The History in a Nutshell
The West of England Bandsmen’s Festival, better known as Bugle Contest, is famous throughout the brass band world. Its host village takes on a different complexion on the day of the event as the typical clay mining community is transformed into a festival location and becomes a Mecca for bandsmen from Cornwall and beyond, it is truly a Cornish gathering. Despite the carnival atmosphere, the music produced by the competing bands is of the highest order and no one doubts the importance of this contest. As one supporter so succinctly put it, “Never mind the Nationals, who won Bugle”.
Held in the open air, it has to be experienced first hand and is the only outdoor contest remaining from the early days of brass banding, a fact that does great credit to the organisers across the years.
In 1912, a group of Bugle villagers founded the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival. It is likely that they expected it to continue for more than one year but the fact that it still takes place over 100 years later must exceed their greatest hope. With the objectives of raising funds to build an institute for the working men of the district, and a band room for the local brass band, each member of the general committee deposited a golden sovereign as a guarantee fund for prizes totalling £45.
The first Bugle Contest, as it is most often called, was held on the 14th of September 1912 and attracted eleven bands including one from Tiverton. How long, we wonder, did it take that band’s players to make the journey? The Bodmin Guardian described the event as a resounding success:
“There have been other band contests in Cornwall before Saturday but the important festival which took place at Bugle was by a long way, the most ambitious and triumphantly successful the Delectable Duchy has known”.
Initially, the festival was limited to bands from the West of England but in 1926 this restriction was removed and entries from further afield were welcomed. Another interesting innovation, in this year, was the introduction of a deportment class. Since then, an adjudicator, usually a military person, judges the appearance and precision of the bands as they march past him on the way to the contest field.
The second festival, in 1913, became known as the Royal Trophy Contest as it was granted royal patronage with the presentation by the Prince of Wales of a magnificent piece of silverware. There was a restriction regarding this top prize which until 1934 was only to be presented to West Country bands. For many years the members of a band which had won the Royal Trophy for three years in a row received individual medals. The players of St Dennis Silver Band were the first to achieve this feat, in 1922, and they have repeated this success on six other occasions. It has also been accomplished by Camborne on five occasions and St Austell once. Other Cornish bands to have won the prestigious Royal Trophy are Bodmin, Falmouth, Mount Charles and Redruth.
In some years the top award has been taken back over the Tamar. Leading bands like Munn and Feltons (now GUS Footwear), Black Dyke, Morris Motors, Melingriffith and others have graced us with their presence and returned back up the line with our precious trophy. No doubt the novelty of this contest, and the generous prize money, has influenced their decision to attend but not all of the visiting bands have been supreme and even Munn and Felton, in its year as World Champions, had to leave with its tail between its legs.
But Bugle Contest is not just about the top bands. There are various classes for senior and youth bands plus a fairly recent addition of one for training ensembles. Healthy grass roots activity is so necessary to provide the youngsters with contest experience and to keep the movement alive.
The West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (WEBF) website provides a complete list of results from 1912 to the present day and these also appear below.
The festival is undoubtedly still alive and well but there have been years when it has been impossible to hold. In 1933, it was cancelled when financial problems, precipitated by bad weather during the previous few years, persuaded the committee that it would be unwise to proceed. The two world wars also led to it being cancelled and, more recently, the Covid 19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 contests.
The clay-mining village of Bugle is transformed into a festival location for the contest day which begins with the march down, an aspect of the day which is so enjoyed by everyone. Playing their own choice of march, perhaps their favourite, the players set off from near the Bugle Inn and head for the contest field with the pavements on both sides filled with spectators. For some of the younger players this is their first experience of taking part in this great event and their pride is apparent.
The contest has been held at two venues. From 1912 until 1966 it was to the beautiful grounds of Peniel House that the throng progressed but when the contest outgrew that location it moved to Molinnis, the home of Bugle Football Club. The move was clearly made with a tinge of regret as someone wrote: “We missed the beautiful setting of Peniel; it had been a wonderful venue and had become synonymous with the event but parking and a lack of facilities made it no longer tenable. We have to recognise when the time comes to move on but a little nostalgia might be excused in looking back at the pastoral setting of Peniel. Many will remember the gateposts and tall trees at the entrance to the arena, the winding lane to the sloping field where cars parked in rather care-free manner; and the contest platform built across a Cornish stone hedge between two fields.”
Before each contest can begin it is necessary to perform the ritual of locking away the judge, or adjudicator as “he” is called, in a tent and then making the Draw to determine the order of play. By this, the “man” in the box as he is colourfully termed, has no idea which band is playing. Justice has to be done – and be seen to be done. So, with the adjudicator ensconced in his tent, we are ready for the off and the players in the first band report to the registration official and head for the steps leading to the stage. At Peniel there was the novel situation of the stage being mounted across the top of a Cornish hedge with the players entering from one field and descending into another. That is not the case at Molinnis but the tension is just the same, especially amongst those not battle worn. Having climbed the steps they take their seats, adjust the height of their music stand, pin the music in place using the trusty clothes pegs and make absolutely sure which piece is to be played first.
In most classes the bands play the same piece, or pieces, and over the years there are many which have been composed especially for this contest. In 1912 the main test piece was Maritana, a favourite at many early contests. Class B bands had to play a march of their own choosing. For many years the music chosen to test the bands was from the world of the orchestra – arranged for brass band. That is still the case to some extent but equally likely is the inclusion of brass band music, written especially for the genre. There are a number of Cornish composers who have been delighted to have had their music chosen to be played here.
It was once the case that bandsmen remained standing as they played their test piece and it was not until the mid-1930s that seating was introduced at Bugle Contest. Apparently, an organiser of a contest in Wales had to give way on this innovation when two bands flatly refused to sit.
The Festival is certainly a traditional Cornish event, an occasion where old friends meet and chat over a pasty and a cup of tea. People sit and listen … they stand and listen … and they wander around and chat with folk they may not have seen for 12 months. They listen for the mistakes by opposing bands and hope that the adjudicator has heard them too for it is a serious musical competition where the results are all important. No one doubts the importance of this contest and as one supporter so succinctly put it, “Never mind the Nationals, who won at Bugle”.
But what if it Rains? Well, the short answer is that you get wet. Many events have been dogged by bad weather and, to try and avoid this, the event was moved from September to August and then, in 1951, to June: as we all know, it never rains in June! In 1971 heavy rain and gales were forecast. A marquee was erected and for the first and only time the contest was held under cover. As it happened, it remained dry! The following year a canopy was erected over the bandstand and this helped greatly with any rain which just happened to be vertical!
Remaining financially viable is essential and for this we have to thank not only the paying customer but also the sponsors. IMERYS, the giant clay company, and its predecessors ECLP and ECC, has been a great supporter and there are other businesses who contribute generously. Without them, the contest would not be in the position it is in today.
The event takes a lot of organising and the teams across the years have worked hard to keep the show on the road with no reward other than to give something back to the brass band movement. The current committee do a great job and deserve our thanks and our support for continuing to organise this great event.
With the amateur adjudicators in the audience comparing the results with their predictions, the day is brought to a close with only the march back up through the village remaining. In 1928, Charles Baker, conductor of St Dennis Band, wrote, “I shall not quickly forget those closing scenes near the Square. Every window was occupied, and every band got its full hearted deep throated cheer as it marched past nearly half a mile of people closely packed on both sides of the road. In most cases, the women folk marched ahead, carrying with the utmost comprehensible pride, the trophies won during the day. Talk about enthusiasm – the whole village was a surging sea of it. Every face was radiant, there was a happy fire in every eye and in the whole length of Cornwall I suppose, you would have found no such jolly, good humoured jostling; no such magnanimous comment, no such evident joy of a great day’s doings, as those that characterised by the end of the festival.”
And so it has continued over the years: the march down to the contest field with expectations high, the thrill of competition, the tension as the results are announced and the march back up through the village with trophies held aloft. It has changed very little over the years; the crowds still gather to cheer on their favourites and there are few impartial spectators along the route.
To quote the late Eddie Williams, musical director of St Dennis Silver Band. “The assembly, the march down to the field, the dash off to rehearse, the waiting, are all part of the scene. But to me, Bugle is where old friendships are renewed – created over the years of competition and re-lived on the day. Names like A W Parker, Charlie Baker, George Cave, Tom Moore, Tom Chainey, Ford Knight … whispered in awe when we were youngsters … still highly respected for their ability and integrity. Perhaps our greatest reward will be to be remembered by future bandsmen and bands women, with as much affection. May Bugle continue to formulate new and lasting friendships.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
See also:
The information in this potted history has been collected from many sources including the WEBF Website and its commemorative programmes.
It is a tribute to those who initiated this contest and to those who continue to run this very important festival for the benefit of the Cornish brass band community. Without it, Cornish banding would be much the poorer.
An extract from the Golden Jubilee Souvenir
The First Festival
1912
1st West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel, Bugle
14th September 1912
Adjudicator: G H Mercer
President: Sir William Sergeant
Chairman: R Jacobs
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards (1912 -1961)
Treasurer: Captain S Minear
1912 West of England Bandsmen’s Festival / Bugle Contest at Peniel (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
1912 West of England Bandsmen’s Festival / Bugle Contest (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
1912 West of England Bandsmen’s Festival / Bugle Contest (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
1912 West of England Bandsmen’s Festival / Bugle Contest (Photo: from the Bugle 2005 programme)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Maritana
Test Piece: Own Choice Hymn or March
Combined | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne | W. Uren | Sandon | 1st | 78pts |
Redruth | R. Wills | Ravensclift | 2nd | 67pts |
St. Austell Territorial | J. G. Jubb | Washington Greys | 4th | 48pts |
St. Dennis Temperance | J. G. Jubb | Colonial Miners | 3rd | 65pts |
Tiverton Town | W. B. Loosemore | The Golden Casket | 4th | 48pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | E. C. Wills | Camborne |
Soprano | W. J. Uren | Camborne |
Baritone | W. Tregellas | Camborne |
Trombone | G. Rosevear | Camborne |
Euphonium | J. Sanders | Redruth |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Apollo
Test Piece: Own Choice March
Combined | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Foxhole Temperance | J. Stubbs | C.I.V. March | 5th | 43pts |
Indian Queens | G. H. Wilson | Emperor | 1st | 65pts |
Lelant | J. Tanner | Fearless Footsteps | 3rd | 47pts |
St. Agnes Town | H. Robins | Fearless Footsteps | 4th | 44pts |
St. Breward Brass | W. J. Hawken | Favourite | 6th | 37pts |
St. Ives Town | E. J. Williams | Magnific | 2nd | 54pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | G. H. Wilson | Indian Queens |
Trombone | Ford Knight | Indian Queens |
Horn | C Tamblyn | Indian Queens |
Euphonium | J. Tanner | Lelant |
The first contest was advertised as: “Monster Band Contest at Bugle, Sept 14th 1912. £45 in cash and specials. One and all, come!” It followed a decision by Bugle Brass Band and the Committee of the Working Men’s Institute, “….. to co-operate for the purpose of holding a county band contest”. It was not the first such contest to be held in Cornwall but it has witnessed all the others fall by the wayside as it has grown in size and reputation.
There were two sections in 1912 and entry was determined by the size of the band. Class “B” was for bands of 16 or less players and Class “A” for the larger bands. The event was a resounding success and the Bodmin Guardian wrote, “There have been other band contests in the county before Saturday but the important festival which took place at Bugle was, by a long way, the most ambitious and triumphantly successful the Delectable Duchy has known”. And so it has continued over the years: the march down to the contest field with expectations high, the thrill of competition, the tension as the results are announced and the march back up through the village with trophies held high has changed very little over the years. The crowds still gather to cheer on their favourites for there are few impartial spectators along the route.
An advertisement in the Bodmin Guardian stated that provision had been made for horses, carriages and traps. The test piece in Class “A” was Maritana and Camborne chose Sandon as the own-choice hymn. Adjudicator G H Mercer placed Camborne Town (W Uren) first with second placed Redruth Town (R Wills) eleven points behind. The reward was £15 plus a cornet. Special awards were made to E C Wills (cornet), W J Uren (soprano), W Tregellas (baritone), G Rosevear (trombone) and Redruth Town player J Sanders (euphonium). St Dennis Temperance (J G Jubb) was third with St Austell Territorials (also J G Jubb) and Tiverton Town (W B Loosemore) joint fourth. Class B was won by Indian Queens Band, a feat achieved many times since.
The event was rounded off with a solo contest (slow melodies) in the United Methodist Schoolroom in which 21 players took part. It was won by E J Williams (euphonium and conductor of St Ives Band) with Ford Knight (trombone) second and J Williams (cornet) third. At a subsequent meeting the committee decided that the event had lasted too long and the solo contest was excluded in future years.
