July 2020
(Photo: from CYBB Archive)
By Tony Mansell
Born: 1914 in Four Lanes, Cornwall
Married: Ethel Opie
Died: 2002 in Cornwall
Edgar Floyd was born in 1914, probably in Four Lanes, and had a lifelong involvement in the Cornish brass band movement.
He began his playing career when he was seven, at Redruth where his father, William Floyd, was the musical director. William had conducted Four Lanes Temperance Band some years earlier. As a player, Edgar is best remembered as a fine tenor horn player at Camborne Town Band from about 1928 to the 1950s, during which time he won many awards.
He was a Local Government Officer and worked for Kerrier District Council.
Camborne Town Band 1936 (photo: W J Bennetts & Son, Camborne – from “Camborne Town Band) Edgar Floyd is standing immediately behind the trophy on the right
Edgar married Ethel Opie, a local girl, and they had three sons, all of whom played in St Stythians Silver Band: Denis on soprano, Gordon on horn and Alan on cornet.
Camborne Town Band 1949 with silverware from Bugle Contest (Photo by W J Bennetts & Son of Camborne – from “Camborne Town Band) Edgar Floyd is third from right in the back row
Edgar began his conducting career at St Stythians, in 1948, whilst he was still a playing member at Camborne. Life in a top brass band is hectic, especially when rehearsing for contests and within a couple of years or so he felt it necessary to leave Camborne.
Having played at many contests, Edgar now had a band of his own to lead and in 1949 he took then to the West of England Bandsman’s Festival or, as it is better known, Bugle Contest. St Stythians were placed third in Class B but three years later they swept the boards. Rather than try and repeat the result the following year, the band took the huge step of competing in the Championship Section, and in 1953, they were up against Cornwall’s best. Many bands have made this move only to struggle against the established top bands and quickly return to play in a lower section. This was not the case with St Stythians: they persevered and competed in that section for many years.
In 1951 St Stythians Band under Edgar Floyd took part in the National Finals of Great Britain at Belle Vue, Manchester, but we do not know in which section. They were in the finals again in 1954 but this time it meant a trip to London.
In 1958, St Stythians Silver Band started a learner’s class. Roger Gluyas joined immediately and recalled that for him it was Mr Floyd, not Edgar Floyd.
Two major events spring to mind when thinking of St Stythians Band. Each year they are involved in the famous Stythians Show – suggested as being the largest one-day agricultural show in the country – where there is an all-day commitment to entertaining the thousands who flock through the gates. Former player Marcus Dunstan recalls an instance when a local tractor driver received one of Edgar’s notorious black looks. The band were mid piece in the showground marquee when the entrance flaps were suddenly thrown open and a tractor and trailer reversed in with the piano for the Male Voice Choir. Perhaps a lively march would have masked the noise, but the band were playing a delicate horn trio.
The other event for which the band is well-known is the highly successful series of summer concerts at the Princess Pavilions in Falmouth. Dennis Floyd recalls that these started in 1960 when the only lighting available was from a single 100-watt bulb. It was always the case that if Edgar Floyd noticed players from other bands in the audience then they were hauled onto the stage to join in.
1960s Edgar Floyd of St Stythians Band receiving a trophy (Photo: unknown)
It was at a surprise party that Edgar Floyd’s 21st anniversary as musical director with St Stythians was celebrated. A presentation was made by founder member Charles Andrew and there was also a plaque of Falmouth Borough Coat-of-Arms from the mayor. Edgar’s wife was on hand to help cut the celebratory cake.
1967 or 68 Stithians Show with Mr Floyd in dinner suit (Photo: courtesy Marcus Dunstan)
1973 St Stythians Band in new uniforms with Mr Floyd in dinner suit (Photo: “St Stythians Silver Band” by W R Gluyas)
Edgar Floyd composed the hymn tune “Cornwall”: it was the Class C test piece at Bugle Contest in 1974. He also had two compositions dedicated to him: the hymn tunes “St Stythians” by Donald F Broad, which is set to the words “Nearer my God to Thee,” and “Just as I Am” by Monty Pearce. Written across the latter is the following dedication by Monty Pearce.
Reproduced by kind permission of Dennis Floyd
St Stythians by Edgar Broad (Photo: courtesy Leonard Adams)
Edgar Floyd stood down as St Stythians Band musical director in 1976 but his conducting days were not over. He continued as a tutor with the Cornwall Youth Brass Band and spent some time with Constantine, St Keverne and St Agnes bands.
Cornwall Youth Brass Band
Edgar Floyd’s involvement with the Cornwall Youth Brass Band began in 1959 and continued through to 1979 or possibly later. He tutored the horn section although he also worked with the baritones and euphoniums or, as he always referred to them, the eephoniums. Edgar was renowned for having a fine tone and always sought to achieve the same with the youngsters who came under his baton. Roger Gluyas’ was playing flugel in 1960 (he later moved to tenor horn) and recalled, “Mr Floyd wanted his players to be a part of it, he urged me to join and, after an audition, I was accepted”.
For my part, I remember him as one of the leading figures there for many years, a dedicated tutor who did much to create a band of which we were all proud.
1960 CYBB under Denis Wright at St Austell Grammar School – Edgar Floyd is third from left in front row (Photo: from CYBB Archive)
1967 Edgar Floyd rehearsing the band at Penwethers School (Photo: from CYBB Archive)
Edgar Floyd died in 2002. He had lived a long life and contributed hugely to the Cornish brass band movement.
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 Stythians
Acknowledgements:
Marcus Dunstan (former member of St Stythians Silver Band) for information provided.
Roger Gluyas (former member of St Stythians Silver Band) for information provided.
Denis Floyd (Edgar’s son and former member of St Stythians Silver Band) for information provided.
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.
