Bands

Christmas Eve at the Front

An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

Bideford band third in national contest 26th September 1952

In competition with 14 finalists from all over Britain, Bideford Town Silver Band won the 3rd price in the fourth section contest of the "Daily Herald "National Brass Band Championships held at Belle Vue, Manchester.

Playing members of the band are Bandmaster A J Headon; Cornet J A E Crocker, H Gourdiie, D I Pope, C Vickery, W J Lee, J Isaac, E Alford, D C Thorne, R Bennett, H E Harvey, A Heal; horns S C Way, J Lawrence, S W Hutchings, baritones, G Saltern, C H Jewell, D Reed; Trombones, R Clarke, Mr Lee, L W Cutting; euphonium F H Lemon, G H Branch; G Smalldon, P C Braily, A J Head, C K Hearn.

About 4,000 people saw the Alderman present the prizes in the Kings Hall.

Long-playing marathon brings world record to Bideford 06.09.1974

About 400 hymns and 90 concert pieces played by Bideford Town Band non-stop in 17 hours four minutes on Sunday-Monday added up to a new world record. The players hope it will add up to more than £500 from sponsors towards more than £1,000 needed for new uniforms.

Bandmaster is Mr Eric Slade. The record set up by musical director Mr Mervyn Sweet is likely to endure. He took up his baton at the start and laid it down for the first time at the finish having made a mockery of the previous individual record, which stood at 7 hours.

Incredibly, of the 29 in the band 14 are children. The youngest by 2 years, 11 year old Gavin Squires who plays the cornet won special praise from Mr Slade.

The mayor, Mr Frank Colwill was present at the start and at the finish, and he also paid several visits during the day.

They now start in Hartland's band at ten years old 30.11.1973

Since its re-formation in 1960 Hartland Town Band has gone from strength to strenght both in numbers and success.

Under Mr Harry Dayman, who took over as bandmaster in 1968, the band this year achieved its most notable triumph when it was placed second in two sections at the South West Brass Band Association's Spring Festival.

The first Hartland band started with a practice session in Manor House Barn between 1860-70. After a lapse it was re-formed after the first World War and continued until 1939. In 1946 Harton Town Band came into being and ran for 3 years before it was disbanded.

Two members of the band were among 25 members who re-formed under Mr Gerald Thorne to lay the foundations of the present band.