When it was suggested at an Eisteddfod Committee meeting that Simon May should be asked to become our Patron, the proposal was greeted with universal enthusiasm. Soon afterwards, his acceptance of this honorary position was happily received for a variety of reasons.

Firstly, in the musical world there can be no remotely comparable example of 'Devizes Boy Makes Good'. Simon was born and raised in Devizes, where his uncle, Ray Smith, (and recorder players will again be competing for the Ray Smith cup) was one of the founders of the Eisteddfod over 50 years ago. Moreover, Simon was a regular competitor as a boy, although his successes in the piano classes do not feature conspicuously on his current c.v.

From Dauntsey's School where he obtained all his secondary education, Simon won a Choral Scholarship to Cambridge, and took a degree in Modern Languages. He took up teaching for a few years, but the success of his first musical 'Smike', which has now received over 10,000 performances, made him a household name and enabled him to become a full-time composer.

We could not possibly list all of his musical successes since then. Everyone will know of his extraordinary range of television music (should he be referred to the Monopolies Commission?) - 'Eastenders', 'Howard's Way', 'Castaway', 'Pet Rescue', 'Don't Try This At Home' - the list goes on and on. He has written film scores ('The Dawning', with Anthony Hopkins, Jean Simmons and Hugh Grant will be remembered), and he has written 10 UK top 20 hits, combining to give him record sales in excess of 5 million.

The enormous range of Simon's musical experience is something we should very much like to see nurtured and encouraged in our young Eisteddfod competitors, and his international success can inspire and encourage those setting out on the path of musical exploration. Nobody would be more pleased than he if the Devizes Junior Eisteddfod can play some small part in achieving another example of Devizes Boy (or Girl) Makes Good!