Pontypool Brass Band

There is a long history of bands in Pontypool from the original Pontypool Military Band, which existed up to the 1950's and served in the first World War, to the prize winning Pontypool Silver Band which won, at its first attempt, the "Daily Mirror" Challenge Cup at Crystal Palace in the 1920's. That Band unfortunately disbanded when many players left for jobs and positions in other parts of the country following the 1926 General Strike.

The Pontypool Military band was formed around 1878 and was fortunate to have had as its conductor between 1888 and 1929, Sidney Tudor Roderick, one of the greatest musicians Pontypool has ever produced.The band went to France during the great war of 1914 - 1918 and took in the trenches along side the 2nd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment. some of the band members were decorated with the D.C.M. and croix de Gueere. Mr Percy Brown was the next talented conductor who succeeded Mr.S.T. Roderick in 1929, having joined the band as a boy in 1910.Unfortunately, the band experienced increasing financial difficulties during the 1950's, which eventually led to its demise in 1957.

Pontypool Brass, which is the natural successor to this tradition, was formed in 1967 under the auspices of Gwent County Council as a youth band.
Thirty years ago all the towns within the eastern valley had a brass band except for Pontypool, until a group of musicians and supporters saw the need and so Pontypool Brass was formed. It was intended that the band would bring pleasure to audiences by public performances and that encouragement and help should be given to anyone wishing to learn to play a brass instrument.

Since those early days there have been several conductors who have brought something to the band, beginning with Con Buckley, assisted by his son Brian.They were followed by the late Colin Radford, a peripatetic music teacher, with whom the band entered their first contest in the fourth section.

History Continued .....