The bands principal cornet player, Sharron Hollywood,has now decided to leave the band just prior to the Area contest and while the band were disappointed we wish her well and thank her for all she has done for the band.

Kenwyn Tonkin will take up the hot seat for the contest with the young Laura Mathews moving up to the No 2 spot. Simon Smith & Alan Penrose have stepped in to the No3 & No4 seats, this has been fantastic news for the band as they are both very experienced players who we know will do a great job for the band.

Andrew Cook has stepped in to fill in for Rod Mathews who is undergoing hospital treatment and is unavailable for the contest,we wish him a speedy recovery.

Any player interested in the Principal Cornet seat, then please give Derek Johnston or Kay Cook a call via our Contacts Page, any interested players always welcome!

John Whear (Gen Sec)

As with everything in life, the costs of running and maintaining a brass band has increased steadily over the years. We need your help to support the band in any way you can, one way it to sponsor the band, sponsor a section or even a piece of music.

We have now created new Business opportunities to place an advert on our site which would benefit our website but mainly your business.

If you are part of a Business and are looking for a cost affective way of advertising your business then you have come to the right place.

Our site is a popular brass band website with around 1000 unique visitor every month due to good community and web facilities.

For more information please check out the Sponsorship page.

Mark Nicholls

This is a start to another year for Heyl Town Band with plenty of events to look forward to in the coming year.

The first event of this year is coming quick - The Regional Contest at Torquay where were playing 'Kingdom of Dragons' by Philip Harper in the Second Section.

The Heyl Town Band is always available to hire for any kind of event. To hire the band please contact our Band Secretary on (01736) 754804 or email .

Also if you would like to Sponsor the band please contact anyone on our Contacts list.

Mark Nicholls

Christmas is here and the year has gone fast. But the Heyl Band would like to say a very merry Christmas to All and a Happy New Year.

Mark Nicholls

Christmas is approaching fast and the Heyl Band can't wait for it to start.

We've got the Christmas music out once again and are preparing for a busy session ahead. Our first engagment is the Christmas Tree Switch-on at Hayle Hospital, from there we are going around our area such as Truro, Penryn, Connor Downs, Penzance and of course our local town Hayle.

There's still time to book Heyl Band for concerts or carrols, just call our Secretary John Whear on (01736) 754804.

Mark Nicholls

The Heyl Band presents the International Staff Band of The Salvation Army who returns to Hall for Cornwall after a hugely successful concert in 2007 on Saturday 19th September at 7:45pm.

The Salvation Army has a wonderful musical tradition and history and the International Staff Band are a group of highly talented and committed musicians who have dedicated their talents to God, and make both traditional and contemporary music.

The band, who have toured all over the world, have just signed an exclusive £1 million deal with Universal Music, the world's leading record company and their debut mainstream album, Together, has been very successful.

Tickets are available on the Hall for Cornwall website - www.hallforcornwall.co.uk - or by telephone Call 01872 262466, lines are open 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday.

Mark Nicholls

Once again Heylfest has come to a close and it has been another successful year. Despite all the problems with the weather we have had a brilliant week and hope next year will be even better.

For all that participated in this year’s events we’d like to say thank you and hope to see you again next year.

Also a special thank you to all the people that were working behind the scenes, without your help the week would not have been a success.

Thank you all and we hope to see you for Heylfest 2010!


p.s. If you have any photos that you think should be on the Website, please email them to .

Also if you have any suggestions, please feel free to or by leaving a comment on our forum

Heylfest images of the week will be online soon.

Mark Nicholls

On behalf of the Heyl Town Band I would like to welcome you all to Heylfest 2009. This is the 6th year that Heyl Town Band has taken on the task of organising these celebrations.

I am sure we will all have a great time, and we look forward to seeing the whole community working together.
Many thanks go to the people providing support for the band, Hayle Town Council, H.A.A.P. Cornwall Council, Penwith District Council, the Arts Council.

The Marquee will go up on Sunday 26 July and our first event there will be the Community Songs of Praise at 7.30pm. Come along and join with us and see what else the week can provide.

I wish you all a very happy Heylfest!

Mark Nicholls

We have a busy year ahead, with all their concerts, marches, contests and Heylfest at the end of July, for which including secured services of one of the most famous brass bands in the world today, the Grimethorpe Colliery Band from Yorkshire. They will be playing at the Hall for Cornwall in Truro on the 18th July 2009 at 7.45pm.

On the 23rd May the Heyl Band will be going around Cornwall Advertising the Grimethorpe Concert on a Open Top Bus.

