With just three weekends to go before the Welsh Regional Championships in Swansea, Tredegar conducted by Ian Porthouse, gave themselves a timely boost of confidence as they took the South Wales Miners Eisteddfod title at the Grand Pavillion in Porthawl by a commanding four point margin.

Paul Robeson

Their 20 minute entertainment performance may not have had the world wide significance of Paul Robeson’s famous transatlantic radio link at this venue just over 50 years ago, but it did give Tredegar it’s seventh Miners Eisteddfod victory since the contest was revived in 1998.

With it came the top prize of £2,000, the superb CISWO Challenge Cup, and that priceless injection of form ahead of the Brangwyn Hall on March 9th.

"There was a lot of good direction and choices of music today... We may not have liked it all, but it was pleasing to hear innovation in the programmes, especially the top two bands. It is the way forwardDavid Read

Delight

Equally delighted were Newbridge (Celynen) under the baton of Frank Renton, who further confirmed their postion as pre contest Swansea favourites in the First Section by beating a number more fancied championship bands to take a clear second place. They took home with them the Tower Colliery Cup and £1,000.

The adjudicators Derek Broadbent and David Read told 4BR that they had no problems at all with the placing of the top two bands but had to really weigh up the pros and cons of three bands in the fight for the final podium place.

Norwegian influence

In the end they gave the nod to North Walians Beaumaris, who had made the long trip south, staying the night just outside Cardiff.

They took third place with their Norwegian influened programme under MD Morten E Hansen and were well pleased with their efforts and the £1,100 prize money they took home with them — £500 of which was awarded for providing the judges with the most entertaining programme.

The Mid Rhondda Band also had something to celebrate too as they took the generous £600 prize on offer for the best placed First Section band not in the podium places.

The 'I' word

Adjudicartor David Read spoke once more about the ‘I’ word – innovation, in his pre results remarks to a packed hall. "There was a lot of good direction and choices of music today," he said. "We may not have liked it all, but it was pleasing to hear innovation in the programmes, especially the top two bands. It is the way forward."

Stunning

Meanwhile Derek had praise for the soloists on parade – espeically the eventual Secretary’s Rosebowl winner, Jonathan Pippen of BTM who performed 'Diversions on Calon Lan'. "Congratulations to all the soloists today. There were some outstanding contributions, but the winning soloist was simply stunning."

High marker

Newbridge (Celynen) set a high marker at the outset of the contest off the number 1 draw. Their programme owed more than a nod and wink to that used by Frank Renton succesfully at Yeovil with Camborne a couple of weeks ago, and featured Michael J. Garasi’s arrangement of ‘Finicuula, Finiculi’ as well as the cornet solo ‘I’d rather have Jesus’ and finishing with the finale from ‘Checkmate’.

Band Secretary Nigel Thomas told 4BR that the band had thoroughly enjoyed working with Frank Renton. "It’s been great to have him direct the band. He’s really opened our eyes to our potential and what we must do to become succesful at the highest level."

Happy man

Morten E Hansen’s Nordic touch to Beaumaris’s programme included ‘Earth Rite’ and ‘Ellis Island’ by Robin Dewhurst (complete with tin whistle) as well as ‘Tussefest’, before ending with ‘Puls’ by Svien Henrik Giske.

He was a happy man, even though he was now faced with a long journey home across the North Sea. "It’s been great teaming up with Beaumaris again. The atmosphere in the band is great and so is the desire to be succesful. I hope this gives the band a boost ahead of the regionals."

Hard work

Finally, the winning conductor, Ian Porthouse was also delighted with the form of his band too. "We’ve continued to work hard after the disappointment of Yeovil and it paid off here. We know though that we have to improve further if we are to challenge for the Area title, but this is a good start."

Tredegar’s winning programme started with ‘Marta’s Dance’, before Steve Barnsley reprised his Yeovil winning performance of ‘Lark in the Clear Air’. ‘Dance Fever’, 'Dualing Xylos' and ‘Irish Prayer’ led to the finale and the ‘Fugue’ from Philip Sparke’s ‘Graduation Day’.

Secure future

Despite the news that the closure of Tower Colliery means an end to their support for this well run event, organiser Roger Price told the audience that the future of the Eisteddfod was secure.

“Next year’s event is already booked and we have been delighted by the support shown once again. It’s great to see a packed hall here. Even with the demise of Tower Colliery their proud name will contune with their prize cup, whilst CISWO has also confirmed that they will continue to support the event.”

Paul Robeson would have been delighted with that too.

Results:

1. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse) – 195pts
2. Newbridge (Celynen) (Frank Renton) – 191pts
3. Beaumaris (Morten E. Hansen) – 189pts
4. Parc & Dare (Richard Evans) – 188pts
5. BTM (Graham O’Connor) – 187pts
6. Burry Port Town (David Evans) – 184pts
7. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs) – 183pts
8. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins) – 182pts
9. Abergavenny Borough (Gareth Ritter) – 180pts
10. RAF St Athan (Alan Bourne) – 179pts
11. Ammanford Town (Jayne Thomas) – 178pts

Adjudicators:David Read & Derek Broadbent

Best Soloist: Jonathan Pippen, trombone (BTM)
Youngest Player: Emily Humphries (12) – Abergavenny Borough
Most entertaining programme: Beaumaris
Highest First Section Band not in prizes: Mid Rhondda