Oscar Windsor-Smith, of Sarratt, handed me two photocopies of newspaper reports of the Watford Sound competition held at Watford Town Hall in early 1964, which was won by The Quiet Men, of which Oscar was rhythm guitar player.

The event, attended by almost 1,000 people, was organised by Chorleywood Round Table and the competition judges were disc jockey Alan Dell, dancer and actress Una Stubbs, singer Rosemary Squires and songwriter Johnny Johnson. The compere was Keith Fordyce and the night raised £250 for Oxfam.

The Watford Observer's Pat Stoddart commented that "the admirable idea behind the contest was lost...The Watford Sound', which ostensibly everyone was looking for, was in fact hardly noticeable, and in fact none of the six bands who played in the final play-off tried anything particularly new."

Pat Stoddart reported that The Quiet Men won on the strength of their rendition of 24 Hours From Tulsa which had "the unmistakable stamp of Gene Pitney".

The winning line-up featured Oscar then known as "Ossie" on rhythm guitar, Barry Rich on bass, Tom Hill on lead guitar, Cliff Shannon on vocals and a drummer, known as "Coun Moneypenny".

In second place were The Stormbreakers, from Berkhamsted, and Winwright's Gentlemen, from Harrow, came third.

Other bands taking part were The Rioteers and Guitars Plus Two, both from Watford; Gene and the Cossacks, The Toledos and Eddie Falcon And The Four Notes, all from South Oxhey. Kings Langley apparently provided four bands: The Mavericks, The Victors, The Consorts and Paul Linton And The Rave-ons. What was going on in Kings Langley to produce so much musical activity?

Oscar does not play in a band any more, although he still has his guitar, but he proudly declares that, since the competition was never repeated, The Quiet Men still hold the Watford Sound crown.

Do any readers have memories or pictures of the Watford Sound and Herts Beat events held in 1964?