MANY local children took part in the Tavistock and Areas Inter-Schools Swimming Gala, organised by Sheila Radgick on behalf of Tavistock Swimming Club. The gala, sponsored by 1 Life was held at Meadowlands Leisure pool saw nine primary schools taking part. The gala was divided into two competitions — large primary schools, in which Bickleigh Down, St Andrews Buckland Monachorum, Tavistock and Whitchurch competed, and the small primary schools competition comprising Gulworthy, Lamerton, Lifton, Mary Tavy and Brentor and Milton Abbot. Before the racing there was a technique demonstration by members of Tavistock Swimming Club and a fun medley relay between teams from Tavistock SC boys, Tavistock SC girls and Meadowlands lifeguards. The gala resulted in a lot of close races with tremendous courage and determination shown by the swimmers, encouraged by lots of enthusiastic cheering from the supporting parents and friends. The most sporting team, with the best team spirit on the day, was Milton Abbot School who won the fair play award. Winner of the large schools section was St Andrew's, with Whitchurch coming second and Bickleigh Down third. In the small schools category, Mary Tavy and Brentor came first, Lamerton second, and Lifton third. The event was a great success due to the excellent work from the Tavistock Swimming Club volunteers.