Royal Recognition for Bugle Contest
Published in Contest on 2013-07-18 by Empty Chairs
More news from West of England Bandsmens Festival
The West of England Bandsman’s Festival and St Austell Town Band received the Royal stamp of approval at Lostwithiel in Cornwall on July 17th. His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales & Duke of Cornwall, and the Duchess of Cornwall were visiting the Town and asked to meet Representatives of the Festival and St Austell Town Band, in recognition of the Centenary of The Royal Trophy, presented to the Festival 100 years ago in 1913 by Prince Charles’ Great Uncle, the Duke of Windsor, the then Prince of Wales.
The Festival was held on June 15th this year and Prince Charles generously wrote a foreword for the Programme and provided a special signed Certificate to accompany the unique Royal Trophy, both of which were awarded to St Austell Town Band, conducted by Melvin White, the Winning Band in the Championship Section.
Revealing that he had once attempted to learn the Trumpet the Prince and the Duchess spent some time chatting to the officials about the Festival, the Band and the thriving brass band scene in Cornwall.
The Lostwithiel Town Band, conducted by Denzil Stephens, provided music for the occasion.
Photograph, by Verlaine Jane, with The Royal Trophy, left to right, Geraint Richards, Great Grandson of F J P Richards, Founding Secretary of the West of England Bandsman’s Festival. Leonard Adams, Chairman. Terry Butler, Secretary. Andrew Teague, Promoter. David Jane, Treasurer. Phillip Hunt, Publicity Officer. HRH Duchess of Cornwall. Ian Powell, Committee Member. HRH Duke of Cornwall. Rob Faro, Aaron Harvey, Anna Minear, St Austell Town Band.