*
banner

Llanrug enjoy 61 year old taste of success

The Llanrug Band is still celebrating a long, long, overdue title winning success...

Cornets
 

It may have taken a long time, but the small North Wales village band of Llanrug has regained the title of Champion Band of North Wales — 61 years after they last won it in 1953!

Thrilling

Under the direction of MD and Fairey Band principal cornet Paul Hughes they claimed both the Own Choice and the ‘Best March’ prizes at the recent North Wales Brass Band Championships in Ruthin.

Their thrilling performance of the Philip Sparke’s ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’, and T J Powell’s ‘The Spacemen’ saw them clinch the long overdue victory over defending champion Deiniolen.

Beaming

A delighted contest Secretary Alan Owen, beamed from ear to ear as he was presented with both prizes, despite ill health seeing him missing out on playing on the day. Fortunately, Paul’s great friend and Fairey colleague Gavin Saynor, stepped in to help out.

“It was a blow not to be part of the performance as we had a strong feeling that this could finally be our year!” Alan said.

“The band has been brilliant throughout the preparations and Paul was very clear at the early stages of rehearsals as to what it would take to bring the title home."

School age

He added: "We yet again had a very young band on stage, with 11 players of school age and a further four still in education, all led for the first time by our new principal cornet Owain Llestyn, who is just 13.

He was not along though as there were plenty of other notbale contributions from all around the stand, in particular Sacheus Pritchard (soprano), Rebecca Roberts (flugel), Tomos Roberts (horn) and Merin Lleu (trombone).”

Cloud Nine

Not surprisingly Musical Director, Paul Hughes was still on cloud nine when he spoke to 4BR.

“‘I’m delighted for everyone associated with Llanrug. It’s been a long and rocky road to get to this point — but such a brilliant achievement for a band that can trace its proud history back to the 1880s.

Five years ago I entered the bandroom unsure at what I would find. I was greeted by 12 players, many of them of them were of school age, so to arrive at this point in such a short space of time is an astounding by them all.”

The key is to nurture the youngsters and give them time to develop and gain vital experience. This work ethic is really starting to pay dividends!MD, Paul Hughes

Nurture

Paul added: “The key is to nurture the youngsters and give them time to develop and gain vital experience. This work ethic is really starting to pay dividends!

The transformation has been incredible, and I knew we were in good form off the back of a very strong performance at the National Eisteddfod.”

To add to the senior band’s success, the Llanrug Youth Band also came runner-up in the Youth B Section.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Sam Thackray

Nocturnal Dances on youthful show in heart of London

August 6 • The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain will showcase the trio of Young Composer Competition winners at the Royal College of Music this weekend.


Albert Hall

Albert Hall qualification reversed

August 6 • The top four bands at this year's Championship Section National Final will gain an automatic invitation to the 2026 contest.


mANGER

King leads conducting trio at Manger

August 5 • Prof David King, Magnus Brandseth and Tormod Flaten will mastermind the musical challenges of the Norwegian National Champion.


Angus

Talent showcase at NYBBGB Course

August 5 • Eight talented performers battled it out to be crowned Harry Mortimer Solo Award winner.


The Lindley Band - Parp and a Pint

Wednesday 6 August • 14a Holly Bank Road. Lindley. Huddersfield . West Yorkshire HD3 3 JE


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 8 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham GL51 7JY


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 15 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL52 7JY


Cheltenham Silver Band - Brass (and percussion) and Beer

Friday 22 August • St. Barnabas Church Hall, Orchard Way, Cheltenham, GL51 7JY GL51 7JY


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Elland Silver Band

August 5 • Are seeking a SOLO CORNET player and a 3rd CORNET player to complete our line up for our exciting autumn / winter season of concerts & contests. Rehearsals are Monday & Thursday evenings 8 -10pm at our bandroom in Elland HX5 9AZ.


wantage silver band

August 5 • Wantage Band (Championship Section) have a vacancy for a BASS PLAYER, Eb or Bb. The band are ideally looking for an experienced player but are committed to giving younger players opportunities. There are always openings to teach and conduct at WSB too.


Petworth Town Band

August 4 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for BASS TROMBONE, CORNET and TUBA. We are an active band with a full calendar of engagements. We would welcome new players to join us and our happy band of players.


Rob Nesbitt

BSc, PG Cert. Ed.
Cartoonist , illustrator, writer


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd