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2004 Welsh Regional Championships
Fourth Section
Sunday 14th March
Test Piece: Partita – Edward
Gregson
Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard
- Jones
The Fourth Section has been a bit of a barren wasteland of national
success over the years for the Welsh. Beaumaris won the title both
in 1991 and 2000 (with their B band), but before that you have to
go back to 1971 and the victory of Ebbw Vale, and before that to
1957 and Gwaun Cae Gurwen. In fact there has only been other victory
at this level, and that was in the real black and white high pitched
instrument days of 1953 when Ystalyfera Public took the title. The
Welsh as a nation are not great travellers, but this has been a
pretty lamentable record.
Last year, Harlech and Ogmore Silver were flag bearers in Scotland,
but they could only come away with a 6th and 8th – not bad,
(that was the sixth consecutive year the Welsh had claimed a top
six place), but in reality they were not close to taking home the
top prize.
There is some good as well as bad news at the contest this year
as well. The good news is that Abergynolwyn, Cwmtawe Youth and Holywell
make their debuts, whilst Glyneath, Newport Borough and Llwycoed
return. The bad is always that we lose someone, and this time Blaenafon
Concert and Oakdale are missing.
Still, it should be a fine contest for Steve Pritchard - Jones
to adjudicate upon, so lets hope 2004 signals a further improvement
in the musical health of the Welsh at this level, and the possibility
that whoever gets the nod for Harrogate will be able to push for
a long overdue sixth National title.
Abergynolwyn
Conductor: A. Williams
Last Eight Years: Debut
It’s always nice to report that a new brass band makes it’s
contesting debut, and so we wish Abergynolwyn all the best on their
first appearance here.
Aberystwyth Youth
Conductor: A. Phillips
Last Eight Years:
2003: 4th (A. Phillips)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: 4th
1999: 4th
1998: N/K 4th Section
1997: 15th 3rd Section (rel)
1996: N/K
Aberystwyth Youth return for the second successive year under the
baton of A. Phillips, and they will be confident of possibly claiming
one of the qualification places on offer for Harrogate. Three consecutive
fourth places here in their last three appearances will be something
they will want to improve upon.
Crwbin Enzo Construction
Conductor: A. Jones
Last Eight Years:
2003: 13th (J. Jones)
2002: 12th
2001: 11th
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
The exotically named Crwbin Enzo Construction will be certainly
hoping for an upturn in fortunes at this contest, after three years
in which they have dropped further down the prize list. Last year
they touched rock bottom, so given their new found lease of life
under their sponsors they will be looking to put down some firm
foundations and build for success.
Glyneath
Conductor: W. Cross
Last Eight Years:
2003: DNC
2002: 3rd
2001: 5th
2000: 11th
1999: 13th in Third Section (rel)
1998: 9th
1997: Winners Fourth Section (prom)
1996: 3rd
Glyneath didn’t compete here last year, but return hoping
to start up again where they left off in fine style in 2002 when
they came 3rd. Before that they won they section back in 1997, so
they have shown that they know what is needed to succeed here. Bill
Cross conducts them again.
Goodwick Brass
Conductor: D. Wheeler
Last Eight Years:
2003: 9th (D. Wheeler)
2002: 8th
2001: 7th
2000: DNC
1999: 15th
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
Goodwick are another band that have dropped away a little over
the last three years here. 7th place in 2001 has been followed by
8th in 2002 and 9th last year, so they too will be looking for an
improvement.
Gwaun Cae Gurwen
Conductor: R. Williams
Last Eight Years:
2003: 10th (R. Williams)
2002: 10th
2001: 10th 3rd Section (rel)
2000: 7th 3rd Section
1999: 12th 3rd Section
1998: 10th 2nd Section (rel)
1997: 8th 2nd Section
1996: 11th 2nd Section
A real famous old brass banding name both in Wales and the UK return
once more hoping to gain some success to add to a long historical
CV that includes Championship Section wins here in the 1950’s
and placings at the British Open in the 1920’s. 10th place
in the last two years means they have possibly laid down the foundations
for a leap up the prize table.
Holywell
Conductor: D. Davies
Last Eight Years: Debut
Another band from the North of the Principality who are making
their debut here this year. It’s a long trip down from the
island of Angelsey, but we hope it won’t be in vain. Good
luck to them.
Llwydcoed
Conductor: A. Davies
Last Eight Years:
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: 14th
1998: N/K
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
A welcome return for the band that hails from just outside Merthyr
Tydfil. Alan Davies has been working hardwith the band, developing
a lot of talented youngsters, so they could be ready to make their
mark here and possibly gain their first bit of silverware since
they were Third Section Champions back in 1983.
Newport Borough
Conductor: M. Davies
Last Eight Years:
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: 6th in Second Section (rel)
2000: 7th in Second Section
1999: 6th in Second Section
1998: 4th in Second Section
1997: 4th in Second Section
1996: 10th in Second Section
Newport make a return back here for the first time since 2001,
when the band were riding high in the Second Section under Steve
Legge and Mark Hutcherson of Tredegar and BTM. Those couple of years
away have meant that they have dropped down the sections, so they
start off their new campaign at the bottom of the contesting tree.
