Newtown Silver Band has just returned from a very enjoyable four day visit to Dublin over the Easter weekend.

Departing from Newtown in a snowstorm, the band headed across the Irish Sea to Dublin to perform in two concerts.

Choppy waters

Travelling along the A55 North Wales coast he band gazed in apprehension at the choppy seas whipped up by gale force winds but arrived in Dublin without too many members wishing they hadn't made the trip.

After an eventful sight seeing tour of Dublin on the Saturday morning, they eventually arrived in Blanchardstown for the first concert at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre where they were joined by three members of the Blanchardstown Brass Band.

It was a weekend that passed all too quickly and ended with a good old Welsh singsong on the last evening before our return home on Easter MondayHelen Bennett, Newtown Band

Police hospitality

On Sunday afternoon the band visited Farmleigh House, in Phoenix Park, where they performed in a joint concert with the Blanchardstown and Stedfast bands, and afterwards enjoyed the hospitality of their hosts at the local Police Club.

During the concert gifts were exchanged by Band President, John Bennett, to the 86 year old conductor of Blanchardstown Band Michael Harford, and by Steve Edwards, Newtown's MD to their Chairman, who reciprocated in kind.

Grateful

Helen Bennett, Chair of Newtown told 4BR that the band was greatly indebted to Neville Bryan, Secretary of the St Georges Brass Band and John Harford, Secretary of Blanchardstown for all their help and co-operation in arranging the concert venues.

"We are also grateful to four members of the City of Birmingham Brass Band, namely Warren Belshaw, Rupert Wright,Craig Holloway and Jen McCausland who helped us out on the tour.

It was a weekend that passed all too quickly and ended with a good old Welsh singsong on the last evening before our return home on Easter Monday."