Lewis Merthyr Band returned to winning ways and stormed to a long awaited victory in the Second Section of the SEWBBA Contest held at Ebbw Vale last weekend.

Delighted

Playing Bruce Frazier’s 'Verona Lights' the performance delighted adjudicator Malcolm Brownbill so much that he also awarded the ‘Best Instrumental’ prize to the three members of the band's percussion section.

This success was the culmination of much hard work over recent years which has seen the band recover from a very low ebb.

This success was the culmination of much hard work over recent years which has seen the band recover from a very low ebb4BR

Sadness

The success was tinged with sadness however, as Musical Director, Gareth Pritchard had to rehearse the band whilst his brother was taken seriously ill. Gareth was called away soon after the band performed to be at his brother’s bedside. He passed away the following day.

Bright spot

One bright spot for Gareth was to see his younger son, Jordan, emulate the success of his elder brother, Gavin, as a member of the prize-winning percussion team.