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Callington Town Band |
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The Fire!
When fire broke out at the
Callington Heritage Centre in the early hours of Sunday,
March 4th, 2007,
it not only damaged many exhibits
there but also spread to the part of the building
used by the Town Band.
Fire crews from Callington,
Liskeard and Saltash attended the fire which blazed for
several hours and destroyed
the major part of the roof of
this recently restored building.
As soon as it was safe to do so
the firemen helped Band members remove instruments,
boxes of music,
uniforms and music stands all
of which were water-damaged and covered in ash. These
were transported to
Callington Methodist Church where
they stayed until the Insurance Assessor had viewed the
damage and
where the band rehearsed for a
few weeks while they looked for more 'permanent'
temporary accommodation.
Band chairman, Cliff McKane, and
Musical Director, Paul Boase, were full of praise for
those members and
friends who turned out in
appalling weather to help salvage the
band property. They were particularly appreciative
of the splendid effort of the
firemen and also thanked the Methodist Church for coming
so promptly to their aid by
offering safe storage for
the Band's property.
The Band eventually found
temporary accommodation at Kelly Bray WI Hall where they
were able to store their
instruments and hold their weekly
rehearsals until, on November 16th, just eight months
after the fire, they were able
to move back into a beautifully
refurbished building. The Band played at the official
re-opening of the Heritage Centre,
which took place on April 12th,
2008, with the Chief Fire Officer cutting the ribbon.
The Band
Today & Yesterday
(This page is developed from research by Shirley
Morse and Beryl McKane)
Callington Town Band was
in existence in the 1850s, as the extract from the
Cornish Times
of June the
18th 1859 shows (see
History below) and continued in some
form or other until it was disbanded in 1933. There then
followed a gap of sixty years until, in 1995, Mike Jacobs,
who was then Portreeve of Callington, began to consider the
possibility of re-forming it.
At the first meeting,
no-one who came along could play brass instruments! The
project was handed on to Tony Nettle, who celebrated his year as Portreeve by seeing the
new Town Band get off to a good start.
An encouraging attendance
at the inaugural meeting led to the Band beginning its new
life with thirteen musicians under the baton of
Maurice
Bennett and with music provided by a donation from the Town
Council.
The practices took place at the Community Support
Centre in the Pannier Market but, as the membership
increased, a new home had to be found and the Band now has
its own practice room adjoining the Town Museum, Liskeard
Road, where it meets each Thursday evening. Three of the original
musicians remain with the Band.
Callington
Town Band is currently under
the leadership of Musical Director
Paul Boase, ATCL |
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Paul had an early interest in
music & joined the Royal Marine Cadet Corps in
Plymouth where he learned to play the Bugle.
Progressing later to the Cornet, he continued
playing this instrument in the School Band. At
16 he auditioned for the Army and was successful
in being awarded a place with the Devon & Dorset
Regimental Band. Time was spent touring most of
Europe and England though in 1991 he had to pack
away his Cornet and go to the 1st
Gulf War for 6 Months.
On his return Paul was posted to
Germany. Shortly afterwards, the Army decided to
restructure all Military Bands, which gave Paul
the opportunity to transfer to the Oboe, an
instrument he had always loved. Returning to Kneller Hall he received tuition from Mr Bob
Cattermole, an excellent performer who played in
the Covent Garden Orchestra.
During this period Paul married
his wife Beverley. Shortly afterwards he was
posted to Ternhill, Shropshire, with The Prince
Of Wales Divisional Band.
Paul later auditioned for the Army Air
Corps Band (one of the leading Army
Orchestras) as Principal Oboe and was
successful, though due to ill health he had to
have 6 months rest from playing. Undeterred, he
recovered and entered for a Diploma, which he
achieved, being awarded an Associate Diploma
from the Trinity College London for Oboe
Performance. Paul travelled to many places
with the AAC Band and fondly recalls playing for
a Fashion Show in America (he did not win).
Paul left the Army in 2001 and
now lives in Callington, where he took up the Baton
for Callington Town Band. Paul is now Manager
for Miller Countrywide Estate Agents (our
Sponsors) in Callington.He continues to push the Band`s
limits, and to improve the Band, as has been
remarked at all events. Most of all, though, as he says
to the Band before every concert -
ENJOY
YOURSELVES!
