Founded in 1893 in Cwmparc and still thriving more than 130 years later, the iconic Parc & Dare Band has been honoured with a Blue Plaque.
The band’s origins are deeply rooted in the community. Much of its early funding came directly from the miners of the Parc & Dare Collieries, who each contributed one penny per week from their wages to support the band’s development. This spirit of community pride and solidarity continues to define the band today.
Over the decades, Parc & Dare Band has achieved an extraordinary record of success, including dozens of championship first prizes. The band has represented Wales at the National Championships on more than twenty occasions, been crowned Champion Band of Wales fifteen times, and qualified for the European Championships four times.
Their achievements continued into the 21st century, securing Champion 1st Section Band titles in 2004 and 2005, finishing as runner-up in the National First Section Finals in 2004, and earning a place at the National Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall in 2006. More recently, the band represented Wales at the 2014 Second Section National Finals, placed second in the Brass Band League in 2015, and in 2017 was crowned Champion 1st Section Band of Wales, regaining Championship status in time for its 125th anniversary.
With hundreds of performances across the UK and Europe, and more than 250 radio and television broadcasts, the Parc & Dare Band has been led by some of the most respected conductors in the brass band world. Its remarkable history has even been captured in a dedicated publication, A Life Divine.
Councillor Scott Emanuel, Cabinet Member with joint responsibility for Communities attended the unveiling and praised the band’s legacy, saying:
Parc & Dare Band represents the very best of our cultural heritage. Their achievements over more than a century are a testament not only to their musical excellence but also to the strength, pride, and resilience of our communities. We are incredibly proud to celebrate their remarkable history and continued success with this Blue Plaque.
As the band looks to the future, the newly installed blue plaque at The Bandroom, Tabernacle Music Centre in Treorchy stands proudly in place, continuing to inspire new generations of musicians while honouring the rich traditions that shaped its remarkable past.