“Six thousand persons attended the bandsmen’s festival at Bugle on Saturday. Eleven bands, aggregating 230 performers, took part in the two sections of the contest, one section being open to the West of England and the other being confined to bands numbering less than sixteen performers. The event was an unqualified success. The prizes were valued at over £75. Five bands competed in the open section, and in addition to playing a test piece, “Maritana,” each had to render a selection of their own choice. … In announcing his awards, the adjudicator, a former Crystal Palace judge (Mr. C. H. Mercer), remarked that the chief fault of bandsmen in the confined class was a lack of sustaining powers. They were backward in the use of the tongue. They ought to cultivate a freer use of the tongue, and not push the music, but let it come freely. Without hesitation he awarded the first prize (£7 and a challenge cup, value £5 55., given by Mr. E. H. Richards), to Indian Queens Band. St. Ives Band had secured an easy second, although they had not won so easily as second Indian Queens. The third prize went to Lelant Brass Band, who, however, were closely run St. Agnes Town Band. Though winning no prize the latter had given a good performance. In the open section, Mr. Mercer said had been rather surprised at the playing of one or two bands. He had not expected to hear such good playing; indeed. Camborne Town Band would compare favourably with bands of its class in Lancashire and Yorkshire. … The first prize (£l5 and a silver plated cornet, value £7 10s.) easily went to Camborne Town. The most difficult task of the afternoon was to separate Redruth Town and St. Dennis Temperance Bands, which had obtained second and third prizes respectively. St. Austell Band had lost their chance of the fourth prize by over blowing, and Tiverton Town Band had won it. An evening slow melody solo contest attracted 26 competitors, …” (16 September 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
“St Austell Band challenge to St Dennis. St Austell Territorial Band secured only 48 marks out of a possible 90 for the test Maritana. Both St Austell and St Dennis bands were trained by the same coach (Mr J O Jubb. of Bishop Storton), …” (23 September 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1912: “The promoters of Bugle Band Contest (reported on Page 3) are very grateful for the splendid support accorded…” (19 September 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Each member of the general committee deposited a golden sovereign as a guarantee fund for prizes totalling £45. (WEBF Centenary Book)
Transport back to 1912, a time when the gramophone was in its infancy and the wireless had not been invented. Live performances were the only opportunity of enjoying music and it was against this backdrop that the idea of a band contest was greeted with such enthusiasm.
Within the concentrated Mid-Cornwall clay country villages there were in excess of a dozen bands, which gave a tremendous base, and it was estimated that around 6,000 attended that first contest.
With no formal grading structure in place it was decided to run the contest in two sections determined by the size of the band.
Class B was for bands of 16 players and under, whilst Class A was for the larger bands. We believe this was the first contest to attempt some form of grading.
It was intended to be a one off event to raise funds for the building of a Working Men’s Institute in the village, but such was the success of the day it was decided to continue as a Festival in its own right.
The First World War brought an abrupt end to such social gatherings, but the contest was resurrected at the cessation of hostilities to herald in what is generally perceived as the golden age of the contest. Big name bands, (both Munn & Feltons and Black Dyke competed at Bugle in the same year that they won the Nationals), and huge crowds gave Bugle a growing national reputation.
Suspension of the contest was again necessary for the Second World War, but 1947 saw its revival and the festival has now seen an unbroken run of over 50 years. Much has changed, but the festival has remained true to its original concept as an open-air event. For one year in 1971, with stormy weather forecast, the contest was taken under canvas, but it was not generally liked and the experiment has never been repeated. (WEBF Website)
1913
2nd West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel, Bugle
13th September 1913
Adjudicator: G H Mercer
President: Sir William Sergeant
Chairman: R Jacobs
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards (1912 -1961)
Treasurer: Captain S Minear
“We have pleasure in announcing that His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, has promised to give a trophy for Cornish bands competing in the first section at the contest to be held at Bugle next September.” (January 1913 and quoted in the British Bandsman 11th July 1987)
1913 West of England Bandsmen’s Festival / Bugle Contest (Photo: PC by Richards, Bugle, courtesy CCHS)
Indian Queens with prizes from Bugle 1913
Adjudicator’s tent guarded by a committee member (Photo: Bygone Days of Treverbyn Parish by Una Poad. Courtesy Tom Seward)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Emilia, by Donizetti
Test Piece: Own Choice Hymn
Test Piece | Hymn | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne | W. Nuttall | Sandon | 1st | — | 1st | — |
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | Angus Holden | 4th | — | — | — | |
Mogg’s Military Band | H. Moggs | Abide With Me | 4th | — | — | — |
Redruth | R. Wills | 6th | — | — | — | |
St. Austell Territorial | Tom Eastwood | 3rd | — | 2nd | — | |
St. Dennis Temperance | J. E. Fidler | 2nd | — | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | E. C. Wills | Camborne |
Soprano | W. J. Uren | Camborne |
Euphonium | F Bennetts | St. Austell |
Trombone | S. Blight | St. Dennis Temperance |
Best Player | F Bennetts | St. Austell |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Fantasia Souvenir de Russe by Rimmer
Test Piece: Own Choice March
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Foxhole Temperance | J. Stubbs | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | |
Indian Queens | J. G. Dobbing | 1st | — | — | — | |
Lelant | J. Tanner | — | — | — | — | |
Liskeard Temperance | J. Phillips | The Artisan | 4th | — | — | — |
St. Agnes Town | H. Robins | Moonlighter | 3rd | — | 3rd | — |
St. Ives Town | E. J. Williams | The Pirate King | 5th | — | 1st | — |
Stenalees Silver | J. Libby | — | — | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | T. H. Robbins | St. Agnes Town |
Euphonium | R. H. Tamblyn | Indian Queens |
Best Player | R. H. Tamblyn | Indian Queens |
Best set of Basses | T. C. Curnow | St. Ives Town |
C Nicholas | ||
C Dowrick |
“Camborne Town Silver Band added another success … by winning premier honours in both the own choice and test pieces at the West England Bandsmen’s Festival at Bugle. Additional importance was attached to the event because of the first prize of £20 and specially designed silver medals for each member of the hand entitled the winners hold for year the silver challenge cup presented H.R.H the Prince Wales. Camborne has the proud distinction of being the band to win the first royal trophy ever competed for a band contest in the British Empire. There were also seven entries in the first section, but only six put appearance. Tiverton was the absentee. The bands competing were; Camborne Town (Walter Nuttal), Kingswood Evangel, Bristol (Mr. Angus Holden). Military Band Weston-Super-Mare (Mr. H- Mogg), territorials (Mr. J. E, Fidler). … Camborne Easily First. The adjudicator mounted the platform about 6.30 p.m. and announced hie decisions. The playing in the first section was remarkable surprise him; some of the performances were splendid. The playing, generally, compared very favourably with that of bands in the same class in Yorkshire and Lancashire. In fact, he had not heard better playing in the Midlands this year. He had not the slightest hesitation in awarding first prize for the hymn tunes. The winners were Camborne Town. (Cheers). Three bands were very close for the next prize which he had awarded St Austell Territorials. In the test piece Camborne Town Band took the first prize very easily. It was rather a close thing for second prize, but in his opinion St. Dennis were the winners. A very few points behind St. Dennis were St. Austell third prize winners and Kingswood came next in order merit, and were close that he had decided to divide the fourth prize between them. …” (18 September 1913 – The Cornish Telegraph)
Buoyed with success from the first event the committee approached the Duchy Office for support. The result was the presentation of a magnificent cup by the Duke of Windsor, then Duke of Cornwall, which became known as The Royal Trophy – officially the H R H The Prince of Wales Challenge Cup. Entries were accepted from the West of England for the 1913 contest and there were prizes for both test pieces. With constant rain during the day, Camborne Town (W Nuttall) was placed first for Emilia by Donizetti and for Sandon, the “own-choice” hymn. The prize was £20 and the newly presented Royal Trophy for the highest combined points. Medals were awarded to every member of the Band with specials going to E C Wills (cornet) and W J Uren (soprano). In the test piece St Dennis Temperance (J E Fidler) was second, St Austell Territorials (Tom Eastwood) was third, Kingswood Evangel (Angus Holden) and Mogg’s Military Band (H Mogg) joint fourth and Redruth (R Wills) back in sixth place.
1914 to 1918
West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Suspended during the First World War
1919
3rd West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel, Bugle
6th September 1919
Adjudicator: Albert Lawton
President: Sir William Sergeant
Chairman: Captain W Higman
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards (1919-1939)
Year unknown – West of England Bandsmen’s Festival / Bugle Contest at rear of Peniel House, Bilberry Road (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
Subsequently thought that this may be Bugle Band at Treverbyn tea treat 1905 (Photo: courtesy David Jane)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Selection The Gondoliers (Sullivan)
Test Piece: Own Choice Hymn
Test Piece | Hymn | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne | E. J. Williams | Eventide | 1st | — | 1st | — |
Redruth | E. C. Wills | Peace prefect Peace | 3rd | — | 3rd | — |
St. Dennis Temperance | J. E. Fidler | Nearer My God To Thee | 2nd | — | 2nd | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Soprano | W. J. Uren | Camborne |
Cornet | H. Uren | Camborne |
Euphonium | M. Kessell | St. Dennis Temperance |
Trombone | F. Chapman | St. Dennis |
Best Player | H. Uren | Camborne |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection The Bohemians (E. Ie Duc)
Test Piece: Own Choice March
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Foxhole Temperance | J. Morcom | Kenilworth | 1st | — | 1st | — |
Indian Queens | J. G. Dobbing | Punjaub | 6th | — | — | — |
Liskeard Temperance | G. F. Strand | Middy | 7th | — | — | — |
Newlyn East | L. Abram | 2nd | — | — | — | |
Penwithick Silver | T. Hancock | Moonlighter | 5th | — | — | — |
Stenalees Silver | Tom Eastwood | Balmont | 3rd | — | — | — |
St. Blazey and District | E. J. Williams | Fraternity | 8th | — | — | — |
St. Columb Town | W. H. Webber | Kenilworth | 4th | — | 2nd | — |
Wadebridge Town | W. T. Lobb | 9th | — | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | L. Abram | Newlyn East |
Horn | J. Bassett | Foxhole Temperance |
Euphonium | W. Morcom | Foxhole Temperance |
Best Player | W. Morcom | Foxhole Temperance |
1920
4th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
4th September 1920
Adjudicator: G H Mercer
President: Colonel Sir William Sergeant
Chairman: Captain W Higman
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Selection La Reine de Saba (Gounod)
Test Piece: Own Choice Hymn
Test Piece | Hymn | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
St. Austell Town | George Nicholls | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | |
St. Dennis | W. H. Juleff | 1st | — | 1st | — | |
Mount Charles | J. Libby | 3rd | — | 3rd | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | W. H. Juleff | St. Dennis |
Trombone | F. Chapman | St. Dennis |
Euphonium | S. Blight | St. Dennis Temperance |
Soprano | H. Snell | St. Dennis Temperance |
Best Player | W. H. Juleff | St. Dennis |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection The Maid of Orleans (M. Laurent) or The Carnival of Flowers (E. Ie Duc)
Test Piece: Own Choice March
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Foxhole Temperance | J. Stubbs | 1st | — | 1st | — | |
Indian Queens | F. Knight | 4th | — | — | — | |
Liskeard | J. Priest | 7th | — | — | — | |
St. Columb Town | W. H. Webber | 4th | — | — | — | |
St. Newlyn East | L. Abram | 6th | — | — | — | |
St. Ives Town | J. Tanner | 3rd | — | — | — | |
Stenalees Silver | J. Lennon | 2nd | — | 2nd | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | F. Morcom | Foxhole Temperance |
Trombone | W. J. Richards | Stenalees Silver |
Euphonium | W. Morcom | Foxhole Temperance |
Best Player | O. Kent (Soprano) | Foxhole Temperance |
1921
5th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
27th August 1921
Adjudicator: J Ord Hume
President: Commander Sir Edward Nicholl
Chairman: Captain W Higman
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Selection Le Prophete (Meyerbeer)
Test Piece: Own Choice Hymn
Test Piece | Hymn | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | W. Stanley Smith | Lead Kindly Light | 3rd | — | 3rd | — |
St. Austell Town | J. M. Hinchcliffe | Holly | 2nd | — | 2nd | — |
St. Dennis | T. Valentine | Abide With Me | 1st | — | 1st | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Euphonium | F Bennetts | St. Austell |
Cornet | -. Bunt | St. Dennis |
Cornet | W. H. Juleff | St. Dennis |
Trombone | F. Chapman | St. Dennis |
Best Player | F Bennetts | St. Austell |
Baritone | J. Best | St. Dennis |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection Classic Gems No.1 (W. Rimmer)
Test Piece: Own Choice March
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Foxhole Brass | J. Stubbs | 1st | — | 1st | — | |
Four Lanes Brass | W. Floyd | 7th | — | — | — | |
Indian Queens | G. H. Wilson | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | |
St. Columb Town | W. H. Webber | 8th | — | — | — | |
St. Ives Town | J. Tanner | 3rd | — | — | — | |
Stenalees Silver | J. M. Hinchcliffe | 4th | — | 3rd | — | |
Truro | E. J. Williams | 6th | — | — | — | |
St. Newlyn East | 5th | — | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | F. Morcom | Foxhole Temperance |
Euphonium | A. Kestle | Indian Queens |
Horn | O. Tamblyn | Indian Queens |
Trombone | W. H. Northey | Truro |
Soprano | S. Martin | Stenalees Silver |
Best Player | W. H. Northey | Truro |
In 1921 it was decided to bring the event forward to August presumably in the hope of better weather. The Bodmin Guardian wrote a glowing report of the silverware being offered and reflected that contest prizes had once taken the form of meat – either alive or dead.
