A Saundersfoot trumpeter and a Milford musician were declared winners as young performers from across Pembrokeshire took to the stage in a battle described by Owain Wyn Evans as “truly a fantastic event!”

Abigail’s Arts Award is a bursary available to aspiring artists between the ages of 16 and 25, and for the first time, auditions were held in public. Judges selected six finalists to perform in front of a live audience and two of them were chosen as winners on the day: 16-year-old trumpeter Carys wood from Saundersfoot and 22-year-old musician Lewis Harrison from Milford Haven.

Famous drummer and radio personality Owain Wyn Evans recorded a special good luck message for all the young performers.

Carys impressed the judges with her skilled trumpet solos and proved why she is part of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain as well as being a regular performer with Goodwick Brass Band and several local choirs.

Lewis wowed the audience and the judges with his musicality, his rapping and his passionate raw energy and edgy contemporary lyrics.

The judges were so bowled over by the talent on display that they awarded a runners-up prize to the singer songwriter Tarish Matthews from Fishguard. The judges were especially impressed by her rendition of a song by Lizzo!

The audience was also treated to performances by last year’s winners, Johnston drummer Dylan Swales and Goodwick actress Storm Rose Knapp-Fisher.

Set up in 2022,the award is run by Theatr Gwaun and funded by the Goswell family as a way to honour the legacy of Abigail Goswell who passed away from breast cancer.

Abigail’s sister, Emma MC’d the show and said “I’m so glad we took the leap of faith to make this into a live event because the young talent is out there and they deserve an audience. I can’t wait to see how we make next year’s show bigger and better. Watch this space!”

Applications for Abigails Arts Award 2025 will open soon. Keep an eye on Theatr Gwaun’s website.