24th December - Yet more carolling as we returned to the Co-op in Ystrad in the morning and played in the Con Club in the evening.
23rd December - We somehow got the band to split into two groups and perform at two venues at once. One group went to Fforestfach Tescos and the others returned to Neath Abbey Tescos. Between the two locations, we managed to collect over £400 and this pushed our carolling total to over £2000! Today's casualties were Rhodri (who, although he managed to turn up to Fforestfach, spent the best part of three hours on the toilet after a reheated Chinese meal the night before) and Ken (who's music went to Fforestfach although he was in Neath). Those who managed to last the distance in Fforestfach were then treated to a banquet prepared by none other than the Bard of Ravenhill who gave a generous donation on the understanding that her photo was kept off the website...
22nd December - We returned to Tesco in Llansamlet. Unfortunately, they had double booked and we had to contend with a tirade of foul mouthed abuse from a group of rabid nuns! Their untimely arrival (they were dressed in white robes - we thought they were just two months late for Hallowe'en) coincided with the end of our third carol of the night. At this point, they demanded that we should pack up and go home - but due to the fact that we could play a lot louder than they could sing, we saw them off within fifteen minutes...
21st December - St Cynog's Annual Christmas Concert. The congregation of around 400 people were again pleased to hear that the band had selected tuneful music for this event!
20th December - Another carolling session, at Tesco in Llansamlet. Tonight's collection saw us overtake last year's record amount with a few days to spare!
19th December - Following a request from the manager, and in spite of the short notice and the clash with Ystalyfera school's Christmas concert, we returned to the Neath Abbey Tesco store where we held another carol collection
18th December - We resumed our carolling tour with a visit to Tesco in Neath Abbey.
17th December - The band played at the Temple of Light's Christingle Service.
16th December - Another carolling marathon - this time at Tesco in Swansea. Click here for the photographic evidence!
15th December - Another night of carolling. One group played at a few more of the local pubs while another group played on the streets of Ystradgynlais.
14th December - We played at the Coelbren Church Christmas Concert.
13th December - Residents of Tawe and Glantawe Parks enjoyed our latest carolling stint.
11th December - Unfortunately, our planned carolling collection was called off because of rain.
9th December - More carolling, this time at the Quadrant in Swansea. In spite of the dearth of cornet players, we again collected for almost five hours.
8th December - In spite of the inclement weather, we played at eight local pubs as part of our continuing quest to raise awareness of the band in the community.
7th December - Another Christmas fete; this time at Glais Primary School.
6th December - It stopped raining at 6:30pm so we were able to go carolling in Cwmgiedd as planned!
2nd December - Our first carolling collection of the year at the
Co-op in Ystrad. Although the store itself was fairly quiet, we played for almost five hours and with the help of collectors from the junior band, managed to raise over £200.
1st December - We kicked off the festive season with a Christmas fete in Penrhos school. Afterwards, Alud, Daniel and Chris attended a presentation evening in the Ystradgynlais Welfare Hall where the band received an award for its outstanding contribution to the community throughout the millennium year.
19th November - The final competition of the year. It was an entertainment contest and we played The Great Escape, Born Free and The James Bond Collection. Click here for our glowing adjudication!
12th November - Two more engagements completed by the band. We participated in the Remembrance services of both St Cynog's and the Temple of Light.
3rd November - Our third major concert of the year took place at the Abercrave Welfare Hall. Children from Caehopkin and Abercrave schools joined us on this occasion and Wyn once again displayed his vocal talents. For the last item, the schools joined us in a performance of the song "YMCA".
29th September - St Cynog's Concert. We gladly left the three-ring circus of the competition scene behind as we performed at another local concert - this time with the Gyrlais choir. Our soloists for this concert were Catryn and Elin. Highlight of the evening was our performance of the "James Bond Collection", which was greeted with particular enthusiasm by the audience. A special thank you to Greg for rushing back from Aberystwyth for the concert!
23rd September - Ammanford Contest. Not much can be said about this contest, other than the fact that it was a total and utter shambles. Only five bands entered our section, but it still took the contest controllers over twenty minutes to "orchestrate" a result after the adjudicator had left his tent. Click here for Sergeant Sheep's opinion!
13th September - We got into the festive spirit even earlier than usual this year, recording Christmas carols for a CD being produced by local musician Andrew Griffiths.
27th August - We played at the Dan Y Bryn nursing home summer fete in Pontardawe.
13th August - The first band pool tournament! Greg beat Rhodri in the final.
5th August - National Eisteddfod, Llanelli. The band was chafed by a very dubious result at this competition. The event was broadcast live on S4C, and the video evidence speaks for itself! The adjudicator who was responsible for this abomination was Mr Tony Small. On a lighter note, the highlight of the day was provided by Rhodri and Wyn who pushed aside a queue of eager five year olds to participate in a 'Gladiators' style duel for the chance to win Catryn's affections... Wyn triumphed by two knock downs to one but has he managed to win Catryn over yet?