1921: “the amateur band championship of the West was won by St Dennis Silver band, and the Western Morning News cup went to St Austell, these bands repeating their successes of last year, when they secured the trophies for the first time. …” (7 September 1921 – Cornishman)
“The West of England bandsman’s festival Bugle on Saturday attracted over 6,000 people. The Prince of Wales’s cup and the amateur band championship of the West were won by St Dennis Silver Band, …” (7 September 1921 – Cornishman)
1922
6th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
26th August 1922
Adjudicator: J H Carter
President: Commander Sir Edward Nicholl
Chairman: Captain W Higman
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe (1922-1949)
St Dennis players received the first set of “hat trick” medals for wins in 1920, 1921 and 1922.
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Selection II Guiramento (Mercadante)
Test Piece: Own Choice Hymn
Test Piece | Hymn | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | J. E. Fidler | 2nd | — | — | — | |
Newquay Town | G. W. Cave | — | — | — | — | |
St. Austell Town | J. M. Hinchcliffe | 3rd | — | 1st | — | |
Mount Charles | J. Stubbs | 4th | — | — | — | |
St. Dennis | T. Valentine | 1st | — | 2nd | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | E. Booth | St. Austell Town |
Horn | E. Wilson | Mount Charles |
Euphonium | H. S. Perry | Kingswood Evangel Silver mission |
Trombone | F. Chapman | St. Dennis |
Soprano | T. Snell | St. Dennis |
Best Player | E. Booth | St. Austell Town |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection Gems of Harmony
Test Piece: Own Choice March
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Foxhole Brass | J. Morcom | 3rd | — | — | — | |
Indian Queens | G. H. Wilson | 1st | — | 1st | — | |
St. Blazey and District | G. Bailey | 5th | — | — | — | |
St. Ives Town | T. Valentine | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | |
Truro | T. Hubbard | 4th | — | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | Ford Knight | Indian Queens |
Soprano | P. Sweet | St. Blazey and District |
Best Player | E. Dowrick (Euphonium) | St. Ives Town |
Best set of Basses | Indian Queens |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: The Hallelujah Chorus Messiah (Handel)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Foxhole Brass | — | — | ||
Indian Queens | — | — | ||
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | 2nd | — | ||
Newquay Town | — | — | ||
St. Austell Town | 3rd | — | ||
Mount Charles | — | — | ||
St. Dennis | 1st | — |
Cornish exile J H Carter was the adjudicator.
Class “C” was introduced in 1922 for bands of any section – referred to as an Open Class it was mainly won by a top section band but afforded the opportunity of a lower section band pulling off an upset.
1923
7th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
25th August 1923
Adjudicator: G H Mercer
President: Commander Sir Edward Nicholl
Chairman: Captain W Higman
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Selection Lucia de Lammermoor (Donizetti)
Test Piece: Own Choice Hymn
Test Piece | Hymn | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | J. C. Dyson | 2nd | 90pts | 4th | 73pts | |
Newquay Town | G. W. Cave | 4th | 65pts | 2nd | 80pts | |
St. Austell Town | E. F. Woodhead | 3rd | 70pts | 3rd | 74pts | |
St. Dennis | T. Valentine | 1st | 95pts | 1st | 85pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | W. H. Juleff | St. Dennis |
Soprano | O. Kent | St. Dennis |
Baritone | J. Best | St. Dennis |
Euphonium | L. Halls | St. Dennis |
Trombone | B. Smith | Kingswood Evangel Silver mission |
Best Player | F. Brewer (Trombone) | St. Dennis |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection Sweet English Songs (W. Seddon)
Test Piece: Own Choice March
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Falmouth Town Silver | -. Warden | 5th | — | — | — | |
Foxhole Brass | J. Stubbs | 4th | — | — | — | |
Greensplat Brass | G. Attwood | 6th | — | — | — | |
Indian Queens | G. H. Wilson | 3rd | — | — | — | |
St. Blazey and District | E. F. Woodhead | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | |
St. Ives Town | J. Tanner | 1st | — | 1st | — | |
Wadebridge Town | W. T. Lobb | 7th | — | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | W. Bailey | St. Blazey and District |
Soprano | P. Sweet | St. Blazey and District |
Horn | G. Arthur | Foxhole Brass |
A. J. Morcom | Foxhole Brass | |
Euphonium | J. F. Tanner | St. Ives Town |
Trombone | J. H. Roberts | Falmouth Town Silver |
Best Player | JF Tanner (Euphonium) | St. Ives Town |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: The Heavens are Telling’ Creation (Haydn)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | 1st | 80pts | ||
Newquay Town | 4th | 60pts | ||
St. Austell Town | 3rd | 66pts | ||
St. Dennis Temperance | 2nd | 78pts |
1924
8th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
23rd August 1924
Adjudicator: Manuel Bilton
Adjudicator: W Smith
President: Commander Sir Edward Nicholl
Chairman: Captain W Higman
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
E J Williams of St Ives Band giving some last minute instructions to his wife. (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
St Dennis Silver Band
Winners of the Amateur Band Championship of the West and the Challenge Cup, presented by H R H the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, KG, 1920-21-22 and 23.
To be honoured at this Festival with the presentation of a set of medals, given by H R H the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, KG., to commemorate their three successive wins of the Royal Trophy, at Bugle.
Over 5,400 Spectators at Bugle (WMN)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Selection William Tell (Rossini)
Test Piece: Own Choice Hymn
Test Piece | Hymn | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | E. J. Williams | 3rd | 39pts | — | — | |
Falmouth Town | T. Beresford | — | — | — | — | |
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | J. C. Dyson | 1st | 48pts | 2nd | — | |
Newquay Town | G. W. Cave | 4th | 37pts | 1st | — | |
Penzance Independent/Silver | N. Trudgeon | — | — | — | — | |
St. Dennis | R. W. Davison | 2nd | 47pts | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Euphonium | H. S. Perry | Kingswood Evangel Silver mission |
Cornet | W. H. Juleff | St. Dennis |
Horn | W. H. Brown | Kingswood Evangel Silver mission |
Soprano | O. Kent | St. Dennis |
Trombone | S. Blight | St. Dennis Temperance |
Best Player | H. S. Perry | Kingswood Evangel Silver mission |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection ‘La Gipsy’ Bohemian Girl (Balfe)
Test Piece: Own Choice March
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Foxhole Silver | J. Basset | 6th | — | — | — | |
Greensplat Brass | W. Adamson | 5th | — | — | — | |
Indian Queens | C. H. Baker | 3rd | — | — | — | |
St. Blazey and District | E. F. Woodhead | 4th | — | — | — | |
St. Columb Town | J. W. English | 7th | — | — | — | |
Stenalees Silver | W. Adamson | 1st | — | 2nd | — | |
St. Ives Town | A. Lawton | 2nd | — | 1st | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | J. M. Minear | Stenalees Silver |
Baritone | C. Gilbert | Stenalees Silver |
Euphonium | J. F. Tanner | St. Ives Town |
Best Player | J M Minear (Cornet) | Stenalees Silver |
Best set of Basses | H. Osborne | Stenalees Silver |
W. Jane | Stenalees Silver | |
W. Martin | Stenalees Silver | |
W. Minear | Stenalees Silver |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: Recitative Comfort ye my people and Chorus and the Glory of the Lord from Messiah (Handel)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | 2nd | 30pts | ||
Falmouth Town | — | — | ||
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | 1st | 31pts | ||
Newquay Town | — | — | ||
St. Dennis | 3rd | 28pts |
Set in an area dependent on metalliferous mining, Camborne was hit hard by the fluctuations in the price of tin. A loss of players through emigration was accompanied by a general downturn in the economy of the area and the Band was not able to attend again until 1924 when Kingswood Evangel Band won first prize for the main test prize and took the Royal Trophy out of Cornwall for the first time.
St Dennis, who had won for the previous four years, was second, Camborne Town third and Newquay fourth. Falmouth Town and Penzance Independent were also competing in the top section. Two adjudicators were used for the first time at this contest.
“BUGLE BAND CONTEST. INTERESTING COMPETITION Nearly 5,100 visitors attended the annual Band Festival at Bugle on Saturday, when there were 17 entries as against 15 last year. According to the judges, the playing was in many cases splendid, and so full of promise and hope, that they believe the Cornish bands would achieve even greater things in the future. In the hymn tunes the richness of tone and beauty of the players they had never excelled. The only trouble in the first section bands was to decide which was first. The two winning bands were so near that had there been time, they would have asked them to play the piece over again. … Adjudicators, Lt Manuel Hilton (musical director the Royal Horse Guards, The Blues and Mr. W. Smith, London. …” (Cornubian and Redruth Times – Thursday 28 August 1924)
1925
9th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
22nd August 1925
Adjudicator: Herbert Bennett
Adjudicator: J Jennings
President: Commander Sir Edward Nicholl
Chairman: Captain W Higman
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
St Dennis Band marching to Bugle Contest 22nd August 1925 (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
Kingswood Evangel Silver Band
Winners of the Amateur Band Championships of the West, and the Challenge Cup presented by H R H the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall K G., 1924; and the Thomas Brenton Memorial Cup, 1923-1924.
Indian Queens Silver Band
Winners of the Richards Cup (outright), the Hawkes Challenge Shield, 1913 and 1921, and the Sir Edward Nicholl Championship Shield, 1922.
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Selection from Euryanthe (Weber)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 1st | — | |
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery | Noel Thorpe | 3rd | — | |
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | J. C. Dyson | 5th | — | |
Mount Charles | P. Hill | — | — | |
Newquay Town | G. W. Cave | — | — | |
Oakdale Colliery | H. Heyes | 2nd | — | |
Plymouth Corporation Tramways | P. Viner | — | — | |
St. Austell Town | E. F. Woodhead | — | — | |
St. Dennis | E. Calverley | 4th | — | |
Truro | T. Hubbard | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | F. Roberts | Camborne |
Trombone | P. Knight | St. Dennis |
Euphonium | W. Edwards | Carlton Main Frickley Colliery |
Horn | J. A. Pollard | Camborne |
Flugel | S. Carter | Truro |
Best Player | SJ Vaughan (Soprano) | Oakdale Colliery |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selections Songs of Ireland (H. Round)
Test Piece: March Queen of the South (W. Rimmer) (Specially composed for this competition)
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Falmouth Town | T. J. Chainey | 4th | — | 4th | — | |
Greensplat Silver | W. Adamson | 3rd | — | 3rd | — | |
Indian Queens | W. Adamson | — | — | — | — | |
Stenalees Silver | C. Ward | 1st | — | 1st | — | |
St. Blazey and District | E. F. Woodhead | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | |
St. Ives Town | E. J. Williams | 5th | — | 5th | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | M. Minear | Stenalees Silver |
Trombone | M. Robins | Greensplat Silver |
Euphonium | T. Bennetts | Greensplat Silver |
Best Player | H. Common (Bass Trombone) | Stenalees Silver |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: Chorus Hymn to Music (Dudley Buck)
Test Piece: Hymn Tune Calcutta (T. Clark)
Hymn Tune | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | 1st | — | 1st | — | ||
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | ||
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | — | — | — | — | ||
Mount Charles | — | — | — | — | ||
Newquay Town | — | — | — | — | ||
Oakdale Colliery | — | — | — | — | ||
Plymouth Corporation Tramways | — | — | — | — | ||
Stenalees Silver | — | — | 4th | — | ||
St. Austell Town | — | — | — | — | ||
St. Dennis | — | — | 3rd | — | ||
St. Ives Town | 3rd | — | — | — | ||
Truro | — | — | — | — |
In 1925 the contest was thrown open to any band in the country and this attracted some of the big names but the Royal Trophy was reserved for bands from the West Country. This was the first year of the A W Parker era and it caused a sensation when Camborne swept the board. Two adjudicators were used for a while in the 1920s and Herbert Bennett and J Jennings were clearly impressed with the playing of Camborne Town awarding them three first places. Ten bands competed in Class “A” and Camborne Town was successful in holding off the challenge of Oakdale Colliery, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, St Dennis Silver and Kingswood Evangel Silver. Mount Charles, Newquay (G W Cave) Plymouth Corporation Tramways, St Austell Town and Truro Town (Tom Hubbard) were unplaced. Specials awards went to Fred Roberts (cornet) and James Pollard (horn). Report: (24 August 1925 – Western Morning News)
Report: (3 September 1925 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
1926
10th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
21st August 1926
Adjudicator: Harry Barlow (Besses-O-th’ Barn) & George E Hawkins
President: Commander Sir Edward Nicholl
Chairman: Captain W Higman
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
Stenalees Silver Band
Winners of the President’s Class B Championship Shield 1924-25, also the Hawkes Challenge Shield, 1920, and the Capt. Denis Shipwrigt Cup, 1925
Camborne Town Silver Band
Winners of the Amateur Championship of the West, and the Challenge Cup, presented by H R H the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, K G., 1913, 1919 and 1925, also winners of the Cornish Ladies’ “Open” Challenge Cup , and other Trophies 1925.
