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Senior Band Awards Evening

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February 9th 2019 saw the return of the Pontardulais Town Band Awards Evening, held on this occasion at Tree Tops Country Club in Swansea.

The awards were presented by new Band President, Mr. Garry Owen, and the prize winners were as follows:

Most Improved Player of the Year: Lyndon Harris (Euphonium)

Bandsperson of the Year: Carly Shanklin (Cornet)

Player of the Year: Gareth Halfpenny (Trombone)

Players’ Player of the Year: Kevin Shanklin (Soprano cornet)

A special presentation was also made to Jayne Kinnear for her tireless work ‘behind the scenes’ over the past year, which has included securing numerous grants for the band to fund Workshops, purchase instruments for the Training band and for upgrading band facilities, to name but a few. Jayne was also heavily involed in the planning of the hugely successful Festival of Remembrance Concert held in November 2018.


  • Most Improved Player of the Year - Lyndon Harris
    Most Improved Player of the Year – Lyndon Harris
  • Bandsperson of the Year - Carly Shanklin
    Bandsperson of the Year – Carly Shanklin
  • Player of the Year - Gareth Halfpenny
    Player of the Year – Gareth Halfpenny
  • Players' Player of the Year - Kevin Shanklin
    Players’ Player of the Year – Kevin Shanklin
  • Special Contribution Award - Jayne Morgan Kinnear
    Special Contribution Award – Jayne Morgan Kinnear
  • Prize Winners
    All the prize winners, along with Band President Garry Owen, Band Chairperson Sue Aldrich and Senior Band Conductor Paul Jenkins.
  • Awards Evening Group Photo

Prizes Won at the Cardiff Contest

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At the final contest of the year for the band, and the final leg of the three-part Welsh League series, the band were delighted to be awarded 2nd place in the Championship Section, which also saw the band achieve the overall runner-up position in the Championship Section of the Welsh League for 2018.

Christopher Jenkins
Best Instrumentalist – Christopher Jenkins, Cornet

In addition, the band’s principal cornet player, Christopher Jenkins, was awarded the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ prize for the section, for his fantastic contribution to the band’s performance of the set test piece, ‘Between the Moon and Mexico’, by Philip Sparke.

The result rounds off a brilliant year for the band on the contesting front, with one 1st place, three 2nd places, a ‘Best Instrumentalist’ prize for Christopher Jenkins, a ‘Best Percussion Section’ prize and a ‘Best Back Row Cornet Section’ prize.

This set piece contest was adjudicated by Stan Lippeatt.

Full results for the section are below.

Position Band Conductor Draw
1 Llwydcoed Band Chris Turner 1
2 Pontardulais Town Band Paul Jenkins 5
3 Tylorstown Band Gary Davies 2
4 Ebbw Valley Brass Gareth Ritter 4
5 Markham & District Band Matthew Rowe 3

Best instrumentalist: Christopher Jenkins – Cornet (Pontardulais Town Band)
Best trombone: Gareth Robinson (Llwydcoed Band)
Best bass section: Llwydcoed Band

Remembrance Events

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Festival of Remembrance 2018 posterA busy Remembrance weekend saw the band perform at a special ‘Festival of Remembrance Concert’ on the Saturday evening, before leading the traditional parade on the Sunday morning.

The concert, commemorating 100 years since the end of World War 1, saw the band give a world premiere performance of a composition written for the band, ‘Bugles Sang’, from the pen of local composer and current composer in residence of the Pontardulais Town Band, Mr. Haldon Evans.

Also performing at the concert were soprano soloist Adele O’Neill, local choirs Côr Glandulais and Lleisiau Lliw, and the prize-winning Pontarddulais Male Choir.

A number of performances were given by local children – choirs from Pontarddulais Primary School and Ysgol Llanedi, a choir and saxophone ensemble from Pontarddulais Comprehensive School and a dramatic presentation by Ysgol Gymraeg Bryniago.

The concert was held at Pontarddulais Comprehensive School and was compèred by Rhodri Lewis.

Llanelli online were present at the concert and have a report, along with photographs, available on their website.

Popular brass band website 4barsrest.com also have a report on their website, specifically about the premiere of ‘Bugles Sang’.

