*
banner

50th National victory anniversary to be marked by Tredegar

The 1974 Butlins National Youth Band Championship success of the pioneering Tredegar Junior Band is to be marked by a bit of a get together next month.

Tredegar Junior
  We won the Cup! The youngest player raises the trophy on high on the band's return

The 50th anniversary of Tredegar Junior Band winning the Butlins National Youth Brass Band Championship of Great Britain is to be marked by a special reunion evening in February.

It is being organised former members Melanie Kennedy and Julie Rooke, both of whom were part of the band that claimed the title at the Royal Albert Hall in 1974.

Welsh and National champion

The night will also mark the Welsh title victory against eight other rivals in Swansea also under conductor Tudor Williams.

Later the same day, 8 members of the band and the MD also helped the senior Tredegar Band qualify for the Royal Albert Hall National Final.

The first Butlins National Championship Final took place at the Royal Albert Hall on 5th October with the band claiming the title against eight rivals playing 'Torch of Freedom' by Eric Ball and 'Patterns' by Edward Gregson.

National title winning conductors

Players in the ranks that day included both a trio of players who all went on the conduct National title winning bands in their own right — Robert and Nicholas Childs with Cory and Black Dyke, and Nigel Weeks who claimed both New Zealand and Australian honours. The youngest member of the band was 9 year old Iwan Fox.

The band returned to Wales as the first holders of the Butlins Trophy (later used as the prize for the most entertaining Championship Section at the Butlins Mineworkers Championships in Skegness and as part of their prize made a LP recording on the Decca label. They also went on to retain the title in 1975.

Details

The evening is being held in Tredegar on Friday 21st February, with over half the original band already confirmed as attending.

For further details please contact Melanie Kennedy on: melanie598@btinternet.com

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    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Martin Heartfield

GGSM, ARCM, PGCE
Conductor, Adjudicator, Educationalist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd