First place performance and a welcome to a new signing

The band took first place at this weekend's Ebbw Vale contest to start the season with a winning performance of Goff Richards Oceans. The band has had a busy time between the Welsh Area in March and the first contest of the domestic season and is beginning its preparations for the National Finals at Harrogate in September.

The event was also the contesting debut for its new Tuba signing Phil Hawkins who was delighted to start his contesting with a win. "My car broke down on the way to the rehearsal so it wasn't the best of starts! But I managed to end the day with a win!"

The band came in first beating Pillowell who travelled across from Bristol and Goodwick who made an even longer journey from Pembrokeshire.

The band's vice chairman Iestyn Davies commented however, saying, "We were pleased with the win but know that we are capable of much more. There is still alot of work to do and as a band we weren't that pleased with some elements of our performance. We now have to get back into the bandroom and go to work on these areas."

The band will now turn its attention to an entertainment programme at the National Eisteddfod contest which will also be held in Ebbw Vale and the joys of Phil Harper's Willow Pattern.

Despite the ups and downs of contesting the band is pleased with its win and looks forward to taking one more piece of silverware to add to its collection on display in Red Cow.