IN RECOGNITION of recent successes on the national stage, Goodwick Brass Band is to be awarded the Freedom of Fishguard and Goodwick.

The young band triumphed in the First Section of the National Championship of Great Britain held in Cheltenham on September 20, and in the Championship Section of the West Wales Brass Band Association Festival Contest on October 3.

On both occasions they stunned audiences and judges alike with a flawless performance of Kenneth Hesketh’s The Alchymist’s Journal.

Such success has rocketed Goodwick Brass Band to number 44 in the world rankings, marking a 44 place leap in the British Bandsmen charts.

“This has been a remarkable and rewarding time for all of us,” said Goodwick musical director, Matthew Jenkins.

The band is now aiming to take their form to the Welsh regionals in Swansea in March.

The band’s recent achievements was an item on the agenda of the last meeting of Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council (October 6).

The Mayor, Cllr Richard Grosvenor said: “It has come from a variety of directions that we should do something to recognise the band’s achievements.”

It was proposed that Goodwick Brass Band be awarded the freedom of the towns, and all councillors voted in favour.

They also supported the idea of coordinating the freedom ceremony by inviting other bands to come and perform.

Goodwick Brass Band will become the third recipient of the freedom honour, after Fishguard and Goodwick RFC and Fishguard Yeomanry (1946).