Report & Result: 2019 Welsh National Eisteddfod

Llwydcoed leads the National winners in Wales as they are joined by Crwbin, St Athan and Seindorf Beaumaris in claiming titles in Llanrwst.

Llwydcoed Band has been crowned the 2019 Welsh National Eisteddfod Champion for the first time following their victory in Llanrwst in Conwy on the weekend.

The various brass band competitions were televised on the S4C channel, with the south Wales band claiming the £750 first prize and ornate Flintshire Territorial Army Cup under MD Chris Turner with a 20 minute entertainment set that brought rich praise from adjudicator Melvin White.

Full range

"A programme that showed of the full range of the band's skills and palette of colour,"he wrote as the band opened with 'Nordic Polska' before Gareth Robinson was the featured trombone solo lead in 'Song for Japan'.

'Welsh Clog Dance' from 'Day of the Dragon' segued into 'Little Prayer' before they closed with the final section of Philip Sparke's 'Music of the Spheres'.

"We're delighted to be crowned National Eisteddfod Champion for the first time,"MD Chris Turner told 4BR.

"The competition comes at the end of the first half of a busy year and with players juggling holiday commitment, so all the credit goes to them for playing so well on a testing programme."

He added: "It also sets us up nicely for our appearances at the Bolsover Festival of Brass and Wychavon Festival in the autumn."

London finalists Northop Silver were close on their heels with a set that included Duke Ellington's 'Caravan' and a rousing 'Pines of the Appian Way'. Lois Eifion marked her 20th appearance with third placed Deiniolen as they showcased repertoire from Queen to Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

Crwbin dance to victory

In the Second Section it was Crwbin led by Andrew Jones who reclaimed the Ivor Jarvis Cup and £500 first prize for the first time since 2017 featuring a rousing 'Day of the Dragon' set complete with traditional Welsh Clog dancer. St Athan came just behind with their Americana themed set.

Busy boosts

The busy south Wales band added to their impressive list Eisteddfod triumphs under MD Alan Bourne as they took the Third Section title with a programme that included the upbeat 'I Shall Follow Him'.

In the Fourth Section it was the youthful Seindorf Beaumaris, who gave themselves a huge boost ahead of their National Final appearance in Cheltenham in September as they took the honours and the £500 first prize.

They repelled the solid challenge of north Wales rivals Porthaethwy Menai Bridge and Llandudno with a set that included the free flowing 'Riverdance'.

Their rivals certainly showcased their entertainment talents with Porthaethwy Menai Bridge's vocal inspired 'Circle of Life', Llandudno's calming 'Seal Lullaby' and Dyffryn Nantlle's 'Game of Thrones' forming parts of their programmes.

The competition comes at the end of the first half of a busy year and with players juggling holiday commitment, so all the credit goes to them for playing so well on a testing programmeLlwydcoed MD, Chris Turner