Some members of Callington Town Band gather around the town’s War Memorial which has the name of former bandsman, Robert Hicks Pike engraved on it.
Robert was one of two town bandsmen who lost their lives in the First World War and it is to commemorate people like them that the band is organising a big community production of music and drama that will take place in the Town Hall on November 21st and 22nd.
This production is being supported by a grant from FEAST which is enabling a professional director to be employed and anyone who would like to take part, either as a singer, actor or back-stage, should contact Shirley Morse, 01579 350336 or callingtonww.1contacts@gmail.com.
Callington Town Band has also received £5,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a project commemorating WW1. Awarded through HLF’s First World War: then and now programme,the project will focus on the music and song of the 1914 -18 period and how the war affected this small Cornish community against the background of the wider events of the time.
Callington Town Band will lead the community in researching local events and the popular songs, music, costume and performers. This will include research into local service personnel including the two town bandsmen who did not return. To make the research have an impact on the wider community, the project will lead to performances of the music and song interleaved with dramatic interpretations of local events.
Led by the Town Band and Jenny Coombe, of Canticorum Choir, the whole community will be invited to attend singing workshops, the first of which is on September 6th at 10am in the Town Hall. Here songs of the period will be sung in readiness for inclusion in the three performances of drama and song in which the audience will be invited to participate and these will take place in November on the 21st and 22nd and anyone who wishes to take part as a singer/soloist or actor will be welcomed to these free events.
This HLF grant will also enable some students from Callington Community College to join in by providing a professional workshop leader to guide them through research and to construct their own dramatic presentation which will be included in the final production on November 21st and 22nd.
With help from professionals, the information gathered is planned to be displayed in an empty Fore Streetshop and the archive will allow the public to discuss, contribute, share and research information about the Home Front and stored for future reference.
Commenting on the award, Shirley Morse, spokesman for Callington Town Band, said: ‘We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and appreciate their encouragement for this very special project. We are also indebted to FEAST for their support. The enthusiasm already shown by local people should ensure that this is an event that will be remembered for a long time.’
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported almost 36,000 projects with more than £5.9bn across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on twitter @heritagelottery #understandingWW1.