Tredegar’s Heritage Lottery Project has already started to reach out to find new and exciting links to the band’s past.

The latest came with telephone call received from Kathryn Routledge from Newton Abbot in Devon, who has started her own research into her family tree.

Sam Mounfield

Her grandfather was Sam Mounfield, who lived with her parents in Blaina before she was born, and who was to later become the conductor of Tredegar Band from 1934 to 1946.

Kathryn knew Sam was a musician, and believes that as a well known cornet player in the Midlands area, came to south Wales as a young man to take up a job, perhaps linked to a local band.

She wrote: “I have recently retired from work and am keen to get working on research into my family history. As an Evans from Aberbeeg/Abertillery, I knew this would be a struggle, so decided to start with Mounfield, my mother’s maiden name, and that of my grandfather Sam.

I thought I should check your website, and was thrilled to see your Heritage Lottery Fund project."

I thought I should check your website, and was thrilled to see your Heritage Lottery Fund project

Father figure

She added: “Unfortunately, I have very little in terms of memorabilia as I was only 10 when Sam died, and I didn’t think much about heritage or history at the time.  I do have lots of memories of Sam though, as he was quite a father figure to me having lived with my parents from before I was born.”

My brother Howard and I are the only remaining family, and I would love to find out more and perhaps meet you and would certainly love to hear the band.”

Wonderful image

Tredegar’s HLF project leader, Iwan Fox said: “It was great to hear from Kathryn, especially as she had found the website and was able to find out more about her grandfather and get in touch through the HLF project.

She has sent a wonderful image of him (above), which will now be used for his profile in the history of the conductors of the band.  We will also be inviting Kathryn and her brother to come and visit us to hear the band play and to record interviews with them so that we can find out more about Sam Mounfield and ensure his contribution to the 170 years history of Tredegar Band is both celebrated and saved for posterity.”