*
banner

Report & Results: 2024 Welsh National Eisteddfod

There were top prizes won with television coverage for Ebbw Valley Brass, Newport Borough, Menai Bridge and the South Wales Youth Band in Pontypridd on the weekend.

Eisteddfod
  Ebbw Valley Brass led the way by taking the top section hours in Pontypridd

Ebbw Valley Brass added one of the few remaining major pieces of Welsh silverware not to have found a home in their trophy cabinet over the past decade as they claimed the joint Championship & First Section title at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Pontypridd.

Led by MD Gareth Ritter they lifted the Flintshire Territorial Army Cup and £750 first prize ahead of runner-up Tylorstown, with Parc & Dare in third.

The Blaenau Gwent band's 20-minute set included 'Activate' followed by 'Longest Time', 'A Little Star Went Out' with soloist Ffion Haf, 'Castell Caerfilli', 'Ar Lan Y Mor' and 'I Want to Break Free' to close.

Rich praise

It was an impressive performance that brought rich praise from adjudicator David Hayward in his written remarks as well as fulsome thanks from the MD to his players.

"This was one major Welsh trophy we have always wanted to win," Gareth said. "It's a competition with such a rich history and as it's televised it gives us the rare opportunity to showcase what we can do across the world."

He added: "My thanks go to the players as it does come during the summer holidays, with a special mention to our featured soloists Ffion Haf and our new solo trombone Phil Dewhurst.

It's also a great boost following our second successive Welsh Open win earlier this year and our upcoming debut at the Royal Albert Hall National Finals. I've given the band a little bit of time off, but them its back to work."

Podium battle

In what was an enjoyable battle between four Welsh bands and welcome visitors City of Bristol, it was Tylorstown that claimed second place.

Robert Westacott's rapidly improving ensemble provided a contrasting set — from 'Opening Night' to the horn solo 'I Dreamed a Dream', through to 'Scherzo for X Wings' to claim the £350 honours as runner-up.

The final podium spot went to Parc & Dare with a compact set of 'Fire and Flame' to open and led though the euphonium solo 'Agor Dy Lygaid' to 'Fuga y Misterio' to 'Elegy for the Arctic'.

Impressive Newport

An impressive Newport Borough Band secured the joint Second & Third Section honours, as Robin Hackett led his band to the £500 first prize.

Their programme saw them open with 'Olympic Fanfare' before heading into 'Baggy Trousers', the cornet solo 'First Light' and 'Legends of Cyfarthfa'.

The podium places went to Ammanford (Glyn Rhys Davies) with a contrasting set that opened with 'Amazonia' from 'Windows of the World' through to cornet solo 'Pater Noster', whilst third went to Markham & District (Gary Davies) that opened with 'Dragon's Rise' as well as the flugel solo 'My Dream'.

Porthaethwy Meani Bridge was the sole entrant in the Fourth Section (although they also took the opportunity to play the joint Second & Third Section).

Youth representatives

The South Wales Youth Brass Band will be nominated as the Welsh representative in the Championship Section of the 2025 European Youth Championships in Stavanger after they claimed the Youth Section title.

A super 15-minute set under conductor Carol Flannery Davies opened with the rousing sounds of 'Castell Coch' before the euphonium and baritone duet 'Calon Lan' led into an upbeat 'Celtic Cocktail' and the closing 'Sospan Fach'.

The win also saw their fund raising efforts gain an immediate £500 boost as they took home the Ivor James Trophy as they look to return to the European contest after representing Wales in Birmingham in 2023.

It is also hoped that runner-up Beaumaris Youth Band, who represented the nation in Palanga last year will be able to join them in Norway after they produced a fine account of themselves under MD Chris Williams.

Their young stars produced a rousing set that opened with 'Men of Harlech', the euphonium and cornet duet 'Novello' and 'Starburst'.

It's a competition with such a rich history and as it's televised it gives us the rare opportunity to showcase what we can do across the worldGareth Ritter, MD, Ebbw Valley Brass

Results:
Championship/First Section:

Adjudicator: David Hayward

1. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter)
2. Tylorstown (Robert Westacott)
3. Parc & Dare (Dewi Griffiths)
4. City of Bristol (Craig Roberts)
5. Lewis Merthyr (Craig Roberts)

Second/Third Section:

Adjudicator: David Hayward

1. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett)
2. Ammanford (Glyn Rhys Davies)
3. Markham & District (Gary Davies)
4. Cross Keys (Sion Rhys Jones)
5. Menai Bridge (Peter Cowlishaw)
6. Abertillery & District (Stephen Sykes)
7= Crwbin (Alex McGee)
7= City of Cardiff (M2) (John Murray)

Fourth Section:

Adjudicator: David Hayward

1. Menai Bridge (Peter Cowlishaw)

Youth Section:

Adjudicator: David Hayward

1. South Wales Youth Band (Carol Flannery Davies)
2. Beaumaris Youth Band (Peter Cowlishaw)

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    


Music for isolation

Svalbard isolation inspires new CD release

July 3 • The forthcoming CD release from the acclaimed tuba and saxophone duo of Gideon Jukes and Rie Takeuchi is inspired by one of the world's most northern settlements.


Tone Halo

Tone Halo makes sound impression on global customers

July 3 • CalderpipsMusic's 'Tone Halo' makes a mark on the brass accessory market place.


Brass Band week

Nationwide span for Brass Band Week

July 3 • You can enjoy bands in the north, south, east and west of the country for the Brass Band Week of performances.


Cory

New President at Cory

July 3 • Long term supporter Ken Price has accepted the Band President role with Cory Band.


Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Haverhill Silver Band

July 3 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a PRINCIPAL CORNET. This is a superb opportunity to lead East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Chinnor Silver

July 3 • Our COMMUNITY BAND meet fortnightly on a Monday morning (next rehearsal 7th) and we welcome any players who want an extra blow.. We require no allegiance just come and enjoy the friendly blow with coffee and cake thrown in.(Its all free)


Hathersage Band

July 2 • FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd