Following the historic win at Wrexham in 1876, which led to Tredegar Band becoming formally constituted, they competed at the South Wales Eisteddfod which was held in Cardiff in September 1879. The 1879 National Eisteddfod was held in Birkenhead.

According to the Monmouthshire Merlin newspaper, it was the first time this event had returned to Cardiff since 1834, with the marquee, lent by the Marquis of Bute for the occasion, over 300 feet in length and seating 6,000 people, erected in Cathays Park in the city.

10,000 people

The local Cardiff Times newspaper noted that the opening day had attracted at least 10,000 people on the opening day alone, ‘...brought here by way of Great Western’ as well as other railway companies - including from Tredegar.  

It was reported that the brass band competition (open to all comers), not less than 20 in number required competitors to perform ‘Worthy is the Lamb’ and ‘Amen Chorus’. The first prize was £10 10s.

And although the newspaper went on to state: “Only one band put in an appearance - the Tredegar Band led by Mr Hardy’, it added; ‘Mr Emlyn Evans, in giving the adjudication, said this band was well worthy the prize’.