Welsh banding has been given a timely political boost by former Assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan, as it looks to gain financial support for it plans to host the 2020 European Brass Band Championship in Cardiff.

Championships League

With the Welsh capital rumoured to be favourites to host the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final and with the Rugby World Cup to come next year, he took the opportunity to praise what he called 'our fantastic brass bands' in his regular column in the national Western Mail newspaper.

Infused

In he stated that whilst traditional Welsh male voices choirs were 'struggling to maintain numbers and recruit young singers' brass banding in the nation has produced 'fantastic results' — ones that he felt was due to 'a marriage of the community tradition infused with expertise'.

whilst traditional Welsh male voices choirs were 'struggling to maintain numbers and recruit young singers' brass banding in the nation has produced 'fantastic results'4BR

Influential

As one leading brass band administrator told 4BR: "It's good to read of the support from such an influential figure in the Welsh political scene.

Hopefully that can now be translated into the type of financial support we need to host the European Championships in Cardiff for the first time since 1992."