This is the band that made the 1995 film Brassed Off! The film told the story of the fictional South Yorkshire village of Grimley, and how the local colliery's band won a national competition only a few days after the closure of the colliery was announced. The film, starring Ewan McGregor, Pete Postlethwaite and Tara Fitzgerald, was a far bigger hit than anyone could imagine. For the band, which provided the soundtrack music and the extras for the on-screen band, the spin-offs have been vast. Since the release of the film (whose soundtrack was nominated for a BAFTA award) the band has toured extensively in Europe, including a film festival in Norway, The World Cup in Paris and the Eurovision Song Con test to an estimated television audience of 50 million! Perhaps the best bonus from Brassed Off!, however, were the recent tours of Japan, Australia, New Zealand & Hong Kong. The band has also recently become the first ever brass band to become an ensemble-in-residence at the Royal College of Music in London. With the continued support of RJB mining, and the success of Brassed Off! the band are the current English Champions.

Tickets are available on the Hall for cornwall website www.hallforcornwall.co.uk or by telephone Call 01872 262466, lines are open 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. The tickets are £19.50 or £16.50 depending on seating area.

Mark Nicholls

Heyl Band Are Proud To Announce the Latest Fantastic news!!!! the confirmation of two of the top bands in the world have now been confirmed with the Hall for Cornwall in Truro.

The Grimethorpe Colliery Band will perform at the Hall for Cornwall on Saturday the 18th July 2009 at 7.45pm and also in September sees the return visit of the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army on Saturday the 19th September 2009 at 7.45pm. Tickets for both concerts are only available at the Hall for Cornwall Box office.

As well as taking on these two massive events, the Heyl band will going on tour to the Island of Malta for Seven days,and also next year sees the bands return to the second section in the nationals at Torquay, something the band are looking forward to with real relish,all players old and new will always be made welcome to join this very forward looking brass band.

John Whear / Gen Sec

The Band were back on top form on Sat 6th September at Exmouth Entertainmant Contest, when we recorded a great return to form and defended our title of ‘The Most Entertaining Band of the Day’, and the band did it with style.

Exmouth was a long and wet day but a worthwhile one, coming home with the Best Band in our section, Best Entertaining Band of the Day and Winning 1st Overall.

This is a day to remember

Well done to the Band for a Great Performance.

Mark Nicholls

Heylfest has come to a close and it has been another successful year. Despite all the problems with the weather we have had a brilliant week and hope next year will be even better.

For all that participated in this year’s events we’d like to say thank you and hope to see you again next year.

Also a special thank you to all the people that were working behind the scenes, without your help the week would not have been a success.

Thank you all and see you for Heylfest 2009!


p.s. If you have any photos that you think should be on the website, please go the Scrapbook for more information.

Heylfest images of the week will be online soon.

Mark Nicholls

Heylfest is here again for another week full of events that all can enjoy. We have a wide range of events on, such as some top class brass bands, four choirs and a Horse race night where you can bet money on video horse races. All this and much, much more.

Click Here for more information to check out our timetable for the whole week.

We look forward to seeing you at the Hayle Recreation Ground for Heylfest

All are welcome

Mark Nicholls

Mark Nicholls

All of the hard work has paid off.

The Band has made there mark and become one of the Top 200 Bands in the World by www.4barsrest.co.uk.

This is a great achievement for the band and lets hope that we keep on moving forward in the future.

Mark Nicholls

The band gave a great performance at the south west contest playing William Relton's Three Memories for Brass, also winning the best horn section Congratulations to everyone on a great result.

John Whear

Winners of the 3rd Section and adding to our current titles:

'South West Brass Band Association Entertainment Champions 2007'

This has been a great year for Heyl Town Band.

Mark Nicholls

ONLY 400 TICKET'S AVAILABLE FOR THIS CONCERT
TO PRE BOOK YOUR SEAT PLEASE RING
KAY COOK 01209 831512
JOHN WHEAR 01736 754804
DEREK JOHNSTON 01326 569299
DON'T MISS THIS GREAT EVENT !!!!

Derek Johnston

ONLY 400 TICKET'S AVAILABLE FOR SAT 28TH JULY
7.45PM
KAY COOK 01209 831512
JOHN WHEAR 01736 754804
DEREK JOHNSTON 01326 569299

DON'T MISS THIS GREAT EVENT!

Derek Johnston

The Band were back on top form on Sat 16th June,when they recorded a great return to form,winning the 2nd Section at Bugle,winning both the March and the Set piece,and Top Cornet Player Sharron Holywood winning the best player in the Section,the new look cornet section did the business in the difficult set work,Henry the 5th by Vaughn Williams,and some realy crisp playing in the March Restormal by W Moyle.
The Band wore Yellow ribbons as a mark of respect for the recent passing of Peter Minear.

Confirmation came today,that the Heyl Band have secured the first ever visit of the Polysteel Band to Cornwall. They are West of England Champions & Yeovil Champions 2007, and will be in Heyl on Saturday the 28th of July 2007, to open Heylfest Week, because of the visit Heylfest this year will be a day longer going from Sat 28th July to Sunday the 5th of August,tickets will be on sale shortly, don't miss this great Band!!!!!!!!!

Derek Johnston

4 Bars Rest has posted results for the "2007 Butlins Mineworkers Open Championships" of which we have just won 1st place in the third section.

