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Cardigan mural

Street artist brings poems to life for Earth Hour

We have teamed up  the national company for the development of literature, Literature Wales, and year 6 pupils at Ysgol Gynradd Dewi Sant, Rhyl; Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi, Cardigan and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Ynyswen, Treorchy to write poems which have been transformed into three inspiring works of public art.

The murals have been created by street artist Bryce Davies of Peaceful Progress. The poetry workshops were facilitated by Bardd Plant Cymru, Gruffudd Owen.

The poetry street art project highlights the importance of tackling the climate and nature crisis for future generations in Wales.

The murals will be on display for the foreseeable future as the countdown begins to the Senedd elections in May and the COP26 global climate conference in Glasgow in November.

 

Literature Wales
Rhyl
treorchy

Inspiring artwork shows children's dreams for a brighter future for Welsh nature

 

The striking pieces depict local nature such as seagulls, wildflowers, bees, otters, herons, and even a dragon are part of a Wales-wide Earth Hour project working with schools and communities in Cardigan, Ceredigion, Treorchy in the Rhondda and Rhyl, Denbighshire. 

 

The unique poems reflect the local area and children’s desires for a brighter future for Welsh nature and tackling climate change.

Treorchy
Treorchy mural
Rhyl

Words of future generations to be heard at COP26

Rhian Brewster of WWF Cymru said:

 

“Earth Hour is a moment when millions around the world come together for nature and people, to call for change. We wanted to use this opportunity to give the children, our future generations in Wales a voice, ask them what they wanted to see. Their words will not only be immortalised as a stunning mural in their local town but will also be taken to world leaders as they decide the next steps towards action for climate change at the COP26 Conference in Glasgow later this year.

We would like to thank the pupils and teachers at all three schools for being part of this exciting project, as well as the building owners who kindly offered their walls for the murals and Rhondda Cynon Taf, Ceredigion, and Denbighshire County Councils for their continuous support in ensuring its success.” 

A project which empowers children

Lleucu Siencyn, Chief Executive of Literature Wales said:

 

“Inspiring communities, developing writers and celebrating Wales’ literary culture is at the heart of our work, and it has been such a pleasure to be part of this collaboration through our Bardd Plant Cymru project.

Creative writing, and poetry projects such as this empowers children to express themselves and to have fun with words, which can have such a positive impact on their well-being.”

WWF Cymru
cardigan

Children hope the murals will help protect climate and nature

Alec, a pupil at Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi said:

“I really enjoyed learning and creating the poem with the Bardd Plant Cymru, Gruff during the live sessions. I enjoyed discussing WWF Cymru's work and I’m excited to see how the mural looks. Hopefully it shows how much we want to protect our climate and the nature of the area”

Ffion, a pupil at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Ynyswen said:

“I enjoyed the experience so much! I learnt new words which are unique to the valley, and it also made me realise that Cwm Rhondda is such a beautiful place to live, full of history and character. I look forward to seeing the finished mural soon!”

Mia, a pupil at Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant said:

“I loved having this experience, something so different. I look forward to seeing it and it will remind me of my time at Ysgol Dewi Sant and make me feel proud of it. Caring for our world is a good thing to do and so important, we hope our poem helps people understand that. Our area is so beautiful!”

rhyl

Where to find the murals

 

Cardigan

Positioned on Priory Street, next to Finch Square Café

 

Rhyl

Positioned on the rear wall of the B&M Bargains shop overlooking the White Rose Centre Car Park on West Parade

 

Treorchy

Positioned on the side wall of The Lion Pub, Bute St

Cardigan mural

Cardigan mural translated into English

 

The poem for the Cardigan mural was created by Year 6 pupils at Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi  and Gruffudd Owen, Bardd Plant Cymru.

 

We are the otters who play in the river 

and the soil’s bounty on the table; 

we are the smile on care-worn faces 

and the seagull heading for the horizon. 

We are the fishes, and the castle and all the fields; 

we are the children who nurture our planet’s future. 

 

Rhyl

Rhyl mural translated into English

 

Poem created by Year 6 pupils at Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant, Y Rhyl and Gruffudd Owen, Bardd Plant Cymru. 

 

Where the sand is golden like the doughnuts from the fair, 

where there are friends and flowers and bees and grass. 

Where the lights from the arcade are like the sun on the sea 

and the hills in the distance and the seagulls strut. 

It’s the little things, like these, that make up our lives. 

It’s the little things we need to change the world. 

Treorchy
Treorchy

Treorchy mural translated into English

Poem created by Year 6 pupils at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Ynyswen, Treorchy and Gruffudd Owen, Bardd Plant Cymru. 

We are the ‘Rhondda Rebels’, the ‘Treorchy Trojans’; 

we are the smell of the forest and language just under the soil. 

We are the ‘Bopas’ and the ‘Butties’; we are the ‘Welsh Dragons’; 

we are the ones who know that giants live in terraced houses; 

and we are the ones who demand a future. Somewhere to laugh and grow old 

without fear of floods, where the river sings clean, night and day.