BEFORE Elvis shook the world, and the Beatles showed us all the possibilities of pop, there was the Ambassadors - an Abergavenny band who were all the rage when swing was the thing.

Prior to the Second World War, the Ambassadors were a bunch of local lads who were mad about music and travelled around Wales entertaining the masses.

Just take a butchers at these pictures taken circa 1936 - it could be the house band for Jay Gatsby and co but it’s really not old sport.

The pictures were shared with the Chronicle by Mrs Peggy Hill. Her husband Jack Hill is featured, as is his brother Bill Hill alongside fellow cool cats Reg Stevens, Noel Gulliver, Gareth Beavan, Billy Holland, Ron Lane, and Charlie O’ Brian.

Peggy met her husband Jack just before the Second World War and they eventually married in the aftermath of the conflict.

Peggy explained, “Jack and the boys were all mad about music but obviously after the outbreak of war they spilt up. Jack worked on the railways but Bill joined the RAF as a rear gunner and was sadly killed in the skies over Holland.”

Peggy added, “They were together for about 15 years and they played all over. They were very popular in their day. I remember some fantastic dances on the grounds of the old Nevill Hall. Some girls were cracking dancers and everyone wanted to dance with them. Dancing was so different in those days.”

Indeed it was. So why not raise a glass of something jazzy and toast the times when the Abergavenny Ambassadors were all the rage.

If you’ve got a blast from the past or something sage from a forgotten age then get in touch with Tim Butters at 01873 852187 or [email protected].