Fochriw Mini Paraders
Who Are We
Fochriw Mini Paraders are a marching Carnival Band which through the years it has been in existence has travelled all over the u.k. Attending and competing in numberous events, we where first established in 1967 and was called "Llwyn Iago Jazz Band" this being the name of a part of the village of Fochriw. The village of Fochriw is situated in the most northern part of the Darren Valley with the nearest towns being Merthyr Tydvil to the North, Tredegar to the east and Bargoed to the south. It is 800 feet above Sea level and during the winter months is often isolated through snow, another unique feature of the village is that you have to climb hills to enter and also climb hills to leave. We had a large part to play in the formation of the Valley League of Jazz-Bands in 1970, The National indoor Championship in 1972, The England v Wales International in 1973, And the World Championship in 1974, We also assisted in the formation of the United Kingdom Federation of Jazz-Bands in 1976, this was done to try and stop the exploitation of bands by the various carnival organisations that existed.
Our Achievements
We have qualified for all 25 World Championships that has been held, we are the only band to have done this.
World Champions on one occasion
Runners Up on two occasions
Third on five occasions
We have over the years won almost every major title that can be competed for in the U.K. We have appeared in three television documentaries, did a live television show from the Royal Albert Hall and for a number of years we participated in the easter parade at Battersea Park London. We have also attended two of the QUEEN`S Birthday Parades starting at Horse Guards Parade
Band Administration
CHAIRPERSON Diane Thomas
Diane has been a member of the band for 17 years and is the bass drummer.
SECRETARY Jayne French
Jayne has been marching member for 18 years and is on the kazoo.
TRAINER & TREASURER Susan Garret
Susan leads the band and has done so for 17 years, and has been a marching member for 27 years.
COACH DRIVER Garfield Bishop B.E.M.
Garfield became involved in the administration side of the movement in 1970. He then decided to get together with other bands and form an organization to prevent exploitation by carnival organizations. Garfield was Honoured by the Queen in 1983 with a B.E.M
