The Ysgolion Creadigol GwyrddNi (Creative Schools) project has been supporting young people in Dyffryn Nantlle to communicate creatively about climate change.
Last November, we made an open call for artists, poets, storytellers and all kinds of creative practitioners who wanted to collaborate with local schools to help young people convey their climate messages.
The pupils of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle chose to work with the musician and author Gai Toms, and we are delighted with their creations: three original songs and Llyfr Gwyrdd Nantlle (the Green Book of Nantlle).
Llyfr Gwyrdd Nantlle
You may be familiar with Manon Steffan Ros’s powerful novel – Llyfr Glas Nebo (the Blue Book of Nebo) – which is set in a very dark future in Dyffryn Nantle. As an antidote to this message, the pupils decided that they wanted to create Llyfr Gwyrdd Nantlle (the Green Book of Nantlle): a collection of art, poetry and positive visions for the future of the valley, as well as warnings about climate change.
Click on the book cover to read it as a flipbook, or click here to view it as a static PDF.
Listen to the pupils’ original songs here:
Film
Here is a short film about the process by Hedydd Ioan:
More background
Gai Toms started by taking pupils from years 7-12 for a walk around their habitat with the local historian, John Dilwyn, so that they could gain a better understanding of their history and local wildlife.
This clearly sparked a passion for the young people’s local cynefin, as well as their creativity!
Through June and July, pupils got busy writing, drawing, composing, singing and recording three new songs with Gai. The young people made a lot of amazing artwork, a newspaper article, a short play, and paper mache sculptures – and much more – as well as the three original songs – Cwm y Cerrig, y Llithr a ir Llethr and Pigavo, which we feel capture the true spirit of the project.
“Even though we’re young people, we can do something about climate change,” said Cadi from year 10. “It’s our future – and even if nobody else does anything about it, we can.”
The hard copy (original) of Llyfr Gwyrdd Nantlle will be available to view in Yr Orsaf’s café, Penygroes, over the summer holidays.
As part of the Ysgolion Creadigol GwyrddNi (Creative Schools) project, pupils at Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen got involved in the Bethesda Carnival: creating a float for the parade and performing a series of short plays. Pupils at Ysgol Dolbadarn created a piece of visual art with Katie Ellidge and Femke van Gent, showcasing their visions for a bright future for the area. And there is something exciting coming from Ysgol y Moelwyn with Buddug Roberts leading… stay tuned!
GwyrddNi also works with Schools in our five regions (Dyffryn Nantlle, Dyffryn Ogwen, Pen Llŷn, Bro Ffestiniog and Dyffryn Peris) to teach children about their habitat and the climate – as well as about possible solutions. We then support them to bring their ideas to life through projects, such as creating a wild garden or mapping their habitat. Contact us if you want GwyrddNi to work with your school!