One of the most famous names in Welsh banding made a return to the limelight at Harrogate on the weekend.
The City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) Band conducted by Gareth Rittter claimed the Second Section National title with a performance that had echoes of their proud past.
Leading bands
The former Melingriffith Band was one of the leading bands in Wales for many years after the Second World War, but fell on hard times, only to be rejuvenated in the last decade. Now they are National Champions and have plans for the future too, with the formation of a youth band to carry their name well into the 21st century.
The band’s victory off the early number 3 draw saw them pip many people’s favourites for he title, Oldham (Lees) under John Collins into second place in what was a very enjoyable and competitive contest.
The North West champion couldn’t quite do enough to impress the adjudicating duo of Ray Farr and Robert Childs on the day, but they can be proud of their efforts – none more so than their Principal Cornet player Michelle Lane who took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ prize.
The final podium place went to another strong contender in Camborne B from the West of England, conducted by Alan Pope, who followed Cardiff onto the Harrogate stage early on Saturday morning.
Up for grabs
The quality of the contest never really wavered throughout and the title was still up for grabs as the last of the 17 contenders tried their luck on Alan Fernie’s excellent’ A Scot’s Miscellany’.
In the end the final top six places went to Frickley/South Elmsall from Yorkshire (drawn 16), East London Brass from London (who had many admirers in the hall for their effort under Jayne Murrill) and Holme Silver.
Welsh hat-trick
The title though went to Wales for the third successive year, and the 10th time since the contest started in 1945.
The name of Melingriffith is back and can now join the long list from Rhyl Silver in 1949 to Newbridge (Celynen) and Point of Ayr in the last two years as the Champion Second Section Band of Great Britain.
Results:
Test piece: Scot's Miscellany, Alan Fernie
Saturday 26 September
Commences: 9.30am
Adjudicators: Robert Childs and Ray Farr
1. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith), Gareth Ritter, Wales, 3
2. Oldham (Lees), John Collins, North West, 6
3. Camborne ‘B’, Alan Pope, West of England, 4
4. Frickley/South Elmsall, David Nichols, Yorkshire, 16
5. East London Brass, Jayne Murrill, London and Southern Counties, 15
6. Holme Silver (Disposables UK Group), Duncan Beckley, Yorkshire, 5
7. Flookburgh John Iveson North of England, 13
8. Silk Brass (Macclesfield) James Cant North West, 17
9. Verwood Concert Brass David Johnson West of England, 11
10. Arbroath Instrumental Michael Robertson Scotland, 7
11. Annan Town (Magnox North) David Shanks Scotland, 1
12. Yiewsley & West Drayton, Christopher Cole, London and Southern Counties, 10
13. Shirland Welfare Andrew Dennis Midlands, 2
14. Deiniolen Gavin Saynor Wales, 14
15. Houghton Brass Howard Smith North of England, 12
16. Fairlop Brass Kevin Jordan London and Southern Counties, 9
17. Wellington (Telford), Steve Curtis, Midlands, 8
Best instrumentalist: Solo cornet, Oldham (Lees)