1926 West of England Bandsmen’s Festival / Bugle Contest Committee (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
Some of the 6,000 crowd in 1926 (Photo: Daily Sketch 1926)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Oberon (Weber)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 2nd | — | |
Mount Charles | W. Adamson | 4th | — | |
Oakdale Colliery | H. Heyes | 3rd | — | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Baker | 1st | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | A. Bray | St. Dennis |
Horn | D Parr | Oakdale Colliery |
Trombone | P. Knight | St. Dennis |
Euphonium | G. Bennetts | St. Dennis |
Best Player | D. Parr (Horn) | Oakdale Colliery |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection Songs of Scotland (H. Round)
Test Piece: March The Carnival King (specially composed for this competition by W. Rimmer)
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Falmouth Town | W. Nuttall | 2nd | — | — | — | |
Foxhole Silver | J. Morcom | — | — | — | — | |
Greensplat Silver | C. H. Baker | — | — | — | — | |
Indian Queens | C. H. Baker | — | — | — | — | |
Newquay Town | W. H. Juleff | 3rd | — | 2nd | — | |
Penzance Independent/Silver | G. W. Cave | 1st | — | 1st | — | |
Stenalees Silver | C. Ward | 4th | — | 3rd | — | |
St. Blazey and District | G. Bailey | 6th | — | — | — | |
St. Ives Town | E. J. Williams | 5th | — | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Euphonium | W. Prowse | Penzance |
Cornet | G. W. Cave | Penzance |
Horn | T. J. Chainey | Falmouth |
Trombone | J. Robins | Falmouth |
Best Player | W. Prowse | Penzance |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: Chorus Kyrie & Gloria (Twelfth Mass) (Mozart)
Test Piece: Hymn I heard the voice of Jesus Say (J. B. Dykes)
Hymn | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | 7th | 55 | 5th | 49 | ||
Falmouth Town | 4th | 60 | 3rd | 51 | ||
Mount Charles | 6th | 58 | 6th | 48 | ||
Oakdale Colliery | 1st | 67 | 2nd | 57 | ||
Penzance Independent/Silver | 5th | 59 | 5th | 49 | ||
Stenalees Silver | 3rd | 65 | 6th | 48 | ||
St. Dennis | 2nd | 66 | 1st | 75 | ||
St. Ives Town | 5th | 59 | 4th | 50 |
Adjudicator: R J Sicluna ( R M Marines)
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Newquay Town | 1st | — | ||
St. Dennis Silver | 2nd | — |
C H Baker was conducting St Dennis for the first time in 1926 and what a start he made. He celebrated by taking the top honours. He had joined them from Rushden Temperance and over the next few years he was to make his mark on the Cornish contest scene.
A deportment class was introduced for the first time at this contest.
Mrs Williams, the wife of Edwin J Williams, was the only female competing in the contest. She played for St Ives and was probably the first woman to compete at Bugle.
Report: (4 October 1926 – Western Morning News)
The bandmasters and secretaries of the competing bands were presented with a special presentation pocket knife by the preseident, Commander Sir Edward Nicholl as a token of his appreciation of their association with the festival. (Echo 4th September 1026)
Those who have experienced the stress of the contest stage will recognise the mixed emotions expressed by an unknown member of St Ives Band. He had the initials R S and his highly descriptive piece appeared in the Echo newspaper on the 4th of September 1926. It relates to the Band’s attendance at the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival in 1926 and was entitled:
With the Band at Bugle
“To those interested, and especially to those participating, a band contest is a most exciting affair. The sensations, however, vary from the most interesting and exciting to the most uninteresting and monotonous and at times it becomes painfully dull. This may seem something of a paradox, but who can describe the pent-up feeling of excitement experienced when standing on the stage waiting for the adjudicator’s signal to start, surrounded by a sea of upturned critical faces? And who, on the other hand, can rightly interpret the monotony of the long wait for the contest to end and the awards to be announced; or the painful feeling of anxiety where the judge makes his preliminary remarks? Again, there is the feeling of disappointment when you find that your hopes are defeated, but for the fortunate, the hilarity which attends success.
We left St Ives at 7:15 on Saturday morning last en-route for Bugle, accompanied by the good wishes of our many supporters. The first few miles passed uneventfully with most of the members singing and the occasional cheers of passers-by, to which we lustily replied. I could not help wondering whether we would be as happy when we returned.
The first incident of note occurred just before we arrived at the little village of Zelah. Here we witnessed a scene that cast over the whole party a depressing gloom, which with was with difficulty dispelled.
Pulled up on one side of the road was an ambulance and opposite, a little group of people looking sadly at some object lying at their feet. We realised at once that an accident had happened and then a gentleman came running up asking us to stop and giving us particulars. Two motorcycles had collided and one of the riders was dead, the other seriously injured and a lady who had been riding pillion also badly hurt. Whilst we waited, they lifted the injured man into the van and then, raising our hats, we drove slowly past the scene. The dead body lay covered with straw by the wayside, the two cycles, frames bent and wheels smashed, gave evidence of the force of the impact, and an ominous red stain on the surface of the road cast a morbid impression on even the most hardened mind.
There was no more singing and very little speaking until we arrived at Mitchell where we drew up for lunch and the final practise. The landlord of the only inn did not in the least resemble Ye Goode Olde Host usually associated with English country hostels. He was neither fat nor hearty, cheerful nor free. In fact he provided a striking contrast as he moved slowly about serving his customers with the most dejected appearance. And then, from hidden folds and bags were brought pasties of every size and length and shape. There is always keen competition for the honour of being the owner of the biggest pasty, and this year that distinction as usual went to Tom. There is nothing that induces good humour better than good grub and we were in much better spirits when we entered the car, after a final rub-up, and proceeded to Bugle.
Now we were in a district where the very atmosphere was argillaceous. Around the houses hung the musty dust of clay; our boots were soon covered with a layer of white, and we were hemmed in on every side by huge clay dumps.
Being the first band to March from the town to the contest field, we selected the most shaded and secluded corner and ensconced ourselves as comfortably as possible. We were to play fifth and as we listened to the preceding bands it became obvious that the standard of playing was even higher than usual. I mingled amongst the large crowd of listeners. The opinions expressed were many and various. Everybody criticised and each was equally dogmatic in his or her assertion.
When our turn came, we were in readiness, and marching up in orderly array we endeavoured to impress upon the connoisseur of dress and deportment that this was the band he was looking for. He appeared indifferent, however, to our best efforts and did not mention us in his prize list. Anyway that was only a sideline and we now settle down to serious business.
The wait for the sound of the commencing whistle was fraught with anxiety that almost amounted to mental torture for the younger members of the band and one in particular looked as if each gust of wind would carry him off the stage. To those who have had no such experience, this stage fright may seem absurd, but when we think that this was the moment for which they had been preparing for many weeks and that a slip would nullify, not only their own but the work of their 23 colleagues, it sounds more feasible. Under such circumstances I could not but admire the sang froid of the bandmaster who moved around, apparently indifferent to the surroundings, cracking a joke with one and helping another with his music. This, more than anything, helped to restore my composure, and concentrating on the music I contrived to forget the crowd and almost the judge.
The whistle shrills, a slight tap on the stand and the band masters stick is in the air. We were all energetically blowing the water from our instruments, which had already been done a dozen times. Glancing round, the bandmaster swings his arms, and with a crash we are off.
We produced our best form and from the cheers of the crowd as we trailed off, we knew that even if beaten, we were certainly not disgraced, and this thought kept us in buoyant spirits.
After tea we found the time hung very heavily and though we favoured the town with a cursory inspection we saw nothing of interest, and we all wished for the contest to end. We had to play again but this was nothing like the ordeal of the first attempt and we filed to the platform quite at ease. During the wait to start an incident occurred which caused amusement both to the audience and their selves. A bottle, left on the stage by a previous competitor, was eagerly picked up by a certain bandsman, to be just as quickly replaced as, with a preliminary sniff, he discovered it contained nothing stronger than water. It was the expression of mixed disappointment and disdain on his face which caused the amusement.
When we had finished and given another performance we packed up in readiness for our return. It was nine o’clock before the last band had finished and in the crepuscular light, we crowded around the stage, waiting with what patience we could muster for the adjudicator to announce his decisions. After an epitome of their opinions we were announced as fifth out of nine, it was naturally disappointing but we still had reason to consult ourselves with the thought of a praiseworthy achievement. Our disappointment soon evaporated and we left Bugle to the tune of rollicking songs.
It was a wonderful night and a full moon in a cloudless sky revealed all the charms of the Duchy in an unusual manner, which whilst robbing it of none of the beauties of daylight, added the peculiar charm of eeriness which could not fail to impress. Free from depressing thoughts i thoroughly enjoyed that homeward ride. I was lost in the land of reverie. The multitudinous happenings of the day crowded themselves upon my brain and predominant amongst them was a pathetic tragedy of the morning.
To return from this digression, we arrived on the Malakoff in the early hours of the morning to find a number of our most ardent supporters, many of whom had been waiting for hours to give us a rousing reception. For their satisfaction we played through the streets and at the market house the bandmaster made a short speech in which he said, ‘although we are beaten, we are not dismayed’. This expressed most of our sentiments and then with the cheers, good wishes and occasional congratulations, we dispersed. There is little wonder that after such a tiring day I soon found blissfulness in the land of dreams.”
