Young Cornwall writers paired with Patrick Gale and Carl Grose

Solly Bowden never finished secondary school. He has since written and directed two films, set up a theatre company, and is about to spend a year learning from one of the best-known names in Cornish theatre.

He is one of eight young writers from across Cornwall picked for this year’s Young & Talented Cornwall Creative Writing Awards, presented at Falmouth University.

Young & Talented Cornwall, The Lord Lieutenant’s Fund (Y&TC) has given each of them a year of professional mentoring with a Cornwall-based writer, along with funding and book tokens.

📷Credit: Hugh Hastings

The eight writers and their mentors

• Keron Day, 24, from Helston. A writer and actor who has appeared in Sex Education and Kirkmoore, he wrote and performed his debut play, You and Me (and Whoever Comes Next), at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe. Mentor: dramaturg and writer Sarah Dickenson.
• Solly Bowden, 22, from Cubert. Self-taught writer, director of the films Lady, What’s Tomorrow and Prince of Tears, and founder of Kicks Like A Mule Theatre Company. Mentor: writer and director Carl Grose.
• Alana Menmuir, 16, from Truro. Interested in technology, artificial intelligence and hopeful visions of humanity, with several placements in the Rotary Young Writers competition. Mentor: fantasy author Sam K Horton.
• Keira Money, 19, from Camborne. Writing a young adult crime and mystery novel inspired by her Cornish childhood. Mentor: author Patrick Gale.
• Charlotte Pace, from Newquay. A poet who has been published twice and is developing her first collection. Mentor: Dr David Devanny.
• Benjamin Beasley, 18, from Callington. Filmmaker and screenwriter whose Cornish-language film won BFI Short Film of the Month. Mentor: Jane Pugh.
• Roo Hargreaves, from Redruth. Writer and artist working in poetry, visual art and surreal creations. Mentor: poet, writer and performer Katrina Naomi.
• Jessica Payne, from Boscastle. Poet and postgraduate Creative Writing student at Cambridge. Mentor: Katrina Naomi.

Dr Jennifer Young, Dean of the Faculty of Design & Culture, opened the evening. Author Philip Marsden, Award Curator of the assessment panel, introduced each writer, read their citations and revealed their mentors. Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall and Chair of Y&TC, then handed certificates to the recipients who were there.

“It’s been a real pleasure to read this year’s submissions,” said Philip. “The standard is very high and each of the writers has already done amazing work. With their mentors’ support, I feel sure they’ll make great progress.”

📷Credit: Hugh Hastings

“Surreal and really weird”

For Solly, the award came as a surprise.

“Getting this award is surreal and really weird because I didn’t even finish secondary school,” he said.

“I’ve wanted to tell stories since I was very young. No-one in my family writes but they’re great storytellers, especially my nan who comes alive when she’s telling a story.

“I’m so excited because I want to write for a living. Expert guidance is essential and with Carl Grose (of Kneehigh fame) as my mentor, that will come from the very best.”

His films are on YouTube, and he has worked alongside performers including Susan Penhaligon and Danny Webb.

📷Credit: Hugh Hastings

Writing through a dark time

Roo Hargreaves uses writing and art to make sense of her experiences, emotions and individuality. Her poem, The Colour That Caught Me, comes from a very dark time in her life.

“I still can’t believe this has happened,” said Roo. “It’s a great opportunity to keep using my voice as an artist to create work that is whimsical and personal, showing both my uniqueness and my mental health struggles. I want my writing to help other people connect and accept themselves.”

She hopes to exhibit her work one day.

📷Credit: Hugh Hastings

Second time round, and the youngest yet

Keira Money has been here before. She first won a Y&TC creative writing award at sixteen, when she was mentored by Katrina Naomi. This time she will work with Patrick Gale.

“I was sixteen when I last received the award and it was so amazing then,” said Keira. “I’ve been working on a novel for the last couple of years and want to get published. I have the motivational drive to finish it but it’s difficult to know how to move forwards. The experience and outside perspective of my new mentor is exactly what I need to complete a full first draft.”

At sixteen, Alana Menmuir is the youngest in this year’s group. She went to Richard Lander School and is now studying for A Levels at Truro & Penwith College.

“Coming to this event and speaking to the Lord Lieutenant has been really cool,” said Alana. “I want to get my ideas out into the world and being mentored will really help me do that.”

From the Fringe to the BFI

Several of the group are already making a name for themselves. Keron’s Edinburgh Fringe play drew wonderful reviews for the way it explores disability representation in the arts.

Benjamin’s film, Lyonesse: An Dawson ha’n Kri, won BFI Short Film of the Month and Best Music at the British Riviera Festival. Inspired by Cornish filmmaker Mark Jenkin, he wants to tell stories rooted in the place he calls home and hopes to become a professional screenwriter and filmmaker.

Jessica, a First-Class English Literature graduate from the University of St Andrews, writes poetry exploring identity, gender, power and ecology. Charlotte has exhibited her illustrated poetry in Falmouth and at Plymouth Pride, and says the award has renewed her confidence and motivation.

📷Credit: Hugh Hastings

A poem that beat 600 entries

The evening closed with a reading from a previous award winner, Olive Mills. Her poem, What am I Doing at the Bottom of the Ocean, has just beaten more than 600 other entries in a national poetry competition.

The fund started in 2005 as the Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Youth and now runs as Young & Talented Cornwall, opening doors for the county’s young rising stars across arts and culture and beyond.

“It is such a pleasure to be able to support these exceptional young creative writers as they seek to achieve their full potential,” said Sir Edward. “And many thanks to the mentors, volunteers and sponsors Seasalt Cornwall and Falmouth University who play such vital roles in the success of this Fund.”

Seasalt Cornwall has backed the award since the start. Sonya Corrigan, its Director of PR and Communications, said: “We are proud to have been part of the Young & Talented Cornwall Creative Writing Award from the very outset and are delighted to see our new entrants and former recipients go from strength to strength each year.

“We are privileged to witness a wealth of writing ability locally, with such genuine encouragement from everybody involved. Nurturing and developing talent in our Cornish home has always been of huge importance to Seasalt and we maintain our commitment to continuing to do so in the future.”

Applications open in November

Applications for next year’s awards open on Tuesday 24 November. Philip and the assessment team want to hear from anyone in Cornwall who has spotted exceptional writing talent. More details are on the Young & Talented Cornwall website.

“We want to do more to spread the word about the awards,” said Philip. “This year has revealed what a wealth of talent there is out there, but I’m sure there are others quietly trying their hand at writing, having the world opened up by reading and books, in need of encouragement. These are the ones we want to reach.”

📷Credit: Hugh Hastings