Blaenavon Town Band National Eisteddfod

Saturday 5th August 2006

First Place in Class 3

After coming in the frame at the last few contests the Band finally pulled a well earned first place out of the bag with Victory at the National Eisteddfod in Swansea.  The Band were competing in section 3 and played a 15 minute entertainment program.  This is the third victory at the Eisteddfod which has become something of a happy hunting ground for Blaenavon Town Band.

The Program started with James Curnows Ceremonial Fanfare No.1 and continued with the William Rimmer March Old Comrades.  The Flugel Solo 'Marianne' was played with style by Joanne Corcoran and was followed by Lennon and McCartneys Ticket to Ride.  To finish, the band played the finale of Edward Gregsons Laudate Dominum.

The National Eisteddfod is perhaps the only Brass Band contest that has live television coverage (including studio pundits to scrutinise each bands performance) and this was brought home to MD Alun Hathaway when he and chairman Lynn Davies were interviewed live on television.  Unfortunately no one in the band speaks Welsh so the interviews were conducted in English.  A grinning Lynn Davies addressed the nation after the results and said that the result was unbelievable (I think he meant the £3 a pint but he was a bit confused!).

Alun was very happy with the performance although there were a few slips and splits, but after several near misses since he took up the baton, this will be remembered as his first victory with the band.