1927
11th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
20th August 1927
Adjudicator: David Aspinall
Adjudicator: T J Rees
President: Commander Sir Edward Nicholl
Chairman: Captain W Higman
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
The Trophy Table (Photo: courtesy Leonard Adams)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection Halevy (arranged H. Round)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 1st | 93pts | |
Cory’s Silver | J. G. Dobbing | 4th | 88pts | |
Hanwell Silver | W. Greenwood | 5th | 87pts | |
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | W. S. Smith | 6th | 85pts | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Baker | 2nd | 91pts | |
Yeovil Town | R. W. Davidson | 3rd | 90pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | F. J. Roberts | Camborne |
Euphonium | G. Bennetts | St. Dennis |
Trombone | J. Thomas | Camborne |
Baritone | J. Best | St. Dennis |
Best Player | G. Bennetts | St. Dennis |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection II Flauto Magico (Mozart)
Test Piece: The Royal Trophy (specially composed in honour of the Royal Trophy by W. Rimmer)
March | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Falmouth Town | T. J. Chainey | — | — | — | — | |
Foxhole Silver | J. Morcom | — | — | 6th | — | |
Hayle Town/Heyl Town | J. Tanner | — | — | — | — | |
Indian Queens | F. Knight | — | — | — | — | |
Newquay Town | W. H. Juleff | — | — | 3rd | — | |
Penzance Independent/Silver | G. W. Cave | — | — | 1st | — | |
Penwithick Silver | W. Adamson | 3rd | — | 5th | — | |
St. Blazey and District | G. Bailey | 2nd | — | 4th | — | |
Stenalees Silver | C. H. Baker | 1st | — | 2nd | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | G. W. Cave | Penzance |
Trombone | M Robins | Penwithick Silver |
Euphonium | W. Prowse | Penzance |
Best Player | M Robins | Penwithick Silver |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: Air and Chorus Behold and See – Lift up your heads ‘Messiah’
Test Piece: Hymn Tune Sennen
Hymn Tune | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | 1st | 67pts | 1st | 75pts | ||
Cory’s Silver | 2nd | 66pts | 2nd | 74pts | ||
Falmouth Town | — | — | — | — | ||
Hanwell | 3rd | — | 3rd | 72pts | ||
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | 4th | — | 4th | — | ||
Penzance Independent/Silver | 5th | — | — | — | ||
St. Dennis Silver | — | — | — | — | ||
Yeovil Town | — | — | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Euphonium | L. Whichelow | Hanwell |
Adjudicator: A W Lowther
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Indian Queens | 1st | — | ||
Hanwell | 2nd | — |
Four bands from across the Tamar competed in the Championship Section in 1927 but it was Camborne Town that prevailed. It rained all day, the ground became a mud bath and the players had to perform in appalling conditions. The Cornish Guardian referred to the contest as the “Amateur Band Championship of the West and Open Section”. The adjudicators were T J Rees and David Aspinall whose remarks for Camborne began, “Big, fine toned band ….” and went on to say, “A very good performance indeed”. Specials were awarded to F J Roberts (cornet) and J Thomas (trombone). Yeovil Town (third), Cory’s Silver (fourth) and Hanwell Silver were all competing for the first time.
“Evidence of the popularity of music in Cornwall was afforded the large number of people who stood for ‘hours in a drenching downpour of rain for the 11th annual West of England Bandsmen’s Festival at Bugle on Saturday. The festival was another triumph for the Cornish bauds, who held their own against many visiting competitors. Camborne Town Band, who won the West of England amateur band championship which carries with the Prince Wales and other valuable trophies, also secured first place in the chorus and hymn tune competitions, and were thereby enabled to win the trophy for general proficiency. … Three new competitors took part in the main events, Cory’s Silver Band, the Hanwell Silver Band, and the Yeovil Town Band, but none of them succeeded in getting highly placed except in the chorus and hymn tune competitions, where Cory’s and the Hanwell bands were awarded second and third places respectively.” (22 August 1927 – Western Morning News).
Every bandsman was presented with a souvenir cigarette case. (WEBF Centenary Book)
1928
12th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
18th August 1928
Adjudicator: William Halliwell
Adjudicator: G H Wilson
President: Commander Sir Edward Nicholl
Chairman: Captain C Thomas
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection II Trovatore (Verdi arranged H. Round)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 2nd | — | |
Cory’s Silver | J. G. Dobbing | 3rd | — | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Baker | 1st | — | |
Yeovil Town | J. B. Yorke | 4th | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | A. Bray | St. Dennis |
Trombone | J. Thomas | Camborne |
Euphonium | T W Trotman | Cory’s Silver |
Horn | M Coombe | St. Dennis Silver |
Best Player | T. Rule (Soprano) | Camborne Town |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection Gems of British Song (H. Round)
Test Piece: March Grove House (J. Ord Hume)
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Greensplat Silver | C. H. Baker | 4th | — | 3rd | — | |
Indian Queens | F. Knight | 2nd | — | — | — | |
Penzance Independent/Silver | J. Probert | 6th | — | — | — | |
Penwithick Silver | W. Adamson | 3rd | — | 2nd | — | |
St. Blazey and District | G. Bailey | 5th | — | — | — | |
Stenalees | C. H. Baker | 1st | — | 1st | — |
St Blazey & District Band
Winners of the Hawkes Shield, 1923-25, and the Collins Shield, 1923.
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | C. H. Sharpe | Indian Queens |
Euphonium | R. Gilbert | Stenalees |
Trombone | M. Robins | Stenalees |
Horn | W. Poad | Stenalees |
Baritone | S. Jarvis | Penwithick Silver |
Best Player | R Hancock (Soprano) | Stenalees |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: Chorus Achieved is the glorious work ‘Creation’ (Haydn)
Test Piece: Hymn Tune Rhyd-y-Groes
Test Piece | Hymn | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | 1st | — | 1st | — | ||
Cory’s Silver | 3rd | — | 3rd | — | ||
St. Dennis | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | ||
Yeovil Town | 4th | — | 4th | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Best Soprano | T Rule | Camborne |
Adjudicator: A W Lother
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Yeovil Town | 1st | — | ||
St. Blazey and District | 2nd | — |
1928 was the first of six consecutive wins for St Dennis with Camborne always thereabouts but not collecting the top prize. The best-player in the top section went to Telfer Rule and J Thomas (trombone) won a special award. Telfer Rule also won the best-player award in Class “C” – the Open Class.
1929
13th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
24th August 1929
Adjudicator: J A Greenwood
President: Commander Sir Edward Nicholl
Chairman: Captain C Thomas
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
Stenalees Band marching passing under the railway bridge of the Goonbarrow Mineral Line on the march from Peniel in 1929 (Photo: 2001 WEBF programme)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection Lohengrin (Wagner)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 3rd | — | |
Cory’s Silver | J. G. Dobbing | 4th | — | |
St. Austell Silver | E. F. Woodhead | 5th | — | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Baker | 1st | — | |
Stenalees Silver | W. Adamson | 2nd | — | |
Swindon G. W. R. S. & E. Union | G. W. Cave | 6th | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | A. Bray | St. Dennis |
Euphonium | J. Thomas | Camborne |
Trombone | M. Robins | Stenalees |
Flugel | J. Varcoe | St. Dennis |
Best Player | A. Bray | St. Dennis |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection A Souvenir of the Opera (arr. W. Rimmer)
Test Piece: March Marche Militaire (Schubert)
March | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Carharrack & St Day | T. Hubbard | — | — | — | — | |
Foxhole Silver | E. F. Woodhead | — | — | — | — | |
Greensplat Silver | C. H. Baker | 1st | — | 1st | — | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. Knight | — | — | 2nd | — | |
Penzance Independent/Silver | J. Probert | — | — | 3rd | — | |
Penwithick Silver | W. Adamson | 2nd | — | 5th | — | |
Redruth Silver | R. W. Floyd | — | — | 6th | — | |
St. Blazey and District | G. Bailey | — | — | — | — | |
St. Erth Silver | S. Pye | — | — | — | — | |
St. Minver Silver | J. F. Wills | — | — | 8th | — | |
St. Newlyn East | A. W. Parker | 3rd | — | 4th | — | |
Truro | G. W. Cave | — | — | 7th | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | L. Manhire | Greensplat Silver |
Trombone | J. Clift | Truro |
Euphonium | W. Prowse | Penzance |
Horn | A. Merrifield | Penwithick Silver |
Best Player | J. Clift | Truro |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: Chorus We Bow our Heads ‘St. Matthew Passion’ (Bach)
Test Piece: Hymn Tune Sandon in G (Purday)
Hymn Tune | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | ||
Cory’s Silver | 3rd | — | 3rd | — | ||
St. Austell Town | 4th | — | 4th | — | ||
St. Dennis Silver | 1st | — | 1st | — | ||
Stenalees Silver | 5th | — | 5th | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Best Soprano | O. Kent | St. Dennis |
Adjudicator: H S Venn
Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Swindon Town | 1st | — | ||
St. Blazey and District | 2nd | — |
Around this time the contest committee was fighting to save the event which was being buffeted by the general slump, unemployment and financial losses. But they were not prepared to throw in the towel and arrangements went ahead for the 1929 event. Stenalees Silver and Swindon G W R S & E Union appeared for the first time in the top section but it was St Dennis who won the day with three first places. Camborne was back in third place; behind new boys Stenalees but J Thomas (euphonium) did collect a special award.
1930
14th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
23rd August 1930
Adjudicator: William Halliwell
President: Commander Sir Edward Nicholl
Chairman: Captain C Thomas
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
1930 West of England Bandsmen’s Festival / Bugle Contest (Photo: P/C Richards, Bugle / courtesy CCHS)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection Nabucco (Verdi)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 4th | — | |
Greensplat Silver | C. H. Baker | 5th | — | |
Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver | J. E. Fidler | 3rd | — | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Baker | 1st | — | |
Stenalees Silver | 2nd | — | ||
Swindon G. W. R. S. & E. Union | T. Valentine | 6th | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | A. Bray | St. Dennis |
Soprano | O. Kent | St. Dennis |
Euphonium | G. Bennetts | St. Dennis |
Trombone | M. Robins | Stenalees |
Best Player | G. Bennetts | St. Dennis |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
Test Piece: Hymn Tune Melita (Dykes)
Hymn | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Carharrack & St Day | T. Hubbard | — | — | — | — | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. Knight | 2nd | — | 5th | — | |
Penwithick Silver | W. Adamson | — | — | 3rd | — | |
Penzance Independent/Silver | J. Probert | — | — | 1st | — | |
St. Austell Town | E. F. Woodhead | — | — | 6th | — | |
St. Newlyn East Silver | A. W. Parker | — | — | 2nd | — | |
Truro | G. W. Cave | 1st | — | 4th | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | G. Henry | Penzance |
Trombone | H. Gatheridge | Penwithick Silver |
Euphonium | W. Prowse | Penzance |
Soprano | R. Prout | St. Newlyn East |
Best Player | S Dingle (Bass Trombone) | St. Newlyn East |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: Chorus Amen (Handel)
Test Piece: Grand March Tannhauser (Wagner)
March | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | 4th | — | 4th | — | ||
Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver | 1st | — | 1st | — | ||
St. Dennis Silver | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | ||
Swindon Town | 3rd | — | 3rd | — |
Adjudicator: H. S. Venn
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Swindon G. W. R. S. & E. Union | 1st | — | ||
Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver | 2nd | — |
Adjudicator William Halliwell was clearly not impressed with Camborne Town’s performance of Nabucco in 1930 when he placed it fourth behind St Dennis Silver, Stenalees Silver and Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver. Greensplat Silver (C H Baker) and Swindon G.W.R. S. & E. Union also completed in the section.
1931
15th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
15th August 1931
Adjudicator: George Hawkins
President: Mrs T R Parnell
Chairman: Captain Claude Thomas (1931-1936)
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection Mendelssohn’s Works (arranged W. Rimmer)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 2nd | — | |
Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver | T. G. Moore | 3rd | — | |
Penzance Independent/Silver | J. Probert | 4th | — | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Barker | 1st | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | A. Bray | St. Dennis |
Soprano | O. Kent | St. Dennis |
Euphonium | G. Bennetts | St. Dennis |
Trombone | P. Knight | St. Dennis |
Best Player | P. Knight | St. Dennis |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection The Barber of Seville (Rossini)
Test Piece: Hymn Tune Deep Harmony (Handel / Parker)
Hymn | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Carharrack & St Day | C. H. Barker | — | — | — | — | |
Falmouth Town Silver | T. J. Chainey | — | — | 6th | — | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. L. Knight | — | — | 7th | — | |
Newquay Town | W. E. Moyle | — | — | 5th | — | |
Penwithick Silver | W. Adamson | 3rd | — | 3rd | — | |
St. Blazey and District | G. Bailey | 2nd | — | 1st | — | |
St. Ives Town | J. Tanner | — | — | 2nd | — | |
St. Newlyn East | A. W. Parker | — | — | — | — | |
Truro | G. W. Cave | 1st | — | 4th | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | W. Bailey | St. Blazey and District |
Trombone | J. Clift | Truro |
Soprano | P. Sweet | St. Blazey and District |
Euphonium | M. Kent | St. Newlyn East |
Best Player | M. Kent | St. Newlyn East |
St Newlyn East Silver Band
Winners of the Hawkes Challenge Shield 1919 and 1930
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: Chorus ‘We never will bow down’ Judas Maccabeus (Handel)
Test Piece: Grand March The Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (Wagner)
March | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | ||
Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver | 3rd | — | 3rd | — | ||
Penzance Independent/Silver | 4th | — | 4th | — | ||
St. Dennis Silver | 1st | — | 1st | — |
Adjudicator: J H Kitchenside
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver | 1st | — | ||
St. Blazey and District | 2nd | — | ||
Truro | 3rd | — |
Another day of bad weather in 1931 was a severe blow to the organisers who were desperate to see some change in fortune. Camborne too had its disappointment and had to be satisfied with second place to St Dennis who now seemed invincible.
