Eisteddfod T Poetry Prize winner is revealed

The winner of the Eisteddfod T 2021 Poetry Prize has been revealed.

According to the judge, Mererid Hopwood, the poem by Kayley Sydenham from Newport, offered the “most complete composition in this year’s competition”.

The competitors had to compose a strict metre or free verse poem of no more than 70 lines, and 40 entries were received in total.

Kayley, who has a keen interest in composing and drawing, made the most of the long lockdown periods to work on mastering the art of the cynghanedd, as well as starting her own Welsh lino printing venture.

She completed her A Levels at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw, and says she is looking forward to study Welsh and Journalism at university in September.

Kayley was revealed as the Eisteddfod T Poetry Prize Winner at the festival’s final ceremony of the week, which was broadcast live from the Urdd’s Residential Centre in Llangrannog.

“A judge’s opinion is just the opinion of one person,” said Mererid Hopwood during the ceremony.

“The most important thing is to congratulate everyone. Regardless of who will take first place today, all three who are here at Eisteddfod T’s experimental pavilion are winners.”

‘Sincere vision’

She added: “As a poem it convinces the reader of the poet’s sincere vision. She doesn’t fall into the trap of being too abstruse but rather, skilfully and cleverly uses imagery to convey her message.”

Kayley has received a specially created trophy by sculptor Ann Catrin Evans.

Ciarán Eynon from Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy (who was also third in the Eisteddfod T Literary Prize competition yesterday) came in second place, while Tegwen Bruce-Deans from Llandrindod Wells came in third.

The competition was sponsored by Aberystwyth University.

Today is the final day of the festival after a busy week of broadcasting from the temporary studio at the Urdd’s Residential Centre in Llangrannog.

Results for all competitions can be found on the s4c.cymru/urdd website and on the Urdd’s social media with the hashtag #EisteddfodT.