The young people of Abergavenny were the stars of the show at Saturday's annual Abergavenny Eisteddfod.
Nearly 800 entries were received in all to the various competitions: 300 to the music, dance and reciting competitions on stage and a record 500 to the art and literature competitions sponsored by Abergavenny Town Council.
Organisers were overwhelmed by the response to some of the competitions this year, especially at the primary school level. The preliminary competitions, held at local schools during the week before the eisteddfod, were stretching at the seams.
"There were 15 primary school choirs competing this year, from all over the county," said Chris Watson, Eisteddfod Secretary and Primary Schools co-ordinator. "Next year we'll look again at the prelim timetables – it's great to have so many competing, but it puts a bit of a strain on the logistics!"
The day itself went relatively smoothly at King Henry VIII School, and capacity audiences of parents, grandparents and friends enjoyed some outstanding performances from budding stars. Boy disco dancers The Beat from Our Lady & St Michael's primary school, stole the show with a very cool and cleverly-costumed performance, and Caitlin Prowle from Nidus Theatre Art School walked off with no fewer than four medals in the morning's stage competitions.
New this year was a photography section in the Abergavenny Town Council's art competitions, together with sight-reading for the older children and choir competitions for young people and adults.
"We try and ring the changes" said Eisteddfod Chairman Ceri Thomas, "to keep the event fresh, and we're always on the lookout for new ideas.
"Anyone who'd like to join us in organising the eisteddfod is more than welcome to get in touch – details are on our website –http://www.abergavennyeisteddfod.co.uk."">www.abergavennyeisteddfod.co.uk."
RESULTS
Primary age competitions
Individual recitation, school years 1, 2 & 3: 1 Emily James, 2 Esyllt Williams, 3 Osian Jones.
Solo voice, school years 1, 2 & 3: 1 Grace Chadwick, 2 Amy Price, 3 George Haylock. Piano solo, school years 1, 2 & 3: 1 George Haylock, 2 Jules Young, 3 Esyllt Williams. Group folk dance school years 1, 2 & 3: 1 OLSM Welsh Folk Dance, 2 Yr 2 OLSM Welsh Folk Dance, 3 Cantref Primary Welsh Folk Dance. Welsh second language solo recitation, years 1, 2 & 3: 1 Ffion Shepherd, 2 Elizabeth Morgan, 3 Emilia Schild. Group disco dance, yrs 3 & 4: 1 Gilwern Dance Group, 2 OLSM Folk Group, 3 Candyman (OLSM). Solo voice, school years 4, 5 & 6: 1 Caitlin Prowle, 2 Daniel Williams, 3 Christine Baker. Group folk dance, school years 4, 5 & 6: 1 Cantref Primary Welsh Dancers, 2 Welsh Borders Morris Dancers (Cantref), 3 Yr 4 OLSM Dancers. Piano solo, school years 4, 5 & 6: 1 Josh Large, 2 Sarah Brice, 3 Caitlin Prowle. Solo sight-reading, school years 4, 5 & 6: 1 Caitlin Prowle, 2 Nia Gandhi, 3 Bethan Morgan. Woodwind instrumental solo, school year 6 and under: 1 Katie Davies, 2 Grace Parr, 3 Mary McCormick. Welsh second language solo recitation, years 4, 5 & 6: 1 Isabel Parry Jones, 2 Hannah Parry Jones, 3 Megan Trinder. Brass instrumental solo, school year 6 and under: 1 Ethan Hall, 2 Anna Roberts, 3 Grace Tennison. Solo dance, school year 6 and under: 1 Efa Mullin, 2 Olivia Ferrari, 3 Ella Walsh. Group recitation, school year 6 and under: 1 Cantref, 2 Bwgan (Llanfair Kilgeddin). Instrumental ensemble, school year 6 and under: 1 Gilwern Recorder group, 2 Paradise Pans (Deri View), 3 Llanfair Kilgeddin. Solo recitation, Yrs 4, 5 and 6: 1 Molly Bradley, 2 Caitlin Prowle, 3, Reem Jaafar. Unison or two part group, year 6 & under: 1 Côr Y Fenni, 2 The Wheatsavers (Cantref), 3 Cantref Junior Choir. Instrumental duet or trio, school year 6 & under: 1 Cantref Harp Duet, 2 Gilwern Recorder Trio, 3 Isabel & Alys (Llantilio Pertholey). Group disco dance, yrs 5 & 6: 1 The Beat (OLSM), 2 Smooth Criminals (OLSM), 3 Gilwern Dance Masters. String and harp instrumental solo, school yr 6 and under: 1 India Peploe, 2 Louise Trumper, 3 Lisa Davies.
