The Arts for Health and Wellbeing Team within Cardiff & Vale Health Charity were delighted to commission an innovative, arts project designed by artist Haf Weighton, delivered virtually to pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg in Barry this year.
Although the project began within the school in 2020, Covid-19 pandemic restrictions put a temporary hold on the project until it was redesigned to be delivered online to Year 11 pupils who were working from home during the Winter and Spring, 2021.
Through this unique arts project, students learnt the fascinating story of Royston Smith, a local man who discovered unusual plants growing in Barry docks in the 1920’s from discarded seeds from the Spiller’s Flour mill. He discovered and cultivated the plants which originated from around the world and which now form the Royston Smith Collection at the National Museum of Wales.
The National Museum of Wales houses over 400 species of Flora, many of which have medicinal properties, and 200 of which were discovered in the docks at Barry- they are also included in new digital library giving public access to the collection.
The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the project and created some magnificent pieces of art in response to the unique local history and Royston Smith story. We would like to thank Haf Weighton for adapting the project to work so successfully online, supporting pupils during the pandemic.
“Pupils felt that they were important, that the project was especially for them, that other people were thinking about them during this unique and isolating time in their lives. It also gave their work more focus and meaning.“
-Nerys Griffiths, Head of Art, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg
For more updates about the Arts for Health and Wellbeing programme, please visit our social media pages on facebook and twitter @CAVuhbArts and instagram @thehearthgallery
Tyfu Blodau yn Nociau’r Barri
Roedd yn bleser gan Dîm y Celfyddydau ar gyfer Iechyd a Lles yn Elusen Iechyd Caerdydd a’r Fro gomisiynu prosiect celfyddydau arloesol a ddyluniwyd gan Haf Weighton a’i ddarparu’n rhithwir i ddisgyblion yn Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg yn y Barri eleni.
Er bod y prosiect hwn wedi dechrau yn yr ysgol yn 2020, gwnaeth cyfyngiadau symud COVID-19 atal y prosiect dros dro, hyd nes iddo gael ei ail-ddylunio i’w ddarparu ar-lein i ddisgyblion Blwyddyn 11 a oedd yn gweithio gartref yn ystod Gaeaf a Gwanwyn 2021.
Drwy gyfrwng y prosiect celfyddydau unigryw hwn, gwnaeth myfyrwyr ddysgu am stori ddiddorol Royston Smith, dyn lleol a wnaeth ddarganfod planhigion rhyfedd yn tyfu yn nociau’r Barri yn y 1920au o hadau a gafodd eu taflu o’r neilltu ym Melin Flawd Spiller. Gwnaeth ddarganfod a meithrin y planhigion, sy’n deillio o bob cwr o’r byd, ac sydd bellach yn rhan o Gasgliad Royston Smith yn Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Cymru.
Mae Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Cymru yn cynnal dros 400 rhywogaeth o Fflora, y mae nodweddion meddyginiaethol i lawer ohonynt, a chafodd 200 ohonynt eu darganfod yn nociau’r Barri – maent wedi’u cynnwys hefyd yn y llyfrgell ddigidol newydd sy’n rhoi mynediad i’r cyhoedd at y casgliad.
Gwnaeth y disgyblion fwynhau’r prosiect yn fawr a gwnaethant greu darnau arbennig o gelf mewn ymateb i hanes lleol a stori unigryw Royston Smith. Hoffem ddiolch i Haf Weighton am addasu’r prosiect i weithio mor llwyddiannus ar-lein, gan gefnogi disgyblion yn ystod y pandemig.
“Gwnaeth disgyblion deimlo eu bod yn bwysig, bod y prosiect ar eu cyfer nhw yn benodol, bod pobl eraill yn meddwl amdanynt yn ystod yr adeg unigryw ac ynysig iawn hwn o’u bywydau. Gwnaeth hefyd roi mwy o ffocws ac ystyr i’r gwaith.”
-Nerys Griffiths, Pennaeth Celf, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg
Os hoffech ragor o wybodaeth am raglen y Celfyddydau ar gyfer Iechyd a Lles, ewch i’n tudalennau cyfryngau cymdeithasol ar Facebook a Twitter @CAVuhbArts ac Instagram @thehearthgallery