphs.
From 1921 to 1924, Edwin Williams senior, Eddie’s father, was the musical director of Bugle Band and it was during this time that Eddie was born. From there, the family moved westwards and Edwin conducted Camborne Town Band for a second period.
Edwin then conducted St Ives Band and it is possible that it was there that a young Eddie began his playing career. We do know that his mother played baritone in St Ives Band, and this 1924 photograph shows her and Edwin at Bugle Band Contest.
1924 Edwin J Williams of St Ives Band giving some instructions to his wife, Martha May née Beckerleg (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
Eddie’s father, Edwin, wrote that Eddie played these pieces at a concert in 1929, at the age of six
Eddie’s father, Edwin, wrote that Eddie played these pieces at a concert in 1930, at the age of seven
Between 1932 and 1937, Edwin conducted Carharrack and St Day Band and the next photograph has father and son included in the line-up.
Carharrack and St Day Band in 1933 with a young Eddie sitting on the ground on the left and his father, the musical director, fourth from left in front row
Like most beginners, Eddie began by playing cornet and who knows how different his life might have been but for a cycling accident. It resulted in a badly cut lip which affected his embouchure and necessitated a move to a slightly larger mouthpiece – the tenor horn.
In 1938 Eddie joined Camborne Town Band where his father had been musical director on two occasions. It was here that his playing career blossomed, and he enjoyed many successes often playing solos composed by his father.
Camborne Town Band in their “Lion Tamers” uniforms 1939 (Photo: W J Bennetts & Sons of Camborne and used in “Camborne Town Band”) Eddie Williams is sitting behind the second trophy from the right, the Royal Trophy
Hymn Tune written by Eddie
Isabel Lorna Olive Hocking was born on the 4th May 1927 in Redruth and she first met Eddie when they were both working for SWEB (South Western Electricity Board). They began courting and kept in touch when Eddie was called up into the army and served in Palestine. On the 30th August 1948 they married and lived in Redruth.
In 1951, Eddie and Lorna moved up country when he was accepted as a tenor horn player with the famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band. They temporarily lodged with Fred Roberts who had also played with Camborne Town Band. A little later Eddie joined the Fairey Band, in Stockport, which is where daughter Lorna Alison was born – in October 1955. Alison recalled a story of when her Mum first took her Dad home to meet her mother, “He was a bit nervous and upset his cup of tea over the pristine white tablecloth. The next time he called, granny had put newspapers down! I think it was meant partly as a joke, but she didn’t want to ruin another white cloth! Granny was a fairly formidable character and said things as they were, but Dad got on well with her and they thought the world of each other.”
Eddie was a superb tenor horn player and had a prestigious period of success which included two appearances in the All-Star Brass Band of Great Britain. He must have been proud when he later received a medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians of the City of London.
In 1958, he returned “home” with his family and became musical director of St Dennis Silver Band and wages clerk at ECLP. There was immediate success on the contest stage when the band were placed 2nd in the Championship section at the Regional Championships playing “Moor of Venice”. They qualified for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall playing “Variations on the Shining River” by Edmund Rubbra.
Alison was encouraged to play and began on cornet when aged about four years old: she joined the junior band a couple of years later, on 3rd cornet. When aged 10 she moved to tenor horn and played Eddie’s instrument. She said, “I played that tenor horn until I gave up when I married in 1978. I still have it and play it occasionally. Dad was delighted that I wanted to play, especially tenor horn. However, when the band was short of a player, I often moved to flugel, baritone or trombone.” Alison reflected on how lucky she was to have been able to spend so much time with her father.
There followed a string of appearances at the Royal Albert Hall for St Dennis Silver Band and, in 1978, they were placed 6th playing “Checkmate” by Sir Arthur Bliss / Eric Ball.
In 1964 and 1965 Eddie Williams led St Dennis Silver Band when they competed in the British Open Championships at Belle Vue, Manchester: the only Cornish Band to ever take part in this competition.
There were many contests wins under Eddie’s baton not least at the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest) where their many successes included winning the top award, the Royal Trophy, for 11 years in succession – 1961 to 1971 inclusive. It must have been with upmost pride that Eddie Williams led his victorious band on its march through the little village of Bugle to play a short concert in the square.
1970 St Dennis Silver Band with Eddie Williams behind the large shield (Photo: courtesy Alan Blake)
Alison recalled many prestigious musicians visiting the band room. “On several occasions I had to run home after a practise when someone had turned up to listen and dad had invited them home for a meal. Mum was brilliant at rustling up a lovely supper with homemade savoury pies and cakes. Thinking back, it was really a privilege to meet all these musical directors and people from the media, but at the time it all seemed to be ‘the norm’.”
Eddie Williams placed great value on having a good Youth Band at St Dennis. He regularly took the young players to compete at contests around the country and had great success with many wins at local and national events. He was a great teacher and in recognition of his dedication and achievement with young players he was made a Bardh of Gorsedh Kernow.
Cornwall Youth Brass Band
Eddie’s involvement in the CYBB began in 1959, with the re-formed Band. He was one of its leading figures and was able to bring with him the experience gained by playing in some of the top bands in the country. He tutored the cornets and the horn section, the instrument that he had made his own when he was one of the best players in the country.
1962 with Eric Ball at St Austell Grammar School – Eddie Williams is standing extreme right (Photo: courtesy CYBB)
1963 The CYBB under Eddie Williams (Photos: Grindley Studios)
1978 with Eric Ball – Eddie Williams is third from right in front row (Photo: courtesy CYBB)
Eddie Williams died in 1983: he was only 61. The record books record his considerable success as a player, a conductor and as a leader of youth bands. He remains a popular figure in the memory of those who knew him.
By Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)
End notes:
- China Clay History Society
Further Reading:
Pages on this website:
Cornish Brass Bands – Camborne
Cornwall Youth Brass Band – the early tutors
Cornish Brass Bands – Cornwall Youth Brass Band
Cornish Brass Bands – St Dennis
Acknowledgements:
Alison Hancock (née Williams) for information relating to her parents.
Rodney Richards, former member of St Dennis Band, for information about the CYBB and St Dennis Band.
All organisations and individuals, whether named or not, who have provided information and photographs for this brief biography. If you own the copyright to any of the photographs included, then please let us know and you will be credited, or the photographs removed.
