Iestyn Davies, Chairman of Welsh banding’s representative body, Brass Band Forum Wales, (Fforwm Bandiau Press Cymru), has told 4BR that he believes that the movement in the Principality continues to build progressively both on and off the contest stage following Welsh success at the Spring Festival in Blackpool on the weekend.

Results

The results were headed by Seindorf Beaumaris, who gained qualification to the British Open in September, with Northop winning the Senior Cup and Burry Port and Tylorstown gaining promotion from the Senior Trophy.

"It’s been an excellent weekend for Welsh banding," Iestyn told 4BR.

"My congratulations go to all our eight representatives. It’s especially pleasing to report success for the bands from North Wales, with Beaumaris now joining Cory and Tredegar at the British Open and Northop winning the Senior Cup."

Good returns

Iestyn was also delighted that there were top 10 finishes for Tongwynlais and BTM in the Grand Shield, promotions for Burry Port and Tylorstown and encouraging performances from City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) and Wrexham Brass (Glyndwr).

"There is a great deal of hard work and commitment being put in at all levels of Welsh banding that is showing itself with an ever increasing strength in depth too. That was certainly the case in Blackpool."

There is a great deal of hard work and commitment being put in at all levels of Welsh banding that is showing itself with an ever increasing strength in depth tooIestyn Davies

On the up

Away from the contest stage, he believes the health of Welsh banding is on the up too.

"There is real co-operation between administrators and bands, with the Welsh League contests growing in popularity, entries to the Welsh Area increasing and optimism and excellence being shown at the very grass roots levels too."

Cautious

With the next meeting of the Brass Band Forum Wales due to take place in a few weeks time, the Chairman is cautiously optimistic that the future of Welsh banding is starting to look much healthier.

"I believe we have built sensibly on the official launch in Cardiff a few months ago. We are taking small, progressive steps, knowing that we have still got a great deal of work to do, but also knowing that we have a banding movement in Wales to be proud of."