Rhoshill hymn writer Mandy Williams made history last week after winning the National Eisteddfod's hymn tune competition for two consecutive years.

Hot on last year's success with 'Godre'r Grogwy' the talented composer beat 34 entries to win once again with her latest composition entitled 'Rhosygilwen'.

The hymn tune, set to words by the Rev John Pinion Jones, was performed for the first time at the Eisteddfod's closing ceremony on Sunday night

Mandy began composing hymn tunes in 1994 after realising that she would no longer be able to continue teaching the piano. "I was heart-broken," recalls Mandy of Morawel, Rhoshill. "I'd spent eight weeks in intensive care and when I was eventually discharged I realised that it was impossible to carry on teaching. But I was determined that this wouldn't mark the end."

Mandy, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, immediately turned her attention to hymn tunes and in no time at all had persuaded the local Eisteddfodau committees to include a hymn tune writing competition in their annual programmes.

"The bards always get a fair chance at the Eisteddfodau but the same can't always be said for the composers," she continued. "Thanks to Eisteddfodau like Maenclochog and Llandudoch I became confident enough to take part in larger competitions."

In 2001 she won the Gwyl Fawr, Aberteifi and earlier this year she came within a whisker of repeating her success.

A ceremony at Meifod '2003 which will surely go down as one of the most poignant in the history of the National Eisteddfod was that witnessed by scores on Wednesday when a woman who so tragically lost her life car crash in North Pembrokeshire last year was rewarded for her wholehearted commitment to teaching the Welsh lanuage to adult learners.

Robina Elis-Gruffydd, of Tegryn, was posthumously awarded the Elvet and Mair Elvet Thomas Memorial Trophy for her outstanding service to the cause of teaching Welsh to adults. The trophy was accepted by her husband, Dyfed. He was severely injured in the same accident in which his wife died.

Mrs Elis-Gruffydd was herself a learner of the language.

Presenting the award, the chairman of the Welsh Tutors' Professional Society, Helen Prosser, said the ceremony was an apt opportunity for Mrs Elis-Gruffydd's colleagues to pay tribute to her achievements in Pembrokeshire.

"She had other obvious qualities - her thoroughness in all respects of her work, her readiness to help tutors and learners and her understanding of the difficulties of learners and the way to solve them," she added. Through the heatwave that prevailed throughout the Eisteddfod in Montgomeryshire, gallons of extra water had to be brought to the Maes from Pembrokeshire after the 90 canisters scheduled to last the week - 30 more than last year - were consumed by thirsty competitors in just three days.

A further 200 were delivered to replenish the back stage water coolers for the benefit of competitors and stage hands sweltering under sky-high temperatures.

Local prizewinners at the national included the following:- Crown winner, Mererid Hopwood, Llangynnwr, Carmarthen. Folk song party under 21 years: 1, Newyddion Da, Maenclochog. Boys' solo, 12-16 years: 1 Gwydion Rhys Griffiths, Clunderwen, Hywel Davies, Haverfordwest. Mixed choirs: 1, Cr Cywair, Newcastle Emlyn and District. Humorous englyn (poem): Dafydd Wyn Jones, Cardigan. Twelve original poems: Huw Evans, Cwrtnewydd, Llanybydder. Mentrau enterprise awards - enterprise in tourism: Glyn and Menna Heulyn, Aberaeron. Girls' solo, 16-19 years: 2, Sara Elisa, Clunderwen. Solo stepping dance for boys: 1, Gethin Page, Blaenycoed, Carmarthen; 2, Tudur Phillip, Bryn Iwan, Carmarthen. Ensemble from musical or film: 2 Connie and Melanie, Haverfordwest. Piano solo, 16-19 years: Jocelyn Freeman, St David's. String solo, 16-19 years: 2, Claire Jones, Crymych. Invention competition: 2, Rheinallt James, Crymych. Folk song solo, 16-21 years: 3, James Williams, St Clears. Oratorio or Mass solo, 19-25 years: 1, Gareth Huw John, Llanarth. Operatic solo.19-25 years: 2, Catrin Aur, Beulah, Newcastle Emlyn. Lieder solo. 19-25: 1, Catrin Aur. Solo recitation, 19-25: 3, Mari Grug, Mynachlogddu. Welsh language solo, 19-25: 1, Gareth Huw John, Llanarth. Folk song choir, 21-40 voices: 2, Newyddion Da, Maenclochog. Elvet and Mair Elvet Thomas Memorial Trophy: The late Robina Elis-Gruffydd, Tegryn. Emyr Fedd Scholarship: Fflur Dafydd, Llandysul. Article of up to 5,000 words, Hefin Wyn, Clarbeston Road, Haverfordwest. Folk dance party, over 25 years: 1, Dawnswyr Talog. Wilbert Lloyd Roberts Memorial Scholarship: Connie Fisher, Haverfordwest. Solo from a musical or film: 1, Deiniol Wyn Rees, New Inn, Pencader; 2, Connie Fisher. Solo recitation with instrumental accompaniment for over 16's: 1, Menna Dafydd, Ciliau Aeron. Tenor solo over 25 years: 1, Richard Allen, Loughor, Swansea; 2, Washington James, Cenarth. Song composition: 1, Gwilym Morris, Llandysul. Bass solo, over 25: 3, Kees Huysmans, Tregroes, Llandysul. Baritone solo, over 25: 3, Gwyn Morris, Y Ferwig, Cardigan. Group step dancing: 2, Merched Talog. 2003 Soloist Wales Eisteddfod Society: 2, Joy Cornock, Fishguard. Male voice choir, 20 to 45 voices: 2, Cr Undebol Ar l Tri, Cardigan. Welsh solo (Yr Hen Ganiadau), over 25 years: 2, Washinton James. Compose two contrasting pieces which can be performed within a five minute programme (instrumental/ vocal): 1, Claire Jones, Crymych. Lois Blake Memorial Prize: 1, Dawnswyr Talog.