A loud-speaker system first used to help in announcing the results. (2000 Contest programme)
1932
16th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
20th August 1932
Adjudicator: Herbert Bennett
President: A Browning Lyne
Chairman: Captain C Thomas
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection Donizetti
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 2nd | 100pts | |
Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver | F. Wade | 3rd | 87pts | |
Penzance Independent/Silver | J. Probert | 4th | 85pts | |
St. Blazey and District | E. F. Woodhead | 5th | 82pts | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Baker | 1st | 103pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Horn | F. Halford | St. Dennis |
Trombone | J. Gillis | Penzance Independent/Silver |
Cornet | W. H. Juleff | St. Dennis |
Euphonium | G. Bennetts | St. Dennis |
Soprano | O. Kent | St. Dennis |
Best Player | L Brown (Flugel) | Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection Maritana (Wallace)
Test Piece: Hymn Tune Lavinia (Handel Parker)
Hymn | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Junior | J. Eustace | — | — | 6th | — | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. Knight | 3rd | — | 2nd | 76pts | |
Newquay Town | W. E. Moyle | — | — | 4th | 73pts | |
St. Austell Town | E. F. Woodhead | — | — | 5th | 71pts | |
St. Erth Silver | N. Trudgeon | — | — | — | — | |
St. Newlyn East | A. W. Parker | 1st | — | 3rd | 75pts | |
Truro | G. W. Cave | 2nd | — | 1st | 79pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | G. W. Cave | Truro |
Euphonium | J. Gallard | Indian Queens |
Soprano | G. Chinn | Camborne Junior |
Baritone | A. S. Husband | St. Austell Town |
Trombone | M. Brewer (Trombone) | Indian Queens |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: Chorus ‘Worthy is the Lamb’ Messiah (Handel
Test Piece: Processional March Welcome (Salve) (Julian Sherwood arranged Ord Hume
March | Test Piece | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | 3rd | 93pts | 3rd | 94pts | ||
Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver | 2nd | 100pts | 2nd | 98pts | ||
Penzance Independent/Silver | 4th | 92pts | 4th | 90pts | ||
St. Dennis Silver | 1st | 102pts | 1st | 103pts |
Adjudicator: J H Kitchenside
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | 1st | — | ||
Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver | 2nd | — | ||
Camborne Junior | 3rd | — |
Park & Dare Workmen’s Silver was becoming regular attendees but it was St Dennis, Playing of Donizetti, that pushed Camborne into second place again in 1932. I’m sure it was little consolation to the players as they took first place in the deportment section. The other two bands in the top section were Penzance Independent and St Blazey & District.
“Bugle Band Contest. The amateur championship of the West England was won for the fifth consecutive year by St Dennis Silver Band (Mr C H Baker), who thus retained the Prince of Wales’s Cup and the Cornish Ladies’ Silver Cup. Runners up were Camborne…” (25 August 1932 – Cornishman)
“Queens Silver, 90. Truro City was adjudged have the best cornet player. Indian Queens the best euphonium and trombone. Camborne Junior Band the best soprano and St Austell the best baritone. Indian Queens trombone player was considered the best in the class…” (22 August 1932 – Western Morning News)
“Owing to the depression in the Mining Division for several years, many changes have had to be made in the Camborne Town Band owing to men being unable to hold their jobs, and at the present time we have one of the youngest bands in the history of the town; …” (Cornishman 1st September 1932)
1933
West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Not held due to financial reasons
The event had recorded a loss for three years in a row and we can only guess the mood in the committee room. Things were so desperate that the contest committee accepted that there was little prospect of a successful event being run in 1933 and, with great reluctance, the contest was suspended.
1934
17th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
21st July 1934
Adjudicator: Frank Wright
President: James D Haworth
Chairman: Captain C Thomas
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
Kingsbridge Band 1934
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection Der Freischutz (Weber)
Test Piece: Largo (Handel)
Test Piece | Largo | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 3rd | — | 2nd | — | |
Falmouth Town | T. G. Moore | 5th | — | 4th | — | |
Munn & Felton’s Works | W. Halliwell | 2nd | — | 3rd | — | |
Penzance Independent/Silver | T. Proctor | 4th | — | 5th | — | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Baker | 1st | — | 1st | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | M. Bunt | St. Dennis |
Flugel | P. Molten | Penzance Independent/Silver |
Euphonium | B. Sullivan | Munn & Felton’s Works |
Trombone | M. Brewer | St. Dennis Silver |
Best Player | B. Sullivan | Munn & Felton’s Works |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: A Souvenir of Shakespeare (W. Rimmer)
Test Piece: Hymn Tune Denton Park (Handel Parker)
Test Piece | Hymn | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Foxhole Silver | A. G. Richards | 3rd | — | — | — | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. Knight | 4th | — | 5th | — | |
Kingsbridge Silver/Town | W. G. Jerwood | — | — | — | — | |
Newquay Town | W. E. Moyle | 1st | — | 2nd | — | |
Redruth Town | C. H. Baker | 5th | — | 3rd | — | |
St. Agnes Town | G. W. Cave | — | — | — | — | |
St. Blazey and District | E. F. Woodhead | 7th | — | — | — | |
St. Issey/Silver | F. Knight | — | — | — | — | |
St. Just Silver | A. W. Parker | — | — | 4th | — | |
St. Pinnock | M. Kessell | 6th | — | 5th | — | |
Vancouver Kitsilano Boys | A. W. Delamont | 2nd | — | 1st | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | W. Bailey | St. Blazey and District |
Trombone | F. Niles | Newquay Town |
Best Player | C. Bragg (Bass Trombone) | Foxhole Silver |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: March Dauntless (W. Rimmer)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
St. Agnes Town | 3rd | — | ||
St. Issey/Silver | 4th | — | ||
St. Just Silver | 1st | — | ||
St. Pinnock | 2nd | — |
Adjudicator: J. H. Kitchenside
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Vancouver Kitsilano Boys | 1st | — | ||
Camborne Town | 2nd | — | ||
Munn & Felton’s Works | 3rd |
With great courage, and a touch of optimism, the organisers resurrected the contest in 1934 and moved it to July. Either by luck or a good deal of persuasion they were rewarded with an appearance by the famous Munn & Feltons Band and the Kitsilano Boys Band from Vancouver, which must have boosted the number of spectators. Although under threat since then, the festival has never again been suspended for reasons of funding.
Despite the presence of Munn & Feltons, the top prizes stayed in Cornwall as St Dennis took two firsts. Like Munn & Feltons, Camborne received a second and a third. This year saw an important change when the bands where required to sit for their performance rather than stand in a circle around the conductor. It seems that two bands in a Welsh contest resisted this innovation and chose to continue standing but I’m sure this wouldn’t happen in Cornwall! Other changes in this year were the removal of the Open Class, top section bands playing two test pieces and the Royal Trophy being declared open to any band in the country.
“Class B. the Vancouver Boys’ Band —with the average ago its members only 17—was the principal winner with Newquay Town Band. …” (23 July 1934 – Western Morning News)
From the Musical Progress and Mail August 1934 No. 11 Vol. IV
“For eleventh time, St. Dennis Silver Band secured the festival championship Bugle contest on Saturday. The band has received two sets of medals presented by the Prince of Wales, …” (26 July 1934 – Cornishman)
(The West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser 6th July 1934 by courtesy of Newquay Museum)
1935
18th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
20th July 1935
Adjudicator: G H Mercer
President: Commander Charles E Lambe
Chairman: Captain C Thomas
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
Munn & Felton’s Works Band on the Stand (Photo: from the GUS Archives and kindly provided by James Screaton)
The Festival Secretary, Mr F J P Richards, holding the Royal Trophy which was won by Munn & Felton’s Works Band (Photo: from the GUS Archives and kindly provided by James Screaton)
Munn and Felton’s win the Royal Trophy
The 18th annual West of England band festival was held at Bugle on Saturday 20th of July.
After a lapse of this event some two years ago, owing to bad trade in the clay district, the festival is well to the fore again, and it was most encouraging to Mr F J P Richards, honorary secretary, and his committee to see such a large crowd in attendance.
Thirteen bands took part in three classes, judged by Mr George H Mercer and there was also a class for dress and deportment, judged by Lieutenant J H Kitchenside.
As was anticipated in most quarters, the Royal Trophy left Cornwall for the second time in 18 years. This should encourage other Northern, Midland, London and Welsh bands to visit Bugle next year. St Denis and Camborne Bands made a good fight of it but Munn and Felton’s gave a magnificent performance under Mr Halliwell and undeserved premier honours.
(Newspaper cutting from the GUS Archives and kindly provided by James Screaton)
Bandsmen’s Cup Leaves County
Thousands Attend Bugle Festival
When, in a small fleet of private motor cars, the band of Munn and Felton’s Works today return to Kettering, Northamptonshire, they will take with them the championship trophy and other coveted awards of the West of England bandsman’s festival which was held at Bugle on Saturday.
The talented band of factory workers on a four days tour specially organised to include the festival, carried everything before them. They beat the renowned prizewinning St Dennis Silver Band, took the two first prizes in the open champions section, and secured four of the five prizes for individual performances.
The championship award, the silver Challenge Cup presented by the Duke of Cornwall, patron of the festival, is now out of the county for the second time in the history of the festival: the other occasion was when it was one by Kingswood Evangel, Bristol.
The silver Challenge Cup is the first Royal Trophy ever competed for at a band contest in the British Empire. Last year, when St Dennis ran out champions, Munn and Felton’s works band was placed second for the grand selection and 3rd for the other piece but this year, it was obvious that they had greatly improved. They mounted the platform confident and determined to do their best and they put every bit of their skill into their performances. As they played, the thousands of spectators sat motionless, eyes fixed on the smartly clad bandsman, ears alert to catch every note. When they finished the crowd clapped appraisingly, and St Dennis mounted the platform resolved to make every attempt to beat what they knew to be excellent renderings. But the task was too difficult, they had to forfeit the coveted trophy, but they did so with no jealous pangs, for they realised they had encountered Craftsman who were just superior.
(Newspaper cutting from the GUS Archives and kindly provided by James Screaton)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection (Haydn, arranged W. Rimmer)
Test Piece: Introduction and March from William Tell (Rossini, arranged J. Brier)
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 3rd | 88pts | 3rd | 70pts | |
Munn & Felton’s Works | W. Halliwell | 1st | 95pts | 1st | 93pts | |
Newquay Town | W. E. Moyle | 4th | 78pts | 4th | 65pts | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Baker | 2nd | 92pts | 2nd | 88pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | M. Docherty | Munn & Felton’s Works |
Euphonium | B. Sullivan | Munn & Felton’s Works |
Trombone | B. Byers | Munn & Felton’s Works |
Soprano | T Rule | Camborne |
Best Player | B. Sullivan | Munn & Felton’s Works |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: National Selection Gems of Old England (W. Rimmer)
Test Piece: Sunset (Hande Parker)
Test Piece | Hymn | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Junior | F. J. Bawden | 5th | — | — | — | |
Foxhole Silver | C. H. Barker | 8th | — | — | — | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. Knight | 6th | — | 3rd | — | |
Redruth Town | A. G. Richards | 2nd | — | 1st | — | |
St. Austell Town | E. F. Woodhead | 1st | — | 2nd | — | |
St. Blazey and District | G. Bailey | 3rd | — | — | — | |
St. Stythians Silver | T. Hubbard | 7th | — | — | — | |
Sticker Silver | C. H. Baker | 8th | — | — | — | |
Truro | G. W. Cave | 4th | — | 4th | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | G. Keast | St. Austell Town |
Trombone | S. Husband | St. Austell Town |
Euphonium | C. Freeman | St. Austell Town |
Best Player | S. Coombe (Soprano) | Redruth Town |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: March The Premier (S. Cope)
Hymn/March | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Camborne Junior | 2nd | — | ||
St. Stythians Silver | 1st | — | ||
Sticker Silver | 3rd | — |
Adjudicator: J. H. Kitchenside
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
St. Stythians Silver | 1st | — | ||
Munn & Felton’s Works | 2nd | — |
Munn & Feltons returned in 1935 to sweep the board and halt the run of St Dennis which had compiled six consecutive wins. With two third places, it was not the best set of results for Camborne but Telfer Rule (soprano) did win a special award.
Competing against nine senior bands in Class B, Camborne Junior Band took fifth place playing the test piece Gems of Old England by William Rimmer and the hymn tune Sunset by Handel. Johnnie Bawden was conducting and in Class C and, playing the march The Premier by S Cope, it received second prize behind
St Stythians. This class had ceased to be an Open Section and was for Third Section bands. Johnnie Bawden, who was a grandfather of singer Ben Luxon, played cornet in the Senior Band and helped tutor many young players including John Berryman, Fred Waters and Treve Jory.
