Alumnus Siôn Tomos Owen appointed Bardd Plant Cymru
University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is delighted to congratulate the achievement of former student Siôn Tomos Owen, who has just been appointed as Bardd Plant Cymru (Welsh-language Children’s Laureate) for 2025-2027.
The role, appointed by Literature Wales, is one of two prestigious national posts (along with Children’s Laureate Wales) that aim to inspire children and young people across Wales through literature, imagination and creativity.
For Siôn, who is a bilingual writer, poet, artist and presenter from Treorchy in the Rhondda Fawr valley, the appointment is both an honour and a special personal achievement.
He said: “It’s really amazing to call myself Bardd Plant Cymru. I never thought I’d end up in such a cool and fun role. I’ve bounced between so many jobs over the years, but writing and poetry have always been a part of me. This job feels like the one that fits perfectly, and it means the world to me.”
Siôn wants to use the opportunity to show children that creativity has no limits:
“I hope to share the fun that there is to be had with words. In my workshops, children often ask if they have the ‘right’ to write about something funny or silly - a talking horse, or a character with three arms and pink hair. I always say ‘of course!’ and the joy on their faces shows everything. My ambition is to spread this message across Wales - that creativity is limitless.”
Among the projects he is looking forward to is a series of new creative commissions, including a special project with Cardigan Castle, where he will explore the history of the first Eisteddfod Gadeiriol and share it with pupils in the area. He will also experiment with new ways of sharing poetry through video and digital means.
Siôn’s love of words was nurtured at a very young age. He won his first poetry competition at the age of five in Y Gloran, the Rhondda Fawr community newspaper, and wrote poems on a school rugby trip to Ireland. These became early stages along the path which eventually led him to study Creative Writing and Media Studies at Trinity College Carmarthen - now UWTSD - graduating in 2007.
Although he followed several paths after graduation - from being a labourer, business administrator, learning coach, and youth worker - he eventually came back to his creative roots and his degree.
Siôn said:
“My time at the University was full of fun, learning and making lifelong friends. Although it took time to build a career, the experience rooted me in creativity and resilience. In the end, that was the stepping stone that shaped me as a poet, writer and artist. It took perseverance, but I’m now really enjoying my career as a creative freelancer.”
Having written 14 books and contributed to numerous television and radio programmes, Siôn is now set to step into his most exciting role yet – inspiring the next generation of Welsh readers and writers as Bardd Plant Cymru 2025–2027.
Further Information
Mared Anthony
Communications and PR Officer: Alumni Relations
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: mared.anthony@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: +447482256996