*
banner

Nia heads the new tuba inspired generation in Wales

8 yr old Nia Llewellyn of Milford Haven Juniors has become the first recipient of the Gwyn Press Memorial Award.

Gwyn Press Award
 

The SEWBBA Contest in Merthyr Tydfil has seen the inaugural presentation of the Gwyn Press Memorial Trophy.

The annual award will now be made at the final contest of the domestic Welsh banding season to the youngest tuba in the Youth Section event.

Celebrated

Gwyn died in January this year at the tragically young age of 48, and Tredegar Band wanted to ensure that his memory would be celebrated once a year with the presentation of a trophy inscribed, 'to inspire the next generation of young tuba players...'

The first recipient was 8 year old Nia Llewellyn of Milford Haven Juniors (above), who was presented with the trophy by Gwyn's great friend and fellow Tredegar player, Dai Thomas.

Gwyn would have been tickled pink that a fantastic young player like Nia is not only enjoying playing in a brass band, but is doing it by playing the tuba so brilliantly as wellDai Thomas

Honour

He told 4BR: "It was a real honour to be able to present the trophy on behalf of the family who made the trip to the contest, and a delight that the first recipient is Nia.

Gwyn would have been tickled pink that a fantastic young player like Nia is not only enjoying playing in a brass band, but is doing it by playing the tuba so brilliantly as well."

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    


Besson

4BR Christmas Quiz

December 26 • How good is your brass band knowledge? Good enough to win a cornet and goodies for a young player?


Special Award

2025 4BR Special Award: Richard Marshall

December 25 • One of the finest cornet players of this or any other brass band generation is the recipient of the 4BR Special Award.


Band of the Year

2025 4BR Band of the Year

December 25 • One band once again stamped its class and authority on the banding world this year — with the promise of even more to come in 2026.


Conductor

2025 4BR Conductor of the Year

December 25 • One conductor stood out on the podium from their counterparts this year.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Dobcross Silver Band

December 29 • We are accepting applications for a 2nd BARITONE PLAYER after the Area contest in March.. As current NW Area 3rd Section Champions and 2025 National Champions we start our journey in the 2nd Section in 2026! Come and join our great Euph/Bari section!


Crewe Brass

December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen

D. Phil. (Oxon) [Ph.D Oxford University], GBSM, LTCL, ABSM, ALCM, Cert. Ed.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd