Callington Town Band

Callington Town Band was in existence in the 1850's, as the extract from the Cornish Times of June the 18th 1859 shows [articles below, click on link], and continued in some form or other until it was disbanded in 1933. There then followed a gap of sixty years before, in 1995, Mike Jacobs, who was then Portreeve of Callington, began to consider the possibility of re-forming it. He handed this project on to his successor, Tony Nettle, who celebrated his year as Portreeve by seeing the 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.

Practices are still on Thursday - Training Band 6.15pm - 7.15pm - Main Band 7.30pm - 9.30pm and are held at present in Kelly Bray WI Hall, Stoke Road. while the Heritage Centre is undergoing repairs. New players of all ages are still welcome (especially baritone horns and trombones). In most cases instruments can be borrowed free of charge.

Three of the original musicians remain with the band which now has almost thirty members and plays under the leadership of Musical Director, Paul Boase, ACTL. It also offers encouragement to young or less experienced players by running a Training Band which is conducted by Bill Leith and is anticipating forging close links with Callington Community College which has recently been awarded 'Specialist Music College' status.

Throughout the year it plays at numerous fetes and is especially busy at Christmas when it plays carols at various venues. Twice a year, in March and October, it presents its own concerts and has produced its own CD, called 'Echoes From The Hill', to mark its tenth anniversary in 2006. The band was saddened to learn that Mike Jacobs, who had been so keen to see the Town Band re-formed, died before he was able to hear the CD.

Anyone -experienced musician or beginner -who would like to join the band should contact Paul Boase on 01579 383741. There they would become part of group which contains men and women of all ages as well as school age players, but all with one thing in common -the love of brass band music.

It is known that Callington had an active Town Band in the 1850,s and 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 her on 01579 382272. To date she has the following information:

In 1902 they played when Lord Compton unveiled a fountain in the wall of the Primary School.

1911 they played at the celebrations in the town to mark the Coronation of King George the Fifth.

1913 at Callington Cricket Club annual fete when they were conducted by Mr J Taylor

1914 at a Boy Scouts Grand Fete at Haye when they played in the afternoon and evening

Nothing is known of the band during the First World War, the next mention of them performing being in 1921 at the Callington Show, when they were conducted by Mr G Buzza.

In 1923 they headed the procession for the Town Fete and Show. They were then conducted by Mr James Jago who led them unti11932, when he retired.

A picture taken from George Bishop's book 'A Parish Album of Callington'. It shows the band leading a precession up into the Pannier Market on Remembrance day some time in the 1920's. Parts of the Pannier Market were still open-fronted.

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.