In 2010 Callington Town Band were delighted to welcome Michele Dotrice as the band`s new President, taking the place of her husband Edward Woodward, who died in 2009. Michele and Edward were married in 1987 and have a daughter, Emily Beth. 
Michele Dotrice is the daughter of distinguished theatrical parents, Roy and Kay Dotrice. Michele has had a long and varied career, beginning in 1961 when she appeared in 'The Treasure Seekers' on TV followed by Shakespeare's 'Henry the Fourth', up to the present day with a Miss Marple Mystery, 'The Mirror Cracked From Side to Side'.
Michele is, however, probably best remembered for her exquisite characterisation of Betty, the long-suffering wife of Michael Crawford in 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em.`

Our MD Bill Leith writes: I was born in Aberdeen in 1938. After taking trumpet lessons at school I joined the Boys` Brigade band. I remember playing at the parade to celebrate the coronation. I then played with the Territorial Army Band which made me decide to join the army on boys` service. So at 15 I joined the Gordon Highlanders band with the rank of band boy. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn music and play along with some wonderful musicians.
Participation in sport was high on the agenda, and as the band had recently returned from Malaya they were very keen on hockey. We did a lot of summer engagements, at least 6-8 weeks non-stop, mainly on the south coast bandstands. It was while playing at Bournemouth that I met Jan; whether it was the lure of the full highland dress or my looks that attracted her I dont know, but we were married in 1962.
By now my time with the Gordons was up and I decided to transfer to the Royal Artillery Mounted Band. The fact it was called the Mounted Band didn't mean much then, the only member who knew the front from the back of a horse was the Band Sergeant Major. I enjoyed my time in the Artillery, touring around playing mainly to units throughout the UK and Germany. When the band finally got posted to Germany, as we had family I decided to apply to join a band that was permanently posted in GB so enlisted in the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Band. It is not generally known, but the Sandhurst Band was a corps on its own and was the smallest corps in the Army. Fortunately, I enjoyed playing marches; we did that a lot, but all the members were like me, wanting to settle, having moved about with other bands. The result was that when we weren't playing marches, we enjoyed playing other sorts of music such as Bernstein's Candideoverture. I remember doing a broadcast on Radio 4 and the producer passed out a piece of music which we then played live on air. When we could get time away from the Academy, we did tours. For instance we played in the Seychelles when the new airport was opened by Princess Margaret. We also did a tour of Brazil.
Unfortunately, the government decided to get rid of the Sandhurst Band and I, having reached the rank of Staff Sergeant, was one of the first to leave. I had a year`s notice which gave me time to organize a building business which I ran until I retired and moved to Cornwall in 2002. I joined the Callington Band and was asked to fill the position of bandmaster after a few years. I had very little conducting experience but attended a South West Brass Band Assoc. course, which helped me a great deal. I took over as Musical Director at the end of 2009. I am enjoying the experience very much and look forward to a bright future with the Callington Town Band.

Primary School Visit

                                  In February 2010, members of the band helped at a workshop in Callington County Primary School. (Photos: Tony Graves)

                                                                                               Then they ALL played together!

Tesco - Every Little Helps!