A GOOD number of former Launceston Town Band players attended the centenary former players’ reunion at Trethorne Leisure Park recently.

This function had to be postponed from October 5 and was combined with the annual awards evening.

Former player, Caroline Mariner had prepared an excellent display of band photographs and memorabilia which included long serving musical director Nick Chadd’s ‘This is your life’ folder compiled by former secretary, Andrew Pitt and presented to Nick in 2002 to mark his 25 years in charge of the band.

It was good to see both Andrew and Nick at the reunion as well as two other recent musical directors, Dave Dobson and Colin Gay who had both previously played with the band. Current musical director Ann Brown together with Nick, Dave and Colin cut the layered centenary birthday cake after an excellent buffet meal.

A number of former players had come some distance to attend but it was equally enjoyable to see local men like Howard Ward and Tony Uglow who had both played in Launceston Town Band for many years.

After an initial welcome from band chairman, Brian Hogan the toast to the band was proposed by the mayor, Dave Gordon.

He said that the band was ‘an integral part of the community’ and he always felt proud to be from Launceston when the band was playing, particularly for functions like the carnival and the Armistice Day parade.

Brian responded and thanked the town council for all its support over the years.

Nick then spoke on behalf of the guests. He recalled that he had taught Ann to play when he took the learners at Bude.

When she first came with her mother as a young child he had sent her away to learn to play the first page of ‘a tune a day’, but when she came the following week she could play the first six pages. She was such a quick learner that before too long she was principal solo cornet of Bude Town Band.

When Nick moved to Launceston in 1977 to become the band’s musical director it was natural for Ann to move bands and become principal solo cornet in Launceston band while still in her teens.

The mayor then presented the trophies. Ann awarded the ‘Chairman’s Shield’ for player of the year to Sue Manzi and ‘The Eric Tiplady Cup’ for the junior player of the year to Charlotte Barker for the third year running.

She awarded the ‘Ian Rattray Trophy’ to Gemma Brown for playing in the front row cornets in the junior band as well as percussion in the senior band.

Henry Bye won the ‘Plestin Cup’ for the junior band member showing commitment and good attendance.

The players had voted Lisa Dymond as their ‘Players’ Player’ for the second year running in the light of her move to principal solo cornet when Ann became the band’s musical director.

Ann awarded Gavin Coombe the ‘Dobson Trophy’ for the senior member contributing most to the band and his daughter, Amy the ‘John Ware Shield’ for the player of the year in the junior band.

Nicky Isbell won the ‘Gordon Hodge Trophy’ for the novice contributing most to the band.

Elsie Crane won the ‘Conductor’s Baton’ for the learner showing most improvement. She had recently taken part in the solo and quartet contest at Central Methodist Church and had come first in her age group against several entries.

The chairman then awarded the ‘President’s Shield’ for playing or non playing bandsman of the year to Mike Warne for his work behind the scenes for the band even though he was no longer chairman or on the committee.

The band expressed its thanks to Launceston Rotary Club for its generous sponsorship of the keepers’ trophies and engraving. After individual and group photographs of the winners were taken the evening ended with bowling and more reminiscing.