Martin Palmer

His daughter Sofie Palmer CO22 has recently become an Old Truronian and his sons, Thomas and Benjamin, are currently at Truro School.

We asked Martin to share memories of his career and what’s next for retirement.

Take us back to your school days – what were they like?

I went to school in the seventies, to Wellingborough Grammar School, in the middle of the country. We were the last year of the grammar school intake. The school was a pretty rough place in comparison to schools these days, however, I really enjoyed my school days and specialised in my two parallel interests - music and electronics. I joined the school’s radio club and, with the other boys, passed our City & Guilds exams and became a licenced radio hams, G8PDZ.

Do you remember when or how you decided to follow a career within music? Although there was a reasonable amount of music going on at my school, my real love of music came from the exciting years playing cello in Northamptonshire

Youth Orchestra, which meant seeing much of Europe on trips and tours, and playing in anything and everything I could. I had always enjoyed playing the organ, which Mozart called “the king of instruments”, and so I took a year off, worked for an organ-building company and developed my playing skills. I was thrilled to win a place to study at London’s Royal Academy of Music, and the experiences and opportunities that this gave me have lasted a lifetime.

You started at Truro School in 2004 from Forest School, can you remember what it was that encouraged you to make the move?

After the Royal College of Music, I was able to work in three great schools around London – the Royal Grammar School Guildford, King’s College School, Wimbledon and Forest School –but in the end I really missed the open countryside, and when I came for interview at Truro School I really warmed to the then Headmaster, Paul Smith (TS 2001-2012), and felt I could develop the Music Department.

Do you remember your first day at Truro School?

I am afraid I cannot remember my first day as I had been down many times to visit the School and meet all the musical ‘movers and shakers’ in the county. However, my early impression was that of a school from an earlier era run by many grumpy, male heads of departments. Very different to the lovely, dynamic and impressive staff I find around me today!

Are you able to describe any of your strongest memories from your time working at the School?

There are just so many – too many to mention here – I suppose my best memories are: the absolutely electric Hall for Cornwall Concerts, the magnificent Cathedral Choral Concerts and Services, the Chamber Choir becoming semifinalists in the BBC School Choir of the Year competition, the Chamber Orchestra playing in Birmingham’s Music for Youth Festival, the Cathedral Choristers singing in Britain’s Got Talent, the Chamber Choir Venice tour, the Wind Band’s Spain/ Italy tours.

Six wonderful musicals, not least West Side Story and Les Misérables (twice). This year I have really enjoyed our 1st and 2nd Year Hymn Practices, where the pupils regularly raise the roof with their singing, and, my 1st boys Donut Club have been a wonderful (unhealthy) joy to work with!

However, the regular, real (and often very moving) highlights have been the moments when our pupils achieve magical performances of their concertos or songs. Unforgettable!

Your children attended Truro School. That being said, how does it feel to be departing as not only Director of Music but as an Old Truronian parent?

My Sofie CO22 has just finished her first year at Royal Holloway reading Geology, Thomas is the L6th and Benjamin the 4th Year.

What would you say to someone hoping to forge a similar career path?

I am always thrilled to see our pupils go off to music college and university to study music, however, for the majority of our pupils, I hope we have given them a great hobby for life!

What are your plans after leaving?

I have so many plans for the future – I have undertaken a lot of organ playing and conducting this year and hope to continue with this. I will definitely be doing more cycling, running and sea swimming, improving my German and French, I hope to cycle to John O’Groats then run back through the Outer Hebrides, Highlands, Lake District, Peak District etc., cycle the length of Eurovelo 1 (Arctic Circle to Portugal), cycle Eurovelo 6 in reverse (France to the Black Sea). However, my wife says I will be doing all the cleaning, shopping, cooking and school runs…

Martin’s final thought

I am pleased that I leave a flourishing (and rebuilt post-Covid) Music Department behind me with:

Many bands, choirs and orchestra in very safe hands

317 individual music lessons (flute, guitar, piano etc) taking place each week

Cornwall’s best individual music teachers teaching our pupils, and

A wonderful Steinway Grand and Mander Organ in the Chapel.

I shall look forward to seeing the state-of-the-art new Music Department building arrive over the next few years.

Colin leaves Truro School after 49 years of service and takes the title as the longestserving member of staff the School has seen, exceeding Mike Osmond from whom he took over, who achieved 47 years of service.

Colin accepted the job as Groundsperson and Gardener on 16 July 1974, shortly after finishing his schooling at Helston Community College that Easter. He was hired by Old Truronian and the Bursar at the time, Jock Appleton 1928-1935 (TS Bursar 1958-1979), whom Colin said he had fond memories of working with. He said “I remember it was an easy interview, I went up to the Bursar’s office and we chatted for a few minutes before he toured me around the site and then hired me on the spot. I started right away.” The salary at the time was £12 a week and was paid in a brown envelope every Friday at 1pm. Colin remembers that visit to the Bursar’s office to collect his wage in cash very well.

Other memories include the cricket pavilion sadly burning down, along with all the names of those who had