Ystradgynlais Public Band 1903-2003
	The Ystradgynlais Public Band was originally formed sometime between 1875 and 1890.  Unfortunately, no one seems to know what the exact date was but the earliest surviving record to our knowledge is a photograph of the band dated 1903 and we are therefore celebrating our Centenary this year.  This photo, which is displayed on the site, shows an array of prizes won at competitions.  Indeed, the full title of the band in its early days was the "Ystradgynlais Public Prize Band".  After the First World War, the band went into hibernation for a few years but has played on continuously since its reformation in 1924.  Back in the early days, music written for brass band was limited.  Most pieces were transcriptions of overtures and operas originally composed for full orchestra.  However, as the brass band movement developed throughout the country, the band's library of music steadily started to grow.  In fact there are still over 100 pieces of music within the band today that were written before 1930. The early days were quite successful for the band - which was at the time made up of miners from the locality.  One family in particular has had a long association with the band.  Our oldest member Mr Roslyn Morgan started in the band over sixty years ago and can remember the days when Mr Tom White used to conduct the band.  At that time, the band used to rehearse three times a week in a room above the "Butcher's Arms" in Ystradgynlais.  More recently, the band has been conducted by his son, Walter then by his son (also Walter) whose brother Charles still plays with the band today. He is joined occasionally by his sons Jamie and Matthew. The band has never had a home of its own.  Since the days at the Butch, we have rehearsed regularly at Cynlais School, Ainon Chapel and currently Sardis Chapel.  We have also on occasion used The Copper Beech in Abercrave, Varteg Scout Hut and Libanus chapel.  A few rehearsals have even taken place in Ystalyfera bandroom! Older members seem to be able to recall the days when the band competed in the First Section and won contests by thirty points.  In 1953, we won the Miners' Gala contest in Cardiff, beating bands such as Cory and Parc and Dare.  Sadly, over the years, any documents that detail the Band's early years have been lost and it is only the recollections of these older players that provide us with an insight into the band's history.  Over more recent years, the demographics of the band have changed a lot.  Whilst we still compete with a fair amount of success, the band now consists of mostly young players.  Half our members are under the age of sixteen.  Nevertheless, during 2000, the band embarked on its most ambitious programme of events yet.  Visit our other pages to discover what we have been doing recently, or what we've got planned for our Centenary year.  We are working hard to improve public awareness of the band with a programme of exciting events. Here's to the next hundred years...
			Recent News    Our History in Pictures The 1990s       2000 in detail Who's Who    More about us    Homepage