| The 1990s |
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| The desertion of a number of key players to a rival local band in the mid 80s caused a steady decline in the Band's fortunes. We were forced to stop competing in 1990 and a general lack of direction led to an even bigger drop in rehearsal attendances. However, our fortunes changed dramatically with the appointment of Eilir Alexander as conductor in 1992. Eilir quickly rebuilt the Band and we returned to contesting (having been regraded to 4th section) in September that year. By the time of the Regional Contest of 1993 (picture below) we even had to ask some players not to take part or we would have been over the allowed limit on stage. At the end of the 1993-4 season, the Band lay in second place in the league table - a result which would usually mean automatic promotion. But in another twist of fate, the end of year association meeting decided to promote Blaina band instead. Although they had only returned to the contest scene half way through the grading season, it was decided that they had been incorrectly graded in the first place and for that year only, the powers that be exercised their 'discretion' that allowed them to be promoted instead of us. Eilir's 'famiy' also made its mark on the Band committee. His girlfriend, Louise, became Secretary (although she played the Eb bass, she wouldn't join the Band as a player but performed on timpani a couple of times) and her parents joined the Committee; her father, Gordon, as Chairman. Although there were many clashes of personalities in the newly formed Committee, we made progress in a number of important areas. The Band became a Registered Charity in 1995 and also secured a grant from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts which facilitated the purchase of 17 new instruments. Eilir's no nonsense approach led to some departures from the Band by 1996. We had already promoted as many junior band players as possible, so he looked increasingly to outside players and 'banding friends' to supplement the Band. We rarely performed within our own community although results continued to go well on the contest front. We had missed promotion by just one place on several occasions following the decision of 1994 and at the end of the 1997-8 season, we won our first competition in 15 years and just had to turn up to the last contest of the year to finally secure our place in the 3rd section. But the Band had not been entered for this contest within the deadline! We were not allowed to participate and once again were cruelly denied the promotion that we had worked so hard for. Eilir resigned from the Band at the end of the year. Fortunately, at the start of 1999, Walter White returned to the Band to help us out in our 'hour of need'. Some players had joined the band as a favour to Eilir and, while they all left with him, some players who had left returned to the Band. By the end of the year, we had secured the services of a permanent conductor. As the new Millennium dawned, another chapter of the Band's history came to a close. A new committee was formed and we embarked on the start of an exciting new journey..... |
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| Ystradgynlais Band at the Brangwyn Hall, March 1993 |
| The band cast of a 1995 episode of "Licyris Olsorts". 1993-1994 grading table Band History: The Early Years An event by event guide to... the year 2000; 2001; 2002; 2003 Pictures Menu Ystradgynlais Band Homepage |