WITH its last year in the second section drawing to a close before promotion to first section in 2004, Chalford again made its mark at the Pontins Championships, Prestatyn, with another fourth place and £450.

Conductor Steve Tubb and his players were drawn 11th out of the 20 bands and put up a good performance which would probably have earned an even higher place if it had been on a par with final rehearsals.

Adudicators Roy Newsome and Brian Buckley gave some favourable written comments.

Brian Buckley's written comments:

"Secure opening statements. Good clarity of rhythm and ensemble through to C. Very stylish solo section to D, full bass sound impresses. Lack of dynamic contrast at E ff to mp (basses over loud) Again impressive basses at G. This music flows so easily; also spacious at I. J Hardlines cornet! Baritone/ Euphonium good but Euphonium ( on F natural at K. Music sits easily to N, linked well by the Euphonium. Find bass of this section not really convincing.

O This has drive and energy. Trio at R mostly accurate rhythmically. Effective percussion throughout.

U Aagain this presentation is impressive, balance of ensemble is consistently good. Bass Trombone not precise rhythm. Build to X well shaped also impressive tonal sounds to Y. Why break phrase before ff (2 bars before the end)? This disappointed me.

Sound of band impressed but minor lapses did not help. Technical problems were resolved so allowed the music to flow quite easily."

Roy Newsome commented: Good opening sections, neat and rhythmical.

Builds well to B. C good set of soloists and flows well. Good rich bass sound from D. Much detail heard from E. Flugel could be more assertive at F. Basses now quite impressive. G - well done, nice close.

I A nice, noble style here.

J Nnot a comfortable section, but well done euphonium.

K Sing the melody out more, please.

M A little more brightness in top end needed, fine work from euphonium.

Vivo: a moment of untidiness in early part, but overall a jolly affair. R quite effective.

U nicely done. V impressive basses again.

W works quite well. Close well worked out.

A good sounding band with quality soloists but a few lapses.

Chalford was also praised by the astute scribes of the on-line brass band magazine 4BarsRest.

"Chalford put in a very controlled performance that benefited from some fine percussion work and had a gentler approach to the articulation and dynamics, which we really liked. The band sound was lighter than others, but for us this was a plus point and fourth place was well merited," they commented.

Well done the percussionists, including young Max Ireland making his senior band debut on the timps.

As they would have been the only second section band in this month's annual Gloucestershire Association contest at the Royal Forest of Dean College, Steve and his troops have opted instead to compete at Royal Leamington Spa on November 30, playing Purcell Variations.

But Steve will be conducting the Training Band in the fourth section at the Coleford college on the 23rd..

Full second section results at Pontins 2003:

1. Llanrug, G. Saynor, drawn 1

2. Wire Brass, J. Hinckley, 19

3. Silk Brass AstraZeneca, K. Mackintosh, 17

4. CHALFORD S. Tubb, 11

5. Meltham & Meltham Mills, S. Fawcett, 8

6. Broseley, P. Fensom, 14

7. Skelmersdale Prize, C. Dickinson, 12

8. Langbaurgh, T. Oldroyd, 13

9. Langley, C. Parker, 21

10. Old Sikstone, N. Law, 3

11. Halsingden & Helmshore, D. Holland, 9

12. Snibston & Desford Colliery, K. J. Steward, 4

13. RAF St. Athan Voluntary, A. Bourne, 2

14. Yorkshire Building Society Concert Brass, M. Hannan, 23

15. Strata Brass, D. Horn, 6

16. Deiniolen, R. Thorn, 18

17. Delph, R. Goodwin, 22

18. Stourport on Severn, D. Maplestone, 20

19. Briton Ferry Silver, M. Faro, 16

20. Elland Silver, P. Wilby, 5

Withdrawn: Gillingham Imperial Silver, Lancashire Life Morcambe, Newtown Silver.