Success at SEWBBA Spring Festival
The South East Wales Brass Band Association (SEWBBA) held its Spring Festival on Saturday 20th May with 11 competitors across the two combined sections providing performances that found considerable favour with adjudicator Dr Robert Childs. In the combined 1st & 2nd Section, Ebbw Valley gave a fine rendition of 'The Accursed Huntsman' to win the overall title and the 'Best First Section Band' honours, as well as the 'Best Soprano' prize.
RAF St Athan Voluntary Band conducted by Alan Bourne won the combined Section 3 & 4 contest. With the local RAF base in the village closing this year, the band will also close its doors for a final time. Having performed at the Welsh Regional Championships in Swansea in March the band concluded in fine style with their winning rendition of 'Laudate Dominum' by Edward Gregson. Principal cornet player Claire Bourne also won the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.
The SEWBBA Autumn Festival is scheduled to take place at Stanwell School, Penarth on Saturday 18th November.
Results:
Combined Sections 1 & 2:
Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs
1. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter)
2. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett)
3. Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs)
4. Abertillery Town (Alun F Williams)
5. Markham & District (Jayne Thomas)
Best Instrumentalist: Fion Williams (flugel) (playing with Newport Borough)
Best Soprano Cornet: John Smith (Ebbw Valley)
Best Section 1 Band: Ebbw Valley Brass
Best Section 2 Band: Newport Borough
Combined Sections 3 & 4:
Adjudicator: Dr Robert Childs
1. RAF St Athan Voluntary (Alan Bourne)
2. Severn Tunnel (David Ferris)
3. Ynyshir (Dean Evans)
4. Ogmore Valley Silver (Danny Stone)
5. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) M2 (John Murray)
6. Oakdale Silver (Kerry Bowden)
Best Instrumentalist: Claire Bourne (RAF St Athan Voluntary)
Best Euphonium: John Ayres (Severn Tunnel)
Best Section 3 Band: RAF St Athan Voluntary
Best Section 4 Band: Severn Tunnel
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