Bardd Plant Cymru

The current  Bardd Plant Cymru is poet, artist and illustrator from Treorchy, Siôn Tomos Owen

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Bardd Plant Cymru

Founded in 2000, the role of Bardd Plant Cymru is awarded every two years to a Welsh-language poet who is passionate about ensuring more children and young people discover the joy and well-being benefits of engaging with literature.

The project introduces Welsh-language poetry to children in an energetic, dynamic and fun way through workshops, performances and various activities.

The project promotes creativity, communication skills and self-expression through the love of literature. 

The current  Bardd Plant Cymru is poet, artist and illustrator from Treorchy, Siôn Tomos Owen.

It was announced on Wednesday 10 September 2025, at Maesteg Library that Siôn would be the 19th poet stepping into the role. Siôn started in the role in September 2025, and will be in the post until August 2027.

Who is Siôn Tomos Owen?

Siôn Tomos Owen is a bilingual writer, poet, artist and presenter from Treorci in Rhondda Fawr. He works as a creative freelance artist – drawing, painting murals and running creative workshops. He was one of the presenters of the television programmes Cynefin and Pobol y Rhondda, and was a comedy contributor to Y Tŷ Rygbi, Jonathan and Academi Gomedi.  His first collection of poetry, Pethau Sy’n Digwydd (Barddas) was shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year 2025, and his most recent publication is a novel for children, Gerwyn Gwrthod a’r Llyfr Does Neb yn Cael ei Darllen (Atebol 2025). He has written and illustrated several books for children and Welsh learners, and his poetry and stories are on the new curriculum for GCSE Welsh and Welsh as a second language. 

What is the purpose of the role?

Siôn said the following about his tenure: “As Bardd Plant Cymru I want to ease out the creativity that every child has within them, to create poems, stories or illustrations – the funny and the profound – and to use these to foster the love of reading which grabbed me when I was the same age.” 

 The Bardd Plant Cymru role complements its  English-language sister project, Children’s Laureate Wales and the two roles contribute towards nurturing a healthier, more creative, and more diverse generation of readers and writers across Wales. All activities are conducted through the medium of Welsh, but the scheme provides for and engages with children whose first language is not Welsh. The scheme is run by Literature Wales with the support of Welsh Government, S4C, Books Council of Wales and Urdd Gobaith Cymru. 

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