Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi pupils win EcoDewi shoreline poetry competition with work displayed at Oriel y Parc

Year 6 and Year 7 pupils from Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA in St Davids have been celebrated for their environmental poetry, with winning entries now displayed publicly at Oriel y Parc. The creative competition, organised by community group EcoDewi, focused on the theme “Shoreline,” encouraging students to explore the coast and local environmental issues.

Three of the winning poets read their work aloud during a reception held at Oriel y Parc, attended by families, teachers, and community representatives. The event highlighted the intersection of creative writing and environmental awareness among young people on the St Davids Peninsula.

Guests at the reception included Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority chair Dr Madeleine Havard and St Davids mayor Cllr Sarah Foster. Also present were county councillor Cllr Bethan Price and the school’s new headteacher, Siôn Mason-Evans, who joined the pupils in recognising their achievements.

EcoDewi director Robert Kidd, who helped judge the competition, praised the students’ engagement. He stated: “It was great to engage young minds in a blend of art, environment and education on a local level, and all those who took part should be commended.”

The judging panel also included EcoDewi’s Amanda Stone and award-winning poet and performance writer Ifor Thomas, who is based in Solva. The judges praised both the number of entries received and the enthusiasm pupils showed for the shoreline theme.

Prizes for the competition were donated by Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm, The Really Wild Emporium, and St Davids Book Shop. These awards had been presented to the students during school assemblies earlier in the year.

The pupils’ creative work is currently displayed in the window of Oriel y Parc, where members of the public can stop to read it. Founded in 2020, EcoDewi works to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss while improving community wellbeing across the St Davids Peninsula.

The organisation’s projects include beach cleans, community gardening, roadside wildflower planting, and the management of the community green space at Maes Glasfryn. EcoDewi thanked pupils and staff for embracing the competition and said it hoped to work with local schools on further creative environmental projects.