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Bugle Band Contest

Transport back to 1912, a time when the gramophone was in its infancy and the wireless had not been invented. Live performances were the only opportunity of enjoying music and it was against this backdrop that the idea of a band contest was greeted with such enthusiasm.

Within the concentrated Mid-Cornwall clay country villages there were in excess of a dozen bands, which gave a tremendous base, and it was estimated that around 6,000 attended that first contest.

It was intended to be a one off event to raise funds for the building of a Working Men's Institute in the village, but such was the success of the day it was decided to continue as a Festival in its own right.

The most significant change has been to transfer the contest from the grounds at Peniel to the present venue at Molinnis Park. Cloaked in the historic past and set in atmospheric surroundings, Peniel had become the spiritual home of the Festival, but the total inadequacy of car parking arrangements for an increasingly mobile population and the lack of basic services was making it increasingly untenable. It was a brave decision to move, but one that probably ensured the long-term survival of the Festival.

The Festival is not a fund raising venture for any organisation, its sole purpose being the continuation of the contest for the greater enjoyment of brass band music, as is defined by our Registered Charity status.

This year eight bands will compete for the coveted Royal Trophy in the Championship Section, alongside six local bands the Langley Band from the West Midlands will be visiting Cornwall to compete at the contest for the very first time and Wantage band from Oxfordshire make a welcome return after a successful trip last year.

In total 19 bands will compete at the contest with adjudicator Denis Wilby and the audience being treated to 21 performances of the set works in the various sections. Making their first appearance at the contest this year will be the newly formed Kernow Concert Brass who will be competing in both the Fourth and Second Sections.

This years entries are as follows:

Championship Section

Bodmin Town

Camborne Town

Helston Town

Langley

Mount Charles

St Austell Town

St Dennis

Wantage

Second Section

Bugle Silver

Heyl Town

Kernow Concert Brass

St Pinnock

St Stithians

Third Section

Camborne B

Hatherleigh Silver

Fourth Section

Hatherleigh Silver

Kernow Concert Brass

Lostwithiel Silver

St Breward Silver

Youth Section

Mount Charles

St Dennis

This years contest will commence at 10am with the traditional march through the village, the main part of the contest will begin at 11am at Mollinis Park.

For more information please visit our website www.buglebandcontest.co.uk