Bardd Plant Cymru – Children’s Poet Laureate

 In a ceremony at the Carmarthenshire Urdd Eisteddfod on Tuesday 29 May, Gwyneth Glyn announced that Caryl Parry Jones from Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan will follow her as Wales’ latest Bardd Plant Cymru - Children’s Poet Laureate 2007 - 2008.

The Bardd Plant Cymru project is a joint scheme between S4C, The Welsh Books Council, Academi and Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Its aims are to raise the profile of poetry amongst young people and to encourage them to create and enjoy poetry. Caryl Parry Jones is the eighth poet to hold the position, following in the footsteps of Myrddin ap Dafydd, Meirion McIntyre Huws, Menna Elfyn, Ceri Wyn Jones, Tudur Dylan Jones, Mererid Hopwood and Gwyneth Glyn.

Caryl was raised in Ffynnongroyw between Rhyl and Hollywell, but she’s now settled in the Vale with her husband and their four children. She went to Mornant Primary school in Ffynnongroyw; Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St Asaph; and graduated in Welsh at the University of Wales, Bangor.

Without any doubt, Caryl is one of the biggest influences on the Welsh music scene over the years and has been in a number of bands including Sidan, Injaroc, Bando, and Caryl a’r Band. Lately, she’s been singing with her band and with the close harmony group, Harmony Central. As well as writing songs, Caryl has also written a number of films for children including the script and songs for Y Dyn Nath Ddwyn y Nadolig (1985) in partnership with Hywel Gwynfryn, and Anrheg Elin (2000). She has also starred in her own impressions show on S4C in the 80’s. These days, she’s still not far from the television screen, and she recently worked as a behind the scenes trainer for the series Wawfactor for S4C.

Caryl has contributed to a volume of poetry which was inspired by life in the school corridor, Caneuon y Coridorau (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2005) and has published a volume of her own carols, Carolau Caryl (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2000).

A member of the talwrn team, Y Taeogion, Caryl is looking forward to the challenge involved in receiving the title of Bardd Plant Cymru. She said:
“I’m looking forward immensely to this job. There is nothing more enticing, honest and alive as a child’s imagination, and having the chance to wander through those rich pastures is nothing less than an honor.”

For more information on Bardd Plant Cymru, contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 or post@academi.org