History of Pontardulais Town Band

 

The Pontarddulais Town Band was formed in the early 1900's and it is well remembered by the older in habitants that the Band played at the local Railway Station when the young men left 'Bont' to join the forces in the First World War. The Band was also present in the early 1920's when some locals decided to travel to America to seek the "promised land". Locally the Band was active in the thirties, but with the advent of the Second World War, with so many players joining the forces, things were very quiet on the Banding front.

In 1946 some of the stalwarts decided to re-form the Band and with a great deal of effort they were successful in obtaining instruments and players. Working as a team they were soon on their way to competitive success. In 1955 they qualified for the London Finals and with dedication from all players, they achieved a 'first' in Class 'C'. The following year (1956) they achieved another 'first' in London, this time in Class 'B'.

 

During the next few years the Band went through a phase of transformation as the older members left and a new Junior Band was formed. To our knowledge, they were the first Band to compete in Class 'D' (winning first place), then competing in Class 'C' and gaining second place, and with tongues in cheeks, they competed in Class 'B' and came in first - this competition was held in Cwmamman in 1967.

Another notable achievement was the first prize in the Coal Industry Contest in Blackpool in 1974, the'Bont' Band being the first Welsh Band to hold this trophy since the inception of the contest 13 years previously.

The Band competed successfully in Class 'B' during the late 1970's and in 1981 gained promotion to the Championship Section.

During the late 1980's the band broke up and stopped competing, but due to the hard work of some players and comittee members the band reformed and in 1992 and 1993 the Band qualified for the London finals again (4th Section). Since then the Pontarddulais Town Band has gone from strength to strength regularly winning local competions (including Eisteddfodau) and performing all over South West Wales. In 1996 the Band celebrated its official 50th Anniversary at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea where among the guest artistes were Cor Meibion Pontarddulais.

In 1998 the Band were promoted to the 2nd Section and surprised everyone (including themselves) by winning the Welsh Regional Competition in Swansea, winning the Harry Ramsden 70th Birthday Competion at Cardiff (against several 1st Section Bands), winning the East Wales Compettion at Ebbw Vale and winning the National Eisteffod at Pencoed. In September 1998 the Pontarddulais Town Band were crowned Harry Ramsden 70th Birthday Section 'A' Champions at Guisley, Leeds winning £1000. The Band were then invited to play in the Brass Band Masters held on the following day at the same venue with the likes of Fodens, Ever Ready, Tredegar, Wingates, Cory.

 

The following week, the Band appeared at the National 2nd Section Finals in Harrogate.

Following on from that success, the Band represented Wales again in 1999 at the National 2nd Section Championships held in Nottingham in Sepmtember where they came a creditable 5th (again)and picked up the title of Champion Band of Wales 1999 at Treorchys' Parc and Dare Theatre.