July 2020
C Leonard Hender
By Tony Mansell
Born: 1909 in Helston
Lived: Helston
Married: Flora
Died: 1967 in Mullion
Leonard Hender was born in Helston in 1909 and played a significant role in brass banding at Helston, with the Cornwall Youth Brass Band and with the Cornwall Brass Band Association.
He began playing a brass instrument at the age of ten and pursued a banding interest that was maintained for the rest of his life. Alongside it he was a butcher, and together with his banding activity, this brought him into contact with many of the townsfolk. As a result he became a well-known Helstonian.
He joined at a time when the band was being rebuilt following the First World War, when some members were returning from the conflict. At that time, Helston Town Band was conducted by Harvey Polglase and it was probably under his instruction that the young Leonard progressed and eventually took his place in the band.
As a young bandsman he would have played at all of the usual community events: the tea treats, fetes, carnivals and concerts, but being in Helston Band, he would also have experienced the thrill of being involved in that great event, the annual Helston Flora Day. We can imagine his feeling of pride, and maybe some emotion, as he took his place in the band to play at his first Flora Day.
Like most players, Leonard’s first instrument was the cornet but at some stage he swopped seats to play the euphonium and the 1938 photograph below includes him in the third rank and on the left. By this time, Helston Territorial Army Band had been formed. It involved many local players.
The Territorial Army Band 1938 made up of Helston Bandsmen leading the parade to the Royal Cornwall Show held in Helston
The Territorial Army Band of the late 1930s made up of Helston Bandsmen with Leonard Hender in full uniform in centre
During the Second World War, Leonard Hender and many of the band members left to fight for their country and the band limped on under their musical director, Albert (Bert) Frederick Busby. There were those who felt concern at the probable loss of the Town Band’s involvement in their big day but this “West Briton” report of the 2nd May 1940 makes it clear that their fears were unfounded. “Helston people experienced an unexpected thrill when they were awakened in the early hours of May Day by the strains of the famous Furry Dance. Practically the whole of [Helston] Town Band are on active service but a few members were home on leave, and with others too young for the services, assembled at the Town Hall and, following the age-old May Day custom, paraded the town playing the Flora. There were many expressions of gratitude to the bandsmen.”
Helston Town Band players turn out to celebrate Flora Day during WWII (Photo: The West Briton)
Following Mr Busby’s retirement, Mr Jose conducted the band for a short while until, in 1946, Leonard Hender became musical director of Helston Band, a position he held until his death in 1967.
Helston Band led by MD Leonard Hender on left
The “Cornishman” of the 19th October 1950 reported that Helston Town Band had become affiliated to the South West Brass Band Association and shortly after, they competed at the Association’s contest at Launceston and collected first prize in the second section. In the same year, Leonard Hender became a member of the Brass Band Conductors’ Association.
Contesting is important to brass bands but you sense that, for Helston Band, it takes second place to the town’s biggest event of the year, the annual Flora Day. It is then that the members of the band proudly don their Lily of the Valley and take centre stage in the celebrations. Leonard Hender, of course, led the band in this during the 21 years that he was its musical director. As player, Keith Busby said, “He had a military bearing and was dedicated to Helston Band and banding in general”. Of course, he had taken part on many occasions as a player but now he was the guiding force and as the “Cornishman” newspaper said in 1948, “Through thronged streets the carnival went, headed by Helston Town Band, the only band in the world, they say, that can play the Flora Dance properly.”
The following year the same newspaper reported that Helston’s Flora Day took place in a blaze of sunshine and whether folk went to the fair or picnicked on the Island, then the Furry tune went with them. “Helston Silver Band, led by Leonard Hender, played the tune as only they can.”
The band, under Mr Hender, attended various local contests and in 1951 he took them to the Regional Championships where they qualified to compete in the fourth section of the National Championships of Great Britain.
The Cornwall Brass Band Association was formed in 1955. Leonard Hender was involved and became its chairman and competed at many of its contests with Helston senior and junior bands.
When, in 1957 or 1958, Helston Town Band started a junior group, he decided that teaching youngsters would test his patience too much and Frank Moore of St Agnes was invited to take on the role. I can recall a group of young players from St Agnes going to Helston with him to join in the tuition sessions. My vague recollection is that we travelled “down west” in his ancient jeep.
Cornwall Youth Brass Band
Mr Hender’s involvement with the Cornwall Youth Brass Band began in 1959, or possibly earlier, when he became its first treasurer. He was a good supporter, attended most events and encouraged the young members of his band to join, even transporting them to and from rehearsals.
1959: The Cornwall Youth Brass Band residential course at Pentewan with the course director, Dr Denis Wright, tutors and officers. Leonard Hender is third from right in the third row. (Photo: CYBB Archive)
The Cornwall Brass Band Association contest at Truro City Hall in 1965 with adjudicator Frank Wright on the left, the Mayor of Truro presenting a trophy to Alfie Kneebone of St Agnes Band and chairman Leonard Hender at the back (Photo: courtesy of Sue Atkinson)
Leonard Hender died in 1967, aged just 58. He was rehearsing Helston Town Band for the BBC’s “Songs of Praise” being held at Mullion. Deputy bandmaster, Kenny Pascoe, stepped in for the evening recording but by then, the band members were aware that Mr Hender had died and so for many reasons it was a day they would never forget.
A fitting eulogy from A P G
Following his death, his widow, Flora, presented the Leonard Hender Cup to the Cornwall Brass Band Association and how appropriate it was that Helston Town Band were the first recipients.
Further Reading:
Pages on this website:
Cornish Brass Bands – Helston
Cornish Brass Bands – Cornwall Youth Brass Band
Acknowledgements:
Ben Curnow (member of Helston Town Band) for information provided.
Keith Busby (member of Helston Town Band and grandson of former musical director, Albert “Bert” Frederick Busby) 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.