*
banner

European Countdown — 3 days to go

Just in case you thought Wales was just a country full of rugby players and male voice choirs – here are a few weird and wonderful (and perhaps true) facts about the home of the current European champions.

EBBA
 

1. There are no letter K, Q or Z in the Welsh language – and the letter Y is a vowel.

2. Boxing’s Queensberry Rules were drafted by a Welshman, Llanelli-born JG Chambers (1843–83).

3. The inventor of the modern cremation process was Dr William Price (1800-93) of Llantrisant. He was taken to court in 1884 for attempting to burn the corpse of his baby son, Iesu Grist (Jesus Christ) but was found not guilty.

4. The English are Wales’ largest ethnic minority community with 20.3 per cent of the country’s population having been born in England.

5. In 2003, Wales became the first country in the UK in which the majority of babies – 50.3 per cent – were born outside marriage.

6. Notable Americans who have been of Welsh descent include Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln and Calvin Coolidge.

Also blessed by Welshness were the great Jack Daniel (founder of the drink), J. P. Morgan (banker), architect Frank Lloyd Wright, recluse, Howard Hughes, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and actor Tom Cruise.

7. The longest corridor in Europe is to be found in Llandough Hospital near Cardiff.

8. The most famous Welsh British Prime Minister, Lloyd George was in fact born in Manchester.

It is now believed that the United States of America was in fact named after a Welshman4BR

9. It is now believed that the United States of America was in fact named after a Welshman. Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci is commonly believed to have been the source of the name, but this may not be true.

10. It is believed that Welsh carpenter William Frost from Saundersfoot in West Wales claimed in 1896 that he had been airborne in a craft he constructed himself, and that had his flight been authenticated. The was some seven years before the Wright brothers in the USA.

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    


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


gLYN AND hLEN

Busy January enjoyment for Williams duo

February 4 • Glyn and Helen Williams have enjoyed a busy start to 2026.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


Martyn Evans

BEd (Hons) NABBC member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Teacher, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd