Peter Minear Charity Concert

Buy As You View Band
Conductor: Dr Robert Childs
Carn Brea Leisure Centre
Redruth
Saturday 18th November

Cornish brass band enthusiasts flocked to The Carn Brea Leisure Centre near Redruth in Cornwall on Saturday 18th November to enjoy a scintillating Concert by The Buy As You View Band conducted by Dr Robert Childs. The Charity Concert was sponsored by Peter Minear through his company, Minear Engineering, to mark his fifty years as a Bandsman and raised over £14,000.

Earlier this year Peter was diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing treatment throughout the summer. This did not prevent him from fulfilling his dream of marking his fifty years as a bandsman by bringing The Buy As You View Band to Cornwall to help him raise money for charity, principally for The Sunrise Centre at The Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, where he has been receiving his treatment. Three bands with which he has been closely associated, St Austell, St Dennis and St Pinnock will also benefit.

The Programme, a collaboration between Peter and Bob, included the National Test Piece, 'Les Francs Juges' by Hector Berlioz, 'Resurgam' by Eric Ball and 'The Promised Land' by Kenneth Downie. Soloists included Ian Williams, David Childs, Owen Farr, Chris Thomas and David Danford and there was music from Cornwall's leading brass band composer, Goff Richards. 

Throughout, the Band exhibited the highest standards of skill and musicianship, with an obvious commitment to making this a very special occasion for Peter, his family and all those who came to support him. To start the second half Bob Childs handed the Baton over to Peter to conduct the 'New Colonial' march, which he did with great relish and enthusiasm, leading to a standing ovation.

During the Concert Trevor Bedding, Chairman of The Cornwall Brass Band Association, presented Peter and his brother Brian with framed Certificates and Lapel Badges to mark their 50 years of dedication and service to the Brass Band movement in Cornwall.

Both Brothers started in The Stenalees Band where they were taught by their Father Jack. They both played in The Cornwall Youth Brass Band and spent over twenty years playing together with The St Dennis Band, before becoming founder members of Kernow Brass which ultimately merged with The St Austell Band. Peter is still a player with St Austell as well as Musical Director of St Pinnock, whilst Brian devotes all his energies to teaching young people and is Musical Director of both The St Dennis Senior and Youth Bands.

Peter was also presented with a full size replica Cornet, which had been beautifully made entirely of wood by his Works Manager David Udy.

The Buy As You View Band received a well deserved standing ovation at the end of the Concert from the audience. They were particularly mindful of the fact that the Band had given up an Invitation to participate in Brass in Concert to travel to Cornwall to support Peter in this worthy cause.

Phillip Hunt

^back to top