It has been announced that Cultural Recovery Fund Awards (Revenue) amounting to £120,000 have been made through the Arts Council of Wales to a number of Welsh brass bands.

In addition, Cultural Recovery Fund Awards (Capital) amounting to over £52,000 have also been made.

Great news

The announcement comes as Welsh banding prepares to discuss further proposals that it is hoped will lead to the formal setting up of a new representative national body.

A spokesperson for Bandiau Pres Cymru/Brass Bands Wales told 4BR: "This a great news for Welsh banding at a time when there is great concern over the impact the Coronavirus has had on the community activities that they provide.

It shows that brass bands are recognised and valued in Wales, but on the flip side it also shows the need for a robust national body to be in place to help all bands at all levels in every part of the nation."

Awards

Revenue awards went to Burry Port Town Band (£12,880); Cory (£19,855); City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (£9,750); Ebbw Valley Brass (£5,624); Goodwick (£11,300); Ifton Colliery Band (£13,004); Lewis Merthyr (£12,500); Penclawdd (£8,000); Pontardulais (£3,500); Royal Buckley (£4,401) and Tredegar (£19,193).

Capital awards will help Ebbw Valley Brass (£16,695); Menai Bridge Band (£11,125) and Seindorf Beaumaris (£24,604).

Applicants had to demonstrate that they provide publicly accessible arts activity in Wales, and that they have been significantly affected by the Covid 19 pandemic.

The applications for rescue and recovery packages had the overall goal of making sure that the arts sector in Wales survives the Covid-19 crisis and remains vibrant, viable and sustainable.

Applicants had to demonstrate that they provide publicly accessible arts activity in Wales, and that they have been significantly affected by the Covid 19 pandemic4BR

£27.5 million earmarked

The awards were part of the £27.5 million earmarked for distribution by the Arts Council of Wales to theatres and theatre companies, arts centres and galleries, choirs and brass bands, representing music, dance, theatre, literature, visual and applied arts, combined arts and digital art.

The largest awards were made to flagship organisations such as Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff which received £3.9 million, St David's Hall (£1.2 million), whilst the scope of funding spanned awards as small, but as vital as £1,700.

160 applications to the Revenue Fund were submitted with a success rate of 95% and to the Capital Fund of 92%.

Crucial role

Speaking about the awards Lord Elis-Thomas, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism said: "The need amongst arts organisations has been very apparent during recent months.

The Arts sector clearly has a crucial role to play in renewing and revitalising the society and economy of Wales as we look forward to emerging from the restrictions of the present pandemic in due course."