It has been reported in the Welsh media that members of the Glynneath & District Band are considering taking legal action against their local authority after their stage uniforms were allegedly disposed of without their knowledge.

The band, which last competed at the Welsh Regional Championship back in 2006, placed the uniforms in storage at a local community centre some years ago in the knowledge that they would be kept safe until the band could be revived.

£14,000

However, when plans were put in place recently to reform a small ensemble it was discovered that 27 embroidered jackets alongside waistcoats and bow-ties had disappeared. It was reported that according to the existing trustees of the band, the cost to replace the uniforms would be around £14,000.

The Wales-on-line publication stated that the band had now lodged a claim against the local town council for compensation to buy new ones, and for their legal costs, with former secretary Billy Shulver stating: "We had permission from Glynneath Town Council to store them at the (community) centre.

The council wouldn't tell us anything at first. I then found out they'd been dumped and I was told it was because they were all rotten."

Proud history

The West Wales band has a proud place in the history of the Welsh banding movement — formed in 1888 and winning their first Welsh Regional Championship in 1962 in the Third Section. They also won the Fourth Section title in 1974 and at their height of success competing at Championship level.

They stopped competing in 1979 but returned in 1996 when they enjoyed further success, adding to their impressive tally of Welsh National Eisteddfod victories as well as winning the Welsh Fourth Section Regional title in 1997.

Their last victory came in 2006 when they won the Fourth Section at the National Eisteddfod.

The council wouldn't tell us anything at first. I then found out they'd been dumped and I was told it was because they were all rottenformer secretary, Billy Shulver

Ongoing case

The band trustees are now reportedly concerned about the remaining instruments and sheet music left in the centre — saying that these items are also worth thousands of pounds.

The town council's Independent mayor Simon Knoyle was reported to say: "All I can say at this stage is there is an ongoing case with regards to the Silver Band uniforms and it is with Glynneath Town Council's insurance company."