*
banner

Tredegar honour stalwart

The Welsh Champion broke off their European preparations to ensure that they celebrated the 90th birthday of a remarkable stalwart.

Tredegar
  Alwyn was presented with a number of gifts by MD, Ian Porthouse

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."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


mARZELLA

2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival: Interview with Katrina Marzella-Wheeler

January 21 • We catch up with the Scottish conductor to find out more about the programme to be performed by the RNCM Brass Band on the weekend in Manchester.


Kaitlin

CBSO boosted by Wild trumpet addition

January 21 • The brass section of another leading British orchestra is boosted by the arrival of a brass band player as Kaitlin Wild joins the trumpet section of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.


Blackpool

North West Area line-ups announced

January 21 • The list of bands and judges have been confirmed for the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool in February.


mINING

Brass band mining heritage celebrated

January 21 • Visitors to the National Coal Mining Museum for England can now enjoy finding out more about the long and proud connection between brass bands and the industry.


The Hepworth Band - Hepworth Band New Year Celebration Concert

Sunday 26 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD97ER


Dobcross Silver Band - Hammonds Band

Sunday 26 January • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015. N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 8 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Clare Church

Saturday 8 February • St Peter and St Paul Church, Clare, Suffolk CO10 8NY


Mereside Brass

January 21 • MERESIDE BRASS are excited to be starting the New Year with a new MD! To complete our happiness, we would love to welcome a FLUGEL player and a PERCUSSIONIST to join our team. We are a friendly 4th Section band with a sensible calendar of jobs and socials


West Yorkshire Brass

January 20 • We are a friendly and welcoming non-competing band based in the Bradford area of West Yorkshire. We play at various events in Yorkshire throughout the year. We have vacancies for Eb and BBb basses. Instruments provided if required


wantage silver band

January 20 • Wantage Band (championship section) has a vacant 2ND CORNET position. This would suit a player with experience in a championship or first section band. Rehearsals take place every Sun 7:30pm and Wed 8pm in Wantage with highly experienced MD Chris King.


Stuart Black

BA (Hons) Music
Conductor, Teacher, Flugel soloist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd