Just a couple of weeks ahead of their clash at the Rugby World Cup, there was a fine English victory to celebrate over the Welsh, as Cinderford claimed the honours at the Miners' Welfare Brass Band Entertainment contest in Newbridge.

Strong challenge

Under the baton of conductor Chris Howley, the Third Section West of England team repelled the strong challenge of a scrum full of eight Celtic rivals to take home the £600 first prize and the splendid South Wales Miners' Challenge Cup worth over £6,000.

Just a point behind Cinderford came a strong performance from City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) 2, conducted by Robin Hackett, with a vibrant Cwmtawe & District Youth under Wayne Pedrick in third.

Innovative

There were plenty of enjoyable and innovative performances for adjudicator John Winterflood to enjoy throughout the day amid the superbly restored art-deco surroundings of the Newbridge Memorial Hall.

"The overall standard was really good,"he said before the announcement of the results. "There was variety and innovation, although I was aware that the usual problems also arose with intonation and articulation.

Some bands played music that was just a little too challenging, but the prizewinners were very good and I also enjoyed Crwbin."

Winning set

Cinderford's winning set opened with 'Valero', followed by their signature march, 'Cinderford', before Anthony Murrell took the Yorweth Gowing Memorial Shield as 'Best Euphonium' for his fine rendition of Philip Sparke's 'Rhapsody for Euphonium'.

A nice contrast was shown with 'Witch of the Westmorlands' before the band rounded their programme off with the upbeat 'Toccata in D Minor'.

"We're thrilled at the result,"their spokesperson told 4BR before they nipped back for a celebration at a pub closer to home.

"It's a great contest format and we thoroughly enjoyed making the trip here to compete against our Welsh rivals. The band is building so well under Chris that we are really looking forward to the rest of the season and to making our debut at the Welsh Open contest next year because of this win."

Prizes

The quality of their challenge was reflected in the prizes, with the 'Most Entertaining Stage Presentation' prize claimed by Cwmtawe Youth Band, to take their overall prize package to an impressive £400, whilst their talented young principal cornet Ffion Morris also won the 'Best Cornet' prize.

Meanwhile, the 'Best Soloist' award went to Cross Key's soprano player Pauline Morgan as they took the £200 prize as the highest placed Third Section band not in the prizes, with Ynyshir taking the Fourth Section equivalent.

The 'Best Horn' Section award went to Gwaun Cae Gurwen, whilst Dylan Savage of Ammanford was presented with the 'Youngest Player' award.

Grow

This was the fifth time that the contest has taken place, run by the hardworking team led by Rob Gowing, and he told 4BR that he now hopes that it will continue to grow into the success that the Welsh Open has become.

"This is an important event for lower section banding — on both sides of the River Severn. I don't think there is a contest such as this that offers such a generous amount of prize money, brilliant trophies and the opportunity for the winners to rub shoulders with Championship bands at another contest.

My thanks as always go to the South Wales Miners' Trust for their support — and we hope to see even more bands back here next year."

Future band

One of those may well be the Rhondda Fach Youth Band after they gave a cracking little mini-concert set before the announcement of the results under the baton of Angela Westacott.

Developed in a weekly partnership between the Ynyshir and Tylorstown Bands, the thriving set-up now provides a vibrant community based youth band for local children in their area.

The band is building so well under Chris that we are really looking forward to the rest of the season and to making our debut at the Welsh Open contest next year because of this winCinderford Band

Results:

1. Cinderford (Chris Howley) — 186
2. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) 2 (Robin Hackett) — 185
3. Cwmtawe & District Youth (Wayne Pedrick) — 184
4. Seindorf Arian Crwbin (Lynne Turner) — 183
5. Cross Keys Silver (Benjamin tkinson) — 182
6. Ammanford Town (Glyn R Davis) — 181
7. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Jeff Hutcherson) — 180
8. Ynyshir (Gary Davies) — 179
9. Upper Rhondda (David Langley) — 178

Highest Placed Third Section Band not in prizes: Cross Keys
Highest Fourth Section Band not in prizes: Ynyshir

Most Entertaining Stage Presentation: Cwmtawe & District Youth

Best Soloist: Pauline Morgan (soprano) — Cross Keys
Best Cornet: Ffion Morris (Cwmtawe & District Youth)
Best Euphonium: Anthony Murrell (Cinderford)
Best Horn Section: Gwaun Cae Gurwen

Youngest Player: Dylan Savage (Ammanford)