Burry Port Town strengthened their grip on the 2012 Welsh League Championship with a commanding victory at the West Wales Festival Contest in Fishguard on the weekend.

Resounding victory

A resounding reprise of Tom Davoren’s ‘VIVAT!’, which just a couple of weeks ago saw them gain second place at the First Section National Finals, was more than good enough to comprehensively defeat their domestic top section rivals.

The result leaves the band within touching distance of claiming the overall title at the South East Wales finale in Blaenavon next month.

Adjudicator Glyn Williams described the winners as being ‘clearly ahead’ of the opposition – an opinion reinforced by the four point winning margin over runner-up Tylorstown, with third placed Abergavenny two points further back in third.

High class

Conducted by Michael Thorne, Burry Port produced a high quality performance full of colour and contrast, featuring classy soloists and balanced ensemble, although star solo baritone player Ceri John later confided that the band felt they didn’t quite play as well as they did at Cheltenham.

However, the slightest of post-National dips had little effect on their victory, and there was no happier winning band representative than Keith Curtis, who celebrated 40 years of top level horn playing by winning the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.

Tough

Glyn Williams described some of the choices made by the bands as ‘tough’, although a solid rendition of ‘Between the Moon & Mexico’ saw Tylorstown secure second place, whilst a purposeful rendition of ‘Trittico’ saw Abergavenny claim a comfortable podium finish ahead of a misfiring Pontardulais.

Warm welcome

Bright sunshine and a warm welcome greeted the competitors at the Bro Gwaun School, with excellent facilities (including a judge’s tent that was a homage to health & safety requirements – complete with bright orange council safety barriers!) and a well organised series of contests making for an enjoyable day.

The only disappointment for the hard working West Wales BBA organisers was the lack of bands making the westerly trip along the M4 from the South East Wales Association for what was the first major contest held in the picturesque port town.

Cwmtawe success

The action stared early in the Fourth Section, with Cwmtawe Youth (who brought over 50 players with them in their two ensembles) under the direction of Wayne Pedrick, producing an exciting rendition of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ to claim the Welfare Hall Challenge Cup.

Adjudicator Philip Harper was impressed by the overall standard, saying the bands, ‘were hard to separate out’.

In the end Cwmtawe just pipped Oakdale Silver into second with the in-form Ebbw Valley Brass a point further back in third.

The battle for the Welsh League honours will now be decided in an exciting climax next month with all three bands in with a real chance of claiming the title.

Suite success for Ammanford

‘West was best’ in the Third Section as Ammanford Town conducted by Glyn R Davies secured a close victory over rivals City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) with Tata Steel (Port Talbot) in third.

The top two contenders were a little way ahead of the rest on the day according to adjudicator Glyn Williams.

Ammanford’s compact ensemble work on ‘A Malvern Suite’ just had the edge over City of Cardiff’s more colourful rendition of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, despite the award winning cornet contribution of ‘Best Instrumentalist’ winner Lyndon Dunston.

There were encouraging performances from Tata Steel and Ystradgynlais, but it will be Ammanford and Cardiff who now head to Blaenavon with one League win a piece for what promises to be an exciting battle for the overall League title.

Local triumph for Goodwick

With the town mayor in attendance, Goodwick Brass gained revenge over rivals Llwydcoed in what turned out to be a rather one sided battle between the recent Cheltenham finalists.

Their performance of ‘Academic Festival Overture’ was described by adjudicator Philip Harper as being a clear ‘head and shoulders’ winner.

Too late

Their 3 point victory came a couple of weeks too late for conductor Matthew Jenkins though. "If only we played like that in Cheltenham!" he told 4BR.

However, Matthew was still delighted with the way his young band had bounced back after their National Finals disappointment, especially as his younger brother Luke picked up the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award for his fine individual contribution on solo cornet.

A slightly misfiring Llwydcoed was unable to repeat the level of academic exam work that saw them come fifth at the Finals, whilst there was an encouraging performance from third placed finisher Briton Ferry Silver with their rendition of ‘Laudate Dominum’.

Comprehensive Cardiff

City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) delivered further evidence of their Championship Section credentials in winning the First Section by a comprehensive six point margin under the baton of Gareth Ritter.

The organisation brought over 80 players to the contest in their various M1, 2 & Junior guises, with the senior ensemble claiming a victory that just about guarantees that they will be promoted to the top section next year as Welsh League Champions once again.

