During the early 1990s Monty Pearce and Denzil Richards decided to write the history of Redruth Town Band and the result was the publication of the book “Still Blawin’”.
The cover refers to it being “An attempt to record the history…” but that is somewhat modest as they made an excellent job of it and Redruth Band can consider itself lucky to be one of the first bands, if not the first, in Cornwall to appear on the bookshelves.
The first page with its dedication
Monty and Denzil were great friends and this writing partnership was exploring every avenue to gather the necessary information. Unfortunately, their task was made more difficult due to the loss of the band records due to a direct hit by a bomb on the band room during the Second World War.
Phillip Hunt talking to Monty Pearce and Denzil Richards for “Sounds of Brass” at Bugle Contest in 1996 – included here by kind permission of BBC Radio Devon/BBC Radio Cornwall
From our telephone conversation in August 2020 it was clear that Denzil was delighted that photographs from the book and an audio recording of an interview with Phillip Hunt should be included here. His agreement was followed by the comment that I would not be able to ask Monty as he had died some time ago but he felt sure that he would have readily agreed. We have tried to obtain permission from Monty’s family but have been unable to contact anyone. However, if the lack of such permission causes a problem then we will be happy to discuss it if they make contact).
Hi Tony, think we made contact before about the Blackwater Brass and Reed Band photo c1907 and my Grandad Thomas Harvey Rogers (known as Harvey). FYI Just looking at the cover of the ‘Still Blawin’ history of Redruth Band. The person 2nd from left at rear with moustache I’m sure is Harvey Rogers. He moved to Lanner in 1907/08, died 1946 and played in numerous local bands. There are also photos of him in the Illogan Military Band and Redruth Pictured Rome Orchestra that I have seen.
We did Marcus. I will add that as a possibility. Thanks, Tony