When Llandudno Town Band was formed in 1910, it was decided that a bandstand was needed on the promenade. The hoteliers were not happy to have the noise outside their hotels, so the council procured a mobile bandstand (top picture) on wheels. Nicknamed “The Juggernaut”, it could be dragged by horses to any part of the promenade, and the band could perform anywhere from the Happy Valley to Craig y Don. It was in disrepair by 1925 so the council built a permanent bandstand. It was inaugurated in 1926 and remains in use today.
Llandudno Town Band was a huge success under its first bandmaster, Francis Traversi, and became a principal attraction in Llandudno. The band was one of the few in Britain which kept a full programme going through the First World War, when several band members volunteered for the army.
One member who died in the war was Sidney Edwards, 21, of Cwlach Road. He was apprenticed to a local plumber before enlisting in 1915 in the Welsh Horse Yeomanry. In April 1916 he was part of a detachment sent to quell the Easter Rising in Dublin. He was later transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and sent to the Western Front, where he was killed in action on 29 October 1918, less than a fortnight before the Armistice.

Mike The Mooching Minister.

August 6, 2024

After the war the band embarked on rebuilding and development. The standard of musicianship continued to improve and the band won several prizes in local eisteddfodau (Welsh festivals of music and literature).
At the Second World War’s outbreak, Francis Traversi started a learners’ group. Soon the learners graduated to the senior band, filling gaps left by men joining the forces or engaged in vital war work. In addition to the normal concerts, the band played to support many fundraising events such as ‘Salute the Soldier’ and ‘Wings for Victory’. ‘Warship Week’ resulted in the commissioning of HMS Llandudno, after £222, 000 was raised by the townspeople of Llandudno in November 1941.
The band qualified for the finals of the Daily Herald Brass Band Championship in London two years in succession, winning second prize in 1956. He developed the evening entertainments on the promenade to include talent competitions, and these twice weekly performances continue today in summer.
The bandstand was also the focalpoint for civil and military parades during the Second World War. The salute was taken by a high ranking military dignitary stood on the bandstand. On VE Day the Women’s Land Army joined a huge parade on the promenade celebrating the end of the war in Europe.

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Elevation 70 m

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Location: Llandudno, Conwy, North Wales, Wales, United Kingdom

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