Lets hope they start to regain former glories.
Ogmore Valley
Conductor: I. Barnett
Last Eight Years:
2003: 2nd (I. Barnett)
2002: 11th
2001: 10th
2000: 10th 3rd Section (rel)
1999: 8th 3rd Section
1998: 13th 3rd Section
1997: 6th 3rd Section
1996: N/K
Ogmore claimed the runners up spot here last year, and that led
them to an appearance at the National Finals in Scotland where they
put up a decent showing in coming 8th under the popular MD Ivor
Barnett. That was a great iprovement on the previous two years,
and they will certainly be looking for a repeat or even improvement
to gain their first title here for well over 25 years.
Pontypool Brass
Conductor: M. Jones Last Year: 9th in Third Section (rel)
Last Eight Years:
2003: 9th in Third Section (rel) (M. Jones)
2002: 6th
2001: DNC
2000: 3rd
1999: 8th 2nd Section (rel)
1998: 9th 2nd Section
1997: 6th 2nd Section
1996: 7th 2nd Section
Pontypool have dropped through the sections of late – they
were doing well enough in the Second Section back in 1997 and nearly
returned there a year later. Apart from that though they have gradually
fallen away and this year is in the Fourth Section for the first
time in living memory. They will though be hopeful of returning
back to winning ways and possibly recording their first title victory
here since they were crowned Second Section winners in 1995.
Radyr and Morganstown
Conductor: G. Hann
Last Eight Years:
2003: 4th (G. Hann)
2002: 5th
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
Possible favourites to take the title, and to add another Welsh
title victory to a famous old banding name herein the Principality.
Those with longer memories will remember the name of Mellingriffith,
and Radyr are direct descendents of them. 5th in 2002, 4th last
year. Can they go at least two places better and gain a trip to
Harrogate?
Severn Tunnel
Conductor: A. MacDonald
Last Eight Years:
2003: 6th (R. Griffiths)
2002: 9th
2001: 9th
2000: 5th
1999: 13th
1998: N/K 4th Section
1997: DNC
1996: N/K The band that hails from a railway depot and long tunnel under
the Severn, will be looking to make another improvement in their
fortunes here. A. MacDonald who took Rogerstone to some success
a little while ago, take over the baton from Rhodri Griffths,
and the band will be looking to push for a podium place at least.
Vale of Glamorgan
Conductor: D. Short
Last Eight Years:
2003: 11th in Third Section (rel) (D. Short)
2002: DNC
2001: 8th
2000: 8th
1999: 10th
1998: N/K 4th Section (prom)
1997: 3rd 4th Section
1996: 4th 4th Section
Vale of Glamorgan return to the Fourth section for the first time
since 1998. Since that promotion they found life a bit tough in
the higher section, so it will be interesting to see how they get
on. David Short takes the band here again this year, and they will
be looking for a good result.
Ystradgynlais Public
Conductor: A. Morgan
Last Eight Years:
2003: 11th (A. Jones)
2002: 13th
2001: DNC
2000: 12th
1999: 8th
1998: N/K 4th Section
1997: N/K 4th Section
1996: N/K They may have only moved up two places last year, but it was two
places in the right direction for Ystradgynlais. A new MD in the
shape of A. Morgan will be looking to keep up that forward momentum,
so a top 10 place is the least of their ambitions.
Results archive:
Full results of previous year's contests together with a results summary can
be found in our results archive.
Past
Qualifiers: 2003: Harlech, Ogmore Valley
2002: Conway Town, Porthaethwy Menai Bridge
2001: Llanelli and District, Briton Ferry
2000: Beaumaris B, Crosskeys
1999: Harlech, Blaenavon Town
1998: Llanrug, Cross Keys
1997: Glyneath, Royal Oakeley
1996: Royal Oakeley, Newbridge Celynen
1995: Royal Oakeley, Llanelli Town
Welsh bands at the Finals:
2003: 6th, 8th
2002: 5th, 7th
2001: 4th, 18th
2000: 1st, 18th
1999: 3rd, 10th
1998: 14th, 16th
4BR Prediction:
The last couple of years in the Fourth section have proved to be
both enjoyable and exciting for the average neutral listener. We
think this year won’t be the exception either as there are
plenty of bands more than capable of winning here on the day if
things go right for them.
With that in mind we therefore go for a first victory under a new
name for the Radyr and Morganstown Band, followed by Aberystwyth
Youth to join them on the trip to Harrogate. Behind them should
be a close old scrap, but we opt for Ogmore to take third place,
followed by Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Severn Tunnel and Goodwick. Our dark
horses are Llwydcoed.
1. Radyr and Morganstown
2. Aberystwyth Youth
3. Ogmore Valley
4. Gwaun Cae Gurwen
5. Severn Tunnel
6. Goodwick
Dark Horse: Llwydcoed
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