The City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) M1 has announced a number of new signings and returning players as they prepare for the Welsh Regional First Section contest in Swansea next month.

Players

These include Tim Hughes on soprano, Chris Brown and David Leak on cornet, and Carrie Hook on horn, whilst Oliver Williams on Bb bass and Morgan Marston on cornet make the move up from the M2 band. Lizzie Connell joins on euphonium from Markham Band.

This adds to the strength of the band in time for the area contest in March, when the band will be defending its first section Welsh Regional title.

New resident

Following Gareth Ritter's decision to step down from the band, Tredegar principal cornet Dewi Griffiths has agreed to take on the role of Resident Conductor. He will conduct the band at the forthcoming Welsh Open in Porthcawl as well as working alongside Nigel Seaman on the preparations for Swansea.

Welcome

Band Chairman Dafydd Parri welcomed the new signings as well as paying to Gareth Ritter's immense contribution to the organisation's development over the last 10 years.

"We always welcome new and returning players to the organisation and wish them well. We also thank Dewi for stepping in to help us as resident conductor.

Our heartfelt thanks also go to Gareth Ritter, who took M1 through the sections to gain Championship Section status, but was also instrumental in starting M2 and our first youth band, M3spokesperson.

Thanks

He added: "Our heartfelt thanks also go to Gareth, who took M1 through the sections to gain Championship Section status, but was also instrumental in starting M2 and our first youth band, M3.

His talent, enthusiasm, and commitment will be missed by Melingriffith, and we wish him every success."