Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

St David Awards finalists announced by First Minister

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 11:30, Friday January 30th, 2026.
Last updated: 11:30, Friday January 30th, 2026

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

First Minister Eluned Morgan
First Minister Eluned Morgan

Ystrad Mynach boxer Lauren Price MBE and Aberbargoed actor Luke Evans are among the finalists for this year’s St David Awards.

The awards, which are in their 13th year, are the national awards of Wales and acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of people in or from Wales.

Three or four finalists have been selected for each of the 11 St David Awards, ten of which have been nominated by the public.

The finalists are chosen by an independent panel, while the winners will be chosen by First Minister Eluned Morgan.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in the Senedd on Thursday February 26.

Lauren Price to fight in front of home crowd as she defends titles

Finalists

Business

  • Brød – Danish bakery
  • Rockwool Ltd – stone wool insulation
  • de Novo Solutions – IT

Bravery

  • Liz Hopkin, Fiona Elias, and Darrel Campbell – Ysgol Dyffryn Aman
  • James Reilly – Royal Engineer commando
  • William Newbury – Bridgend

Community Champion

  • Faith in Families – community charity
  • Parent Learning Group – Cathays High School
  • Rusna Begum – community champion

Culture

  • Luke Evans – actor and singer
  • Max Boyce – Musician and poet
  • West Glamorgan Youth Theatre
Luke Evans with his 2023 Bafta Cymru

Environment Champion

  • Deorfa Cynrig Hatchery – restoring biodiversity
  • Dani Robertson – Dark Skies officer
  • Gail Davies-Walsh – Afonydd Cymru

Innovation, Science and Technology

  • Barrett Centre for Helminth Control – parasitology
  • Dr Elin Haf Davies – Aparito
  • Professor Joanne Davies – Swansea University

Public Service

  • Dr Tipswalo Day – obstetrician and gynaecologist
  • Innes Robinson – headteacher
  • Jan Luke – ELSA and wellbeing champion
  • Robert Scott – prison officer

Sport

  • Jess Fishlock MBE – footballer
  • Lauren Price MBE – Olympic boxing champion
  • Alan Williams – sailing coach
Lauren Price became the unified champion of the world in March 2025

Volunteering

  • Advocates and Angels – family support charity
  • Brian Jones – British International Search and Rescue Dogs
  • Eileen Hodge – Therapy Dogs Nationwide

Young Person

  • Anwen-Grace Rodaway – Autism campaigner
  • Bowen Cole – youth leader
  • Cian Evans – charity fundraiser

The 11th award being given out at the ceremony is the First Minister’s Special Award, which could reflect collective as well as individual achievements.

Baroness Morgan said: “It’s a privilege to announce the finalists of the St David Awards. It brings together the best of Wales, with fantastic examples of the positive contribution people can make to other people’s lives.

“We have an incredible list this year, full of inspirational stories and impressive achievements.”

Luke Evans television production transforms Ystrad Mynach home into Barcelona villa

Sign-up to our daily newsletter


Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

Welsh Government
Getty Images
Boxxer

Latest News

  • The site of the proposed Next store (next to Puregym) at the Gallagher Retail Park, Caerphilly, pictured in June 2025
    Town’s proposed new Next store could create 21 jobsFriday, April 10, 2026
  • First Minister Eluned Morgan
    Welsh Labour has ‘learnt lessons’ from by-election defeat as FM sets out visionFriday, April 10, 2026
  • Cllr Brenda Miles, Labour councillor for the Nelson ward
    Councillor quits Labour after being frozen out over library cuts criticismFriday, April 10, 2026
  • Senedd election candidates confirmed for Blaenau Gwent Caerffili RhymniFriday, April 10, 2026
  • Candidates confirmed for Senedd race in Casnewydd IslwynFriday, April 10, 2026
  • Dilshad Shamo, and Ali Khdir
    Car wash people smugglers jailed for 19 years eachFriday, April 10, 2026

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Planning notice for land south of Valley View, Cefn HengoedThursday, April 2, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, April 2, 2026
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Ffos CaerffiliMonday, March 30, 2026
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Machen Cricket ClubMonday, March 30, 2026
© 2009-2026 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.