Secondary age competitions
Choral Group: 1 Nidus Children's Choir. Free dance Yrs 7 – 9: 1 Dopey Donuts, 2 Lucy Indge and others. Solo vocal – song from a musical or classical - Yrs 7 – 9: 1 Natalie Jones, 2 Caitlin Thomas, 3 William Smith. Solo Brass Bl 7 – 9: 1 Evan Roberts. Sight-reading Yrs 7 – 9: 1 Huw Grant, 2 Katie Baker. Solo strings Yrs 7 - 9: 1 Marya Fryer, 2 William Underwood, 3 Bethan Reed. Solo woodwind Yrs 7 – 9: 1 Sarah Evans, 2 Marina Kovaleva, 3 Eleanor Stansfield. Solo brass & woodwind Yrs 10 -13: 1 Huw Evans, 2 Bethan Cox. Jazz/popular music group: 1 Sam, Elis, Bethan & group. Free Dance Yrs 10 – 13: 1 Press-Play. Solo strings / guitar / harp Yrs 10 – 13: 1 Bethan Machado, 2 Sam Ellis. Solo vocal – song from a musical or classical - Yrs 10 – 13: 1 Megan Dee, 2 Hannah Roper, 3 Kristian Morse, 4 Honey McKenna. Sight reading Yrs 10 – 13: 1 Honey McKenna, 2 Sam Ellis. Jazz or popular music instrumental solo: 1 Evan Roberts, 2 Huw Evans, 3 Joshua Jasper Classical group Yrs 7 – 13: 1 Arco, 2 Grŵp Sarah Evans.
Abergavenny Town Council Art, Literature and Photography Competitions for Schools
Model Castles: Special Prize Katie Davies, Cantref. School Years 5/6: 1. Mathew Jones, Deri View, 2. Claudia Best, Deri View, 3. Joe Humphries, Deri View. Reception: 1. Jessica Miles, Cantref, 2. Jackson Reardon – Smith Cantref, 3. Evie Atkins, Cantref .
Plaques School Years 5/6: 1. Anna Roberts, Cantref, 2. Sophie Weed , Cantref, 3. Angharad Jessop, Cantref.
Model Dragons: School Year 1-2:1. Aimee Neale, Cantref. Reception: 1. Syd Bawler, Cantref. School Years 3 – 4: 1. Shaunee Ball, Deri View, 2. Lauren Aurelious, Deri View.
3. Aleia Williams, Deri View. School Years 5/6: 1. Ceri Ellen Price, Deri View, 2. Connor Evans, Deri View, 3. Arianwen Harris, Ysgol Gymraeg y Fenni.
Pop Ups: School Years 1-2: 1. Sian Baldock, Llanover, 2. Catrin Arnold, Llanover, 3. Emily Silcox, Llanover. Reception: 1.Llewellyn Evans, Llanover, 2.Freya Engel , Cantref.
Art: School Years 1-2: 1.Henry Allman, Cantref, 2 Rosie Nicholls, Cantref, 3. Cosmo Bawler, Cantref. School Years 3-4: 1.Lewis McKenzie Crawford, Gilwern, 2. Tiffany Lucas, Deri View. Years 5-6: 1. Anna Williams, OLSM, 2. Thomas Crawford, Gilwern, 3. Tommy Bowen, Llantilio Pertholey, 3. Poppy Vincent, Govilon, Special Prize Abby Newton, Gilwern. School Year 7-13: 1. Rachel Lewis, KHS, 2. Tom Heading, KHS, 3. Eleanor Davies, KHS.
Photographs: School Years 1-2: 1. Molly Hole, Llanfair Kilgeddin, 2 Cameron Williams, Llanfair Kilgeddin, 3. Harriet Haylock, Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni. School Years 3-4: 1. George Haylock, Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni, 2, Joshua Williams, Llanfair Kilgeddin, 3. Lisa Davies.
