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I wonder if the Llwydcoed Brass Band will tour the village on Christmas morning this year. I really hope they do. Elaine and I have been living here for 18 years and members of the band have always appeared at the gate at some time on the Blessed morning. Up until last year that is.

They failed to make it in 2009 - not enough volunteers, the band committee said. It was a great pity because it's such a wonderful interlude. Funnily enough, the church Christmas songsters didn't make it last year either.

It was all part of the festive season. The ad-hoc choir, quickly gathered-together church members, doing a tour of an evening, singing in the road, then adding a carol inside the house when they're invited in for mulled wine or a whisky and mince pie. Then, on Christmas morning, the unmistakeable sound of the local brass band taking us out to the gate to enjoy their good cheer in exchange for a contribution in the box for band funds and refreshments. They were all greatly missed last year.

A magical moment occurred two or three years ago. We heard the band approaching and as they stopped at our gate to start a new carol. As they hit the first note, snowflakes began to fall. It was a Hollywood moment, though no film director could have planned it better.

Tuba players (photo: Charlotte Griffin, Ty Cerdd)

I've got a lot of time for brass bands. Their performances on stage can be rousing, colourful, inspiring and, on occasions very animated and theatrical. They have working class roots and they nurture youth. Any youngster showing interest is hugely encouraged and allowed to borrow an instrument until circumstances allow one to be purchased.

I've spoken to members of many bands very often. The subject of musical snobbery is often discussed, the orchestra being at one 'posh' social level, the brass or silver band at another cloth-cap level altogether.Thankfully, things are so much better now with a blurring of the attainment, acceptance and musical excellence.

I've learnt a lot too. Brass bands are divided into divisions and competition allows them to attain promotion. In many ways, they are like soccer teams and the bands in the lower division suffer from the temptations of transfer for their better players. A good player gets invited to join a band in a higher division and the band they leave are stuck in a lower division because some of their quality and expertise has gone.

The Cynon Valley has been rich in banding. The Cwmaman Band was in the Premier Division, but loss of sponsorship, especially after the big benefactor, Tower Colliery, closed, hit them very hard indeed. Llwydcoed Band continue to carry the banner, so good luck to them. I'm visited often by committee members in search of contributions and raffle prizes and I'm pleased to support them. Continued success to them all.

Wales has many great brass bands. I could mention half a dozen, but it's dangerous ground because I might miss one out. I will mention one though: Cory Band of the Rhondda. Last year I was privileged to compère their 125th anniversary concert in St David's Hall, Cardiff. They were then European champions and, within three weeks, they became world champions. It was a stupendous night, packed to the gunnels with dignitaries and composers, some from the north of England, which is a hot-bed area for banding.

These bands carry the Welsh dragon everywhere and they take Wales to the world at the highest level. They deserve praise and support for honing this cultural field in the way they do.

I'm not a great expert on band music, but I will readily be in their corner if required. I do hope Llwydcoed Band do the annual village tour on Christmas morning. They lift the spirit and, in their playing, they send forth the true Christmas message of goodwill to all.

Roy

Roy Noble is bringing his famous storytelling skills to a computer near you as part of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ First Click Campaign - aimed at encouraging people to take their first steps to getting online. If you know somebody who needs help to get online, call the free ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ First Click advice line on 08000 150950.