At one time there were buildings in Swch Cwm and there was one room between the Co-op and Swch's stable that was used as a meeting place for the young people of the area. The band took this room over and practised there from 1902 until the 1940's.

The first picture of the Band, taken in 1902

The bandmaster Robert Thomas (Richie Thomas' father) was also a member of a band from Llan Ffestiniog and turned down an offer to play in the Black Dykes band in favour of conducting the local band.

1904

The above picture of the band was taken in Cerrig-y-drudion. Judging by the clothing worn by the band, the weather must not have been too favourable on this particular day! Over the years, the band have performed many times in the Cerrig-y-drudion area.

At the end of the day, the band used to receive a feast for their performance - the band members would never go home on an empty stomach!

1934

The picture above was taken in 1934 during Penmachno carnival. By this time the band was under the guidance of Richie Thomas, the famous tenor from Penmachno.

Notice that the carnival is taking place in Ty'n Ddôl, where the local football team plays today.

The instruments that you see in the picture are still used today, apart from the cornets and the trombones.

The Band's Committee, around 1938

Here is a picture of the Band's committee, taken around 1938.

Back Row: Moi Ellis, Ifan Lloyd, Emlyn Davies, Tom Hughes.

Front Row: Cecil Jones, John Watkin Hughes.

1940

By 1940, with the band still under the leadership of Richie Thomas, the band could look back on a successful decade during which they won many competitions in local Eisteddfodau.

Also during the 1930s, the band came under the stewardship of William Thomas for a short period of time.

1948

You can now see the band on Christmas morning, 1948. The band would go around Cwm Penmachno every Christmas morning in order to raise funds for the band. The journey from Rhyd-y-gro to the Terrace was long and hard - but the Christmas dinner waiting at the end of the journey made all the work worth while!

This was the year that Dilwyn joined the band.

1952

This is the band in 1952 outside Richard Williams' workshop in Cwm Road, Penmachno. Geraint Thomas' house now stands on the site.

Back Row: Huw Rees Evans, Robin Jack, Emyr Evans, Tom Ellis, Richie Thomas, Jack Hughes.

Front Row: ?, Dewi Jones, David Roberts, Arthur Wyn, Ednyfed Thomas.

When this picture was taken, Dilwyn was not a member of the band - he was in the army doing his national service!

1966

Carnival day in Penmachno in 1966. By this time the band was under the leadership of Dilwyn Evans and you can see him leading the band for the first time in the picture.

Partly due to the formation of the band, the local British Legion branch won three cups during this period, including the prestigious Welsh cup.

Notice that the bungalows which stand on the right hand side of the road today are absent from the picture.

Before going on to look at the history of the band from the 1980's onwards, let us now consider the following story about a member of the band (who shall remain anonymous!)...

Once upon a time, there was a band competition in Warrington and a member of Penmachno Band and a member of Llan Ffestiniog band decided to go on the Saturday morning train to Manchester and on to Warrington in order to see the competition. After making enquiries, the hall the competition was to be held in was found, but it looked empty and lifeless when our two friends arrived. They went to the ticket office to ask for tickets for the competition but the lady in the ticket office had to hold a straight face as she told them that the competition didn't take place until the following day. Our two friends had to come back home without seeing a single instrument blown.

The event was recorded as follows in the local paper, "Yr Odyn":

"Adroddaf i chwi hanes
Go ryfedd daeth i'm clyw
Am ddau ddilynwr bandiau
Sy'n Nyffryn Conwy'n byw;
I Ogledd Lloegr aethon
Ar drywydd bandiau pres
Oedd yno yn cystadlu
Am wobrau yn y gwres.

'Rôl teithio fore Sadwrn
Cyrhaeddwyd yna'n iawn
Gan ddisgwyl byddai'r neuadd
O leia'n hanner llawn;
Ond distaw a di-utgan
Oedd neuadd fawr y dref,
"Dydd Sul yw dydd yr ornest"
Medd gwraig tocynnau'r lle.

Yn ôl i Ddyffryn Conwy
A'r dagrau'n powlio'i lawr
Y teithiodd y ddau gyfaill
Heb brofi'r ornest fawr;
Wrth gofio y gwahaniaeth
Rhwng ceffyl gwedd a mul,
Ni wnânt anghofio eto
Nad Sadwrn yw dydd Sul.