The loudspeaker system was not available and the Bodmin Town Crier was used to announce the results. (2000 Contest programme)
1936
19th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
18th July 1936
Adjudicator: Charles Ward
President: James D Haworth
Chairman: Captain T B Leigh (1936-1963)
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
“Marching to Victory [1936] – Camborne Town Band walking in the rain through the streets of Bugle on Saturday to the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival where they swept the board. They won among other prizes the Prince of Wales Championship Cup.” (Photo: newspaper / Sandy, Truro)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Selection Roberto II Diavolo (Meyerbeer)
Test Piece: War March of the Priests from Athalie (Mendelssohn)
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 1st | 97pts | 1st | 90pts | |
Hanwell | J. C. Dyson | 3rd | 89pts | 3rd | 77pts | |
Munn & Felton’s Works | W. Halliwell | 2nd | 96pts | 2nd | 87pts | |
St. Austell Town | E. F. Woodhead | 5th | 80pts | 4th | 68pts | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Baker | 4th | 83pts | 5th | 64pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | G. Nicholls | Camborne Town |
Euphonium | H. Gilbert | Camborne Town |
Trombone | J. Berryman | Camborne Town |
Horn | E. Floyd | Camborne Town |
Best Player | H. Gilbert | Camborne Town |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection Recollections of Bellini (W. Rimmer)
Test Piece: Choral Prelude Deep Harmony (Denis Wright)
Test Piece | Prelude | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Delabole Ex-Servicemen’s | L. R. Prout | 6th | 69pts | 5th | 72pts | |
Falmouth Town | T. G. Moore | 1st | 97pts | 4th | 74pts | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. Knight | 3rd | 86pts | 2nd | 94pts | |
Redruth Town | A. G. Richards | 2nd | 90pts | 3rd | 92pts | |
St. Blazey and District | G. Bailey | 4th | 74pts | 1st | 98pts | |
St. Keverne | Beth David | 7th | — | 7th | — | |
St. Stythians Silver | T. Hubbard | 5th | 72pts | 6th | 70pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | S. Morris | Falmouth Town |
Trombone | P. Knight | Indian Queens |
Euphonium | S. Groves | Falmouth |
Best Player | R. Hosking (Soprano) | Falmouth |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: Andante in G (Batiste)
Test Piece | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Delabole Ex-Servicemen’s | 2nd | — | ||
St. Keverne | 3rd | — | ||
St. Stythians Silver | 1st | — |
Adjudicator: J H Kitchenside
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
St. Stythians Silver | 1st | — | ||
Munn & Felton’s Works | 2nd |
The weather in 1936 was described as “truly atrocious” but this did not stop the proceedings nor did it stop Camborne Town. The mighty Munn & Felton’s Works Band (W Halliwell) was again competing but this was to be Camborne’s year when they pushed that famous band back into second place in both the selection, Roberto Il Diavolo by Meyerbeer, and War March of the Priests from Athalie by Mendelssohn.
The headline in the Western Morning News read:
Camborne Band Triumph
Premier Honours in Bugle Festival
Defeat Champions of World
1936 – A triumphant year for Camborne Town Band
The contest programme of 1986 reflects, “Considerable interest was created by the appearance of the then current National Champions, Munn and Felton’s Works Band (W Halliwell), but the day was to belong to Camborne. Under the baton of A W Parker they achieved a remarkable victory over their illustrious opponents, winning both the Selection and the March to take the Royal Trophy. Camborne also swept the board in the Specials Awards with G Nicholls (cornet), H Gilbert (euphonium and best-player in section), J Berryman (trombone) and E Floyd (horn).”
The weather had scuppered any thoughts of an improving financial situation and the fear of closure hung in the air once again but responding to the seriousness of the situation, some bands gave concerts and donated the proceeds to Festival funds and this action staved off the immediate danger allowing the committee to plan for the future.
“Camborne Town Band had a tremendous reception when they returned Saturday evening from their sweeping success at Bugle- They left their bus at Centenary square, and marched at the head of a big procession,…” (23 July 1936 – Cornishman)
1937
20th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
17th July 1937
Adjudicator: Harold Moss
President: James D Haworth
Chairman: Captain T B Leigh
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
Year unknown – West of England Bandsmen’s Festival / Bugle Contest (Photo: courtesy CCHS)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection Wagner’s Works (Wagner)
Test Piece: March Pomp and Circumstance No. I in D (Sir Edward Elgar)
|
Test Piece | March | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Black Dyke Mills | W. Halliwell | 1st | 94pts | 2nd | 46pts | |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 2nd | 90pts | 1st | 47pts | |
Falmouth Town | T. G. Moore | 3rd | 89pts | 4th | 41pts | |
St. Austell Town | E. F. Woodhead | 4th | 87pts | 3rd | 42pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | H. Jackson | Black Dyke Mills |
Euphonium | R. Jones | Black Dyke Mills |
Trombone | H. Robinson | Black Dyke Mills |
Soprano | B. Burns | Black Dyke Mills |
Best Player | R. Jones | Black Dyke Mills |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Patriotic Selection Songs of England (H. Round)
Test Piece: March Conqueror (J. Moorhouse)
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Indian Queens Silver | F. Knight | 6th | 83pts | 2nd | 44pts | |
Newquay Town | W. E. Moyle | 1st | 90pts | 3rd | 39pts | |
Penzance Independent/Silver | W. Prowse | 4th | 85pts | 4th | 36pts | |
Redruth Town | A. G. Richards | 2nd | 88pts | 1st | 46pts | |
St. Blazey and District | G. Bailey | 3rd | 86pts | — | — | |
St. Keverne Silver | Beth David | — | — | — | — | |
St. Stythians Silver | T. Hubbard | 5th | 84pts | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | W. Bailey | St. Blazey and District |
Trombone | H. E. Wills | Newquay Town |
Euphonium | W. Prowse | Penzance |
Best Player | W. Bailey | St. Blazey and District |
Adjudicator: E. Vercoe
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
St. Stythians Silver | 1st | — | ||
Black Dyke Mills | 2nd |
Once again there was to be a huge bonus by the appearance of a top named band in 1937 as W Halliwell brought the mighty Black Dyke Mills Band to Cornwall. They shared the spoils of a first and a second with Camborne Town as they played Wagner’s Works and Pomp and Circumstance No 1 but Dyke won overall and the Royal Trophy was taken out of Cornwall for only the third occasion. Report: (22 July 1937 – Cornishman)
1938
21st West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
16th July 1938
Adjudicator: James Brier
President: James D Haworth
Chairman: Captain T B Leigh
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection Spohr (arranged H. Round)
Test Piece: ‘O Father Whose Almighty Power’, ‘And Grant A Leader Bold’ from Judas
Test Piece: Maccabaeus (Handel, arranged J. Brier)
Test Pieces | Chorus | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 3rd | 89pts | 3rd | 76pts | |
Falmouth Town | T. G. Moore | 1st | 94pts | 1st | 86pts | |
Hanwell Silver | J. C. Dyson | 4th | 68pts | 4th | 75pts | |
Newquay Town | W. E. Moyle | 6th | 63pts | — | — | |
St. Austell Town | E. F. Woodhead | 5th | 65pts | — | — | |
St. Dennis | C. H. Baker | 2nd | 90pts | 2nd | 77pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | M. Bunt | St. Dennis |
Euphonium | H. Groves | Falmouth Town |
Trombone | J. Clift | Falmouth Town |
Baritone | J. Martin | Falmouth Town |
Best Player | O Kent (Soprano) | St. Dennis |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Operatic Selection Recollections of Balfe (arranged W. Rimmer)
Test Piece: March The Middy (Kenneth J. Alford)
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Indian Queens Silver | F. Knight | 1st | 92pts | 1st | 92pts | |
Penzance Independent/Silver | J. Andrew | 7th | 65pts | 4th | 80pts | |
Redruth Town | A. G. Richards | 2nd | 90pts | 3rd | 85pts | |
Stenalees Silver | L Davies | 4th | 75pts | 2nd | 90pts | |
St. Blazey and District | G. Bailey | 6th | 73pts | 5th | 75pts | |
St. Keverne Silver | Beth David | 5th | 74pts | 6th | 72pts | |
St. Stythians Silver | T. Hubbard | 3rd | 76pts | — | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | H. Nancarrow | Indian Queens |
Trombone | P. Knight | Indian Queens |
Baritone | F. Bawden | Redruth Town |
Euphonium | L. Rosevear | St. Stythians Silver |
Best Player | P. J. Sweet (Soprano) | St. Blazey and District |
Adjudicator: E Varcoe
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Hanwell | 1st | — | ||
St. Stythians Silver | 2nd |
Hanwell Silver (J C Dyson) took part in 1938 but it was a local band that was beginning to have some impact on Camborne and St Dennis; Falmouth Town (T G Moore) took two first places and the Royal Trophy. They had been successful in other local contests so the result was not a complete surprise. St Austell and Newquay (W E Moyle) made up the complement of six Class “A” bands.
1938: “Triumph for Falmouth. Sir Edward Nicholl (a vice-president of the festival), which carries with it the championship of Cornwall… [Class B] went to Indian Queens Silver Band, the bandmaster (Mr F Knight) receiving a medal presented by the National Brass Band Club.” (18 July 1938 – Western Morning News)
1938: “Falmouth Band wins. Over 3,000 people were present at Bugle Band Contest on Saturday to hear music from sixteen bands. It was one of the most successful festivals that have been staged since Mr T P Richards, the present secretary, …” (21 July 1938 – Cornishman)
1939
22nd West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
15th July 1939
Adjudicator: Frank Wright
President: James D Haworth
Chairman: Captain T B Leigh
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: E H Richards & S Pascoe
Camborne Town Band 1939 (probably) at Bugle Contest
Camborne Town Band sweeps the board in 1939 but the rain came down
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Grand Selection L’Etoile du Nord (Meyerbeer)
Test Piece: Chorus By Babylon’s Wave (Gounod)
Test Piece | Chorus | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 1st | — | 1st | — | |
Falmouth Town | T. G. Moore | 3rd | — | 2nd | — | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. L. Knight | 4th | — | — | — | |
Melingriffith | T. J. Powell | 6th | — | — | — | |
Redruth Town | A. G. Richards | 5th | — | 4th | — | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Baker | 2nd | — | 3rd | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Cornet | J. Trounce | Camborne Town |
Euphonium | G. Bennetts | St. Dennis |
Trombone | J. Berryman | Camborne Town |
Best Player | G. Halford (Tenor Horn) | St. Dennis |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Operatic Selection Recollections of Weber (arranged J. A. Greenwood)
Test Piece: March The Black Diamond (J. Whittle)
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Bodmin Town | W. T. Lobb | 4th | — | — | — | |
Gweek Silver | T. J. Chainey | 2nd | — | 2nd | — | |
Stenalees Silver | C. H. Baker | 1st | — | 1st | — | |
St. Blazey and District | G. Bailey | 5th | — | — | — | |
St. Issey/Silver | W. Hill | 7th | — | — | — | |
St. Keverne Silver | E. France | 6th | — | — | — | |
St. Stythians Silver | T. Hubbard | 3rd | — | 3rd | — |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: Hymn Tune Almsgiving (J. B. Dykes)
Hymn | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Bodmin Town | — | — | ||
Gweek Silver | 1st | — | ||
St. Issey/Silver | — | — | ||
St. Keverne Silver | 2nd | — |
Adjudicator: E Vercoe
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Melingriffith | 1st | — | ||
Indian Queens Silver | 2nd | — |
Despite heavy thunderstorms and lightning in 1939 the rain stayed away – more or less – and Camborne Town made the best of the conditions to move back on top again. Mellingriffith (T J Powell) made the long trip down to Cornwall and Indian Queens (F L Knight), having won Class “B” the previous year, moved up to compete with the big boys. The test pieces were L’Etoile du Nord by Meyerbeer and the chorus By Babylon’s Wave by Gounod. Camborne Town’s Jack Trounce (cornet) and Jack Berryman (trombone) received special awards.
