Bodmin Town Band is in the hands of a caretaker musical director.

Colin Hudson is leading the band while Simon Badge undertakes duties with the Royal Marine Band Service.

Simon’s last concert with the band for at least a year took place at St Petroc’s Church. 

Bodmin Town Band and St Breward Silver Band performed separately and together at the concert where the music ranged from Bach to Abba. 

Simon spoke about the special bond that has been forged between the bands in the last few years and how the concert was a sign of their collaboration and friendship. 

The St Breward band has a custom of giving certain instruments a feature at performances. Three cornet players took the spotlight with ‘Bugler’s Holiday’ by Leroy Anderson. 

A second feature performance was by principal cornet player Loveday Davies, who is moving away as she has a place at Cardiff University to read medicine. 

St Breward’s conductor, Tom Howard, told the audience that from a small start just a few years ago, the band was now playing with one of the best bands in the county. 

Meanwhile Bodmin’s band performed a piece they were playing in public for the first time. 

It was MacArthur Park, arranged by Alan Catherall. 

Simon plans to return to the band after his temporary absence, while Colin speaks highly of the band’s standard and feels honoured to take on the caretaker role. 

Simon told the audience at the concert: “It’s been a pleasure performing in your town these last 14 months. 

“The band and committee have worked so hard.”