Burry Port Band will unveil a number of new signings at the
forthcoming Miners Eisteddfod Entertainment Contest in Porthcawl.

Neil Smith joins the band from Pontardulais on front row cornet along with his son Chris on baritone and daughter Jemma on back row cornet.

Also joining on front row is Dai Hopkins, formerly of Penclawdd and Pontardulais and Tom Scaife joins on bass trombone from Crwbin.

After a difficult last 18 months or so, in which than band has lost a number of key players, the outlook seems to be a lot more hopeful for 2008, with resident conductor Ceri John working the band to its limit in rehearsalsBand spokesperson

Conductors

The band are pleased to have secured the conducting services of David Evans for the Porthcawl Contest, rekindling the strong relationship he developed with the band during a very successful period between 2002 and 2004.

Two other guest conductors have been enlisted for the Regional contest and the Grand Shield, in the shape of Phil Bailey and Nigel Seaman. Phil previously took the band to the area contest in 2002, and Nigel has guested in rehearsals with the band on more than one occasion.

Hopeful

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "After a difficult last 18 months or so, in which than band has lost a number of key players, the outlook seems to be a lot more hopeful for 2008, with resident conductor Ceri John working the band to its limit in rehearsals."