Despite the harsh autumnal weather lashing in off the sea at Porthcawl, there was a warm and welcoming musical atmosphere to enjoy at the Welsh Miners Welfare Entertainment Contest held amid the art deco surroundings of the seaside town’s Grand Pavilion.

Overdue

There was also long overdue contesting success for one of Wales’s most famous banding names, as Parc & Dare claimed the South Wales Miner’s Challenge Cup and the £600 first prize under the baton of MD, Andrew Jones.

Their 20 minute mining themed programme paid tribute to local coal communities, working class musical heroes and even caravan holiday homes at the local Trecco Bay. And despite a few tenuous links it also caught the imagination of an appreciative audience, including adjudicator Chris Davis.

Two points clear

They eventually ended two points clear of another Second Section band with a famous banding heritage, Gwaun Cae Gurwen, with Fourth Section Cheltenham bound Ebbw Valley in third.

Chris Davies OBE was impressed by the playing on show for him throughout the day, although he did state that he felt there was no clear cut winner in what was a closely fought contest.

Fanfare opening

Parc & Dare opened with ‘Fanfare of Daffodils’ from the former European test piece, ‘Five Blooms in a Welsh Garden’ before segueing into the march ‘Death or Glory’.

Flugel soloist Andrea Lewis produced a fine performance of ‘Marianne’, before the band paid tribute to the great American singer and miner’s champion Paul Robeson with ‘Mid All the Traffic’.

An entertaining, if elaborate musical connection came with ‘Caravan’, which featured fine solo interventions by trombonist Phil Dando and soprano Paul Eddy, before the band rounded off its set with the final section of Bertrand Moren’s ‘Mountain Views’ in tribute to its famous valley surroundings.

New chapter

The winning MD was delighted that he was able to open a new chapter of contesting winning success for the famous Rhondda based band.

"I’ve been with Parc & Dare two years now, and we have gone from just eight players to fielding a near full strength band today," Andrew Jones said.

"We still needed some experienced help, but that is true for just every band at this level at present. The good news for the band though is that we continue to go from strength to strength and have some super young players such as 9 year old Carys Lewis in the ranks."

He added: "We came third at the Welsh Area, runner-up at the Welsh League Contest at Ebbw Vale and have now won here. Our next stop is the Burry Port contest, as we look to round off the contest year with further success."

GCG delight

There was almost equal delight for runner-up Gwaun Cae Gurwen, as they continued their positive progress by claiming the Wales TUC Challenge Cup and £400, with their fine soprano player Nia Morris taking the ‘Best Cornet’ Prize.

Assistant Secretary Elouise Rhys later told 4BR that the result was down to hard work and an influx of talented young players.

"We are working harder than ever under our MD, Malcolm Read and it is paying off," she said.

"Our young players are also coming on in leaps and bounds, with our principal cornet player Alex Parker playing brilliantly on the cornet solo ‘Virtuosity’ and our soprano player Nia Morris showing her quality by winning the Arthur Batten ‘Best Cornet’ prize."

GCG as they are known throughout Welsh banding, opened with ‘The Golden Lady’ before moving through ‘The Irish Blessing’, the cornet solo, Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ and ‘Victory’ from ‘Cry of the Celts’.

Ebbw boost

There was a timely boost of confidence and a handy cash injection to meet Cheltenham hotel bills for Fourth Section Ebbw Valley, as they beat off the challenge of English rivals AW Parker (Drybrook) to end third and claim the Miner’s Eisteddfod Cup and £200.

The band’s principal cornet Nanette Jones was on tip top form claiming the Secretary’s Rosebowl as the ‘Best Soloist’ of the day for her fine performance of ‘Graig Lea’, whilst Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda took the CISWO Trophy and £200 Entertainment Award on what was another encouraging day of contesting for lower section Welsh banding.

Our next stop is the Burry Port contest, as we look to round off the contest year with further successMD, Andrew Jones

Results:
Adjudicator: Chris Davis OBE

1. Parc & Dare (Andrew Jones) — 186pts
2. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Malcolm Read) — 184pts
3. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter) — 183pts
4. A.W. Parker (Drybrook) (Josh Ruck) — 182pts
5. Abertillery & District (Dean Evans) — 180pts
6. RAF St Athan Voluntary (Alan Bourne — 179pts
7. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs) — 178pts

Highest Third Section Band not in the prizes: RAF St Athan Voluntary
Highest Fourth Section Band not in the prizes: Abertillery & District

Most Entertaining Stage Presentation: Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda

Best Soloist: Nanette Jones (cornet) – Ebbw Valley
Best Cornet: Nia Morris (soprano) — Gwaun Cae Gurwen

Youngest Player: Carys Lewis — Parc & Dare (age 9)