‘Cranogwen’ statue to be unveiled in garden
ASTATUE to honour the pioneering poet, campaigner, journalist and mariner Sarah Jane Rees – better known by her bardic name of Cranogwen – will be unveiled today.
The statue to Cranogwen, who was born in 1839 and a pioneer in many fields considered unsuitable for women at that time, will stand in the newly renovated community garden in the centre of Llangrannog, Ceredigion, near the church where she is buried.
It is the third statue commissioned by Monumental Welsh Women of a named, non-fictionalised woman to be erected in an outdoor public space in Wales, following the unveiling of the Betty Campbell Monument in Cardiff in September 2021, and of the statue of writer Elaine Morgan in Mountain Ash in March 2022. Monumental Welsh Women’s mission is to erect five statues honouring five Welsh women in five different locations around Wales in five years.
Cranogwen’s statue has been made possible following a campaign by Cerflun Cymunedol Cranogwen Community Monument, a subgroup of the Llangrannog Welfare Committee, in partnership with Monumental Welsh Women.
Helen Molyneux, founder of Monumental Welsh Women group said: “Our mission is to celebrate female ambition and success by commemorating the achievements of great Welsh women – and to inspire the next generation of great Welsh women. We are delighted to be able to announce the unveiling of this – the third statue in our campaign.
This permanent memorial of
Cranogwen will stand in the heart of her beloved community of Llangrannog, and will serve as both commemoration of a remarkable, brave and pioneering woman and her many groundbreaking achievements and as inspiration to all of us who come after her.”
Cranogwen was a skilled mariner and worked for two years as a sailor on cargo ships between Wales and France. Aged 21, she became a headteacher, overcoming opposition to the appointment of a woman.
A gifted writer, Cranogwen was the first woman to win a poetry prize at the National Eisteddfod, beating the major male Welsh poets of the day, Islwyn and Ceiriog. She went on to be one of the most popular poets in Wales and was the first woman to edit a Welsh-language women’s magazine – Y Frythones.
Packed with stories, poems and features, it campaigned for girls’ education. As an editor, Cranogwen also encouraged the talents of other women; several of the female writers she gave a platform to in Y Frythones went on to successful literary careers.
Cranogwen excelled with the spoken as well as the written word. At a time when public speaking by women was frowned upon, she embarked on a career as a lecturer, Temperance campaigner and preacher – travelling across America twice.
Designed and created by renowned sculptor Sebastien Boyesen, who lives in Llangrannog, the statue will represent Cranogwen’s extraordinary life and her many and varied achievements. Echoing Cranogwen’s encouragement of female talent, Keziah Ferguson, a promising female sculptor has been mentored during the project by Boyesen, working with him on his latest commission.
He has previously worked on the Guardian, the 20m-high statue commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1960 mining disaster in Six Bells that claimed the lives of 45 men.
Today’s unveiling aims to be a creative and ambitious celebration that will echo elements of Cranogwen’s many innovative achievements. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Arts Council of Wales, the support of Literature Wales and Urdd Gobaith Cymru there will be numerous artists taking part in the event, including those local to Ceredigion who have achieved international renown, such as Qwerin and Eddie Ladd.
Invited guests will attend a ceremony celebrating Cranogwen at the Urdd Centre – Gwersyll yr Urdd, Llangrannog – followed by an open invite to the public to join a colourful and creative procession at 1pm that will travel on foot from the Urdd Centre to unveil the statue in the village at about 2pm.
As Cranogwen, who died in 1916 aged 77, was the first woman to win an award for poetry at the National Eisteddfod of Wales; Professor Mererid Hopwood, the first woman to win a Chair at the National Eisteddfod will guide the ceremony with Casi Wyn, Bardd Plant Cymru and Hanan Issa, National Poet of Wales reading work penned especially for the event. Local school pupils will also be taking part.
Anne-Marie Bollen, from Cerflun Cymunedol Cranogwen Community Monument, said: “Cranogwen would be proud of the community in Llangrannog who’ve come together actively and inclusively during this campaign, a small community with a big heart.
“Local children will unveil Seb Boyesen and Keziah Ferguson’s amazing, life-size, bronze statue set within an accessible, beautiful, village garden. Our genuine thanks to each and every supporter. As with previous generations, those to follow will also be inspired by Cranogwen.”
The Llywydd Elin Jones MS, a member of the sculpture steering committee, said: “The expectation is high for this statue of Cranogwen, one who achieved so much locally, nationally and internationally and did that at a time when it was not acceptable for women to do such things.
“We hope that unveiling the statue with a creative celebration will be a way of paying a well-deserved tribute to an outstanding woman.”
The statue was commissioned following the Hidden Heroines campaign organised by Monumental Welsh Women, broadcast on BBC Wales. The other women on the shortlist were Margaret Haig Thomas (Lady Rhondda), Elizabeth Andrews, Elaine Morgan and Betty Campbell, who became the first woman on the list to be honoured with a statue.
The main road between the Urdd Centre and Llangrannog village will be closed to vehicles between 12.50pm and 3pm.