The history of the band
A photograph taken around the end of the 19th century shows a large brass band in splendid uniforms marching along the Platt close to where the Regal Cinema now stands. There are no records to say whether this particular band belonged to Wadebridge but we do know that the town has had a history of brass banding , with one or two interruptions, going back around 100 years. Those were the days when almost every sizeable town in Cornwall had its own choir and brass band and in the absence of our modern day distractions they were a major feature of the community and well supported. There is no-one left in Wadebridge to remember these earlier days but a band was in existence before the Great War. Although the ranks of bandsmen would have been thinned by the call to arms of 1914-18, enough were left to take part in the Bugle Band Contest in 1919 and 1923 under the direction of Mr W. Lobb.
Harry Roberts, an outstanding cornet player, took over the band in the early 1930s. The band made excellent progress under his leadership and by 1940 players from Wadebridge Town Band were also able to give support to Bodmin and St Minver bands. Harry Roberts was succeeded by Mr W.A. Mills and many contest trophies were won by the band before the baton was handed on to Mr R. Dawes who was previously band sergeant with the Devon and Cornwall Light Infantry. Further success followed for the band at local contests in the 1950s when representatives of the WTB were also to be found in the National Youth Band. David Blake then became band leader and his son Philip formed the Wadebridge Youth Band around 1962. Sadly the band disbanded in the middle of that decade and most of the instruments were disposed of in 1968.
The Town Band was then reformed in the 1970s by Philip Harris and the band actually appeared on the children’s TV show “Multi-Coloured Swap Shop” in 1978. It was held at the Egloshayle playing fields and still remembered by some current players.
The band conductor was apparently shared around that time between Phil, Jack Wills, Lionel Boundy, and Keith Babbs. Sadly the band dissolved once more in 1985. The instruments were passed on the St John’s Ambulance band for their community use.
In 2002, Eric Gill was the driving force behind the re-formation of the present band. Initially conducted by Mr. M Bennett, then Keith Babbs for a second time followed by Mr Nick Chadd in 2005. The band improved much under his leadership and attended many engagements for the town. The band later carried on without a conductor for short while but we now trust our future in our musical director Mr Peter Meanwell.
Harry Roberts, an outstanding cornet player, took over the band in the early 1930s. The band made excellent progress under his leadership and by 1940 players from Wadebridge Town Band were also able to give support to Bodmin and St Minver bands. Harry Roberts was succeeded by Mr W.A. Mills and many contest trophies were won by the band before the baton was handed on to Mr R. Dawes who was previously band sergeant with the Devon and Cornwall Light Infantry. Further success followed for the band at local contests in the 1950s when representatives of the WTB were also to be found in the National Youth Band. David Blake then became band leader and his son Philip formed the Wadebridge Youth Band around 1962. Sadly the band disbanded in the middle of that decade and most of the instruments were disposed of in 1968.
The Town Band was then reformed in the 1970s by Philip Harris and the band actually appeared on the children’s TV show “Multi-Coloured Swap Shop” in 1978. It was held at the Egloshayle playing fields and still remembered by some current players.
The band conductor was apparently shared around that time between Phil, Jack Wills, Lionel Boundy, and Keith Babbs. Sadly the band dissolved once more in 1985. The instruments were passed on the St John’s Ambulance band for their community use.
In 2002, Eric Gill was the driving force behind the re-formation of the present band. Initially conducted by Mr. M Bennett, then Keith Babbs for a second time followed by Mr Nick Chadd in 2005. The band improved much under his leadership and attended many engagements for the town. The band later carried on without a conductor for short while but we now trust our future in our musical director Mr Peter Meanwell.
Player (AKA) Instrument
Mr Yellow Chris Cornet
Mr Azure Kevin Cornet
Miss Pink Brenda Cornet
Miss Teal Val J Tenor horn
Miss Tangerine Pam Baritone
Mr Cerulean Mike Euphonium
Mr Burgundy Geoff Euphonium
Miss Sapphire Abbie Trombone
Mr Lime Nigel Bflat bass
Mr Mustard Eric Chairman
Mr Claret Peter Conductor
Colour on application Vacancies
Mr Yellow Chris Cornet
Mr Azure Kevin Cornet
Miss Pink Brenda Cornet
Miss Teal Val J Tenor horn
Miss Tangerine Pam Baritone
Mr Cerulean Mike Euphonium
Mr Burgundy Geoff Euphonium
Miss Sapphire Abbie Trombone
Mr Lime Nigel Bflat bass
Mr Mustard Eric Chairman
Mr Claret Peter Conductor
Colour on application Vacancies