Pupils get creative for Urdd exhibition
Eleven schools from Denbigh and the surrounding area took part in an art project that was designed to develop the pupils’ Welsh language skills through the arts and to develop their knowledge of their local culture and history.
The project was funded by GwE (the regional education consortia) and led by Ffion Hughes from Ysgol y Parc on behalf of their school cluster, in collaboration with Denbighshire Leisure Ltd’s Community Arts team. The Welsh Language patterns developed during these sessions were then shared between the schools in order to improve standards in Welsh of both the staff and pupils across the cluster.
The schools that took part in the project were: Ysgol y Parc, Ysgol Frongoch, Ysgol Pendref (all Denbigh), St Asaph VP School, St Brigid’s School (Denbigh), Ysgol Bodfari, Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog, Denbigh High School, Ysgol Esgob Morgan (St Asaph), Ysgol y Faenol (Bodelwyddan) and Ysgol Trefnant.
The exhibition was displayed at the Council's marquee on the Eisteddfod yr Urdd maes.
Pupils worked with professional artists Eleri Jones and Catrin Williams over a period of three months between January and March 2022. Catrin Williams explored the wonderful buildings of the historical town of Denbigh, with pupils then creating fantastically colourful townscapes with Denbigh as their inspiration.
Councillor Gill German, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, said: “This is a fantastic project that has given pupils from a number of schools where Welsh is not their first language the change to get actively involved in the Eisteddfod in a creative and engaging way."
Sian Fitzgerald, Community Arts Manager with Denbighshire Leisure Ltd’s Active Communities team, said: “When working with Eleri Jones the pupils looked at images of historical figures that have contributed in many different ways to the continued use of the Welsh language. They looked at figures from the Celts to Dafydd and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd and Owain Glyndwr, to historical Denbighshire figures such as playwright Twm o’r Nant, novelist Kate Roberts and wrestler Orig Williams.
“The children and young people created individual collograph print plates of portraits of Denbighshire people, as well as some portraits of themselves. These were than applied on top of images of Denbighshire buildings created by the pupils who worked with Catrin, to create the finished works of art that you see here today”.
In Denbighshire, community arts projects are managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd’s Community Arts Service. For more information about projects in Denbighshire, please contact Jo McGregor on 07799 582766 / jo.mcgregor@denbighshireleisure.co.uk or Sian Fitzgerald on 07717540857 / sian.fitzgerald@denbighshireleisure.co.uk.
This project was funded by GwE in collaboration with the Denbigh Cluster Welsh Language Development Group.
Remarkable Urdd Eisteddfod to leave lasting legacy
The Council has been reflecting on the success of the recent Eisteddfod yr Urdd and hopes that this major event has left a lasting legacy for the county for young people, the Welsh language and the local economy.
The Eisteddfod was hosted on the Kilford Farm site on the outskirts of Denbigh during the Whitsun holiday (30 May to 4 June), two years after it was originally due to be held due to Covid.
Now the Council has been looking at the success of the Eisteddfod and how the county, including children and young people have benefitted.
Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Jason McLellan, said: “This was a great opportunity to showcase Denbighshire as a great destination for holidaymakers and day visitors, as well as a great opportunity for our children and young people.
“We were delighted to work with the Urdd and local communities to make this Eisteddfod one to remember and the fact it broke attendance records speaks volumes for the amount of effort that went in to stage such a prestigious event.
“Denbighshire was featured on national television, radio, print and online media outlets and it really gave the county a platform to promote its attractions, its historic towns and villages and the wealth of businesses available in the county.
“Naturally the tourism accommodation sector benefitted tremendously from having the Eisteddfod in Denbighshire, with many businesses reporting to be full during the week. It’s hoped that other businesses will have had a successful week and we look forward to the outcome of research work which will show how the area benefitted economically from hosting the Eisteddfod.
Denbighshire had the best record for the highest number of entries from any county in the whole of Wales. Hundreds of children and young people had the opportunity to showcase their talents in a wealth of competitions, ranging from singing, recitation, drama, dance, group competitions, art, crafts and much more.
Over two hundred pupils took part in two shows sponsored by the Council. The ‘Fi Di Fi’ show was written and produced by Angharad Beech and Ynyr Llwyd, both formerly of Prion and former pupils at Ysgol Glan Clwyd. A cast of pupils from Glan Clwyd and Ysgol Brynhyfryd shone on the stage in front of a packed pavilion.
The ‘Ni yw y Byd’ primary school concert featured ‘mash-up’ performances of Welsh classics and other rock and pop songs. Over 150 pupils from across the county performed some of these classics and joined together to perform the Urdd anthem ‘Hei Mistar Urdd’ as the concert finale.
Councillor Gill German, Cabinet Lead Member for Education and Children’s Services, said: “This was such a brilliant experience for our children and young people. Our schools and Urdd branches really pulled out the stops in the competitions and Denbighshire was consistently one of the best performing counties during the week.
“We are very proud of what these young people have achieved and the support provided by the parents, guardians and those who spend hours training them for the national stage. To be able to see such prestigious productions at first hand and feel that sense of pride that was felt by the audiences will be something that stays with me for a long time”.
Councillor Emrys Wynne, Cabinet Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage, said: “Eisteddfod yr Urdd is a great way of profiling Welsh language and culture and the opportunities for young children , young people and families.
“We need to make sure that the enthusiasm and commitment of the Urdd, Denbighshire County Council and the tremendous work of local fundraising committees leaves a lasting legacy for Welsh language and culture. We will work closely with other organisations across the county to identify how best to capitalise on this renewed interest in the language and continue to provide opportunities for communities to use the language”.
See a little of what we got up to during the week!