1. WHO WE ARE:

 

Landrake Band was revived in 2011, about 55 years after the original band closed. Our aim is to be a traditional village brass band - one in which the majority of the players either live in the village or are connected with it in some other way. Currently almost all our players are connected to Landrake either by living in the village or via a connection with the village school. We welcome players and learners of any age from about 8 years old to pensioner. At present there is a small core of experienced players together with a larger number who started to learn to play since the band restarted or who are returning to play after a long gap. There are about 15 members but we need more. Instruments are available on loan and tuition is available if needed.Rehearsals take place in Landrake on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. either at St Michael’s Church during the Summer months, or in the Landrake Methodist chapel during Spring Autumn and Winter. Band officers include:-Chairman and conductor: Ian WhittakerSecretary: Hazel Cartledge-ClausTreasurer: James BoothIan Whittaker started learnt to play trombone at school, playing in orchestras and wind bands. Later he moved into brass bands and has over 30 years experience playing in brass bands. He conducted Crystal Palace Band’s B band (now called Progress Band) for 7 years before returning to Cornwall. 2. BAND HISTORY:The old Landrake Band seems to have been in existence by 1876. At present little is known about it. Much of what is known comes from the 'IBEW' website. There are also references to it on the 'Landrake Parish Council' website. We are also grateful to those who still remember the old band and have helped gather information.Conducters named include Edgar Panter just before World War One and Lewis Goard in 1928. Below is a band photo taken circa 1928 including 13 players plus conductor. The named players are C, E and S Barrett, J Broad, R May, W Scholar, W and C Thomas.After the Second World War the band was conducted by Alf Davey. Enos Barrett and Bill Smale may also have conducted them around this time. Engagements from this period included the Notter Bridge Gymkhana, the Landrake Gymkhana and the Landrake Carnival amongst others.They also appeared further afield as it is known that they were among the bands that played in Callington for their carnival during the time the Callington Band did not exist. In 1948 the players included John, Gerald and Bert Ead, Brian Brown, Clarence and Wesley Thomas, Bill Hawken, Bill Smale, Enos Barrett, Will Rawlings, Arthur Chiswell and William Scholar. Other players have been named as Ern Sparks, Ken Eastment, and Ern Bunney.The Landrake Band folded some time around the 1950's, either about 1950 or possibly as late as 1956. It seems the last conductor moved up country and that caused the band to fold. It has also been said that their rehearsal room was lost to them.A small group of players (all of whom lived in the parish of Landrake) got together to play carols in December 2010. Following that efforts were made to see if it would be possible to meet on a regular basis and revive Landrake Band. The new band started in the early Spring of 2011 with a group of 8 players. During 2011 the band played at Landrake Carnival and in local churches as well as carols around parts of the village in December.We would like to know more about the old band and any new information would be welcomed.

 

 

Landrake Band[6]