Pupil’s card design will be sent across the valley
A TALENTED nine-year-old will have her Christmas card design sent across the Cynon Valley after she won a local competition.
Leila Pugh, of Our Lady’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Miskin, Mountain Ash, has won the festive competition held by Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd and AM Vikki Howells.
They held the challenge for budding artists from local primary schools to come up with the image that would feature on their Christmas card – and they had more than 150 entries in 2016.
The theme this year was The Star of Bethlehem and talented Leila won first prize for her design featuring Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus.
Second place went to Jake Thomas Rosser of St Margaret’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Aberdare and third place was Isabella Gratland of Cwmdare Primary School.
Also submitting excellent designs were Niamh Davies of Cwmdare Primary, Naomi Crystal Goodall of Our Lady’s Primary, Leoni Marshall and Rhoda Page of Pengeulan Primary School, and KeiraLeigh Thomas of St Margaret’s Primary.
Ms Clwyd said: “This has been an annual event of mine for many years.
“I was pleased, however, this year, to welcome Vikki Howells who joined me in the work of organising and judging the many entries.
“I am sure now that this will become an annual joint event. This year’s competition was themed The Star of Bethlehem to remind us all of the children who are suffering, because of war in places such as Syria, Yemen and other neighbouring countries.
“The Christmas Star remains a beacon of hope in a sea of despair, for so many people.”
Ms Howells added: “The standard of entry was very high – there are lots of talented artists in local schools. Both Ann and I were very impressed with the designs sent in, and it was hard to pick a winner.
“Leila’s winning image will feature on 450 cards printed by local firm APC Printers which will be sent out across the Cynon Valley.
“We want to thank all the local businesses who generously sponsored the event and we are also grateful to the librarian Ms Judith George and her staff at Aberdare Library for hosting the presentation and displaying all the entries.”