Paul would welcome anyone of any
age or ability to the Band. Call in any
Thursday evening or e-mail PAUL here
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The Band also offers encouragement to
young or less experienced players by running a Training Band
which is conducted by
Lauren Rossiter
and is anticipating
forging close links with Callington Community College,
recently awarded 'Specialist Music College' status.
Throughout the year the
Band
plays at numerous fetes and is especially busy at Christmas
when it plays carols at various venues. Twice a year, in
March and October, the Callington Town Band presents its own concerts.
The
History of Callington Town Band
It is known that
Callington had an active Town Band in the 1850s which continued to play at events in the area throughout the
latter part of that century and the early part of the 20th
century. Mrs Beryl McKane is keen to compile a history of
the band and would welcome any information, photos,
newspaper cuttings, posters or personal recollections that
might help her. Please make initial contact by phoning Beryl
on
01579 382272.
To date, Beryl has the following information:
Callington Band
was
in existence in 1859 and led a procession at the
Philanthropic Society`s Festival. This cutting from the
Cornish Times is our oldest extant archive!
(Click to enlarge the picture) |
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In 1886 the Band
played at the opening of the first reservoir at Ashburton
Farm, Florence Road.
In July 1892 the Band provided
the music on a steamer trip from Calstock with the Cricket
Club.
In 1895 the Band led the Church
Parade of the Foresters, Oddfellows and Rechabites.
In 1902 they played when
Lord Compton unveiled a fountain in the wall of the Primary
School.
In 1911 they played at the
celebrations in the town to mark the Coronation of King
George the Fifth.
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In 1912 they played at the
opening of the New Market Hall and Fountain
(Click to
enlarge flyer)
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In 1913 they played
at Callington Cricket Club Annual Fete (conducted by Mr J
Taylor) and for Carnival Day and Bonfire Night.
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In 1914 they played
in the afternoon and evening at a Boy Scouts Grand
Fete at Haye, and a Band of Hope Fete at St Ive
(Click to enlarge cutting) |
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Also in 1914 the Band led
a Grand Rally and Procession during a Patriotic
Demonstration Day.
Nothing further is known
of the
Band during the
First World War....
...but we are proud to have this
photograph of
Band Member RFN William
John Smith
11148 1st Btn Kings Royal
Rifle Corps.
William John Smith was killed in action
14th Sept 1914 (at Mons?) aged 19.
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In 1921 the Band
played at the Callington Show, conducted by Mr G Buzza.
In 1923 the Band headed the
procession for the Town Fete and Show. They also appeared at
Pensilva Festival, a Picnic at Castleleigh, Callington
Hospital Fete, and the Cricket & Football Clubs` Sports Day,
conducted by Mr James Jago. Mr Jago conducted the Band until 1932, when he retired.
The players in the Band then
included:
Bert Maunder - comet Edward Blight - side drum
Harry Pollard - bass William Duance - big drum
Other known
pre-war members include Enoch Downs
(Clockmaker) who played Trombone, and Reg Stephens,
? Steer and
? Edwards.
Later
that year Mr Jago, who had run the markets in Callington for
50 years, died at the age of 83.
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A picture taken from George
Bishop's book 'A Parish Album of Callington'. It shows the
band leading a procession up into the Pannier Market on
Remembrance Day some time in the 1920's. Parts of the
Pannier Market were still open-fronted.
In 1927, 1928 and 1933 recorded events
include two Hospital Sunday Processions and Callington Fete &
Garden Show.
In 1933 at Metherell Sports Day, Mr H.
Buzza returned as Conductor.
In 1934 Callington Town Band appear to
have been disbanded, as the Hospital Procession was led by
Liskeard Silver Band!
More Archive
photographs.
(Click to enlarge any
image. Any information regarding dates or personnel would be
much appreciated.)
From 1934 onwards any
event held in Callington was attended by a visiting band,
either Liskeard, Landrake, Launceston, Wadebridge or
Torpoint. In 1949, when Launceston Band was playing in
Callington, Mr Jack Pomroy took the opportunity to ask them
if they would play a march that he had written and had been
arranged by Dr Dennis Wright This they did and it proved so
popular that they played it twice. It would be nice to think
that a copy of this music was still available for the
current Town Band to play.
Sincere thanks to Shirley and Beryl for the archive
material used above. IM
(Webmaster)
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