After several weeks of hard work learning recitations in both English and Welsh, after numerous auditions and subsequent practices, the children were ready to face their audience at this year's Eisteddfod, held on Friday, February 28.

After welcoming honoured judges, Mrs. Althea Shaw, Mrs. Trevina Vincent and Mrs. Janice Goodwin, the House Choirs were ready to open the afternoon with rousing renditions of the Welsh National Anthem. The choirs consisted of children from a wide range of nationalities, each wishing to celebrate the culture of their temporary home. There swiftly followed charming Welsh recitations by the infant and junior children and beautiful Welsh singing, particularly by Grace Scourfield (Y5), Astrid Bowen (Y6), Hugh Mason (Y3) and Ele Scourfield (Y1).

However, the afternoon wasn't solely in Welsh, as a selection of children from Years 1 to 9 took to the stage to recite poems in English, and managed skilfully to convey both emotion and humour. All the junior pupils had a chance to go onto the stage during the Choral Speaking competition where they had to recite 'From a Railway Carriage' by Robert Louis Stevenson in unison and both houses performed excellently.

Netherwood children also had chance to shine with their instruments. Following instrumental auditions, a selection of children from Years 3 to 10 performed. The judges had a tough time comparing pianists, a violinist, a clarinetist and a saxophonist. However, the range and abilities kept the audience transfixed throughout, particularly through performances from pianist Gareth Morgan and saxophonist Matthew McMann - both extremely talented young men.

The spirit of the afternoon was entered into by all the children who performed, listened carefully to their friends, and applauded with gusto. The final competitions were those of Mr. and Miss Wales.

Always a popular competition with the younger pupils, this year was no exception as the stage filled first with young Welsh ladies, dressed in national costume. The judges finally came to a decision after much deliberation, choosing a young lady who they felt epitomised how a Welsh lady should look and act - Lucinda Perrett (Y4).

The young men followed with many injured rugby players, a few in traditional costume of flat cap and waistcoat, and one daffodil (it was a delight to see how a mother had taken the trouble to design and make a costume of something typically Welsh). Once again the judges deliberated, though announced the winner promptly - a young man dressing in traditional costume, Marshall Morgan-Pask.

Once the competitions were over, there remained just the presentation of cups: The Elizabeth Hughes Cup for solo singing - Grace Scourfield following her rendition of Y Gwanwyn; Elizabeth Hughes Cup for solo instrumentalist - Gareth Morgan following his superb piano performance; House Cup - Merthyr House, who beat Harris House by 912 points to 858.

The afternoon drew to a close. Daffodils were sold at the door by volunteers raising money for the RNLI as the audience left the hall, relaxed and contented, having watched a host of delightful performances.

Many thanks must go to Mrs. H. Lear and Miss S. Cromack for helping with Welsh pronunciation, and to judges Mrs. Althea Shaw, Mrs. Trevina Vincent and Mrs. Janice Goodwin.

The results on the afternoon were as follows:

Infant Welsh recitation: 1. Ellen Walapu; 2. Angharad Lear; 3. Lewis Murray.

Year 3 and 4 Welsh recitation: 1. Lily Tyler-Henley; 2. Ashley Granshaw; 3. Katsuhiro Ikeda.

Year 5 and 6 Welsh recitation: 1. Astrid Bowen; 2. Megan Lear; 3. Sophie Ramsden.

Infant solo singing: 1. Ele Scourfield; 2. Lewis Murray; 3. Morwenna Jones.

Years 3 and 4 solo singing: 1. Hugh Mason; 2. Arjun Walapu; 3. Lucinda Perrett.

Years 5 and 6 solo singing: 1. Grace Scourfield; 2. Astrid Bowen; 3. Alice Zangouras.

Infant English recitation: 1. Lewis Murray; 2. Ele Scourfield; 3. Anna Morgan.

Years 3 and 4 English recitation: 1. Millie Sandifer-Smith; 2. Beatrice Meyrick; 3. Duncan Warren.

Years 5 and 6 English recitation: 1. Max Griffiths; 2. Emily Thompson; 3. Alessia Evans.

Seniors English recitation: 1. Kate Mellor; 2. Darcie Tyler-Henley; 3. Winnie Courtene-Jones.

Instrumentalists:

Years 3-5: 1. Lewis Collions; 2. Max Griffiths; 3. Jade Mason.

Years 6-8: 1. Gareth Morgan; 2. James Maxwell; 3. Darcie Tyler-Henley.

Years 9-11: 1. Matthew McMann; 2. Daniel Jenkins; 3. Matthew James.

Choral speaking: 1. Harris House; 2. Merthyr House.

House choirs: 1. Merthyr House; 2. Harris House.

Final score: Harris House 858 points; Merthyr House 912 points.

Following their own Eisteddfod, 11 pupils took to the stage at the local Urdd Eisteddfod, held at The Grove, Pembroke. The hall was crowded with proud parents and children from schools all over South Pembrokeshire.

All 11 Netherwood children performed their very best, though most were very nervous, and although the competition was fierce, Netherwood managed to return to school with a first place - Grace Scourfield singing 'Y Gwanwyn' and a third place, Lily Tyler-Henley, reciting 'Oes Raid Imi Gael Bath?'

The children who represented Netherwood were: Ele Scourfield, Ellen Walapu, Lewis Murray, Angharad Lear, Lily Tyler-Henley, Hugh Mason, Arjun Walapu, Ashley Granshaw, Grace Scourfield, Astrid Bowen and Megan Lear.