Members of Falmouth Marine Band gathered to hand over the proceeds of this summer’s carnival to 15 worthy causes, only to find themselves thrust into the limelight when they were presented with the very first Mayor’s Spirit of Falmouth Award.

New mayor, John Body had invited representatives of the band to a reception to celebrate 25 years of making music, but then surprised them with the award. “I am delighted to present the first Mayor’s Spirit of Falmouth Award to the Falmouth Marine Band who have entertained many people over the last 25 years whilst raising over £200,000 to support local organisations,” said Mr Body. “I hope the band will continue to entertain us for many years to come.”

Band leader, Paul Wickes, said: “When Dave Spargo and Colin Bennetts created the band 25 years ago, as a one-off to help a flagging Falmouth Carnival in 1989, little did anyone know we would still be wreaking mayhem 25 years year’s later. Now in our 25th anniversary year, this incredible award is to every band member past and present who has marched, beaten a paint drum, rattled a collecting bucket or fired the cannon in support of local good causes.

“Once famously described by former treasurer Mike Knutton as ‘a drinking band with a marching problem,’ we are proud to still be able to put smiles on people’s faces and support local good causes, it is why we are in the band. We are also living proof of what can be achieved in life without the need for talent or rehearsals.

“Thank you to the mayor and Falmouth Town Council for recognising the community work of the band and thank you to all the good people of Falmouth who turn out to watch us and put money in the collecting buckets, without which we would not exist.”

With the civic reception over, the time came for the band’s annual presentation evening which saw the £2,300 donated during the town’s marching carnival in August, split between 15 local groups.

The recipients were: Age UK Falmouth’s Day Centre, which supports over 100 local elderly people and relies entirely on donations, who received £100.

The Last Chance Hotel dog rescue centre, where volunteers care for and re-home unwanted and abandoned dogs, which got £200.

Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club, which has 140 young members and will use its £200 to create changing rooms on the beach.

Happy Days Nursery on The Beacon received £100 to replace some of the toys stolen during a recent break-in at the centre.

The 1st Trescobeas Scout and Cubs, which supports more than 50 young people aged six to 14, received £200.

Falmouth and Penryn Police Cadets, who have pioneered the Cop Car Project and helped at numerous community events, received £200.

Falmouth Safe Space, where volunteers provide late night shelter and assistance for people in distress, were presented with a cheque for £100.

Falmouth Pink Wiggers, who prompted the marine band to break with tradition by giving to a national charity following the award winning Pink Wig parade which it led last year. The ladies received £100.

Fit ‘n’ Fun Kids received a cheque for £100 which will go into a hardship fund to be used by parents who fall on hard times to meet nursery costs.

The Falmouth branch of the Mission to Seafarers received £250 in recognition of the support it offers to visiting sailors.

Falmouth and Penryn Boxing Club received £150 to support the “excellent work” they do to engage more than 70 young people Falmouth Taekwondo Club received £150; Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors got £100; Falmouth RNLI; received £250 to be spent on buying equipment for the local station and ABLE Bowling will receive £100.

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