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The stunning poetry murals that have appeared in locations around Wales

08 Sep 2021 4 minute read
The three beautiful and poetic murals that have appeared in towns across Wales

Three walls on buildings in three towns across Wales have been transformed into beautiful works of art over the past few weeks.

It’s all thanks to a poetry and street art project between local schoolchildren, WWF Cymru and Literature Wales, which was launched in the run up to Earth Hour, which took place at 8.30 pm on Saturday 27 March.

Literature Wales and the environmental charity WWF Cymru have been working with year six 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 by street artist Bryce Davies of Peaceful Progress.

Treorchy mural – The Loft Studio

The poetry workshops were facilitated by Bardd Plant Cymru, Gruffudd Owen.

All three poems created are unique and reflect the local areas and the children’s desires for a brighter future for Welsh nature and tackling climate change. The murals include striking paintings of nature including seagulls, wildflowers, bees, otters, herons, and even a fierce dragon.

Cardigan Mural – Julie John Photography.

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.

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

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.”

Rhyl mural – Ginger Pixie Photography.

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!”

The murals can be found at the following locations:

Cardigan – on Priory Street, next to Finch Square Café
Rhyl – on the rear wall of the B&M Bargains shop overlooking the White Rose Centre Car Park on West Parade
Treorchy – on the side wall of The Lion Pub, Bute Street


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Gill Jones
Gill Jones
2 years ago

Gwych, gwych, gwych. Diolch i blant Cymru a’r Prifardd Gruff Owen.

Stephen Owen
Stephen Owen
2 years ago

Syniad ardderchog, hefyd mae’n wych eu bod yn Gymraeg. Dylid gwneud llawer mwy o ddefnydd o’r Gymraeg mewn mannau cyhoeddus. Mae’n drist iawn bod arwyddion busnes a siopau ledled Cymru yn Saesneg yn unig. Cymru am byth 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Stephen Owen
Stephen Owen
2 years ago

Excellent idea, also great that they are in Welsh. Much more use should be made of the Welsh language in public places. It is very sad that business and shop signs throughout Wales are in English only. Cymru am byth 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Court
Court
2 years ago

Dwi’ n clywed y cân “Graffiti Cymreg” gan Anweledig yn fy mhen.

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