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Tredegar Town Band |
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The war years of 1939 – 1945 were comparatively lean years competitively, with many of the Band’s personnel being in the Forces, while others in essential occupations worked difficult unsocial hours which affected attendance at rehearsals. Many concerts were given in hospitals, munitions factories and local halls to raise funds for those in the Forces. Consequently, after the war had ended like many other Bands in the locality, a process of rebuilding began that was coincidental with Con Buckley being appointed MD.
The Band were re-graded into Class ‘C’ and started winning prizes on a regular basis at local contests. A major week long music festival was held in Tredegar in 1946 when the Band joined forces with the well known Melingriffith Works Band ( Cardiff) who were conducted by T. J. Powell who was becoming an established adjudicator and composer. Mr. Powell was impressed with the potential of the Band and several of its key players. These included Mr. Powell’s younger brother Ivor , a staunch member of the Band and teacher of brass beginners, John Childs, Alwyn Powell and Brian Buckley.
This led to periodic visits to the Band room at Mount Street (later Union Street) by Mr. Powell, who also invited John Childs (euphonium) and Brian Buckley (cornet) to Cardiff, to play with Melingriffith Band on several occasions. Brian Buckley had attracted the interest of Mr. Powell, in a contest held at Bedwellty Park Bandstand, Tredegar in 1944 when he won the Best Soloist prize for all sections for his Flugel Horn Solo playing in ‘The Crusaders’ by Thomas Keighley. Several players are recalled that were known to give loyal contributions to the Band’s progress during the 1940’s and early 1950’s, these were Ron Lewis and Albert Morris (Cornets), Billy Long (Horn), Cliff and Bob McGuire (Euphonium and Baritone). |
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The History (1940 - 1950) |
