Mr. Thomas James Powell was appointed conductor in 1920, heralding a new era for the Band. T.J., as he became affectionately known throughout the brass band world, was a former Salvation Army player from Tredegar who had graduated as a Bandmaster in the Royal Marines, serving at H.M.S. Nelson in Portsmouth.
T.J. Powell's wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm were an inspiration to the bandsmen, who responded well to his coaching. The band entered contests organised by the South Wales and Monmouthshire Brass Band Association and, under his guidance, rose from Class 'C' to Class 'A' (Championship) status in 1932.
The band's headquarters until the mid 1930s was a tiny hall at the end of Velindre Road, just above the Melingriffith Works. It was condemned in 1937 and the band moved to larger premises, a converted former stable and piggery, on Company land between the River Taff and the Glamorganshire Canal.
