The Llwydcoed Band, based at the top of the Cynon and Taff valleys of South Wales are celebrating a year of silver success after a season that saw them bag more silverware than a housebreaking Santa Claus.

Victories

The band returned to Second Section contesting at Coleford at the beginning of the year, claiming a fourth placed finish and ‘Best Soloist’ award along the way, before heading to Swansea where they confirmed their rise from the contesting dead, with a winning performance (and another ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award) of ‘Resurgam’ at the Welsh Area contest.

A victory at the Welsh League Ebbw Vale contest was followed by a runner up finish at the National Eisteddfod in North Wales.

Despite just missing out on a podium finish at the Nationals at Cheltenham, the band returned home to claim more trophies at the Burry Port and Blaenavon contests, where they were crowned overall Second Section Welsh League champions.

Best year ever

Supporter Colin Price told 4BR: "During the year the band has also been busy on the concert stage, in community projects and charity fundraising. To do all that and achieve so much has made it the best year the band has ever had. I can’t believe how it has all come together!"

With star players David Johnson and Iestyn Davies and MD Gary Davies, all picking up their fair share of individual honours throughout the year, the shelves in the band HQ — also known as the Red Cow Pub — will be feeling the strain when they will be displayed at their forthcoming Christmas party.

the shelves in the band HQ — also known as the Red Cow Pub — will be feeling the strain when they will be displayed at their forthcoming Christmas party4BR

Much more than expected

Chairman Kevin Johnsons added: "We started the year pretty nervous as we had seriously misfired the last time we got to the second section.

But this year has been much more than I ever expected. I’d like to thank all the members of the band, our conductors and our growing number of regular supporters for all their hard work during what has been a tremendous year."

Centenary year

The band which has known good as well as bad times is now preparing for its centenary year and laying the foundations for the future.

Kevin concluded: "The band will be in concert as part of the local pre-Christmas celebrations and are even prouder to be playing for the first time alongside our newly founded junior band. That really is the icing on the cake!"