School Years 5- 6: 1. Timothy Ford, Llandogo, 2. Victoria Eve Woodford, Llandogo, 3. Georgia Howe, Llandogo . School Years 7,8,9 & 10: 1. Carlie Grainger, KHS, 2 Sam Ellis, KHS, 3. Bethan Griffiths, KHS
Story: Reception: 1. Lydia Morris, Deri View, 2. James Trumper, Llanfair Kilgeddin, 3. Alex Thomas, Llanfair Kilgeddin. School Years 1 – 2: 1. Eliza Atkins, Cantref, 2, Carys Havard, Gilwern, 3. Bronwen Jones, Llantilio Pertholey. Years 3 -4 : 1. Huw Turnbull, Cantref, 2. Luke Stuckey, Cantref, 3. Emily Rose James, Gilwern. School yrs 5 – 6: 1. Molly Bradley, Cantref, 2. Katie Davies, Cantref, 3. Eleanor Newsom, Cantref.. Yrs 7 – 11: 1, John Stokes, KHS, 2. Jack Carey, KHS, 3. Dark Moon (Pseudonym), Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw. Yrs 3 – 4 (Welsh): 1, Esyllt Williams, Ysgol Gymraeg y Fenni, 2. George Haylock, Ysgol Gymraeg y Fenni, 3. Hywel, Ysgol Gymraeg y Fenni. Yr 6 (Welsh): 1. Bethan Roberts, Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni, 2. Isabella Todd, Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni.
Poetry: School years 1 – 2: 1 Rachel Rimmer, OLSM, 2.Christie Mae Neal – Thruppe, Gilwern, 3. Anna Davey, OLSM. Yrs 3 – 4: 1. Jules Young, Cantref, 2. Mary Heading, Llantilio Pertholey, 3. Efa Mullin, Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni. Years 5 -6: 1. Molly Bradley, Cantref, 2. Anna Roberts, Cantref, 3. Katie Webb, Gilwern. Years 7 – 11: 1. George Wright , Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw, 2. Zoe Bradley, KHS, 3. Gabby Turvey, KHS. Yr 6 (Welsh): 1. Teifion Best, Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni, 2. Caitlin Roberts, Ysgol Gymraeg y Fenni, 3, Iolo Williams, Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni.
Adult competitions
Best Young Performers from the afternoon's competitions at KHS, selected by adjudicators to perform on stage in the evening: Bethan Machado, Sam, Elis, Bethan and Bethan, Megan Dee.
Welsh Solo, sponsored by Cymreigyddion Y Fenni): 1 Rachel Marsh, 2 Andrew Jenkins, 3 Shoshana Pavett.
Instrumental solo under 25, sponsored by Abergavenny Music: 1 Daniel Gooch, 2 Erin Morrey, 3 Elis Reed.
Song from a musical: 1 Alyn Hawke, 2 Rosamund Jones-Griffiths, = 3 Eloise Rossiter and Rachel Marsh.
Vocal solo under 25: 1 Helen Davies, = 2 Zara Mansfield, Hannah Chamberlain and Henry Cegielski.
Champion Recitation, sponsored by Abergavenny U3A: 1 Ross Leadbeter, 2 Helena Jones, 3 Margaret Jones-Robinson.
Choir, sponsored by Taurins, Taylor Associates: 1 Côr Merched Ynysybwl, 2 Singing Club, Chepstow, 3 Blaenau Gwent Chorale.
Rotary Club Champion Solo, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Abergavenny: 1 Gwynedd Parry, 2 Andrew Jenkins, 3 Lorraine Webb, 4 Jennifer Parry.
Literature competitions: English limerick: 1. Mike Greenhough, 2 Glyn Rees, 3 Mrs Ena Bissell. 4 David Eyles. English poem: 1. Cheryl Williams, 2 Bryn Seabourne, 3 Helen Thresher. English story: 1 Mrs Ena Bissell, = 2 Shirley Shirley and Maldwyn Powell, 3 William Newrick. Welsh limerick: 1 Lynda Ganatsiou, 2 Catherine Sorensen, 3 T Graham Williams. Welsh learners' poem: 1 Margaret Jones-Robinson, 2 Margaret Jones-Robinson, 3 Helena Jones, 4 Susan Lawrence. Welsh story: 1 Lynda Ganatsiou, 2 Margaret Jones-Robinson, 3 Lynda Ganatsiou.
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