High class

They delivered a high class rendition of ‘Year of the Dragon’ that adjudicator Philip Harper also termed as being ‘head and shoulders’ clear of the opposition, and which was enhanced by an equally high class ‘Best Instrumentalist’ contribution from solo trombonist Robin Hackett.

Trailing in their wake in a contest of wide ranging variability was Penclawdd, with a solidly portrayed ‘Purcell Variations’, with rather disappointing accounts from Blaenavon Town and RAF St Athan filling the remaining places.

Excellent entertainment

Earlier there was plenty of excellent entertainment to enjoy from the next generation of young Welsh performers, as five youth bands each played 10 minute programmes judged by Glyn Williams.

It was Melingriffith Juniors – or M3 as they like to be called, who claimed a well deserved Gold Award under the direction of Gareth Ritter, thanks to a set that included the march ‘Barnard Castle’, ‘Duelling Xylos’ featuring Amy Herman and Heledd Gwynant, ‘Irish Blessing’ and ‘Eve of War’.

There was a brace of excellent Silver Award performances from BTM Next Generation and Goodwick Youth, with the emerging talents of Burry Port Youth and Cwmtawe Youth 2, claiming Bronze Awards for their cracking efforts.

Life Membership

An excellent day was rounded off with the welcome presentations of Life Membership to a quartet of musicians who have given well over a century and a half of commitment and service to the banding movement in West Wales.

Eifion Roberts of Crwbin, Alan Evans and Tony Small of Penclawdd and Neil Palmer of Pontardulais each received their well deserved awards.

Forum move

With Welsh banding looking to secure a sustainable contesting future it was disappointing for Brass Band Forum Chairman Iestyn Davies to witness a rather disappointing turn out of competitors from the South East of the Principality, especially with the final leg of the Welsh League series due to take place in the valley’s town of Blaenavon in just a few weeks time.

"Congratulations go to the organisers for what proved to be an excellent contest day – and one which I believe has a bright future," Iestyn told 4BR.

"The Forum is certainly looking at ways in which Welsh banding can work together to increase participation and co-operation to build on events such as this. A report has been commissioned and completed which we hope will be discussed and acted upon in the near future."

Adjudicator Glyn Williams described the winners as being 'clearly ahead' of the opposition – an opinion reinforced by the four point winning margin4BR

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Glyn Williams

1. Burry Port Town (M. Thorne) – 195
2. Tylorstown (G. Davies) – 191
3. Abergavenny Borough (C. Roberts) – 189
4. Pontardulais Town (P. Jenkins) – 186

Best Instrumentalist: Keith Curtis (horn) – Burry Port

First Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Harper

1. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (G. Ritter) – 192
2. Penclawdd Brass (T. Small) – 186
3. Blaenavon Town (A. Protherough-Jones) – 181
4. RAF St Athan Voluntary (A. Bourne) – 180

Best Instrumentalist: Robin Hackett (trombone) – City of Cardiff (Melingriffith)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Harper

1. Goodwick Brass (M. Jenkins) – 189
2. Llwydcoed (N. Seaman) – 186
3. Briton Ferry Silver (R. Griffiths) – 184
4. Seindorf Crwbin (A. Jones) – 181
5. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (C B Buckely) – 180

Best Instrumentalist: Luke Jenkins (cornet) – Goodwick Brass

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Glyn Williams

1. Ammanford Town (G R Davies) – 186
2. City of Cardifff (Melingriffith) M2 (D. Griffiths) – 185
3. Tata Steel (Port Talbot) (C. Thomas) – 183
4. Ystradgynalis Public (A. Parker) – 182

Best Instrumentalist: Lyndon Dunston (cornet) – City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) M2

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Harper

1. Cwmtawe Youth (W. Pedrick) – 180
2. Oakdale Silver (J. Jones) – 179
3. Ebbw Valley Brass (G. Ritter) – 178

Best Instrumentalist: David Johnson (euphonium) — Ebbw Valley Brass

Youth Section:
Adjudicator: Glyn Williams

Gold Award:
Melingriffith Juniors M3 — (G. Ritter)

Silver Awards:
BTM Next Generation (M. Hutchinson) & Goodwick Youth (L. Jenkins)

Bronze Awards:
Burry Port Youth (G. Thomas) & Cwmtawe Youth Band 2 (W. Pedrick)