They have also made a podcast for the overall weekend at Butlins, below are links to the content on 4 Bars Rest: -

2007 Butlins Mineworkers Open Championships Podcast

Results: 2007 Butlins Mineworkers [Sat]

Results: 2007 Butlins Mineworkers [Sun]

Mark Nicholls

Heyl would like to announce the arrival of two new players to the band. Anna Brown has returned to the cornet section after finishing university. Donna Diamond, a teacher for Penzance, has joined the baritone section. We extend a warm welcome and hope they will stay for many years to come.

Jane Rutter

The Heyl band gave a great performance at Torquay on Saturday playing Philip Sparkes Kaliedoscope,some of the comments from Stan Lippeatt were Good & Solid with good contrasting dynamics,clean crisp playing,with good tempo's.
The band beat some very strong opposition,including a couple of bands that have been prommoted to section one next year,the band are now looking forward to competing at the Butlins Mineworkers Contest at Skegness in January 2007.

John Whear (Gen Sec )

The Band have decided to take part in the Butlins Mineworkers Contest at Skegness in January,they will be playing the set piece Edwin of Northumbria by Keith Wardle.The Band are determined that next year will see a return to form,after the dissapointment of not being able to take part in the Area's this year,with the band now up to full strength.Should be a great weekend with many of the best bands in the country taking part.

Derek Johnston

The band would like to welcome Jane Rutter,who takes the first baritone seat,also Paul Stephens who takes the vacant solo horn seat,both players will I am sure be a great asset to the band,and I know both are looking forward to the Torquay Contest. The bands three young trainee's have now made a move into the senior band from the youth band and are progressing very well,we wish them all well at Torquay!

Derek Johnston

We would like to welcome Jane Rutter who has found her place on the first baritone seat and hope that she enjoys her first contest with the band at Torquay, Trisha Jenkin has now moved up to 2nd euph and doing a great job, also three youngsters have moved into the senior band,and we welcome larua Hanna & Rebbeca, these three have worked very hard to get into the band well done to all three, that means the band are now back uo to full strength, so look out Torquay!

Heyl Band played to a very High standard on saturday at the Exmouth festival so said John Berryman,the report was outstanding from the first piece to the last,it was also a debut day for many of the Bands younger players all of whom did so well,but also a debut for Matt Livingstone on Soprano,who it has to be said was outstanding,as were all of the Bands soloists,It was a great return for the Band,after what has been a very difficult few months,but everyone worked so hard, and came so close to two very established Bands.The Band played
War of the Celts
Vitae Lux
The Waltonian
Kell's water
Blades of Toledo
Toccata in D minor
Proper Job.
Great performance by a Band that is on the up.

Heyl Band

What a performance by what must be the finest brass band in the UK today,from the first bars to the last detail and class eminated from all sections of the band,to give such a quality programme and quality playing is a great credit to the salvation army,to those that did not make the effort to listen,then maybe it's time you pulled your head out from where the sun don't shine,and get in the real world!!!!!!!!!!!

( this message might not be the views of the whole band but it is the view of MD Derek Johnston)

Derek Johnston

The Band made a great return to the Contest Platform after the heartbreak of not being able to attend the area contest,the band played in the open section,and came in a close 2nd to St Dennis.

Great News !

The vacancy for principal cornet has now been filled, the band are delighted to see the return of Sharron Hollywood after a spell at Lanner.She has decided to return to the Heyl Band,but this time she comes back with some great experience!to take up the position of Principal Cornet, We wish her well,and feel sure she will lead the band on to greater things.

Sorry about the downtime of the website. There was a problem with the web hosting company that we were with and they couldn’t fix the problem, and this is why we have changed hosting companies.

The website should be fully functional now, but, if there any problems that occur please mail me at

Matt Nicholls

Tickets will be on sale as from Monday 2nd January
2006,Priced at £12.00 and £10.00,be quick I think they will go very fast!!!!!

Derek Johnston

Welcome all! The website now has a forum in which anyone can sign up and chat to your hearts content. To access the forum please use the new link in the menu to the left. I hope that this addition to the website will be popular and bring bandsmen, enthusiasts and everyone closer together! If there are any problems please let me know either by the forum of by E-Mail.

p.s. The forum has been fixed now, sorry for the inconvenience.

Matt Nicholls (creator)

The Band have been invited to do the radio Cornwall Concert in Truro Cathedral,this is to take place on Monday the 19th of December at 7.30pm.It is to be recorded for BBC Radio and TV.
The broadcast will go out on Christmas Day & Boxing Day,times to be confirmed.The Band will Be
joined by St Stithians Band & Nankersey Male Choir
and staff of Radio Cornwall.

Liz Bawden

Great News from the Band,it was confirmed last week that International Staff Band of The Salvation Army have been engaged by the Hayle Band to come to cornwall for the very first time in ISB history,the Hayle band are of course delighted at the news,and are very proud to be hosting the event,preperations are already well under way for this fantastic concert by this World Famous Band. People are already asking for tickets,but these will not go on sale until the 1st of january 2006,and only available from the Hall for Cornwall.