‘I’M LOOKING FORWARD IMMENSELY TO WANDERING THROUGH WALES’

Casia Williams has been announced as the new Welsh Children’s Poet Laureate.

The 29-year-old was revealed yesterday and becomes the 15th person to hold the prestigious title, known more widely as Bardd Plant Cymru.

The role traditionally involves touring schools, hosting workshops and working with children, inspiring them through literature and poetry.

She will officially step into the role in September, when she takes over from Anni Llyn, who accepted the role in 2015.

“I’m looking forward immensely to wandering through Wales and meeting the children,” she said.

“It will be a great pleasure to hear their ideas, to spark their imagination and to encourage everyone to try their hand at writing poetry.”

The young poet, who is originally from Nefyn, in Llyn Peninsula, now lives in Cardiff. She has published two children’s books and has also adapted two Michael Morpurgo books into Welsh. The writer, who also works as a Press Officer at Oxfam, hopes to show all children that they are capable of writing a poetry.

Miss Williams added: “I want children to really engage in writing poetry - I don’t want it to end with what’s written on the paper.

“I want to see poetry being brought to life - we could do things like film the children performing poetry so that people can watch it back.”

Discussing the newly elected Children’s Poet Laureate, Chief Executive of Literature Wales, Lleucu Siencyn, said: “Casia is a very talented writer, and as partners in the scheme, we look forward with great enthusiasm to see Bardd Plant Cymru breaking new and exciting ground.”