Ystradgynlais Public Band - Latest News

Latest News

2020

Covid-19 caused the suspension of band activities in March.  Although some restrictions were eased in the summer, the combination of risk assessments, the need to social distance and the added risk of aerosols from blowing wind instruments meant that there were no further meetings, resulting in the longest suspension of activities since the Second World War.

2019

December - This year's activities were almost a carbon copy of last year's.  Scroll down to see what we did then!

31st July - Josh's last rehearsal before he jets off to college in Thailand gave us another excuse to eat cake.  Good luck, Josh!

15th June - The band performed at the Ystradgynlais 'Big Weekend' at the Gorsedd Park.

1st March - We held a St David's Day Concert at the village hall in Coelbren, where we played a mixture of Welsh and other popular music.

2018

December - Our usual end-of-year activities included concerts at the Temple of Light, Catholic Church and St. Cynog's, Christmas light switch-ons in Ystradgynlais, Abercrave and Coelbren and a couple of visits to Tesco.

15th September - We played a selection of well known songs at the Coelbren Carnival.

30th August - A special rehearsal night for the band as members and friends joined to welcome Angharad who was back for a short visit from her new home in New Zealand.

16th June - Buskagynlais returned to the Gorsedd Park.  In spite of the bad weather, the giant performance tent was full of performers and spectators.

13th May - We returned to Llangiwg Church, where we had a delightful afternoon with an appreciative audience, delicious food and great views of the Swansea Valley.

26th April - The band performed at a Charity Concert held in Briton Ferry and hosted by Welsh actress Clare Hingott. 

2017

December - We had a busy festive period, playing at the switching on of Christmas lights in Ystradgynlais, Abercraf and Coelbren alongside Michael Sheen and Max Boyce.  We performed at St. Cynog's, the Catholic Church, Ysgol Bro Tawe and the Grove and we made a couple of visits to Tesco, where we entertained shoppers with Christmas carols.

1st July - The band joined singers and performers for a day of music and fun at the inaugural Buskagynlais Festival, playing a selection of well-known songs at the Gorsedd Park.

2016

December - Our year came to a close with the usual visits to the Catholic Church, Grove Nursing Home, Ystrad Christmas Festival and St. Cynog's.

31st July - We visited the Dan Yr Ogof Showcaves, where we entertained visitors and were kindly invited to play hymns in the magnificent Cathedral Cave.

2nd July - A quartet from the band entertained at the Llandysul Carnival.  

18th June - The band played on Commercial Street in Ystradgynlais as part of the town's summer festival.

5th June - A quartet took part in a Noson Lawen at farm grounds between Crai and Trecastle.  

30th May - We returned to the Aberdulais Falls on a sunny Bank Holiday Monday, where we played a selection of well known music to entertain the visitors.

23rd April - Neath Town Council's deckchairs got an early outing this year as we performed at the bandstand in Victoria Gardens.

12th April - The band put on a show for the Mirus charity at the Welfare Hall in Ystradgynlais.  The charity was delighted with the event, which included a programme of concert items, a demonstration and audience participation.

27th February - We entertained shoppers at Tesco in Ystradgynlais with a selection of Welsh music as an early St. David's Day present.

2015

24th December - We rounded off the year with our usual carolling stints at local supermarkets and a very well received performance at the St Cynog's Carol Service.

21st October - A momentous day commemorated with a special rehearsal that included playing 'Back to the Future' (21/10/2015 is the 'future' date in the film), 'Fantasy on British Sea Songs' (the Battle of Trafalgar took place on 21/10/1805) and 'Myfanwy' (the Aberfan disaster occurred on 21/10/1966).  Suzanne's super-rich cheesecake rounded off the night.

3rd October - Six weeks of preparation, new front-row signing Roderick, Dr. Christian Jenkins (our guest conductor) and some creative rescoring all helped the band to deliver a prize-winning performance of 'Shakespearian Rhapsody' at the West Wales Association contest in Burry Port.  

1st August - The band enjoyed an action-packed couple of days at the National Eisteddfod in Meifod, near Welshpool.  The regular Ystradgynlais crew were joined by players from Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, Cardiff, Shropshire and Dublin.  The weekend started on Friday with a drive to Leebotwood for an extended rehearsal with our guest players at the village hall.  Saturday morning saw the band entertain visitors to the main pavilion with a performance of 'Death or Glory', 'Watching the Wheat' (performed as a cornet solo by Cellan), 'Delilah' and 'Recollections of Wales'. Our trip was rounded off with a hearty meal at the Gwyn Arms in Craig-y-Nos.

25th May - We spent a pleasant Bank Holiday afternoon at the picturesque Aberdulais Falls, entertaining visitors with a selection of concert music.

22nd April - The training band completed the second leg of our World War I commemoration to coincide with the invasion of Gallipoli.  They played songs from the trenches and even managed to collectively play the Last Post.

26th March - We held our annual concert at Ysgol Golwg y Cwm. 

