The Rotary Club of Narberth and Whitland held its annual Junior Musician of the Year competition recently when 10 competitors from local primary schools appeared before an audience of Rotarians, Inner Wheel members, parents, teachers and friends. After a keen competition, of a very high standard, the judges awarded first prize to 11-year-old Frances Scott, of Templeton County Primary School, for a masterly performance on her saxophone. Second prize went to pianist Emily Latham, aged 11, of the Steiner School, Llanycefn. The judges were Lyn Childs, Tom Rawlings and Chris Lovegrove. This year, the club also awarded a prize to the school where the winner is a pupil and president Jean Watson presented school governor Elaine Bradbury with a keyboard for use at the school. Also taking part were Katie MacLeod, 11, who entered on piano as well as cello (Steiner School); Rebecca Griffith, 8, violin, Fiona Griffiths, 10, flute and George Griffiths, 10, on violin (all from Tavernspite CP School); Katie Grills, 11, clarinet, Elliott Bowen, 10, xylophone and Ben Morris, 11, flute (Narberth CP School). President Jean congratulated all those who took part. It was a pleasure to hear such talented youngsters, she said, and it seemed that the calibre was rising each year. She thanked Rotarian Neil Jackson for organising the event and Emrys Murrow and his staff of the Nantyffin Hotel for their excellent hospitality. A further competition takes place at Nantyffin on April 22 for the age group 12 to 18 years, when 10 local Rotary Club winners will take part in the zone final. There is no charge for entry and anyone interested in music is welcome to listen to these very talented youngsters perform on a variety of instruments.
