The effects of the Second World War had an unexpected impact on a Newcastle Emlyn woman, who was deprived of her silver medal for outstanding achievement in her ABRSM Grade 6 Elocution exam due to metal rationing.

In 1948, Audrey Carlton (née Bailey) achieved the highest mark in ABRSM’s Grade 6 Elocution exam and was awarded ABRSM’s 1948 silver medal.

Unfortunately, due to munitions manufacturing during the Second World War, silver was not available to present the then 26-year-old with her medal and ABRSM, the UK’s largest music education body, gave Audrey a certificate instead.

Now, 71 years later, ABRSM has finally presented Audrey with a prize to recognise her achievement, after having been contacted by her daughter, Zoë.  

ABRSM first held elocution exams in 1922.

Historically, they awarded gold, silver and bronze medals to the highest performing candidates within an exam year - and Audrey was chosen as ABRSM’s silver medallist in 1948.

These later became speech and drama exams, before ABRSM eventually decided to focus purely on music.

The medals no longer exist, and in place of a medal, ABRSM travelled to meet Audrey and present her with an engraved, silver photograph frame and a letter of commendation from ABRSM’s chief executive, Michael Elliott.

Audrey’s advice to young learners and the secrets to her success are to: ‘be passionate about it’.

“I was quite dedicated – I really wanted to do it,” she recalled.

“I used to go out in the mornings so that I didn’t wake the family up, take my dog for a walk at about six o’clock, go to the local park and practise there while the dog raced around the park."

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