Player Profiles

 
Cornets
Ian Harvey - Principal Cornet
Ian first joined the Senior Band in 1971 and became the band’s Principal Cornet in 1978, a position he has retained ever since. Ian also played for Camborne Town Band for one year, competing at the Masters at Cambridge and the National Finals at the RAH. Ian is a Postal Officer with Post Office Ltd.
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Demelza Christophers - Solo Cornet
Following in her mother's and father's footsteps, Demelza joined HTB from Porthleven Town Band in 2003. Demelza started learning to play at the age of six and is a member of the Junior Band. She is a student at Helston School where she plays for the school brass band and wind band, and she is also an accomplished flautist.
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Nikki Aindow - Solo Cornet
Nikki has played with Helston Town Band since 1996. She moved to Cornwall from Southport (way up North!) where she played for Skelmersdale Prize Band. Nikki started playing cornet in 1984 and in 1986 she took up the position of Soprano Cornet, 'retiring' in 2005. She spends her spare time climbing (and falling off) sea cliffs, and she has recently started learning to surf. Nikki is the Band Treasurer.

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Karen Pritchard - Solo Cornet

Karen started playing cornet at the age of 7 with Porthleven before moving to Redruth. A couple of years later, Karen moved to St Austell Band before joining Camborne Town Band, playing both cornet and flugel horn, and competed on many occasions at the National Finals, Grand Shield and All England Masters contests. With St Austell and Camborne Karen has won a gold medal for Hat-trick of wins at the West of England Festival at Bugle.

Karen joined HTB during the summer of 2005 after 10 years in the brass band wilderness. Karen is a family lawyer and is married to Mike our Eb Bass player.

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Philip Bennetts - Solo Cornet
Philip has played with HTB for over 20 years and previously played principal cornet for Redruth. During his time with HTB, Philip has also played flugel horn. Philip’s warm sound has earned him numerous solo prizes in the county. Philip is a local farmer.
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Jeremy Squibb - Soprano Cornet

After starting with Stithians Youth Band, Squibby moved to St Austell Band at the age of 11. After 10 years, including a Hat-trick at Bugle and a 6th place at the National Finals, he moved to Camborne, notching up another two Hat-tricks at Bugle and 2 Area victories to name but a few successes. Jeremy joined HTB in 2005.

A former pupil of Albert Chappell, Jeremy has won the best soprano player award at Bugle on a record 6 occasions along with many other solo awards over the years. When not playing notes which only bats and dogs can hear, Jeremy is an Independent Financial Adviser for Kelsall Steele.

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Louise Williams - Repiano Cornet

Louise joined the band in 1985, having been a late starter at the age of 18 and not realising until then that she was in any way musical! She is married to Mark and they have two children - Laura, who plays Solo Horn in the junior band and Jason who is football mad.

Louise works in the Finance Office of West Cornwall Pasty Company.

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Russell Harvey - Second Cornet
Russell has played for the band for an incredible 64 years, having joined HTB in 1944 and in 2006 he celebrated his 60th Flora Day. Russell is a retired Postal Executive Officer. Whilst at school, he represented Cornwall at soccer and athletics and still enjoys running, coastal walking and the occasional pint of Spingo.
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Clive Christophers - Second Cornet
Clive joined HTB from Porthleven Town Band in 2002, along with his wife Cynthia and was joined the following year by daughter Demelza. Clive is a director of a local engineering company in Porthleven, and also boasts a fine collection of birds (the feathered variety!!) His claim to fame is performing a cornet fanfare live on Channel 4's The Word.
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Martin Pascoe - Third Cornet
Martin joined HTB in 1963 and is the band’s Contest Secretary. He has also played with Torbay Brass and Teignbridge Band. Martin is married to Liz and they have a son, Matthew. Martin has been privileged to lead the Midday Dance on Helston Flora Day, but it is not something that he often shouts about due to his shy and retiring nature!! Martin is a Police Officer.
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Felicity Boase - Third Cornet
Felicity joined Helston Junior Band at the age of 8 before progressing to the Senior Band in 2002. Felicity works for one of the band's sponsors DS Hendy, and is also a qualified gymnastics coach for the Swallows of Helston.

