The presentation took place recently in St. Mary's Church, Tenby, of the James Lawford Davies Shield for string playing.

The shield was originally given to the Tenby Area Schools Orchestra Society by Mrs. Vera Lawford Davies in the early 1980s in memory of her late husband, the Rev. Lawford Davies, a past vicar of Penally. The shield is named after her son James, at that time, a pupil of Penally School and a keen violinist.

This year, the hon. president of the orchestral society, Dr. John Harrison, presented the shield to Mrs. Mary Cooper, of Jameston, who graciously accepted it on behalf of her three daughters, Christine, Jo and Georgina.

Christine, the eldest, has a distinction grade eight violin from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, and won the 2004 Celtic Fiddle competition. Aged 22, she is presently studying Chinese and economics at Leeds University. She has been touring with 'Fernhill' and when she returns from China will rejoin the group. She has made many friends through her music in all parts of the world.

Twenty-year-old Jo is studying music at Newcastle University. She has gained distinction in grade eight on the viola and a merit grade eight on the violin, also the the ABRSM, and was this year's winner of the Celtic Fiddle Competition. She is a past member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, has a great interest in American folk music and has been recently touring Hungary as an accompanist.

Both Christine and Jo have represented Wales at the Ethno Music Festival in Sweden, playing with musicians from all over Europe and Africa.

Georgina (17) is at present a pupil at Greenhill School, where her sister also attended, and has already gained a distinction grade eight on the 'cello with the ABRSM. She is currently studying for her A Levels.

Their parents, Mary and Peter, are both accomplished local musicians. Mary is a member of the Griffon Choir, while Peter is a well-known enthusiast in folk circles as both a performer on accordion, guitar and tin whistle.

As a family, they would like to thank the music teachers and accompanists in the area who have done so much to help and encourage the girls at all levels in their musical education. Special thanks to the memory of the late Kenneth Hewlings, a truly great accompanist and teacher of both piano and 'cello.

This was the 23rd presentation of the James Lawford Davies Shield and the only triple award in its history. That all three recipients should be sisters is remarkable.

On behalf of the schools in the area which the girls have attended and the county peripatetic music service, the orchestral society wishes all three girls every success in their future careers.