One of the famous names of south Wales brass banding is making a welcome return to making music, with the news that Rogerstone is to reform as a non-contesting community band.

Community band

The Rogerstone Community Band will be launched at a special rehearsal on Friday the 24th February led by conductor Dr Robert Childs, who has offered his ongoing support to the venture.

It sees the welcome revival of a band that enjoyed a great deal of success in Welsh banding since its formation in 1948 — winning the Second Section National Championship of Great Britain under Brian Buckley in 1971, followed by the Welsh Regional Championship Section title in 1973 and National Eisteddfod the following year.

Music making

Further success in the lower sections occurred all the way up to 2010 and they last competed at the Welsh Area contest in 2015. Now however, their future lies in community music making as their spokesperson told 4BR.

"We are looking for players, past and present who enjoy playing a brass instrument along with the social aspect of banding. The aim of the band will be to perform in concerts throughout the year to support the infrastructure of the organisation and of course the local community of Rogerstone and beyond.

The initial plan will be to hold rehearsals twice a month on Friday evenings."

The aim of the band will be to perform in concerts throughout the year to support the infrastructure of the organisation and of course the local community of Rogerstone and beyondspokesperson

Get in touch

If anyone is interested in participating in this new venture, please contact Olly Thomas on 07942 818813, Julian Sheppard on 07514 369553 or Steve Haycox on 07977 306011.