*
banner

50th National victory anniversary to be marked by Tredegar

The 1974 Butlins National Youth Band Championship success of the pioneering Tredegar Junior Band is to be marked by a bit of a get together next month.

Tredegar Junior
  We won the Cup! The youngest player raises the trophy on high on the band's return

The 50th anniversary of Tredegar Junior Band winning the Butlins National Youth Brass Band Championship of Great Britain is to be marked by a special reunion evening in February.

It is being organised former members Melanie Kennedy and Julie Rooke, both of whom were part of the band that claimed the title at the Royal Albert Hall in 1974.

Welsh and National champion

The night will also mark the Welsh title victory against eight other rivals in Swansea also under conductor Tudor Williams.

Later the same day, 8 members of the band and the MD also helped the senior Tredegar Band qualify for the Royal Albert Hall National Final.

The first Butlins National Championship Final took place at the Royal Albert Hall on 5th October with the band claiming the title against eight rivals playing 'Torch of Freedom' by Eric Ball and 'Patterns' by Edward Gregson.

National title winning conductors

Players in the ranks that day included both a trio of players who all went on the conduct National title winning bands in their own right — Robert and Nicholas Childs with Cory and Black Dyke, and Nigel Weeks who claimed both New Zealand and Australian honours. The youngest member of the band was 9 year old Iwan Fox.

The band returned to Wales as the first holders of the Butlins Trophy (later used as the prize for the most entertaining Championship Section at the Butlins Mineworkers Championships in Skegness and as part of their prize made a LP recording on the Decca label. They also went on to retain the title in 1975.

Details

The evening is being held in Tredegar on Friday 21st February, with over half the original band already confirmed as attending.

For further details please contact Melanie Kennedy on: melanie598@btinternet.com

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Fodens

Foden's regional reach out for 2026

September 17 • If you want some of the Foden's Area Championship winning formula to rub off on you, then why not sign up for some early test-piece prep.


Brighouse

Brighouse principal is lead off for Banding Together

September 17 • In a new PR profile initiative for the event, Tom Smith talks about his link to the National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall.


Norway

Concerto test for Norwegian elite

September 17 • Flavours of Rumba, Ravel and riotous ostriches courtesy of Derek Bourgeois will test the Elite Division contenders at the 2026 Norwegian National Championships.


National Championships

2026 Regional Championship test-piece announced

September 17 • Works by Martin Ellerby, Andrew Wainwright, Philip Harper, Gordon Langford and Eric Ball will test bands in their qualification bids for the Albert Hall and Cheltenham next year.


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Dobcross Silver Band - Milnrow Band

Sunday 21 September • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards Big Band

Friday 26 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - The Brass Band Conference

Saturday 27 September • Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Durham DH1 4BE


Haverhill Silver Band

September 17 • Haverhill Silver Band (Championship Section) seeks a FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band for the L&SC area contest, the Senior Cup, Whit Friday and beyond.


Cheltenham Silver Band

September 16 • Required:. Musical Director : Cheltenham Silver Academy Band Following the relocation of our current conductor we are looking for a progressive, passionate and dedicated individual to lead our Academy Band, and to support our continued improvement.


Chinnor Silver

September 16 • We need a Bass player (either Bb or Eb) and a percussionist to join our happy team! The band is promoted to the first section in 2026 and were also 2025 Second section National Finalists. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings in our own bandroom in Chinnor


Jenny Gartside

Bsc Hons
Jeweller, brass band themed jewellery and pin badges


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd