Description

The earliest reference to a band in Truro, so far, is 1853 when a Truro saxhorn band gave a concert in the assembly rooms in Highcross.

In 1924 bandmaster Tom Hubbard entered a Truro Band at Crystal Palace. They came away with a prize in the B Cup section the first Cornish band to win a prize at this contest.

In the early 1930s the bandmaster was George Cave a well known cornet player, adjudicator and arranger of brass band music. During this period the band attended many contests & were very successful.

During the 1939-1945 war players from the band played as a Home Guard and a Territorial Band.

In the 1950s A. W. Parker was MD followed by A. Teasdale cornet player of the famous St. Hilda Colliery Band, continuing to do well contesting & performing. This band folded in the 1960s for reasons not known.

In 1975 Rex Little soprano player of the old band, who had a small band at Gwennap, asked the City Council if they had some rehearsal rooms. The Cemetery Chapel was offered for the life of the band if they become the City of Truro Band, which happened. After Rex died Brian Stansmore took the baton until his health failed and he retired.

Roger Polmear a well known percussionist and ex Military Musician, took charge, & under his guidance the band continued to take part in all brass band activities.

Following Roger six other MDs covered until 2017 when Malcolm Burley took the baton.

So for many years, from an early Pipe & Drum Band on to Brass, making music in Truro is an important part of the history of the City.

Description

Victoria Gardens is laid out on a steep south facing slope. It is typical of late 19th century style of trees and shrubs interrelated with paths and flower beds.

Originally created to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee it is filled with exotic trees, shrubs & flowers. Truro City Council parks dept regularly win Britain in Bloom competitions. Before this particular garden was established there used to be the small Waterfall Gardens which was created in 1893. The Waterfall Gardens are still in existence, by St Georges Church.

There is also a water feature that is powered by hydraulic water ram situated in the Leats next to the River Kenwyn which supplies the water for the fish pond and runs back down through the gardens through the old water fountain which used to be situated in Boscawen street, then feeds small cascade of waterfalls and it then returns back into the Leats.

There is also a bandstand and during the summer, concerts are held every Sunday from 2.30pm - 4pm . A different band from around the county bring their own sound to the gardens. There is plenty of seating and entry is free.

You would not think you were in the middle of a city, the calm broken only occassionally by a train passing over the majestic viaduct nearby. The original viaduct was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1859, but was replaced with the present stucture in 1904 and now carries the main line Paddington - Penzance trains.

Victoria Gardens, St. George St.,

Truro,

Cornwall,

England,

TR1 3JE.