Helston Town Band

Helston Town Band has an extremely rich heritage, which can be traced back to the turn of the century; indeed, alongside the younger musicians, there are members of the current band whose family connections extend back four generations.

It is these family ties and the unusually long- service of many of the players that make the feel of the Band unique. Of today’s line-up, Mark Williams, Martin Pascoe, Keith Busby, Paul Jenkin and Ian Harvey have all been associated with Helston Town Band for over forty years and since a young age. However, it remains to be seen if they can match the distinguished record of undisputed band veteran, cornet player Russell Harvey, who in 2014, in his eightieth year, received an unprecedented special award from Brass Bands England and the Cornwall Brass Band Association in recognition of his remarkable seventy years of continuous service to the organisation. In September 2016, Russell was recognised by Gorsedh Cornwall for his services to local music.

The Band is also especially grateful to its long-serving Committee Members, including former player and Chairman, John Penaluna, who has been associated with the organisation for over 60 years.

Band History – Musical Directors
In 1946, player numbers were consolidated when most of Helstons pre-war members returned from active service and Helston pork butcher Leonard Hender, a member of the band for some 28 years, became bandmaster. The band enjoyed steady progress, which culminated in them reaching the National 3rd Section Finals, held at Belle Vue, Manchester, in 1951.

Following the sudden and premature death of Mr Hender, whilst rehearsing for a live recording of the BBC’s Songs of Praise at Mullion Cove, in August 1967, the Band came under the direction of Edward Ashton, with whom they gained much success and a reputation for consistently playing music to a high standard. Edward, who had joined the band at the end of the war, before leaving to play at Camborne, led them to numerous successes in both local and regional contests, over 35 years, until his retirement in November 2002. He remains a much respected Life Member.

The Band appointed top Euphonium player, John Hitchens, as their new Musical Director and flourished under his direction. In 2003, they were crowned Cornish First Section Champions and in 2004 they gained promotion to the National First Section. 2006 saw the band win the First Section West of England Championships, earning a qualification place at the National Finals. The band continued this success in 2007, with a 3rd place finish, before going on to regain the First Section title once again, in 2008.

With two wins and a third placing, Helston Town Band earned promotion to the Championship Section, in 2009, and this was the first time in the band’s entire history that they had competed in the top flight of brass banding. The band remained in the Championship section until 2012, where a commendable seventh place at the Regional Championships in 2011 was not quite enough; once again they returned to the First Section. By 2016, they competed in the Second Section.

Following over a decade of success, John Hitchens stood down from his position in June 2013. The Band is indebted to John for his dedication, drive and enthusiasm over a long period and wishes him well in his playing return, on Solo Euphonium, with Camborne Town Band.

Following John’s departure, Derek Johnston came to Helston at a time of great change and oversaw the formation of the Helston Town Concert Band. Then, former RAF musician Jimmy Gribben took over the band temporarily in January 2014, before heading off to take up a new post with the RAF, in Oman. Following Flora Day 2014, talented former Camborne Principal Cornet and local businessman, Darren Hendy, took up the reigns.

From November 2014, Deputy Musical Director, Kevin Johns, who had been Solo Euphonium for nearly 30 years, took the majority of the Band’s rehearsals and prepared them for visits from Professional Conductor, David Johnson Kevin was subsequently appointed as Musical Director, in January 2016.

Later that year, the band were delighted to become acquainted with the new Professional Conductor, John Berryman, who took them to the Area Contest, at Torquay, the following March. Â Third place led to a subsequent performance at the National Finals, in Cheltenham, where the band came twelfth.

An exciting win at Torquay, in March 2018, brought about promotion to the First Section and a further invitation to Cheltenham.