Welsh Champion Tredegar broke off from its preparations for the forthcoming European Championships in Malmo for a special birthday celebration.

Their Thursday evening rehearsal finished early to ensure that they could wish Alwyn Powell, who has served the band as both a player and administrator for 82 years and counting, a happy 90th birthday.

First job

Alwyn first joined the band aged 8, following in his father's footsteps. His first official band 'job' he recalled came a year later in 1942, when he played tenor horn on a live BBC broadcast specially for troops from the town stationed in North Africa.

"We played 'The Desert Song' which was stopped halfway through to broadcast the sounds of the chimes from the Town Clock to ensure the troops knew everyone was thinking of them."

Family link

Alwyn later moved from horn to trombone, to bass ("only for a short while") and back to solo trombone, to become a hugely respected player and administrator and continuing a family link to the band that started with his father just after the First World War.

On the night Alwyn was presented with a number of gifts, including a painting of the Town Clock, whilst he was also delighted to be joined by Band President, Brian C Buckley who joined just before him in 1941, and Roy Dallimore who joined in 1958. Together they have notched up over 245 years of service to the band.

He added: "The band has been my life really, and to see it where it is today means so much to me."

The band has been my life really, and to see it where it is today means so much to meAlwyn Powell

Remarkable

In response, MD Ian Porthouse also paid tribute to his contribution to the band. "His dedication to Tredegar is truly remarkable. We knew he would be at rehearsal!

All bands need people like Alwyn in their ranks — and we hope he continues to be a central part of what we do for many more years to come."