The huge contributions Sir Malcom Arnold made to Cornish musical life were celebrated last week with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in Padstow harbour. The plaque, donated by Frank Brand of the Malcolm Arnold Society, was unveiled on Monday 26 May by the composer’s daughter, Katherine Arnold. The St Austell Band performed selection of the composer’s work, including the famous Padstow Lifeboat March, written for the launch of the new lifeboat in 1968.
 
Arnold lived at Primrose Cottage in St Merryn near Padstow between 1964 and 1972 – a period of calm after the turbulent early sixties which had seen a period of depression and the breakdown of his marriage. He became heavily involved in Cornish musical life and was made a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd in 1968. Works dating from this period include the Cornish Dances (1966), Sixth Symphony (1967), Viola Concerto (1971) and the Concerto for Two Pianos (Three Hands) (1969)