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Alfred Hugh Camps was born in Roche on 2nd July, 1933.
He attended Roche Primary School and Newquay Grammar School.
He was taught to play the cornet by his Uncle Alf, who lived in Beam, just on the edge of Bugle – on the Roche road, and became a member of the Bugle Silver Band when still at school.
Jean Camps, Hugh’s future wife, was born on 22nd February 1936 at Coombe village near St Stephens in Brannel. She was christened Hilda Jean Budge at Coombe Chapel, the youngest child of Leonard and Hilda Budge.
Coombe village benefitted from a number of talented singers who had joined together to make music for a number of years. The interest and ability supported by family members and friends from the village in a combination of singing groups.
Coombe Choir around 1925
Back row 3rd from left is Jean’s great-uncle Fernleigh Lean who became organist and choirmaster at St Johns Church in St Austell.
Back row 5th from left is Jean’s father, Leonard Budge.
Coombe Male Quartet around 1940
L to R: Kenneth Teague, Douglas Teague, Douglas Roberts, Leonard Budge.
Leonard is Jean’s father, Ken and Doug Teague are bothers and her second cousins.
Coombe Mixed Quartet
L to R: Douglas Teague, Jean Camps, Barbara Teague, Leonard Budge.
Leonard is Jean’s father, Doug and Barbara Teague are the parents of Andrew Teague, well-known by Cornish bandsman as an accomplished player and the long-time promoter of the Bugle Band contest.
Meanwhile, during the late 1950s Hugh joined St Dennis Band and for many years, played under Eddie J Williams.
On 22nd February 1958, Hugh and Jean were married Hugh Camps and both supported each other in a shared the love of music.
In 1964 an opportunity arose and Hugh grasped it: “The appointment of Mr H Camps as the band’s musical director in succession to the late Mr G Bennett was approved. A native of Bugle, Mr Camps began his brass band career with Bugle Band and has since gained experience as a player and conductor with Mr E J Williams, musical director with St Dennis Band.” (The Guardian 6th Feb 1964) Hugh was aged just 30 when he took this position.
Both Hugh and youngest son, Jonathan Lush-Camps, became accomplished conductors of brass bands in Cornwall.
During Hugh’s musical career he conducted many bands and societies including St Dennis Youth Band, Mount Charles Silver, St Gennys Silver, the Cornwall Youth Brass Band and St Austell and St Blazey Amateur Operatic Societies. Indeed, both Hugh and Jean were extensively involved in Amateur Dramactics – Hugh as musical director and Jean as a Mezzo-Soprano soloist.
With the influence and inherited ability, Jean became a fine mezzo-soprano singer winning many awards at music contests. She sang with many coral groups and choirs, including ECC Ladies. For a significant period, she was the principal guest soloist for the St Dennis male voice choir and her voice can still be heard on their recordings released in the 1970’s and 80’s. She enjoyed appearing in a variety of roles for amateur operatic societies in the St Austell area, including Julie in Carousel, Sister Berthe in The Sound of Music and most notably Bloody Mary in South Pacific. The role as Asphynxia, a night club singer, in the musical Salad Days for Newquay Amateur Operatic Society allowed her to demonstrate versatility as a performer.
Jean Camps was a fine Mezzo-Soprano and won many awards at competitions
Hugh was the musical director for a number of shows undertaken by the St Austell and the St Blazey Amateur Operatic Societies including Showboat in 1970, Robinson Crusoe in 1979 and Cinderella in 1991/92.
Apart from giving solo performances, Jean took part in many shows by the St Austell and the St Blazey Amateur Operatic Societies playing the part of Sister Berthe in The Sound of Music in April 1997, and Julie in Showboat in 1970 and many others.
Huges tenures at Bugle Silver was from 1964 to 1977 and from 1980 to 1982 during which time he led them to many contests successes both within Cornwall and beyond the Tamar. These included the South West Brass Band Association, the Pontin’s Championships and the Regional and National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. Indeed, his time at Bugle has been described as one of the most successful in the band’s history.
Bugle Band 1964 with Hugh Camps MD (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
The above two photos are of Bugle Silver at Bugle Contest in 1964 with Hugh Camps MD – Winners of Class 3 (Photo: courtesy Chris Camps / CCHS)
Bugle Silver Band 1965 under Hugh Camps (Photo: courtesy David Jane)
Hugh, collecting the cups at Bugle Contest in 1967 (Photo: courtesy Chris Camps)
Hugh, collecting the cups at Bugle Contest in 1968 (Photo: courtesy Chris Camps)
Hugh, collecting the cups at Bugle Contest in 1971 (Photo: courtesy Chris Camps)
Bugle Silver under Hugh Camps at the SWBBA Contest in 1971 (Photo: courtesy Chris Camps)
Hugh’s time as a tutor with the Cornwall Youth Brass Band began in 1964 and lasted almost 20 years, a great contribution to the young players in the movement. Many members benefited from his experience and have cause to reflect on his steady influence.
CYBB 1964 with course leader Eric Ball
CYBB 1982 with course leader Major Peter Parkes
In 1992 Hugh retired from his position of welfare officer with English China Clay International.
He died on the 20th February 2001 and St Gemonda’s Church, Roche, was filled to capacity for his funeral. His family and friends were joined by musicians representing many brass bands who wished to pay tribute. His son, Jonathan, conducted the musical tribute. The eulogy included much about Hugh’s life: “Hugh was committed to all he undertook and he achieved much as a sportsman and a musician. as a young man he was a campanologist at Roche Church, and the church bells were rung in his honour at the funeral.”
Hugh will, no doubt, be mainly remembered as a player at St Dennis Silver and as musical director of Bugle Silver but he was clearly involved in the much wider musical scene.
We are indebted to Chris and Jonathan Camps for providing photographs and information about their parents.