24th December - As always, we finished off the year's carolling events at the Con Club.
24th December - Our return to the Co-op was much more successful than some of our previous efforts this month. Thanks to the generosity of local shoppers, we made our largest ever collection this morning.
23rd December - We visited the Quadrant Shopping Centre in Swansea. Again, a poor turnout meant that we struggled throughout the day.
22nd December - Although most of the shoppers at Tesco in Swansea were in a most unfestive mood, we managed our highest collection of the year at the store.
21st December - Another annual tradition upheld, as we played at the St Cynog's Carol Service. This service also heralded the return of over a dozen players that we have not seen in the last month...
21st December - The last Friday before Christmas and we stuck with tradition, treating Ystrad town centre to an improvised carol playing feast.
20th December - We had a bit of help for tonight's carolling - we joined the Abercrave Firemen who sang very tunefully as we played through the village.
18th December - An evening carolling session at the Tesco store in Neath Abbey.
16th December - Santa's Sleeping Giant tour. Santa swapped his sleigh and bells for a trailer and a kazoo as we meandered up the valley from Caerbont to Caehopkin.
14th December - More pubs - this week in Abercrave and Ystradgynlais. We ended at the official 'opening party' at the Ynyscedwyn Arms.
13th December - We played at Penrhos school's Christmas concert in St Cynog's. This was followed by more carolling in Glanrhyd.
12th December - We returned to Brecon Road for tonight's carolling stint.
11th December - Tonight's carolling session took us to Brecon Road.
10th December - Our trek though the local community continued with a visit to Glantawe Park.
8th December - A very poor turnout at Tesco in Fforestfach, even by our own mediocre standards. The few that turned up carried on regardless, but the collection total was just half the amount that we'd anticipated.
7th December - We played at nine local pubs, in Cwmtwrch and Glanrhyd.
5th December - Tawe Park was tonight's carolling venue.
4th December - More carolling - this time in Cwmgiedd.
3rd December - We'd walked twenty yards when the rain started pouring down. We were forced to give up after just two carols!
2nd December - We took advantage of the fine weather and abandoned our scheduled rehearsal for a night of carolling in the local area.
1st December - Our first 'proper' carolling stint took place at the local Co-op store.
18th November - We rounded off a hectic weekend with a Quiz Night at the Ynyscedwyn Arms. The winning team was Charles, Glenys, Graham and Chris who each received a Brains t-shirt for their efforts.
18th November - Ystrad Band walked off with the runner's up trophy for the Fourth Section after competing at the Treorchy contest today.
17th November - Christmas came earlier than usual for the Band this year. We welcomed Santa as he arrived at Tesco in Fforestfach with two hours of carols.
16th November - We performed at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera, as part of a fundraising concert for the Ystradgynlais Community Hospital.
11th November - Two more engagements completed by the Band. In the morning we played at the Remembrance Service at St. Cynog's and in the evening we played at the Temple of Light.
9th November - Our annual concert at the Welfare Hall in Abercrave. Abercrave and Penrhos schools joined us this time. Our junior band also featured in their second public appearance this year. Tonight's soloists were Wyn, who played 'I Don't Know How to Love Him' and Alud, who played 'Carousel'. The concert reached a climax with our spirited performances of Final Countdown and the James Bond Collection. Our final item was Flashdance, which combined the Band and the school choirs. Some of the proceeds from this concert were donated to the Ystradgynlais Community Car Scheme and the Poppy Appeal.
20th October - Another wedding reception for the Band's resident quintet. This time we played at the Tree Tops in Morriston.
13th October - We came 4th at the West Wales area contest in Burry Port playing "Wessex Suite".
7th September - The Band played at the grand opening of the Remax office in Neath.
4th August - An incident packed weekend at the National Eisteddfod in Denbighshire. Eight bands had entered the competition and, although we only had eighteen players on stage, we managed to finish in fourth place. New arrival Ron was quickly handed the baton so that Alud could step in for our absent drummer. The weekend together certainly seemed to lift the Band's spirits - it was agreed unanimously that we should not have our regular summer break. Rehearsals will begin for our planned CD recording on Wednesday.
7th July - After our playing marathon, we rushed back to the Church hall in Ystradgynlais for our annual barbecue. The result of the quiz was much closer this year - the difference between the winning and last placed teams was just seven points. Catryn's knowledge of the tenor horn helped to move her team from the last place slot that they occupied last year.
7th July - We completed our eight hour 'blowathon' at the Tesco store in Neath Abbey.
22nd June - The junior band played at the opening of the Steer Recording Studios in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen. An interview with Alud was shown on S4C's 'Heno' but, sadly, the Band was not...
16th June - A quintet from the Band played at a wedding reception in Cwmwysg.
9th June - We played at the Ynyscedwyn Scout Fete.
30th May - Members of the senior and youth Bands enjoyed a trip to the Megabowl in Swansea.
12th May - For the third year running, the Band claimed second place at the Ebbw Vale contest. The test piece this year was 'The Seasons' by Philip Wilby.
5th May - Val's Retirement Party. We celebrated Val's retirement and 65th birthday at the British Legion in Ystalyfera. The Band excels at this type of venue and we once again provided a night of huge enjoyment for the assembled guests.
5th May - The Band opened the Communtiy Car Concert at the Welfare Hall. We gave a creditable performance considering we had just one (toothless) solo cornet player.
29th April - After a very quiet period for the Band, we turned out in surprisingly large numbers for the scouts service at St Cynog's.
2nd February - Our Annual Concert at the Ystradgynlais Welfare Hall. Once again, we were delighted to play to a packed hall - thanks to all who supported this event. Cynlais and Ynysgedwyn schools joined us on this memorable occasion. Our final item involved both school choirs joining us for a performance of "Love Shine a Light". We held a collection for the Indian earthquake appeal, to which we also donated part of the proceeds from the concert.
17th January - The Band's AGM. Chairman Charles praised the Band for its hard work throughout last year.
Behind the scenes
What we're doing in 2003
What we did in 2002
What we did in 2000
Results