Hard on the heels of their recent National Finals success at Cheltenham, there was further silverware to celebrate for the burgeoning Melingriffith band organisation.

Nationals reprise

The newly crowned Fourth Section National Champions M2 added another title to their name at the West Wales Contest in Burry Port.

Giving a reprise Cheltenham performance of ‘Henry V’ the band claimed the £200 first prize and E. Charlton Challenge Cup, whilst young soprano star Aled Pritchard-Jones, picked up his second successive ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.

Meanwhile, MD Dewi Griffiths, claimed the E. Hywel Dyson Memorial Challenge Cup as the winning conductor.

Not outdone

Not to be outdone was the senior M1 outfit under the direction of Gareth Ritter.

They took the honours in the First Section with a repeat performance of their Cheltenham test piece ‘Force of Destiny’ to put themselves in prime position to claim the overall 2011 Welsh League title.

Principal cornet, Gareth Jones, collected the H. Vincent Richards Memorial Trophy as ‘Best Instrumentalist’, whilst Gareth Ritter picked up the Carol Lewis Memorial Trophy as the winning conductor.

M3 debuts

However, all the plaudits were reserved for the first ever contesting performance of M3!

The organisations grass roots Junior Section, acquitted themselves superbly under Gareth Ritter’s smiling command in the Youth Band section to come away with a well-deserved Gold Award.

We are always striving to improve and it is especially encouraging to see the development of our younger players, some of whom are already progressing towards our senior ranksGareth Ritter

Striving to improve

A tired, but delighted MD paid tribute to the dedication and hard work put in by all members of the three bands, when speaking to 4BR: "This only goes to show what can be achieved by players of all abilities if they are prepared to work hard and enjoy themselves with their banding."

He added: "We are always striving to improve and it is especially encouraging to see the development of our younger players, some of whom are already progressing towards our senior ranks."