Ysgol Dewi Sant mark Earth Hour by creating street art in Rhyl

The wall of the B&M Bargains shop overlooking the White Rose Centre Car Park on Rhyl’s West Parade was transformed into a striking piece of art, depicting a poem, the beach, seagulls, wild flowers and bees, in the lead up to Earth Hour which takes place at 8.30pm on March 27.

The art depicting a poem, the beach, seagulls, wild flowers and bees

The environmental charity WWF Cymru, and the national company for the development of literature, Literature Wales, worked with year six pupils at Ysgol Dewi Sant, Rhyl to write a poem.

This was then made into a work of public art by street artist Bryce Davies of Peaceful Progress.

Mair Evans, headteacher at Ysgol Dewi Sant said: “It has been a great privilege to have had the opportunity as a school to work with the Bardd Plant Cymru to create a timely poem about the local area and the environment. It has ensured that our pupils have had the chance to develop their creative skills not only linguistically but also artistically, by working with artist Bryce Davies of Peaceful Progress.

"In these challenging times, it is more important than ever that our pupils continue to receive experiences that motivate them to use the Welsh language in a variety of interesting ways."

Mia, a pupil at Ysgol Dewi Sant said: “I loved having this experience, something so different.

"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 work was made into public art by street artist Bryce Davies of Peaceful Progress

Lauren, also a pupil at Ysgol Dewi Sant said: “I enjoyed this experience a lot. It was fun to work with Bardd Plant Cymru.

"I like to write poems, and to have this opportunity to write a poem with Gruffudd Owen was an honour."

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 of Ysgol Dewi Sant for being part of this exciting project, as well as Devrim Guccuk of Devrim Enterprises Limited the owner of the B&M building who kindly offered us the wall for the mural, Sue Nash from The White Rose Centre and Denbighshire County Council for their continuous support in ensuring its success."

The piece created is part of a Wales-wide Earth Hour project working with schools and communities in Cardigan, Ceredigion and Treorchy in the Rhondda as well as Rhyl.

The children enjoyed being involved. Pictures: Ginger Pixie Photography Llenyddiaeth Cymru WWF Cymru

All three poems are unique and reflect the local area and children’s desires for a brighter future for Welsh nature and tackling climate change.

Cllr Brian Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s lead member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “The council recognises the challenges around climate and ecological change. Since declaring a Climate and Ecological Emergency in July 2019, we have developed plans to become a net carbon zero and ecologically positive council by 2030.

“The delivery of the Green Infrastructure Project within Town Centre Vision which focuses on developing and improving Green spaces in and around Rhyl Town Centre is part of Denbighshire County Council’s commitment.

“We are grateful that the mural project has provided a creative way for our pupils to engage with climate change and raise awareness of Earth Hour. It is important we support the next generation to lead the way in tackling climate change.”

The poetry street art project is just one of many activities taking place across Wales and the world to mark Earth Hour this year.

One easy way to participate is to switch off lights at 8.30pm on Saturday, March 27, or watch David Attenborough’s ‘A Life on Our Planet’ or download the WWF Footprint App.