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.
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 one of our official sponsors.
TRUSTEES
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.
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 Christmas Concert.
TRUSTEE
Lynne Lees is not only a trustee but looks after the band's social media and publicity. In recent years she has grown our follower numbers to the giddy heights of the 2nd most followed brass band in the world! (We believe, 2nd only to the mighty Cory Band!) 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 two children in the band.
​TRUSTEE
Dr Jennifer Wingham, is a hugely value member of our team of trustees. Her son Tim is our principal Euphonuim player, who is well loved both by our players and our supporters alike. Jennifer has been instrumental in reviewing and improving our governance procedures.
TRUSTEE
Jason Philiips OBE, former commander of Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose joined the team in 2024. Jason is hugely experienced and has been reviewing and improving many of our govenrance policies. Jason is also our esteemed Bingo Caller on our fundraising nights and can be found in his red sequined Bingo coat with a very big grin.
COMMITTEE
CHAIRPERSON
Tom Kennedy
VICE CHAIR
and Uniform Officer
Ted Perry
SECRETARY
William Eustis
TREASURER
Linda Trounson
Playing Member and Community Brass Coordinator
Cath Horne
Playing Member
Mary-Louise Combellack
Playing Member
and Instrument Officer
Emily Combellack
OUR MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Our esteemed musical director, Tom Bassett first joined 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 home from university, he jumped straight back into band as musical director of the 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 the front row 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 contests and all aspects of safeguarding are up to date.
INSTRUMENT OFFICER
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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.
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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