Haverfordwest Contest

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On a very wet and windy day, the band were placed 6th in the Championship Section at the second leg of the 2018 Welsh League series, held at Haverfordwest High VC School on October 13th 2018.

Taking place only four weeks after the band’s successful appearance at the the Second Section Final of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, the band gave a good performance of ‘Chivalry’ by Martin Ellerby with only three weeks of preparation!

This Own Choice contest was adjudicated by Ian Porthouse and David Hayward, who stepped in at short notice in place of David Hirst, who was unable to attend due to travelling problems as a result of Storm Callum.

Full results for the section are below.

Position Band Piece Draw
1 Llwydcoed Band
(Chris Turner)		 Of Distant Memories
(Edward Gregson)		 6
2 Goodwick Brass
(Matthew Jenkins)		 A King’s Lie
(Stan Nieuwenhuis)		 3
3 Markham & District Band
(Matthew Rowe)		 Coventry Variations
(Bramwell Tovey)		 2
4 Ebbw Valley Brass
(Gareth Ritter)		 King Arthur – Scenes from a Radio Drama
(Benjamin Britten arr. Paul Hindmarsh)		 1
5 Tylorstown Band
(Gary Davies)		 Tallis Variations
(Philip Sparke)		 5
6 Pontardulais Town Band
(Paul Jenkins)		 Chivalry
(Martin Ellerby)		 4

Best instrumentalist: Steve Stonelake – Baritone (Llwydcoed)
Best soprano cornet: Jayne Thomas (Markham & District Band)
Best percussion section: Goodwick Brass

In the Prizes at the National Finals

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The band is proud to have been awarded 2nd place in the Second Section Final of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, held at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse, on September 15th 2018. The band gained the invitation to represent Wales at the contest through winning the Second Section at the Welsh Regional Championships in March.

All 18 competing bands were required to perform the set test piece ‘Firestorm’ by Stephen Bulla, with three adjudicators to impress – Roger Webster, Brian Rostron and David Hirst.

Full results for the section are below, along with a selection of comments on the band’s performance from brass band media.

On the way to Cheltenham!
Ready to head to Cheltenham Racecourse after a 7:30am rehearsal.
On stage!

Position Band Conductor Draw
1 Middleton Band Kevin Gibbs 13
2 Pontardulais Town Band Paul Jenkins 4
3 North Skelton Band Lewis Wilkinson 14
4 Bollington Brass Band Peter Christian 15
5 Crofton Silver Band Dean Jones 12
6 Milton Keynes Brass Jonathan Mott 11
7 South Yorkshire Police Band Leigh Baker 6
8 Shrewton Silver Band Michael Dunford 16
9 Helston Town Band John Berryman 7
10 J36 Brass Steven Craig 17
11 Annan Town Band Paul Drury 5
12 Ifton Colliery Band Scott Lloyd 3
13 Hucknall & Linby Brass Paul Whyley 10
14 LGB Brass Band Ian Stewart 1
15 Flixton Band Matt Ryan 2
16 Campbeltown Brass Paul Kiernan 9
17 St. Sebastian Wokingham Band John Watts 8
18 Rolls Royce (Derby) Band Graham Cardwell 18

Best instrumentalist: Jo Robinson – Soprano Cornet (North Skelton)

From 4barsrest.com – Purposeful intent from the off. Descriptive images of war and military right from the off. Tempos are good but occasionally the clarity drops but the confidence from all on stage is coming through.

The quality playing remains and the soloists step up to the mark. This is a real team effort and the excitement builds right to the close.

Overall: Very impressive stuff from the word go. The odd moment, but an account of real musical intent.

Star Player: The first clich’d ‘team’ effort of the weekend. Everyone stepped up there.

From the BritishBandsman.com – Solid start with a great sense of style! Lovely dynamics that colour the music so well. This band really keep you engaged. Conductor is really clear in conveying the story of this piece… This is clearly all about the music! Ensemble really tight throughout this opening section. Bravo!!

Slow section- A tiny bit of intonation creeps in. Lovely solo lines throughout. The band are taking lots of risks with their lower end dynamics and its really paying off!

