A MORFA Nefyn woman has scooped the Drama Medal at this year’s Urdd National Eisteddfod.

Mared Llywelyn Williams, 24, was announced as the winner of the Drama Medal at the 2017 Bridgend, Taff-Ely Urdd National Eisteddfod.

Her winning work Lôn Terfyn, under the nom de plume ‘Dwnad’, looks at the tense and fragile world of politics.

Mared currently works for the Gwynedd Library Service in Nefyn. She graduated with a degree in Welsh and theatre studies from Aberystwyth University, before gaining an MA in creative writing, again at Aberystwyth University.

It was during her year studying for an MA that she started writing seriously.

Her main interest is theatre, and earlier this year she founded Cwmni Tebot, a local amateur theatre company, with some friends.

She has competed regularly in the Urdd Eisteddfod over the years with Ysgol Botwnnog, Aelwyd Chwilog and Aelwyd Pantycelyn.

She said: “There are several people who have inspired and encouraged me over the years, such as Nia Plas at Ysgol Morfa Nefyn; Delyth Roberts and Mair Gruffydd at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor; Roger Owen at the Theatre, Film and Television Department at Aberystwyth University; Mihangel Morgan, Huw Meirion Edwards and everyone in the Welsh department – but a special thank you to Esyllt Maelor.”

The judges, Alun Saunders and Sian Summers, felt that Mared’s drama “not only gave an exciting interpretation of the brief, but also had all the elements needed to create a gripping drama”.

They went on to say: “The language used, and the way in which the characters’ attitudes are expressed, is fearless and confident, portraying a world full of fragile political tensions.

“From the very beginning we are introduced to the characters’ enchanting world and relationships. The dramatist has the ability to imply the characters’ true selves through the sub-text – trusting the reader or audience to analyse and conjure their own interpretation.

“In our opinion, the standard and ambition in this drama fully deserves the Drama Medal.”

Mared’s younger sister, Lois Llywelyn Williams, won the Drama Medal in 2016, with Mared coming third.

This year, Arddun Arwel from Aelwyd JMJ came second in the competition with Sara Hughes from Cylch Alaw Cybi third. The medal was presented by Mari George.

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