 | Paul Boase, ATCL : MD 2001-2009
At 16 Paul became a cornet player with the Devon & Dorset Regimental Band. Shortly afterwards he had the opportunity to transfer to the oboe, an instrument he had always loved. After studying at Kneller Hall he transferred to The Prince of Wales Divisional Band.
Paul eventually became Principal Oboe with the distinguished Army Air Corps Band and later gained an Associate Diploma from the Trinity College London for Oboe Performance.
Paul left the Army in 2001 and moved to Callington, soon becoming MD of the revived Town Band. Among his `proudest moments` he lists the production of the CD, the refurbishment of the bandroom after the fire, and conducting the `massed bands` concert with 80 players on the stage of Callington School. Paul is now pursuing his orchestral interests, but will be remembered for his professional work in improving the band, and for his motto - still important to all of us - `Enjoy Yourselves!` |
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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,
of those who came along, only John Jenkins could play a brass instrument - and John is still our Principal Euphonium! 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. In 2001 the baton passed to Paul Boase, ATCL (see above). One of the original
musicians, John Jenkins (above R, awarded Honorary Membership in Nov. 2009) remains with the Band, but now plays Bass..
The Band also offers encouragement to
young or less experienced players by running a Training Band
which is conducted by
Lauren Rossiter-Thomas
and is anticipating
forging close links with Callington Community College,
recently awarded 'Specialist Music College' status.
The band continues to visit Primary Schools in the area to play and introduce brass instruments to the pupils. A close relationship
with Callington Primary School, where we hold an annual workshop, has encouraged several of their pupils to join the Training Band.
(See photos on our News and Photos page.)
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 expand this 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)
|
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.
|
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)
