Unfortunately, the band’s membership continued to dwindle until only five playing members were left, and to put on a performance guest players had to be imported. Key musicians from all the top bands in Wales were willing to turn out to assist the famous ‘Melingriffith’, but it proved impossible to attract players on a permanent basis and the band withdrew from competitions.

But those who remained were determined that the band should not be allowed to die, and efforts were made to find a new home and identity, and prompt a resurgence of interest. In due course the Community Council of Radyr and Morganstown, just across the river from Whitchurch, offered facilities in the Old Church Rooms, and thus, in 1992, emerged the Radyr and Morganstown Band. The dedicated five, Arthur Atkins, Norman Collins, John Davies, Terry Short, and Lee Swallow, moved the library and equipment and began recruiting new members.

By 1994, the band was performing concerts once more and its reputation had begun to re-establish, although for a while it endured a number of transient conductors, some with relevant experience and some without!

To learn more about the history and the modern Melingriffith Brass Band, feel free to take a look at our history and learn more about us.