21st July - Band Summer Barbecue. Click here for pics. Another successful event organised by the band. Both senior and junior bands provided entertainment and when the gnats started to bite, we went indoors for the quiz, which was won by the "Has Beens" (captained by Charles) with a score of 35. The wooden spoon went to the "Saucy Sisters" led by Catryn. They only managed a score of 21 and even managed to spell their team name incorrectly! Two teams incorrectly said that there were eight semiquavers in a semibreve and one thought that there were 24. I'm sure that these teams didn't have any band members in them...
15th July - The first ever #Strad festival was held at the Gorsedd Park in Ystrad. We again delighted the assembled crowd with our carefully chosen selection of music, which included pieces short-listed for the forthcoming entertainment contest in Llanelli.
8th July - Community Hospital Fete: The band participated again this year in order to help raise funds for our local hospital.
30th June - More filming with the BBC. Radio Cymru broadcast live from the Co-operative store in Ystrad. The band played a couple of items and Alud was interviewed by the presenter.
29th June - We played at the Gymanfa Ganu at Ystradgynlais Rugby Club. Five hundred children participated at this event, part of which was televised live on S4C Digital. 'Heno' will also be showing some of this concert on their programme next week. Immediately after the Gymanfa, we went to the Welfare Hall where we took part in a second concert! This was broadcast on Radio Cymru at the end of October.
23rd June - We performed in a 'massed bands' concert in Seven Sisters. We were joined by Briton Ferry and Parc and Dare bands and Onllwyn Choir.
17th June - Cwmtwrch Concert. Today was also the hottest June day for 24 years... Fortunately, our soloists seemed to be unaffected by the sudden change in climate and performed admirably. Catryn played "Clowns"; Rhodri played the second movement of Haydn's "Trumpet Concerto". Wyn left his cornet on stage and sang "Galwad Y Mor" - much to the delight of the girls in the school choirs! With us for this concert were pupils from Cwmtwrch and Gurnos schools. Our final band and school combined item was "A Whole New World" from Aladdin.
10th June - Ynyscedwyn Scout Fete. A battle between the wind and the band. Eventually the band came out on top. Owain improved the sound coming from his horn in the second half by eating four ice-creams in the break. Daniel decided half way through that perhaps Cwmtwrch carnival would be more entertaining. And when we finished, the 'Sced was closed!! Still, at least it didn't rain...
13th May - Ebbw Vale Contest: More success for the band at our favourite contest venue! We came second, playing "Caledonian Journey". Winners of the competition were Newtown, who are graded a section above us nationally. Summing up, the adjudicator said that it was very difficult to choose between the top two bands, who both played to a noticeably higher standard than the others on the day.
7th May - Harold Leadbeater's 80th birthday celebrations at the Church Hall in Ystrad. The band was there in force and we made our presence felt early on with a rousing fanfare as the guest of honour arrived. Afterwards, we stayed behind to help them polish off the uneaten food.
15th April - A concert in "The Bomb", Glanrhyd. The band revelled in the relaxed atmosphere of "The Bomb" and reeled off twenty one pieces of music (from Sospan Fach to Strawberry Fair, from Memory to the Muppets) to the delight of the audience. The soloists were once again on good form, particularly Aled Hopton - whose drumming was excellent throughout. Catryn was our host for the after concert celebrations.
19th March - Our first contest of the new millennium. We performed "Haslemere Suite" at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.
To celebrate the occasion, we posed for our first official band photograph since the same contest back in 1993.
2nd March - We performed at the St David's Day concert at Maesydderwen school. It was a cosmopolitan event with a 113 strong choir from the five local primary schools, the male voice choir and performances from Maesydderwen school pupils. Members of the junior band joined in with the music making. We were pleased to again be playing to a packed hall and look forward to participating in more events like this in the future.
10th February - The Band AGM was held at Sardis Chapel. All went according to expectations and the new committee showed
it's committment to promoting a feeling of community spirit within the band by popping in to the 'Sced after the meeting for a game of pool. The Gwyn Alexander Memorial Shield was presented to Catryn in recognition of her achievement in being selected for the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.
4th February - The first concert to be organised by the band in five years was held at the Welfare Hall in Ystradgynlais. There was not a spare seat to be found as the band started the concert with a rousing performance of "Masters of the Universe". The band played arrangements of tunes well known to the audience who were fully entertained throughout the night. We were also proud to show off the talents of some of the younger members of the band. Solos were performed by Catryn Lawrence (tenor horn), Rhodri Jones (cornet), Stephen McNicholas (flugel horn) and Daniel Jenkins (trombone). The concert was also supported by choirs from Ynysgedwyn and Penrhos schools. Our final item was "I Will Follow Him" from the film "Sister Act". There was rapturous applause as the choirs from both schools took on the roles of the singing nuns and joined us in the performance of this piece.
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