*
banner

European Countdown — 3 days to go

Just in case you thought Wales was just a country full of rugby players and male voice choirs – here are a few weird and wonderful (and perhaps true) facts about the home of the current European champions.

EBBA
 

1. There are no letter K, Q or Z in the Welsh language – and the letter Y is a vowel.

2. Boxing’s Queensberry Rules were drafted by a Welshman, Llanelli-born JG Chambers (1843–83).

3. The inventor of the modern cremation process was Dr William Price (1800-93) of Llantrisant. He was taken to court in 1884 for attempting to burn the corpse of his baby son, Iesu Grist (Jesus Christ) but was found not guilty.

4. The English are Wales’ largest ethnic minority community with 20.3 per cent of the country’s population having been born in England.

5. In 2003, Wales became the first country in the UK in which the majority of babies – 50.3 per cent – were born outside marriage.

6. Notable Americans who have been of Welsh descent include Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln and Calvin Coolidge.

Also blessed by Welshness were the great Jack Daniel (founder of the drink), J. P. Morgan (banker), architect Frank Lloyd Wright, recluse, Howard Hughes, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and actor Tom Cruise.

7. The longest corridor in Europe is to be found in Llandough Hospital near Cardiff.

8. The most famous Welsh British Prime Minister, Lloyd George was in fact born in Manchester.

It is now believed that the United States of America was in fact named after a Welshman4BR

9. It is now believed that the United States of America was in fact named after a Welshman. Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci is commonly believed to have been the source of the name, but this may not be true.

10. It is believed that Welsh carpenter William Frost from Saundersfoot in West Wales claimed in 1896 that he had been airborne in a craft he constructed himself, and that had his flight been authenticated. The was some seven years before the Wright brothers in the USA.

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    


Whitburn

Double boost for Whitburn

August 26 • New solo signings boost Scottish Champion's ranks ahead of major challenges.


Tertnes

New duo to lead Tertnes

August 26 • Margie Sutherland Antrobus and Katrina Marzella Wheeler will spearhead the musical approaches of Tertnes Brass on contest and concert stages over the next year.


wsbba

Troon set to welcome entertainers

August 26 • Defending champion Unite Scotland Kinneil leads the entertainers in Troon at the West of Scotland Entertainment Contest this weekend.


BrookWright

BrookWright Solo Competition finalists announced

August 25 • You can now vote for who you think should win the Under 18 and Over 18 categories of the 2026 BrookWright International Brass Solo Contest.


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

August 26 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Tuesday (1st) in our bandroom at 11am. Why not come along for a relaxed,friendly rehearsal with cake/coffee and it’s all free.. We welcome players of all abilities and blowing with us doesn’t affect your No1 band.


Wantage Silver Band

August 22 • Wantage Concert Brass (1st Section) are looking for a SOLO HORN and PERCUSSIONIST. Under the direction of our dynamic and inspiring MD Daniel Hall. This year we achieved 3rd at the L&SC regionals. We rehearse Tue & Fri 7:30pm- 9:30pm in our own bandhall


Ashington Colliery Band

August 20 • Front Row Cornet & Tenor Trombone. We're a friendly, ambitious Second Section band based in South East Northumberland just north of Blyth. We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, and transport can be provided depending on location.


Julian Bright


Conductor, Compere/MC, Cornet Soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd