Previous Bardd Plant Cymru

Casi Wyn is a familiar face in Wales and beyond as a singer and songwriter. Many of her songs are regularly played on radio stations across the UK. Casi is also one of the founders of Codi Pais, a magazine and independent publisher which platforms new and diverse voices. In 2021 she published two musical books for children, Tonnau Cariad and Dawns y Ceirw. Her short animation, Dawns y Ceirw was broadcast on S4C on Christmas Eve 2020.

During her tenure as Bardd Plant Cymru, Casi encouraged children and young people across Wales to write poetry about what's important to them - from football, nature on their doorstep, their communities and local areas, playstation, and Beyonce!

Gruffudd Owen hails from Pwllheli in Gwynedd but now lives in Cardiff. He was educated at Ysgol Cymerau, Ysgol Glan y Môr, and Coleg Meirion Dwyfor Pwllheli, before going on to study Welsh at Aberystwyth University. He worked for ten years as a script editor for the television series Pobol y Cwm, and now works as a freelance writer and editor.

“Poetry has always been an important part of my life; I started scribbling silly poems in the back of my maths book in primary school! Nothing gives me more enjoyment than seeing a room full of children laughing at a poem. Listening to poetry is an experience that binds us as a community. If the Welsh language is to flourish among the next generation, that generation must experience it in all its funny, playful, unique and rich glory.”

– Gruffudd Owen
He has always enjoyed reading and writing poetry and creative writing of all kinds. In 2009 he won the Drama Medal at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Cardiff Bay, and in 2018 won the Chair at the National Eisteddfod, again in Cardiff Bay. His first volume of poetry, Hel Llus yn y Glaw (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas, 2015), was shortlisted in the Poetry Category for Wales Book of the Year Award 2016.

He is a renowned performer of poetry and music, and is a member of the bardic team, Y Ffoaduriaid, on the radio series Y Talwrn. He is also one of the organizers of Bragdy’r Beirdd poetry nights in Cardiff and has won many ‘stomp’ stools. In his spare time Gruffudd enjoys singing, cycling, climbing and juggling.

Anni is well known to the children of Wales as a presenter, author and poet. During her time as Bardd Plant Cymru, Anni visited every county in Wales, 83 schools, and 10 castles; entertaining, inspiring and engaging with over 6000 children. Activities included workshops, a Language Charter tour, the Cbeebies show, performances during Cardiff Children's Literature Festival, Roald Dahl 100 Wales celebrations, creating and performing a show at the Welsh History Festival for Children, Y Senedd anniversary celebrations and the Urdd Message of Peace and Goodwill to name just a few.