1st March - For the third successive year, we spent part of St. David's Day raising money at the Tesco store in Ystradgynlais.  Shoppers were particularly generous this year and we celebrated our successful morning with an all-you-can-eat curry. 

22nd January - Members of the training band were invited to the opening night of the Glantawe Players' pantomime 'Snow White' following their hard work in the run up to Christmas.  

2014

25th December - Many thanks to members, supporters and supermarket shoppers who have made this another successful festive season for the Band.  In addition to our carolling sessions, we participated in the Catholic Church's Christmas Concert and the St. Cynog's carol service.  We played at the switching on of the Abercrave Christmas lights and entertained at the Grove Residential Home, and our 'panto band' entertained at Bonnie Tyler's house on Christmas Day.  Following a break for Christmas, rehearsals will resume in the New Year on Wednesday, 7th January.

18th November - We held a concert at Ysgol Bro Tawe to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.  A selection of music from the era was played.  Our soloists, Caitlin Watkins, Megan Williams and Josh Morgan, played 'Keep the Home Fires Burning', 'Daisy Daisy' and 'If You Were the Only Girl in the World' respectively. 

14th November - Rosslyn Morgan took to the radio waves again to publicise the Band and our upcoming concert on BBC Radio Wales' Chris Needs show.

11th October - A surprise leaving party was arranged for Angharad at the rugby club in Ystradgynlais.  Angharad, who has been a member of the band for seventeen years, is about to embark on a new life in New Zealand.

August - The band has performed at a variety of events over the summer.  We have played at the Ystradgynlais Volunteer Centre's Fun Day, the Big Catch at Crynant RFC and a fete at Ty Mair Residential Home in Llanelli, as well as taking part in a competition at Merthyr Tydfil and the National Eisteddfod in Llanelli.

1st March - We celebrated St David's Day with an afternoon performance of Welsh hyms and tunes at the Tesco store in Ystradgynlais.  This was followed by a curry night at Tiffin's.

5th February - We held our Annual Concert at Ysgol y Cribarth in Abercrave.  Children from the school joined us for the concert.  Some awards were presented at the concert.  Congratulations to Cellan on winning the Ken Morgan Memorial trophy and Leon on winning the award for most progress in the training band.

2013

25th December - The Christmas period has been as hectic as ever for the band.  A record number of double bookings were fulfilled and - as well as completing many carolling sessions at local supermarkets - we played at local nursing homes, Ystradgynlais Hospital, concerts and fetes and managed to cram in a Christmas party at Ystalyfera Rugby Club.

23rd November - Two outings for 'Wessex Suite' - at Blaenavon today and at Burry Port last month - have secured the band's position in the third section locally for 2014.

14th September - The band kicked off a day-long event at the Black Mountain Centre in Brynamman.  We marched from the primary school to the centre and this was followed by a mini concert at the centre.

3rd August - We performed at the National Eisteddfod in Denbigh.  Our programme included 'Solitaire' with Cellan playing the solo and the much talked about 'Gangnam Style'.

29th July - The band was invited to perform at a concert in memory of Adelina Patti at Craig Y Nos Castle.  A quintet from the band attended the event.

30th June - We celebrated St. Ciwg's Day again at Llangiwg Church, playing a variety of popular music and eating copious amounts of buffet.

18th May - We gave an enjoyable performance of 'Anglian Dances' at the Ebbw Vale contest, scoring just one point less than the current Third Section Regional Champions.

27th April - We organised an Easter Party at The Bomb in Glanrhyd.  An egg-cellent time was had by all.

17th March - Highlights of this year's trip to the Brangwyn Hall included a rare glimpse of sunshine and a visit to Joe's ice cream parlour.  Our solo cornet line up was the youngest it has ever been, with an average age of just seventeen.


1st March - We visited Tesco in Ystradgynlais for an evening of Welsh music, before retiring to the restaurant opposite for an Indian meal.6th February - This year's calendar of events got underway with our concert at Ysgol Golwg Y Cwm.  A programme of new music kept the audience entertained, as did Austin Powers, the Gangnam dancers and compere Caroline.

 

2012

25th December - A hectic month of playing has drawn to a close.  We played at supermarkets, nursing homes and the community hospital and a lot more besides.  Many thanks to members and supporters who contributed to our fundraising activities.

1st December - Our Christmas Party was held at 'The Bomb' in Glanrhyd.  Christine supplied an impressive spread of food as usual and a variety of games and activities got everyone into the festive spirit.

30th November - The Christmas season got underway as we played for the switching on of the Christmas lights in Ystrad.

28th November - Our last rehearsal of the year before our usual Christmas activities start and the band's AGM was held with a good turnout.

24th November - Another outing for Dark Side of the Moon as the weather in Blaenavon lived up to expectations.  We finished the 2011/12 in fifth position in the Section 3 league table.

14th October - Susan McNicholas's Civic Ceremony was held at St. Cynog's Church in Ystradgynlais.  Her family was well in evidence in the Band, with brother Phil playing a solo on flugel horn and nephew Cellan playing a solo on cornet.  Father Ross completed the Holy Trinity by taking his usual position on repiano cornet.

