Alex Blair from the Rotary Club of Ardrossan and Saltcoats writes with an update on the club’s activities.

The guest speaker at last week’s meeting was Gillian Crangle, deputy head of Stanley Primary School, supported by another member of staff.

The two women gave a very enthusiastic report on their proposals for outdoor activities in the school playground.

Last week also saw the Annual Young Musician Competition take place in Auchenharvie Academy for Auchenharvie musicians and musicians from the cluster primary schools It was a full day of competition, starting with the Junior competitors from S1 and S2 and finishing with the Seniors.

There were 91 entries in total on the day.

The standard was high, as usual, with some outstanding performances from the younger competitors, particularly from the primary school entries.

The primary school winners were Daryn Hannah (strings) and Shanice McGreavy (brass).

Molly Gribbon and Mollie Ford shared first place for woodwind.

The adjudicator on the day, Mrs Judith McNaught, could not decide which of the girls was the best flautist at the event.

The girls also shared Overall Primary Young Musician and both played at the final event to a delighted audience.

Another young entertainer who made his mark at this year’s competition and earned himself a slot at the final was Reece O’Hanlon a first year pupil.

In a new category this year – strings – Reece won his section and overall Junior Young Musician with some lively Scottish fiddle music.

Again much appreciated by the evening audience.

The other Junior winners were Shaun McKenna (woodwind) and Jack McLuckie.

Jack took first place in both brass and singing, two of the most competitive categories in the competition, each group having 11 contestants.

The prizes in the Intermediate group went to Daisy Haining (brass), Lucy Northcote (woodwind), Lauren Northrope (percussion), Jodie Guthrie (strings) and Kiara-Lee Rigby (singing).

Lucy was selected as the overall Intermediate winner and also went on to play at the evening final.

The senior winners were Stormileigh Darling (woodwind), Emily Richardson (brass), Katie Cochrane (piano) and Sarah Davidson (singing). Stormileigh was named the Overall Young Musician of the Year and Sarah Davidson, Young Singer of the Year.

It was a tremendous day full of varied and entertaining music.

I’m sure many of the senior pupils will be glad to have moved on in the next couple of years and not have to compete against the talented youngsters who have emerged this year.

The club would like to express their thanks to Mrs Allison Hopton, Mrs Suzy Hands and all the staff in the Music Department of Auchenharvie Academy who made this event such a success.

This week’s guest speaker will be Paul Poppa an American Football.

The following week, November 20, will be a business meeting, hence no speaker or visitors.

The following week, November 27, the speaker will be Tanya Webster, the minister at Park Church.

The Rotary Club of Ardrossan and Saltcoats meets in the Lauriston Hotel, South Beach, Ardrossan, on Thursday evenings at 6pm for 6.30pm.

If you would like to come along on any evening contact Alex Blair, Secretary, on alexblair1230@btinternet.com or call 07971 617 909.

The club is in the process of setting up an associate member option for individuals who cannot commit to full time membership at present.

If you want to find out more about the Rotary or the club checkout the the national site at www.ribi.org. West of Scotland  or the local club at three-towns-rotary.info.