YT20 Gala to Mark 20 Years of Support for Cornwall’s Talented Young People

Celebration of talent and inspiration coming to Hall for Cornwall this November

Plans have been announced for YT20, a gala evening at Hall for Cornwall on Monday 17th November, celebrating 20 years of Young and Talented Cornwall, the Lord Lieutenant’s Fund that has helped hundreds of gifted young people in Cornwall overcome barriers to success.

Two decades of impact

Since 2005, Young and Talented Cornwall has awarded over £500,000 to more than 500 individuals, supporting exceptional young people in fields ranging from sport and performing arts to science and engineering.

To help fund the event, Arts Council England has awarded a £19,000 project grant, made possible by the National Lottery. The money will be used to create new work for the evening by choreographer Theo Clinkard, writer Anna Maria Murphy and composer Jim Carey, who will collaborate with current award recipients. Additional support is being provided by Cornish Metals and St Eval.

Star-studded alumni to return

YT20 will bring together past recipients who have gone on to achieve national and international success. These include:

• Molly Caudery, British pole vaulter

• Helen Glover, four-time Olympian

• Luke Cowan-Dickie, England rugby union player

• Edward Francis-Smith, double bassist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York

• Sienna Harvey, BMX European Cup Champion

• Matt Robison, Para Lions footballer

All are invited to participate in the evening or attend in person.

A showcase of Cornish talent

The gala will feature a mix of performances and exhibitions, highlighting the strength of talent across the county. Aimed at school students and community groups, the event is designed to inspire the next generation and show what’s possible for young people in Cornwall.

Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, said:

“Over the last twenty years Young and Talented Cornwall has supported hundreds of young people who have gone on to achieve great things; it will be a real pleasure to welcome some of them back to show today’s young people what is possible.”

“YT20 will be a powerful gathering of home-grown talent; it will entertain and create a swell of pride but more than that, we hope it will be a catalyst for future success by inspiring the next generation to push boundaries and build ambitious futures. We want to give young people optimism and demonstrate the opportunities for them in Cornwall.”

“YT20 will be our most significant event to date – many thanks to the Arts Council and our generous sponsors for helping to make it possible.”

How to get involved

Young and Talented Cornwall recipients, both past and present, are encouraged to join the celebration either in person or online. Schools, colleges, sports clubs and community groups across Cornwall will also be invited.

Anyone interested should contact Sarah Waller, programme coordinator, via email at sarah@youngandtalentedcornwall.org or find them on social media at @youngandtalentedcornwall.

Tickets are available now through the Hall for Cornwall box office.

New grants now open

The latest round of Young and Talented Cornwall funding is now accepting applications across three categories: All Talent, Spirit of Trevithick and Creative Writing. The recipients will be awarded as part of the YT20 event.

To find out more or apply, visit www.youngandtalentedcornwall.org.

📷Jonathan Waller and Lea Davoust-Zangari, recipients of the Young & Talented Cornwall Spirit of Trevithick Award, celebrate the launch of YT20, a gala to inspire Cornwall’s next generation.