Emotions run high in Swansea
It was an emotional weekend in Swansea, with thoughts of the untimely passing of Welsh cornet legend Ian Williams, permeating the Brangwyn Hall. A lovely tribute was made by Dr Robert Childs and the brass band of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, who dedicated their performance of 'All through the Night' to Ian, as they gave their now traditional high-quality pre-result concert.
Cory band seemed to channel this emotion in its performance of the test piece and were deserved and clear winners in the Championship section. The band also picked up prizes for best instrumentalist, which went to principal cornet, Tom Hutchinson and best basses. The band has now also won the honour of representing Wales at the 2019 European Championships. In a statement on the band's social media platform they dedicated the victory to Ian's memory, simply saying, "This one's for you".
Pre-qualified Tredegar Band also delivered a great performance earning them the runners-up spot on this occasion. As both bands were pre-qualified for the Nationals in October, joining them at the Albert Hall will also be Tongwynlais Temperance and City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) bands, who were third and fourth placed respectively.
Congratulations to the winners and qualifying bands in all other sections who will now compete at the Nationals in Cheltenham this September.
Championship Section:
1. Cory (Philip Harper)***
2. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)**
3. Tongwynlais Temperance (Andreas Kratz)*
4. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) M1 (Garry Cutt)*
5. Northop Silver (John Doyle)
6. Goodwick (Matthew Jenkins)
7. Llwydcoed (Christopher Turner)
8. Parc & Dare (Leftfield Environmental Ltd.) (Jonathan Pippen)
***Cory will represent Wales at the 2019 European Championship and were pre-qualified for the National Final
**Tredegar pre-qualified for National Final
*Qualified for National Final
Best Instrumentalist: Tom Hutchinson (cornet) Cory
Best Basses: Cory
First Section:
1. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter)*
2. Burry Port Town (Christopher Bond)*
3. Tylorstown (Gary Davies)
4. Deiniolen (Lois Eifion)
5. Lewis Merthyr (Craig Roberts)
6. BTM (Jeff Hutcherson)
7. Markham & District (Matt Rowe)
8. Llanrug (Gavin Saynor)
9. Thomas Coaches Mid-Rhondda (Alan Gibbs)
10. Abergavenny Borough (Sean O'Neill)
Best Instrumentalist: Arwel Williams (soprano) — Deiniolen
Second Section:
1. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins)*
2. Ifton Colliery (Scott Lloyd)*
3. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett)
4. Ammanford Town Silver (Glyn Davies)
5. Royal Buckley Town (Keith Jones)
6. Abertillery Town (Joshua Ruck)
7. Penclawdd (Tony Small)
8. Crwbin (Craig Roberts)
9. Blaenavon Town (David Langley)
Best Instrumentalist: Seamus Gallaher (cornet) Newport Borough
Best Percussion: Pontardulais
Third Section:
1. Taff Vale Brass (Gareth Ritter)*
2. Usk (James Jones)*
3. Newtown Silver (Steve Edwards)
4. Briton Ferry (Jeff Pearce)
5. Ynyshir (Gary Davies)
6. Severn Tunnel (Daniel Hall)
7. RAF St. Athan Voluntary (Alan Bourne)
8. Ogmore Valley Silver (Alice Jones)
Best Soloist: Duncan Broadley (cornet) Taff Vale Brass
Fourth Section:
1. Upper Rhondda (Jayne Thomas)*
2. Cwmtawe Youth (Wayne Pedrick)*
3. Buckley Brass (Steve Pugh-Jones)
4. Crosskeys Silver (Mike Davies)
5. Gwaun-cae-Gurwen (Jeff Hutcherson)
Best Instrumentalist: Mathew Eveson (euphonium) Upper Rhondda
Youngest Player: Zoe Marie Gregory (aged 12) Upper Rhondda
Withdrawn: Oakdale Silver (Kerry Bowden)
*Qualify for National Final
