Tredegar Town Band has informed 4BR of the death of one of its leading administrators.

The news of the sad passing of Keith Pinney was reported to the band at their rehearsal on Thursday evening. He was aged 86.

Finest servants

Band President Iwan Fox revealed that the organisation had lost one of its finest servants, with close on 50 years of unbroken service. He died on Wednesday 1st February following a short illness.

Keith Pinney was one of the founding administrators of the Tredegar Junior Band.

Under the direction of John Childs and Tudor Williams, and with players such as Robert and Nicholas Childs, Nigel Weeks, and Keith’s own son Clive in the ranks, they became the first ever winner of the Butlins Youth Championships of Great Britain in 1974, retaining the title in 1975.

Respected

He remained an influential and highly respected secretary and treasurer of both the Junior and Senior Tredegar Bands, and played an integral part in enabling them to move into new rehearsal premises – which remain their home to this day.

Just a few months ago he returned to the bandroom to oversee the latest refurbishment, which included a reframing of the Butlins illuminated winners certificates which he held with pride on the stage at the Royal Albert Hall in both years.

He was one of the indispensible non playing administrators whose expertise helped develop the Society into one of the leading public subscription organisations in WalesIwan Fox

Indispensible

"He was one of the indispensible non playing administrators whose expertise helped develop the Society into one of the leading public subscription organisations in Wales," Iwan Fox said.

"He was a lovely man, held in the highest respect both by players and supporters. He quietly, effectively and very professionally, helped run the Society in a way that reflected the growing musical success we started to enjoy from the early 1970’s onwards. He was one of our finest servants and will be fondly remembered."

Debt of gratitude

Band Treasurer and close friend Alwyn Powell added: "Keith’s commitment to the Society was total. He first got involved when his son Clive started with the Tredegar Junior Band, and soon became an indispensible figure. We owe him a great debt of gratitude. All our thoughts are with his wife Barbara and the extended family."

Funeral

The funeral will be held at Bethania Chapel in Tredegar at 1.00pm on Thursday 9th February.

Further details can be found at: http://www.tredegartownband.org/news/