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Horns
Catriona Bell - Flugel Horn

Catriona first joined Helston Junior Band at the age of 9 with her twin sister Fiona, and was a member of the Senior Band until leaving for university in 1995. She returned to Helston in 2004 having worked in London for a number of years. She is very bad at tying up ties and parking. Catriona works for a local university.

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Lisa Johns - Solo Horn

Lisa started learning the tenor horn at the age of 6 and moved to Helston Senior Band when she was 11 years old. Lisa is particularly proud to have won the duet class at Helston Solo Contest five years in a row, playing euphonium with her dad Kevin, and she thanks him as this is the only thing she ever wins!

Lisa plays rugby for Redruth Albany Ladies and tries to inflict their drinking games on the band. She also owns two horses which keep her extremely busy.

Lisa is the Band's Engagement Secretary.

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Mark Williams - First Horn
Mark has played for HTB since 1973. He is married to Louise on Repiano and has recently passed his driving test after more than 20 years of excuses! Mark is an accomplished footballer and used to play for Penzance AFC, and is employed as a Letter Cutter.
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Lauren Anderson - Second Horn

Lauren joined the Beginners Band in 2000 and has since worked her way up through the Junior Band to the Senior Band. Her first contest was the Area 2009 when the band made its debut in the Championship Section - nothing like being thrown in the deep end! Lauren is studying A-level English and Media and in her spare time likes to sleep and boss her little sister around!

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Baritones
Jack Curnow - Solo Baritone

Jack joined Helston Beginners Band in 2000, at the age of 7, following in his brother Ben's footsteps. He progressed to Senior Band in 2008 and is delighted to become the youngest member of HTB. Jack also plays Solo Euphonium for the Junior Band.

Jack is currently a student at Humphry Davy School, preparing for his GCSEs and is also a member of Cornwall Youth Brass Band.

Away from banding, Jack enjoys sports, woking at his local beach cafe, and helping on the family farm where he trains his puppy, Dennis. He also plays bass guitar and attempts to sing.

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Cynthia Christophers - Second Baritone

Cynthia joined the band in 2002 from Porthleven Town Band, along with husband Clive and daughter Demelza. Competing in a Championship Section Band and progressing in her career as a Day Hospital Sister and Intermediate Care Co-ordinator, as well as raising a family, has given Cynthia a real sense of pride and achievement.

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Euphoniums
Kevin 'Garcie' Johns - Solo Euphonium
Kevin joined HTB for in 1985 and has previously played for Porthleven, Saltash, Plymouth and Bodmin bands. Kevin is a keen sportsman and claims that he still manages to ‘hobble around’ on the squash court! He is also renowned within the band for his legendary post-contest singing. Kevin conducts the Beginners Band. He is employed as a Communications Engineer.
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Paul ‘PJ’ Jenkin - Second Euphonium
Paul has been a member of HTB since 1973 and also teaches the Beginners Band. Paul takes an active part in his local church community. He has successfully chaired three music weekends at Breage and is the Breaney Chapel organist. Paul has also helped to run a disco called Crownsound for 13 years – move over Tony Blackburn! Paul is a Vehicle Senior Technician.
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Trombones
Lester Ashton - Solo Trombone
Lester first joined the band on trombone in 1971 and has also played for Camborne Town Band where he appeared at the Royal Albert Hall on many occasions. His father Edward conducted HTB for 35 years. 2008 has been a great year for Lester, with HTB winning the Area for the second time in three years, his beloved Tottenham Hotspur winning the Carling Cup, and his golf handicap reached 8!
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Royston Dower - Second Trombone

Royston played for Gweek Silver Band for 35 years before joining HTB in 2001. Royston is a Boatyard Manager and like his section leader is a keen golfer, although not quite so willing to disclose his handicap. Royston’s diplomatic skills are often called upon to settle disputes within his section!

