The Annual Youngsters and Adult Eisteddfod was held in the Methodist Church, Abergavenny at the end of June 2026 writes Rosemary Williams.

Competitions were in Welsh and English. It was a delight to welcome competitors from the age of 12+years to compete in their various appropriate competitions in the Arts.

The adjudicators for the musical performances and instrumental was Camilla Roberts and Ryan Hugh Ross both of whom have had distinguished careers as performers and adjudicators at a national level. Their adjudication was very constructive aurally and written. The literature competition was adjudicated by the Bard Robat Powell and Recitation by Mr. Jeff Davies.

The written literature is adjudicated prior to the Eisteddfod and results are given during the evening to the winners.

During the day prelims take place and the evening delighted the audience with the finalists from the prelims.

The evening was presided by Mr. Frank Olding who made the competitors feel at ease and added a touch of humour to the proceedings.

The accompanists were Jeanette Massochi, Chris Lovegrove and Siân Davies.

Competitors came from as far as Carmarthen, Cardiff, Pontypridd, Aberystwyth and many from the locality.

The Audience were entertained with a very high standard of singing, instrumental and literature during the evening. The adjudicators praised the competitors and felt that many of them would benefit from pursuing a musical career.

To close the Eisteddfod, Rosemary Williams gave thanks to all the competitors that had taken part during the day, especially the pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw.

Thanked the Town Council for their funding and to both representatives from the Town Council, Sarah Burch and Deputy Mayor Gareth Wild for attending.

Also Abergavenny Rotary for their continued support in financing the Champion Solo prize, and were delighted to have Abergavenny Rotary President Trevor Morgan and wife Lynne Morgan to present the winner of the Champion Solo .

A special thanks to everyone who had donated generously. All the monies is used to finance costs such as prizes, adjudicators, advertising, accompanists and venue.

Also to the audience, The Methodist Church and to the Committee who work hard behind the scenes to organise the event.

Results:

Vocal Solo 11-18)

1st. Gwenan Dickerson

2nd. Sophie Tidy.

3rd. Phoebe Evans.

Instrumental Solo (Under 18)

1st. Elis Dickenson and Ellie Sharp (joint)

Dramatic presentation (Under 18)

1st. Rhys Wyn Mathias

Group dramatic presentation (11-15)

1st. Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw.

Vocal Solo (19-25)

1st. Sam Davies.

2nd. Ellie Davies.

Group recitation (11-15 yrs)

1st. Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw.

Vocal ensemble (11-15)

1st. Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw.-Lleisiau’r Llyw.

Instrumental Ensemble (11-18)

1st. Gwenan and Elis Dickenson.

Song From a show (open)

1st. Joanna Cook.

2nd. Ellie Davies.

3rd.Ann Fairhurst.

Welsh Solo (open)

1st. Rhiannon Jones

2nd. Ellie Davies.

3rd. Sam Davies..

Solo Instrumental (Over 19)

1st Ellie Davies.

Recitation Group (Open)

1st. Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw

Folk song. Solo (open)

1st. Ellie Davies.

2nd. Ann Fairhurst.

3rd.Marianne Powell.

Hymn Solo (Open)

1st.Rhiannon Jones

2nd.Ann Fairhurst.

3rd. Marianne Powell.

Literature Results.

Short Story/Article.

1st.Gaenor Jones

2nd.Gaenor Jones.

3rd.Mike Greenhough.

Poem *Morning*

1st. Bryn Seabourne.

2nd.Gaenor Jones.

Limerick. *And I never went there again*

1st.Jonny Small.

2nd.Mike Greenhough.

3rd.Bryn Seabourne.

Stori fer/Erthygl. Cymraeg.

1af Gaenor Jones.

2ail Trefor Huw Jones.

3ydd Bryn Seabourne.

Barddoniaeth.*Y bore*

1af.Gaenor Jones.

Englyn.

1af.Eryl Jones.

Limerig. *Ac ni fues i yno byth wedyn*

1af.Heulwen Roberts.

2ail.Gaenor Jones.