6th October - We played 'Dark Side of the Moon' at the West Wales contest in Fishguard.

8th September - We played at the wedding of our principal cornetist Angharad Morgan to Rhys Evans.  The band was very accommodating, playing a selection of music that gave both the bride and the groom what they asked for!

25th August - Our performance at Crynant RFC's Fun Day culminated in many of the assembled band players participating in a successful world record attempt for the most consecutive passes of a rugby ball!

18th August - The Band entertained at Cwrt Enfys's summer fete.  We were told that the residents thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and would like to welcome us back at some point in the future.

8th August - We held a surprise 21st birthday party for Alex (a week early for added surprise value!).  Photos have been posted here and answers to the team quiz can be found here.

4th August - We participated in the National Eisteddfod in Llandow.  The coach that we booked failed to appear, leading to a chaotic scramble to organise cars and leaving us barely enough time to run from the parking bays to the pavilion!  Half of the performance was shown on S4C.  Hopefully it was the better half as it was difficult to hear from the stage.

22nd July - We provided the accompaniment for the 'Moliant y Maes' that opened this year's Royal Welsh show in Builth Wells.  S4C were broadcasting from the show and a link to the programme can be found on our facebook page.  Following our performance, we received the following message from the conductor at the event:

"Dear All,

On behalf of the Brecknock Royal Welsh Show Culture Committee I am writing to thank you for the fantastic contribution you made to the 'Moliant y Maes' at the start of this year's show - it was tremendous.

In addition to the lovely comments made on the evening - many from strangers - I attended the show on three of the four days and received no end of compliments on the performance of the band and how it had enhanced the singing.  The singer, Trebor Edwards, who has been involved with the event since its inception, said that it was far better than the military band that had played in the past!

We really appreciate the fact that you all travelled from Ystradgynlais and gave of your time to attend the event.  It really was a pleasure working with you.  Diolch yn fawr."

11th July - A quartet from the Band played at Penrhos school's Open Evening.  The school will close its doors for the last time next week as a newly built school - Ysgol Golwg y Cwm - takes its place in September.

5th July - Libanus Church held its Centenary Songs of Praise with the Band providing the accompaniment to all of the hymns.  We also took the opportunity to play a couple of our Eisteddfod items.

24th June - The miserable summer weather forced the Llangiwg picnic into the church, so the event turned into an Ystrad Band concert with indoor buffet.  At the end of the day, we helped to form a complete circle around the outside of the church as St. Ciwg was asked to keep the church safe over the coming year.

10th June - We played at the opening of a new park at the historic Ynyscedwyn Ironworks site.  The Glanrhyd Improvement Team had raised £70,000 to complete the project with fundraising events and grant applications contributing to the cost of the new park.

2nd June - Our contribution to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations was a concert in the middle of Swansea Market.  The two-acre, 100-foot high roof created an interesting acoustic.  Best quote of the day came from a lady listening to our performance who had recently heard Burry Port band playing.  "They were alright, but not as good as this!"

11th May - We played in a concert at St. Cynog's Church in Ystradgynlais, joined by Cwmtwrch school and organist John Butler.  The Band played four pieces - and three of these were performed in public for the first time.

28th March - We performed alongside Britain's Got Talent participants 'Only Boys Aloud' at the Welsh Night at the Ystradgynlais Welfare Hall.  There's been a lot of positive feedback heard on the community grapevine and there'll be another chance to hear us perform at St. Cynog's in May.

18th March - The Band took part in the Regional Finals at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea.  We were pleased with the performance and this is reflected in the adjudicator's comments, even if it isn't in his placings of the bands at the contest!

29th February - Our Leap Day concert at the Abercrave Welfare Hall was a resounding success.  The hall was filled to capacity and there were enjoyable performances from Abercraf and Caehopkin schools.  The increasingly famous Ystrad Band cake stall also put in an appearance.  Many thanks to all performers and supporters.

23rd February - The Band has created a facebook page, with a large selection of photos neatly sorted into albums!

27th January - Our first event of the year saw a band of 29 headline a concert at St. Albans Church in Treboeth.  We played a programme of largely up tempo songs that got the somewhat raucous pupils of Gwyrosydd Primary school cheering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ystradgynlais Public Band - South Wales (Ammanford) Guardian 16th January 2013
Ystradgynlais Public Band - South Wales Evening Post 10th January 2013
0639 Magazine - July 2012 - Ystradgynlais Band @ Jubilee Event
Ystradgynlais Band at Ystradgynlais Community Hospital. Christmas Day 2011
Ystradgynlais Band - South Wales Evening Post Article Jan 2012
0639 September 2011. Osian Jones, Ben Parry, Rhys MacPhail, Alex Parker
Ystradgynlais Band: South Wales Guardian - August 2011
Ystradgynlais Band - Brecon and Radnor article
Ystradgynlais Band - Ross Morgan South Wales Evening Post Article - March 2009

Make a free website with Yola