Porthleven Town Band
Our Band Family
Our dedicated trustees, committee members and band members are at the heart of what we do, utilising their unique skills to progress the band. Without them, we would not be where we are today. Meet some of our band family below.
TRUSTEES
​TRUSTEE
Vivian Hendy, also known as Joe Beef, has been a trustee for many years. His son Darren Hendy, was taught by Lynne Lees' grandfather, Stanley Oliver and went on to play in several established bands such as Flowers and Black Dyke.
TRUSTEE
Justin Uren is another trustee who has been with us for many years. He recently played a big part in helping with the renovation of our band room, and each year organises one of our most popular concerts, Bickford Smith.
PRESIDENT
David Mitchell is our president and grew up playing the horn and learning how to read music in the band, as did several of his grandchildren. We are also very proud to have Mitchell Builders as our official sponsor for our training band.
TRUSTEE AND PUBLICITY OFFICER
Lynne Lees is not only a trustee but looks after the band's social media and publicity. Her great grandfather, grandfather and father, Alec Oliver, all played in the band with Alec also taking on the role as chairman. Lynne was later chairwoman before becoming trustee and currently has three children in the band.
TRUSTEE
Paul Combellack has been a trustee for several years now and is extremely supportive of the band, also playing a big part in securing our new band room. He is another one of our trustees with family connections to the band with his wife and daughter as current members.
COMMITTEE
CHAIR
Ysy Lees is also our principal cornet. She worked her way up through training band, after being taught by her grandfather and chairman at the time, Alec Oliver, and has been a band member for nearly 20 years. With her mother Lynne as trustee, and a number of relatives in the band, she comes from a long line of Porthleven Town Band members.
TREASURER
Linda Trounson is one of our second cornet players and uniform officer. She has played the cornet from a young age, joining us a few years ago in addition to Gweek Band. Her role is to make sure all of our players have the correct uniform so that we look and feel our best both on stage and at casual events.
VICE CHAIR
Jodie Moore has been in the band for over ten years and is a great asset to PTB, having played in a variety of sections from cornet to bass (as pictured) and now in the percussion section. Her longevity with the band and previous committee experience means we are delighted to have her a vice chair.
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Suzanne Willey first started in St Keverne, working her way up through beginners, training, youth then senior band. She has been part of winning two national titles, first the second section Championships of Great Britain in 2005 and later the third section championships with Porthleven in 2023. After helping us out in 2016, Suzanne is still a valued member of our band and her son Kaylen is now learning to play an instrument in bandbuilders!
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Tim Wingham
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Cath Horne
BAND SECRETARY
Marie Nute started playing at 7 years old, first for Wendron, then Redruth and then Camborne. Her sister, Linda plays for Porthleven and 4 years ago Tom asked her to 'help out' for Torchlight parade (27 years after last playing!) and she was amazed she remembered True and Trusty almost note for note! She is currently playing repiano cornet and is incredibly organised when it comes to secretary duties!
OUR MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Our esteemed musical director, Tom Bassett has taken the band for over ten years now. He first began in Porthleven Town Band in 2000 where he remained for four years playing percussion and Eb bass. Tom later went to music college where he completed a first class BMus Honours degree at Birmingham Conservatoire followed by a Masters in Music at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Upon returning from university, he jumped straight back into band as musical director of senior band and training band. He also began teaching many of our individual players and has composed several pieces that we have enjoyed performing publicly. Tom's father, Neil Bassett sits on front row as second man down and his mother, Shirley is currently in our training band, with her father, David Thomas as the unofficial grandad of the band.
OTHER IMPORTANT MEMBERS
BAND BUILDERS MUSICAL DIRECTOR AND LIBRARIAN
Andrea Lewis is one of our baritone players and teaches band builders who are our beginners. Andrea taught at Porthleven primary school for many years so has extensive experience working with children and does an excellent job looking after our beginners in addition to our library.
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REGISTRATION AND SAFEGUARDING OFFICER
Linda Thomas is our multi-talented trombone player and registration officer. While also playing the bagpipes for us in our summer concerts, she ensures that all of our players are registered in time for the contest in Torquay and looks after our registration cards. Without this role, we wouldn't be able to compete in the contest.
SOCIAL SECRETARY
Judith Oliver is the unoffical band granny and social secretary. She organises brilliant social events for the band throughout the year, including our presentation evening and annual Christmas meal. She also has family connections in the band, with two grandchildren as members and her daughter, Lynne as Trustee.
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ENGAGEMENT SECRETARY
Tracey Dunkley started playing the trombone at the age of 12. She has played in various bands across the west country with engagements including the Royal Tournament, Lord Mayors Parade in London, Cologne Carnival and the Whit Friday Marches. In 2017 Tom asked her to help out with some Christmas engagements and she has enjoyed playing in Porthleven Town Band ever since! She now sits in the 1st trombone seat and is our engagement secretary.
INSTRUMENT OFFICER
Ted Perry joined us a few years ago on percussion and has been an integral part of this section ever since. Winning percussionist of the year, Ted has already been part of some great changes in band including the purchase of a new drum kit and is now responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of our valuable instruments.