ABERGAVENNY'S top amateur performers were recognised for the performances over the past year on Saturday when the first ever A4B Theatre awards were presented.

Devised by Acting4theBorough - the committee which replaced the former Borough Theatre Management Committee, the awards aim to recognise excellence in amateur performance at the Abergavenny theatre.

For the past year independent judges Jeanette Massochi, Helen Thresher and Peter Richards have attended all productions by the theatre's 'user societies' and came up with a shortlist of nominees for prizes in both junior and adult classes.

Speaking at the gala presentation dinner which was held at The Angel Hotel on Saturday evening, judge Ms Massochi said she had been delighted by all the performances she had attended.

"I hadn't been to a pantomime in years, but I had a whale of a time, sharing my?Jelly Babies with the little girl sitting next to me," she told the audience.

"I have loved every minute of it."

Fellow judge Helen Thresher said that she had been impressed by the standard of all the shows she had seen and wanted to thank all the performers for their work over the year.

"I am so pleased to have been asked to do this job and am in awe of anyone who goes up on the stage and does what you all do," she said.

With all the categories keenly contested first prize of the evening went to Abergavenny Pantomime Company's Zach Clee with his hilarious portrayal of a soldier in last February's Puss in Boots winning him the Dover and Co sponsored prize for best under 18 actor.

Taking the under 18 actress prize - sponsored by The King's Head Hotel - was Molly Brickley?Clark for her mature performance as Dorothy in AAODS Juniors production of The Wizard of Oz.

In the adult categories Rob Jenkins was a popular winner of the Abergavenny Rotary best actor award, who said that being able to play Pseudolus in A Funny Thing?Happened on the Way to the Forum was the climax of two unforgettable years in the theatre.

"In the previous show I was able to play my favourite ever role - Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof - and then by complete contrast to play in Forum.

Long serving AAODS member Rob also praised all those who worked behind the scenes.

"Without all of those people we would not have a show," he said.

The Initiative Shop sponsored award for best actress was claimed by Rita Rouse for her role as the eccentric Hope in Dial M for Machynlleth.

Admitting that he had not been able to understand the character until well into the rehearsal period, Rita paid tribute to all her fellow cast members and said she shared the award with them.

The much anticipated Production of the Year award was claimed by AAODS Juniors with their production of The Wizard of Oz which delighted the judges - and Abergavenny audienced in November.

Accepting the award on behalf of the company, AAODS president Alan Breeze said that they were delighted to have been won the prestigious prize.

"I think these awards are a wonderful idea and really bring all the companies together,"?he said.

Dubbing the awards the 'Abergavenny Oscars' Mr Breeze said he hoped that the scheme would continue long into the future and become a permanent fixture in the amateur theatrical calendar.

In a final coup it was left to the young performers to also pick up the special judges award - with Alex Williams, Jack Wheatley and Harry Jones sharing the Abergavenny Rotary sponsored award for their performances as the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tinman in The Wizard of Oz.

Compere for the evening, A4B?chairman Liz Davies said she had been delighted with the way in which the awards had been received and confirmed that the scheme would be running again this year - with a brand new team of judges.

The successful evening which included entertainment from singers Sarah Fowler and Helen O'Sullivan and band The Last Resort, also saw the presentation of the A4B award for outstanding contribution to amateur theatre.

"In every community there is someone who shines and whose contribution is beyond measure and the theatre community is no exception to this case and so it was decided back at the launch of these awards that there would be an annual presentation made to a person or a group of people who have made an outstanding contribution to amateur theatre in Abergavenny," said Liz

"When this was first mooted there was unanimous agreement as to who should be the recipient of the first award because it is no exaggeration to say that without this person there would be no theatre in Abergavenny let alone a thriving amateur and professional,"

" I am delighted that the first recipient of the A4B award for outstanding contribution to amateur theatre is the late Bernard Zavishlock," she said.

Presenting the award to Mr Zavishlock's son Paul and daughter Wendy, Liz revealed that with their blessing the award would in the future be known as the Bernard Zavishlock award.

"We were delighted with the success of the evening, which recognises the tremendous work done by amateur performers in Abergavenny and we hope that it will become an annual event.

"We are grateful to all the businesses and organisations - including Abergavenny Town Council which was the main sponsor for the event - for their generosity and support," she added