History
The band has existed in its present form (as a brass band) since 1910, although prior to that there had been a military style band in Briton Ferry since the 1880’s.
There was a time when most villages and towns had their own brass band. Over the years, many bands such as Skewen and Pontrhydyfen have disappeared, and Briton Ferry band has had its share of lean times. After years of rehearsing in various pubs, clubs, chapels, empty shops and even a cemetery lodge, the band now has its own purpose built band room and recently purchased a new set of instruments.
All this has been made possible by the hard work of the members and committee, the support of the community, local business and grants from the National lottery and the Arts Council of Wales.
Today the band is going from strength to strength and its membership high. There is a solid hard core of members and many generations of families have and still do play with the band. The current age range of players is between 13 to 70!
Whilst the band is very active within the area and plays in many concerts, carnivals, armistice parades and civic ceremonies, it has also gained great success on the contesting stage.
Due to to a combination of commitment and hard work by the players and conductors alike, the band had risen quickly through the ranks. In 2001 they were placed 4th overall (top Welsh band) in the 4th section finals of the UK Brass Band Championships at Preston and at the end of the year were crowned 4th section Welsh Champions.
In 2002, the band competed in 3rd section, and were again placed 4th overall (top Welsh band again) in the 3rd section finals of the UK Brass Band Championships at Torquay, and placed 1st at the National Eisteddfod. At the end of the year, having won all 3 Welsh championship contests and all 3 best instrumentalist prizes, the band were crowned 3rd section Welsh Champions 2002.
At the beginning of 2003 the band was promoted to the second section, where it maintained its rate of progress. In 2005 and 2006, the band was awarded a prize in every local contest it entered. At the beginning of 2007, the band was promoted to the 1st section (the highest standard it has ever been at), and is looking forward to many more enjoyable and hopefully successful years of music making.
There was a time when most villages and towns had their own brass band. Over the years, many bands such as Skewen and Pontrhydyfen have disappeared, and Briton Ferry band has had its share of lean times. After years of rehearsing in various pubs, clubs, chapels, empty shops and even a cemetery lodge, the band now has its own purpose built band room and recently purchased a new set of instruments.
All this has been made possible by the hard work of the members and committee, the support of the community, local business and grants from the National lottery and the Arts Council of Wales.
Today the band is going from strength to strength and its membership high. There is a solid hard core of members and many generations of families have and still do play with the band. The current age range of players is between 13 to 70!
Whilst the band is very active within the area and plays in many concerts, carnivals, armistice parades and civic ceremonies, it has also gained great success on the contesting stage.
Due to to a combination of commitment and hard work by the players and conductors alike, the band had risen quickly through the ranks. In 2001 they were placed 4th overall (top Welsh band) in the 4th section finals of the UK Brass Band Championships at Preston and at the end of the year were crowned 4th section Welsh Champions.
In 2002, the band competed in 3rd section, and were again placed 4th overall (top Welsh band again) in the 3rd section finals of the UK Brass Band Championships at Torquay, and placed 1st at the National Eisteddfod. At the end of the year, having won all 3 Welsh championship contests and all 3 best instrumentalist prizes, the band were crowned 3rd section Welsh Champions 2002.
At the beginning of 2003 the band was promoted to the second section, where it maintained its rate of progress. In 2005 and 2006, the band was awarded a prize in every local contest it entered. At the beginning of 2007, the band was promoted to the 1st section (the highest standard it has ever been at), and is looking forward to many more enjoyable and hopefully successful years of music making.
