A brighter future for Cornwall’s young talent

Grants in excess of £16,000 awarded to Cornwall’s rising talent

An inspiring mix of dance, song and sports talent from across Cornwall has been recognised in the latest round of grants from Young & Talented Cornwall, the Lord Lieutenant’s Fund.

The grants, totalling over £16,000 for this round of awards, will be used to fund travel, accommodation, equipment and entry fees.

Young & Talented Cornwall, The Lord Lieutenant’s Fund, supports exceptionally talented young Cornish people undertaking a range of activities including sport, the arts, science and music. The fund seeks to provide grants to the county’s brightest prospects who otherwise lack the means to pursue their dreams fully.

“The talent shown by our Cornish applicants was outstanding; they have already shown so much grit and determination to get to where they are today and it is all the more impressive in these especially challenging times,” commented Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall. “Our aim is to ensure that Cornwall’s future stars are given the opportunity to achieve their potential, regardless of financial means or background. Congratulations to all our latest recipients; we are delighted to be supporting you and look forward to following your progress over the coming months and years.”

The latest recipients include:

Ballet dancer Aston Purnell from St Austell is the first Cornish boy to have gained one of only 12 places at the English National Ballet School. Now 16, he has studied ballet since the age of 8, initially with a ballet teacher in St Austell. He then won a place to train in association with the Birmingham

Royal Ballet, travelling from Plymouth every Sunday from the age of 9. He auditioned for and won a place at the Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham at the age of 11 and once he has completed his three year diploma at the English National Ballet his aim is to become a principal dancer.

Ellie Beynon is female rugby player from St Austell. Aged 18, and now at Gloucester University, she has shown outstanding commitment to her sport, playing at both club (Penryn) and county level and with the Truro College Rugby Academy. A RFU youth rugby ambassador (the first to be appointed from Cornwall), her grant will be used to cover membership costs and kit.