ABOVE is the new logo chosen for Chalford Band following a competition organised by new committee member Simon Large.

It was designed by training and youth band member David Marsh (11), son of Peter and Dee Marsh of Foxmoor Lane, Stroud, and was the unanimous choice of the band's management committee after some 20 entries were judged. The competition was open to all players, parents and supporters.

David's prize is a £20 CD voucher and a polo shirt which will have the logo embroidered on it. The new image was prepared for use by band secretary and primary school teacher Shani Wills on her computer and will be widely used to promote the band - including letter heads, notices, programmes, instrument cases, this website and eventually on new uniforms.

The one it replaces was designed by former flugel horn player and prizewinning journalist Andrea Gardiner and first used for the cover of the 1989 band recording (on cassette) which she organised.

Simon, a quantity surveyor whose son Tom (15) plays repiano cornet in the youth and training bands, joined the committee at the last AGM and has drawn up a development plan to raise the profile of Chalford Band both locally and to a wider audience and to raise sufficient money to re-equip the band so that its long term future is secure. Creating a new logo is part of stage one of the plan.

"It is a long time since the previous logo was designed so it was decided to give the band a new image to help it move forward," said Simon, who lives in Minchinhampton. Although not a player, he said he was pleased to be associated with such a friendly band of all ages which had high standards of music with emphasis on entertainment, strong family links, loyal and committed youngsters and a long tradition. "We want to build on the things that make Chalford Band special and to emphasise them at all times," he said. RG

This story was the basis of a press release from the Band published by the Stroud News and Journal and