Launceston Town Band held its annual awards evening at Trethorne Leisure Park recently. This year was also the mark of the band’s centenary year after it was established in 1919.

The Launceston Muncipal Band was formed after the soldiers and military bandsmen, who acted as stretcher bearers, had returned from the Great War. Launceston council had helped its formation by buying the initial set of brass and wind instruments and its relationship with the band had always been close. Band chairman, Mike Warne, spoke at the evening due to the unavoidable absence of president John Ware. He thanked the council for its strong support and he pointed out that this was the band’s 100th year.

The band also appreciated the support of several councillors recently and thanked Cllr Brian Hogan in particular, for his practical help in the previous year with the kitchen improvements and the Christmas concert.

The mayor, Cllr Margaret Young was also in attendance and proposed a toast to the band. She said that she had really enjoyed the Christmas concert, which for her marked the start of Christmas.

The mayor then presented the trophies alongside the band’s musical director, Ann Brown.

Nicky Isbell was awarded the Ian Rattray trophy for the most promising learner. Ann chose Matthew Christoforou as junior band player of the year and he received the John Ware Shield,

Joel Sadler was awarded the Conductor’s Baton, for the junior member making most improvement and Heidi Stevens the Gordon Hodge Trophy, for the junior member contributing most to the band.

Ann decided to award the Plestin-les-Greves Cup to the horn section, comprising of Linda Wilde, Pauline Chandler, Sheila Lashmar and Sue Manzi. Charlotte Barker won the Eric Tiplady Cup, for junior player of the year in the senior band and Jeanette Neale the Chairman’s Shield, for senior player of the year.

Ann chose Colin Gay as the senior member contributing most to the band and he received the Dobson Cup.

Mike Warne awarded the President’s Shield for bandsman of the year, playing or non-playing, to Ann for her work as engagements’ secretary and for organising and cooking for the Wednesday lunches, which were important both financially and in terms of public relations.

The players voted overwhelmingly for Lisa Dymond as their player of the year after she stepped up to play principal solo cornet when Ann became musical director.

The band thanked Launceston Rotary Club for its generous sponsorship of the keepers’ trophies and for their engraving.

After individual and group photos of the winners were taken, the evening was rounded off nicely with some bowling.