Arthur Griffiths and all his instruments"

Homeside, Belmont, Buckley

1948

Arthur Griffiths was aged 80 in this photo. He is holding his most treasured possession, his silver cornet and at the time he was believed to be the oldest cornet player in Wales. The cornet was presented in 1874 to his father, who was a military bandmaster for 40 years, and was therefore 74 years old. He practised on it every day and his hope was that he would never be too old to play!

He first played the tin whistle as a small child for others to dance. He was conductor of the Buckley Engineers' Band for fifteen years and played before Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, and King George V.

At 60, he helped to form a dance band and played the drums. Not long before this photo was taken he gave a lecture at Saint John's on the History of Music in Buckley. He played several other instruments. Classical music remained his favourite: "I can make them dance," he said, "but I don't really like this jazz."

His father was William Griffiths. See 170.11.

Author: Anon

Arthur Griffiths and all his instruments"

Homeside, Belmont, Buckley

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