Final section ticks along with the same quality as earlier and accels well. Great balance between sections and all effects are heard. Band not holding back but it works.. oozes quality. Great early marker for us!!

STAR SECTION :- Condutor (Lovely interpretation)

STAR PLAYER :- Cornet

From Brass Band World on Twitter – @bontband deliver a very convincing performance. We hear the detail of the score come across, complimented by a huge, yet always controlled band sound. Quality playing around the band and soloists do well. An early contender for sure!

Junior Band Awards 2018

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Winners of the various Pontardulais Junior and Beginner Band Awards were presented with their trophies by guest soloist Tom Hutchinson at the Annual Concert on June 16th 2018.

This year saw the inaugural awarding of the J. D. W. Maclean Junior Bandsman of the Year award, introduced in memory of long-standing Band President, Mr John Maclean, who sadly passed away last year, after a period of 45 years acting as Band President.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Most Promising Beginner – Cian Curry
Most Promising Beginner – David Davies
Best Attender – Helen
Most Improved Junior – Sian Jones
Junior Player of the Year – Aled Tumelty
J. D. W. Maclean Junior Bandsman of the Year – Evan Kinnear

Most Promising Beginner – Cian Curry
Most Promising Beginner – David Davies
Best Attender – Helen
Most Improved Junior – Sian Jones
Junior Player of the Year – Aled Tumelty
J. D. W. Maclean Junior Bandsman of the Year – Evan Kinnear

The Lord Mayor’s Summer Honours Ball

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The band was delighted to take part in the Lord Mayor of the City & County of Swansea’s Summer Honours Ball, which took place yesterday, the 11th of May,  at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea. Tasked with opening the evening’s celebrations, the band played a short but lively set which was well received by the guests in attendance. Included on the all-star guest list were local rugby player Alun-Wyn Jones, award winning actor Rhys Ifans and opera star Wynne Evans, who was host for the evening.

 

Lord Mayor’s Summer Honours Ball 2018
Lord Mayor’s Summer Honours Ball 2018
Lord Mayor’s Summer Honours Ball 2018
Lord Mayor’s Summer Honours Ball 2018

Further Success in Cardiff

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The band continued its strong start to the 2018 contesting season, achieving 2nd place in the Championship Section at the opening contest of the 2018 Welsh League series, held at Willows High School in Cardiff on April 28th 2018.

The band’s back row cornet section brought further silverware back to the Bont in winning the ‘Terry Hill Best Back Row Cornet Section Trophy’.

In this Own Choice contest, adjudicated by Robert Childs and David Hirst, the band chose to perform ‘Sinfonietta No. 3’ by Etienne Crausaz. Full results for the section are below.

Best Back Row Cornet Section
Best Back Row Cornet Section

Position Band Piece Draw
1 Ebbw Valley Brass
(Gareth Ritter)		 A Kensington Concerto
(Eric Ball)		 1
2 Pontardulais Town Band
(Paul Jenkins)		 Sinfonietta No. 3
(Etienne Crausaz)		 4
3 Tylorstown Band
(Gary Davies)		 A Kensington Concerto
(Eric Ball)		 3
4 Markham & District Band
(Matthew Rowe)		 Terra Australis
(Martin Ellerby)		 2
5 Lewis Merthyr Band
(Craig Roberts)		 Trittico
(James Curnow)		 5

Best instrumentalist: Jeff Thomas – Flugelhorn (Ebbw Valley Brass)
Best horn: Deborah Bull (Ebbw Valley Brass)
Best back row cornet section: Pontardulais Town Band

The Man Engine in Swansea

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A combined Junior and Senior band were thrilled to be involved in The Man Engine‘s visit to Swansea on Thursday 12th April. On the final leg of its tour of South Wales, The Man Engine started its journey around ‘Copperopolis’ at the National Waterfront Museum, where before the show, the band entertained the huge crowd with some well known Welsh hymns and songs. During the show, the band teamed up with the local Tenovus Cancer Care ‘Sing with Us’ Choir to wake the 11.2m tall mechanical puppet, with a rendition of the ‘Anthem’ written especially for the occasion by Welsh composer, Helen Woods.

Composer of the ‘Anthem’, Helen Woods.