THE Launceston Town Band held its annual awards evening at Trethorne Leisure Park on Saturday, January 28.

Launceston’s mayor, Brian Hogan, in proposing the toast to the band, said that it had been founded in 1919 and had stood the test of time. He was pleased that it catered for players of all ages. He thanked the band for representing the town both locally in the square and at functions such as the carnival and Armistice Sunday and further afield at contests and engagements.

Band chairman, Mike Warne, responding in the unavoidable absence of the president John Ware, said that the band appreciated the strong support it received from the town council and from individual councillors. The mayor had made the band his local charity this year and gave the band a mayor’s booking for the town hall for the charity community concert in December. He was pleased that the band had never looked for commercial sponsorship and it was happy to represent the town of Launceston.

The mayor then presented the trophies, three of which were won by Jade Levis. Ann Brown, music director of the training band, awarded Jade the ‘John Ware Shield’ for the training band player of the year. Colin Gay, music director of the senior band, awarded Jade the ‘Gordon Hodge Trophy’ for junior member contributing most to the band, mentioning her help with the music library, and she also won the ‘Players’ Player’ award as a result of the votes of playing members.

Ann awarded the ‘Ian Rattray Trophy’ for the training band member showing most improvement to Alex Christoferou.

Colin presented the ‘Plestin-les-Greves Cup’ for the player showing commitment and good attendance jointly to Gemma Brown and William Tucker, the percussion section, and the ‘Conductor’s Baton’ for junior member showing most improvement to Charlotte Barker.

Colin awarded the ‘Eric Tiplady Cup’ for junior player of the year to William Neale and the ‘Dobson cup’ to his mother, Jeanette, for the senior member contributing most to the band. He chose Edward Tucker as his player of the year and he received the ‘chairman’s shield’.

Mike Warne awarded the ‘President’s Shield’ for bandsman of the year, playing or non-playing, to Sue Manzi for her excellent work as treasurer.

After individual and group photos of the winners the very enjoyable and successful evening ended with bowling.