A satisfactory 5th place was the award for our endeavours at Porthcawl last weekend.  Having drawn to play number 1 we were fairly pleased with our placing and a better draw might have seen us a place or two higher.

We have just one more rehearsal with Steve Sykes before our friend from Norway, Tom Brevik, arrives on 3rd March to direct the band at the regional championships in Torquay on Sunday, 14th March.  Steve has been with us since Christmas rehearsing the band for Porthcawl and Torquay and, as always, it has been a pleasure to have him at the helm.

If any of our supporters or members of the Training Band are available we are holding an open rehearsal at Dene Magna School on Saturday, 13th March from 2.00 p.m. until 6.00 p.m.  Entry is free so please come along and support the band in its preparation for Torquay.

The Training Band, following their recent successes, will now enter the National Youth Brass Band Championships in Manchester on Sunday, 18th April.  This will be a first for the band and a huge jump up in class for our young players who will compete in the Intermediate Section.  For further details see www.bfbb.co.uk and click on the Youth Championship link.

In order to fund the event and to help pay for the coach and to buy polo shirts, we will be arranging two events on the same day.  The first is a sponsored blow in the bandroom on Saturday, 27th March starting at 3.00 p.m. until 6.00 p.m. (senior band players are invited to come along and join in).  This will be followed by a social event in the function room at the Courtfield Arms, Lower Lydbrook starting at 7.00 p.m.  Food will be available at £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for children - names to Robert please.

That’s all for now and hopefully there will be one more update prior to the Area Contest.

Robert Morgan 
Secretary