Although there is nothing new about disgruntled players moaning about results in the bar after a competition has finished, modern-day bad banding behaviour can't match events of over 100 years ago — especially given that it took place during the contest itself.

The report comes from the South Wales Daily News of April 1896, concerning a Bank Holiday contest held in Newport, where the test-piece seemed rather apt….

Afterwards, in the presence of a very small gathering, the Fochriw Band played the test piece in capital style, and, there being no other competitors, as their players had fallen foul of the local constabulary, carried off the prize4BR

The correspondent wrote:

"One of the programmes of amusement provided for the holiday-keepers at Newport on Bank Holiday Monday had a remarkable denouement.

This was a brass band contest in connection with an eisteddfod… or to be strictly accurate, was arranged to take place, for the contest proved the reverse of musical. The test piece was a selection from 'Lucrezia Borgia' and six bands entered for the £20 prize.

Amongst these was the Fochriw brass band, the others being two bands from Blaenavon, one from Abertillery, another from Pontypridd, and the sixth from Mid-Rhondda.

The Fochriw band, it appears, won a prize last year at a prominent eisteddfod, and this fact, it was argued, placed it in a higher level and rendered unfair its competition on the same terms with the other bands, which partook much more of the amateur element.

This feeling displayed itself unpleasantly.

When the Fochriw band attempted to play they were met by discordant notes from the instruments of some of the members of the other bands, who crowded in behind the public at the bottom of the hall. Such unmannerly conduct gave rise to considerable uproar, and ultimately the police were called in.

The hall had to be cleared of the disturbers, and during this interval a number of the audience left.

Afterwards, in the presence of a very small gathering, the Fochriw Band played the test piece in capital style, and, there being no other competitors, as their players had fallen foul of the local constabulary, carried off the prize."

Just a little something to bear in mind for the various Whit Friday shindigs this weekend…