Royston is the Band Librarian.

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Adrian Waters - Bass Trombone
Adrian joined HTB in 2003 and has a lengthy brass band CV including Newquay, Camborne, St. Dennis, Swindon Pegasus and St. Austell, when they achieved 6th place at the National Finals. His hobbies include wine, beer and whisky, DIY and gardening, and he would 'rather cut off his legs' than exercise - but at 22 stone you would never guess! Adrian has brought a new meaning to the word 'fortissimo' in HTB rehearsals, not only in his bass trombone playing but also via his voice.
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Basses
Keith Busby - First Eb Bass
Keith first joined Helston Town Band in 1957 but left in 1960 to join the RMB for thirteen years. He has also played for Saltash Band, but his heart has always been in Helston. Keith is the current Bandmaster and also conducts the Helston Junior Band. He is undoubtedly the most versatile player in the band being able to play every instrument to a high level, and in the past year alone he has played Eb bass, tenor horn and trombone . Keith is also an accomplished artist, although too modest to admit it!

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Nathan Tootill - Second Eb Bass
Nathan began learning with HTB 9 years ago, joining the Senior band in 2002, and is a student at Helston School. Nathan is working hard at his music grades, achieving Honours at Grade 4, and he also plays the keyboard. Nathan is a Corporal in St John Ambulance. Nathan is a member of Cornwall Youth Brass Band.
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Mike Pritchard - Eb Bass
Mike signed with HTB in 2004 and prior to this has played for many years with Camborne Town Band. Mike is Managing Director of an international company, Arcol UK, and spends a lot of time travelling the world. Amazingly, Mike has completed two London Marathons.
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Jonathan 'Bondo' Bond - Bb Bass
Jonathan joined HTB in 2003, and has also played for Camborne Town Band, competing at the Royal Albert Hall 10 times, achieving 4th place in 1982 with Contest Music. Jonathan's family all come from Helston and Ruan Minor, so he feels proud to be involved in the town. His grandparents first met on Flora Day in 1932 and in 1959 his uncle wore the first grey hat in the Midday Dance (so he has been told). Jonathan is a buyer for a local company and lives in Pool with his three sons.
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Ben Curnow - Bb Bass

Ben joined Helston Beginners' Band at the age of 10, eventually moving up to the Senior Band, on Eb Bass. He was then 'bullied' into playing the Bb bass - he was big enough to lift it, so he could play it!

Whilst studying for a degree in History at Bath, Ben became involved with Bath Spa Band, throughly enjoying a three year stint in various seats. More recently, Ben has been studying at the University of Exeter training to become a solicitor, and is hoping to clear his student debts by 2050!

Ben returned to Cornwall in 2006 and is delighted to be back in the band on a permanent basis, although in many ways he has never really been away!

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Percussion
Simon Taylor - Principal Percussion

Simon started drumming at the age of 7, under his grandfather Eric at St Keverne Beginners Band. In 1994 he joined Helston Junior Band and then the Senior Band, before leaving for a long spell at St Keverne Band as principal percussionist.

In April 2007, Simon returned to Helston, strengthening the band's percussion section as a hugely talented drummer.

Simon is responsible for the band's PR and website.

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Adam Bond - Percussion

Adam joined the band in 2009. Prior to this he played for both our Junior Band and Lanner District and Silver Band as Principal Percussionist.

Adam is a percussionist with Cornwall Youth Brass Band where he has played with the world famous marimba soloist Dave Danford and played under such conductors as Ian Porthouse, Capt David Barringer and WO1 Chris King. He is hoping to become a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain next year.

At present Adam is doing Music Technology at Truro College and his hoping to have a career in Music. He enjoys skiing and loves to get on those ski slopes every winter.

 

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