1939: “The two first prizes in Class B went to Stenalees Silver Band, who last year occupied the fourth and second positions respectively for the selection and march. …” (20 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1939: “…to compete in class A, in accordance with the rules. On Saturday the band [Stenalees Silver Band] was conducted by Mr C H Baker, bandmaster of St Dennis Band, who had trained them for the contest, and they were heartily congratulated on their success. …” (20 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1939: “…victory came somewhat as a surprise, though it was generally agreed that their renderings were of a very high standard. St Dennis Band, who had won the championship eleven times, had to be content with second place in the selection and with third position…” (20 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1939: “…cornet soloist and also for the best player in the section went to Mr W Bailey, son of the veteran conductor of St Blazey and District Band, while Messrs. R Stephens and R Gilbert (both Stenalees Band) secured the trombone and euphonium specials. …” (20 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1939: “… of excellence of their rivals. For their rendering of the chorus they were unplaced. The slight success attained by Redruth Town Band, who for the first time for many years were competing in the top section, was a great disappointment to their supporters…” (20 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1940 to 1946
West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Suspended during the Second World War
1947
23rd West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
19th July 1947
Adjudicator: Frank Wright
President: A E Old
Chairman: Captain T B Leigh
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: S J Pascoe
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Symphonic Poem Les Preludes (Liszt)
Test Piece: Chorus Hymn to Music (Dudley Buck)
Test Piece | Chorus | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 1st | 190pts | 1st | 184pts | |
Falmouth Town | A. G. Richards | 3rd | 175pts | 2nd | 180pts | |
St. Austell Town | C. H. Baker | 2nd | 181pts | 3rd | 178pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Best Player | T. Rule (Soprano) | Camborne Town |
Next in order of merit | M. Bunt (Cornet) | St. Dennis |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection Recollections of Mendelssohn (arranged J. A. Greenwood)
Test Piece: Grand March Triumphant Whitehall (Frank Wright)
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Bodmin Town | W. T. Lobb | 7th | 154pts | — | — | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. L. Knight | 3rd | 163pts | 3rd | 154pts | |
Redruth Town | A. S. Grant | 1st | 172pts | — | — | |
Stenalees Silver | C. H. Baker | 5th | 157pts | 2nd | 157pts | |
St. Newlyn Silver | G. W. Cave | 2nd | 168pts | 1st | 163pts | |
St. Stythians Silver | T. Hubbard | 6th | 156pts | — | — | |
Topsham Local | C. J. Bedwell | 8th | 151pts | — | — | |
Truro | W. E. Cuttance | 4th | 161pts | 4th | 150pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Best Player | H. Knight (Trombone) | Indian Queens |
Adjudicator: E Vercoe
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Indian Queens | 1st | — | ||
Falmouth | 2nd |
After a break of seven years, the next contest was held in 1947 but it was clear that the conflict had taken its toll with many bands still re-forming and, sadly, many missing bandsmen. There were only two sections and Camborne Town was in top form in Class “A” with their renditions of Les Preludes and Hymn to Music. Telfer Rule (soprano) won the best player in section award. Falmouth Town was conducted by A G Richards and took a second and third place, as did St Austell. This was the first year of the Camborne’s back-to-back hat-trick of wins. To end the 1947 Festival the adjudicator, Frank Wright, conducted massed bands playing Abide With Me in memory of the bandsmen who had died in the war.
1947: “Camborne wins. Over 6,000 people were present. St Austell and Falmouth Town Bands were second and third respectively. Redruth Town Band, under its new conductor, Mr A S Grant, won the second section. The prize for the beat soloist went to Mr T Rule…” (21 July 1947 – Western Morning News)
1947: “Camborne Town Band wins championship and trophy. … Competing against nine bands, the recently re- formed Redruth Silver Band (Mr A S Grant) won the second section. …” (24 July 1947 – Cornishman)
1947: “…Trophy in the West of England bandsmen’s festival at Bugle on Saturday. Over 6,000 people were present. St Austell and Falmouth Town Bands were second and third respectively. Redruth Town Band, under its new conductor, Mr A S Grant, won the second section …” (17 July 1947 – Cornishman)
1948
24th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
17th July 1948
Adjudicator: George Hawkins
President: A E Old
Chairman: Captain T B Leigh
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: S J Pascoe
A band heads for the stage at Peniel (WEBF Centenary Book)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Themes from Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven, arranged Denis Wright)
Test Piece: Grand March Tannhauser (Wagner)
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 1st | — | 1st | — | |
Falmouth Town | A. G. Richards | 4th | — | 4th | — | |
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | W. S. Smith | 3rd | — | 2nd | — | |
St. Dennis Silver | C. H. Baker | 2nd | — | 3rd | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Best Player | S. P. Roberts (Soprano) | Camborne |
Next in order of merit | S. Oliver (Euphonium) | Camborne |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection Recollections of Meyerbeer (arranged J. A. Greenwood)
Test Piece: Paraphrase ‘O God Our Help’ St. Annes (Croft)
Test Piece | Paraphrase | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Bodmin Town | W. T. Lobb | 6th | — | — | — | |
Mount Charles | A. S. Grant | 7th | — | — | — | |
Newquay Town | W. E. Moyle | 1st | — | — | — | |
Topsham Silver | R. W. Davison | 8th | — | — | — | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. L. Knight | 4th | — | 2nd | — | |
Stenalees Silver | C. H. Baker | 5th | — | 4th | — | |
St. Newlyn East | G. W. Cave | 2nd | — | 3rd | — | |
Truro | A. W. Parker | 3rd | — | 1st | — |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Best Player | P. Smith (Soprano) | Newquay Town |
Next in order of merit | R. Gilbert (Euphonium) | Stenalees |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: March Follow the Flag (Vincent Turner)
March | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Bodmin Town | 4th | — | ||
Mount Charles | 2nd | — | ||
Newquay Town | 1st | — | ||
Topsham Silver | 3rd | — |
Adjudicator: E Vercoe
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Falmouth | 1st | — | ||
Topsham Silver | 2nd |
“For the second successive year Camborne Town Band, conducted by Mr. A. W. Parker, won the championship and Royal trophy at the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival at Bugle on Saturday.” (22 July 1948 – Cornishman)
In 1948 it rained continuously throughout the day and the organisers, once again, cursed their luck. Camborne was placed first in both test pieces, S P Roberts (soprano) won the Class “A” best-player award and the next in order went to Stanley Oliver (euphonium).
“Camborne Champions…and Royal Trophy at the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival at Bugle on Saturday. The runners-up trophy was won by St. Dennis Silver Band, conducted by Mr. C. H. Baker. Camborne bandsmen won both soloist awards in the section. Mr. S. Roberts, soprano cornet …” (22 July 1948 – Cornishman)
1949
25th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
16th July 1949
Adjudicator: Harold Moss
President: A E Old
Chairman: Captain T B Leigh
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: S J Pascoe
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Symphonic Poem Coriolanus (Cyril Jenkins)
Test Piece: Grand Chorus ‘Worthy is the Lamb’ Messiah
Test Piece | Chorus | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 1st | 190pts | 1st | 192pts | |
Falmouth Town | A. G. Richards | 3rd | 180pts | 3rd | 186pts | |
Kingswood Evangel Silver mission | W. S. Smith | 2nd | 182pts | 2nd | 188pts | |
Newquay Town | W. E. Moyle | 6th | 167pts | 6th | 176pts | |
Redruth Silver | J. Volante | 5th | 172pts | 4th | 178pts | |
St. Dennis | C. H. Baker | 4th | 176pts | 5th | 177pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Best Player | S. P. Roberts (Soprano) | Camborne |
Next in order of merit | J. Trounce (Cornet) | Camborne |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection Recollections of Beethoven (arranged J. A. Greenwood)
Test Piece: Prelude Rachmaninoff, (arranged W. Rimmer)
Test Piece | Prelude | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Kingsbridge Silver/Town | G. W. Cave | 4th | 177pts | — | — | |
Mount Charles | A. S. Grant | 7th | 174pts | — | — | |
Stenalees Silver | H. Heyes | 1st | 190pts | — | — | |
St. Stythians Silver | E. Floyd | 3rd | 182pts | — | — | |
Wincanton Silver | J. B. Yorke | 6th | 175pts | — | — | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. L. Knight | 5th | 176pts | 2nd | 187pts | |
St. Newlyn East | R. Polmounter | 8th | 171pts | 3rd | 182pts | |
Truro | A. W. Parker | 2nd | 188pts | 1st | 192pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Best Player | A. Tucker (Cornet) | Stenalees |
Next in order of merit | J. Clift (Trombone) | Truro |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: March The Victor’s Return (W. Rimmer)
March | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Bodmin Town | — | — | ||
Kingsbridge Silver/Town | 3rd | 175pts | ||
Mount Charles | — | — | ||
St. Blazey and District | — | — | ||
Stenalees Silver | 1st | 180pts | ||
St. Stythians Silver | 2nd | 176pts | ||
Wincanton Silver | 4th | — |
Adjudicator: E Vercoe
Class: Deportment
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Kingsbridge Silver/Town | 1st | — | ||
Mount Charles | 2nd |
In 1949 there were thundery showers and the organisers must have wondered what they had done to deserve such bad luck. Camborne was flying high with emphatic wins for Coriolanus and the Grand Chorus over Kingswood Evangel Silver and Falmouth Town. S P Roberts (soprano) won the Class “A” best-player award for the second year in a row and the next in order went to Jack Trounce (cornet).
1950
26th West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (Bugle Contest)
Peniel
15th July 1950
Adjudicator: Tom F Atkinson
President: A E Old
Chairman: Captain T B Leigh
Secretary and Promoter: F J P Richards
Treasurer: W N Bennetts (1950-1963)
Class A / Championship Section
Test Piece: Coronation March from Le Prophete by Meyerbeer, (arranged Walter Reynolds)
Test Piece: Carmen (Bizet)
Test Piece | March | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Camborne Town | A. W. Parker | 1st | 190pts | 1st | 188pts | |
Newquay Town | W. E. Moyle | 2nd | 175pts | 2nd | 172pts | |
Redruth Silver | J. Volante | 3rd | 173pts | 3rd | 170pts | |
Stenalees Silver | H. Heyes | 4th | 169pts | 4th | 165pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Best Player | J. Trounce (Cornet) | Camborne |
Next in order of merit | S. P. Roberts (Soprano) | Camborne |
Next in order of merit | S. Oliver (Euphonium) | Camborne |
Class B / First Section
Test Piece: Selection Songs of Wales (arranged J. A. Greenwood)
Test Piece: Chorus Comrades in Arms (A. Adam)
Test Piece | Prelude | |||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks | Place | Marks |
Bodmin Town | W. T. Lobb | 5th | 169pts | — | — | |
Foxhole Silver | C. H. Baker | — | — | — | — | |
Lostwithiel Town | W. Stephens | — | — | — | — | |
Porthleven Town | T. Rule | 3rd | 172pts | — | — | |
St. Just Silver | A. G. Richards | 2nd | 173pts | — | — | |
Sidmouth Town | R. W. Davison | 8th | 166pts | — | — | |
Indian Queens Silver | F. L. Knight | 6th | 168pts | 4th | 77pts | |
Kingsbridge Silver/Town | G. W. Cave | 7th | 167pts | 3rd | 81pts | |
Mount Charles | T. Hubbard | 4th | 171pts | 1st | 87pts | |
St. Stythians Silver | E. Floyd | — | — | — | — | |
Truro | A. W. Parker | 1st | 191pts | 2nd | 86pts |
Special Awards
Award | Name | Band |
Best Player | F. Braund (Cornet) | Truro |
Next in order of merit | G. Trevarton (Euphonium) | Truro |
Next in order of merit | J. Clift (Trombone) | Truro |
Class C / Second Section
Test Piece: March Paramount (J. A. Greenwood)
March | ||||
Band | Conductor | Test Piece (if choice) | Place | Marks |
Bodmin Town | — | — | ||
Foxhole Silver | 3rd | 80pts | ||
Lostwithiel Town | — | — | ||
Porthleven Town | 4th | 77pts | ||
St. Just Silver | 1st | 84pts | ||
Sidmouth Town | 2nd | 82pts |
Deportment Class
Adjudicator Capt. E. Vercoe, O.B.E.
Not Held – Adverse Weather
In 1950 there was continuous heavy rain, high winds and a contest venue that was little more than a muddy field. Camborne’s playing of Carmen and Le Prophete gave them the win by a huge margin over Newquay Town (W E Moyle), Redruth Silver (J Volante) and Stenalees (H Heyes). The best-player award in Class “A” went to Jack Trounce (cornet) and the next in order to S P Roberts (soprano) and Stanley Oliver (euphonium).
1950: “…the rain which swept the bandstand. In the senior section A, were four bands: Camborne (conductor Mr A W Parker), Redruth Silver Band (Mr J Volante), Newquay (Mr W E Moyle), and Stenalees Silver (Mr A Heyes). Test pieces were Carmen (Bizet)…” (13 July 1950 – Cornishman)
Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)