EXAMPLES OF WORK - BRIDGEND

Here are examples of work created by Bridgend Writing Squads in a workshop with travel writer Tom Anderson, 24 April 2010, in response to the Artes Mundi 4 exhibition at Cardiff National Musesum.

“Excuse me, are there any Walkers ready salted crisps left?”
Around me there’s the steady rumble of traffic and the sweet singing of birds. There are many people cycling and others walking lazily. There are many shops, all advertising different makes. The birds are racing a never ending race and the trees are starting to bloom and are rustling with joy.
“No, we haven’t got any Walkers crisps, but there are different types of ready salted crisps.”
Signs, bags, people, chairs, steps, children, ice cream, trays, cutlery, napkins, cakes, fruit, sauces, plates…
“Yes you have, there’s a box of them rhight there.”
I’m in the Cardiff museum because I’ve heard that they make the best tea and scones.
“No there isn’t, now go away.”
“I will.”
Betsan Jones

“Excuse me, do you know where the nearest cafe is?”
Around me, the waves plunge and dive like ferocious monsters, mercilessly waiting for the next innocent surfer. Their colour cooperating to make a perfect blue. The sand sparkles and glistens under the intense heat of the humid summer sun.
“Yes, just carry on up that way and turn right.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Pebbles, buckets, spades, sun bathers, towels, ice-cream, sand-dunes, crabs and pick nicks.
“Oh, wait, that one doesn’t open for another 20 minutes.”
“Really? I think I’ll get my ice-cream from the stall instead.”
“If I were you, I’d get a chocolate one; the best!”
The Gower, west Wales, has the best surfing beaches in the country. There was once a wave that grew to be ten feet! If you ever go there, be sure to remember to take your swimming costume. Sadly, I’m nothing of a surfer. Instead, I’m content on lying on the coast of west Wales, eating ice creams and catching a tan.
“Yes. I think I will! Thank you very much!”
Phobe Elias, Bro Morgannwg

“Excuse me, can you tell me where the ‘Water’s Edge’ is please?”
Around me, the sound of waves crashing against the stony, rough sand, repeating its plunges onto shore. The smell of oily, greasy fish and chips sailing through the warm breeze, targeting my nostrils, drawing me to it’s territory. Seagulls screeching for attention, gawking and dribbling with hunger, wanting some chips, not leaving you alone.
“Yes, of course, go down the hill, keep going and it’ll be the third building on your left.”
Sea, sand, happy people sunbathing, fish and chips, ice cream, pebbles, wine, lemonade, boats, sandals, sun umbrellas.
“Oh, and which hotel would you recommend for a good, luxury night’s sleep?”
“The Manor House serves a brilliant cooked breakfast, and relaxing massages.”
The water’s edge is known to have the best quality wine in the country. It’s rich taste tingles your tongue and refreshes your mind. My friends and I are meeting up for a catch up. Sitting in the sun and drinking wine.
“That’s great – Manor House it is then!”
Elen Smith, Bro Morgannwg

People rushed around, hurrying to finish their business so they can go home after a long hard day. Buildings looming overhead, trapping its prey. Not wanting us to leave them abandoned, their dullness already a cage.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes, can I help.”
Subways, shops, pedestrians, traffic, cafes, children, business men, pigeons, statues, tour buses, police, buskers, beggars.
“Where is the London eye?
“It’s right around the corner. You should be able to see it from here.”
I was originally coming to relieve some stress on a holiday. Instead, I’m even more stressed, being pushed around. Only Hamleys could calm me down, the five floors of toys to release my inner child.
“Thank you so much.”
Jodie Mckenzie, Pencoed Comprehensive.

 “Excuse me, how much are the chocolate brownies?”
Around me, there are many elderly people trying to look fashionable…but it’s not working. Drinking coffee, bickering to their friends about their husbands! The smell of hot drinks are delightful, it’s pulling me towards them.
“Sorry, I don’t work here”
“Don’t be silly, of course you do, look at what you’re wearing!”
Coffee, tea, snacks, children, rows of chairs and tables, ice cream, napkins, cutlery, salt and pepper, benches.
“Excuse me, what did you say?”
Cardiff museum cafe has the best cakes in Wales, and they are not to pricey. I’m hear because I work The Times news and they have asked me to review the cakes.
“Sorry for bothering you, I’ll go and find someone who does work here.”
“Well go and do that!”
Harriet Eliaz, Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg

“Can you help me?”
Aeroplanes flew overhead, making bold white lines through the beautiful blue sky. Cars zoomed past in a hurry, desperately trying not to be late for they’re flight to a hotter, sunnier country.
“Sure, what’s wrong?”
“I’m lost, I’m meant to be heading to the car park but I’m hopeless at directions.”
I watched as adults rushed with they’re children and suitcases dragging behind, always one of them falling.
“Sure, Straight ahead, third exit on the roundabout and you’ll be there.”
“Thank you so much.”
Natasha Cox, Pencoed Comprehensive

“Excuse me, can you tell me where Cardiff castle is?”
Around me, people bustling, brightly dressed like a rainbow in the sky, their laughter fill the air and music is pounding in my ear. Traffic as loud as someone playing drums in your ear but unlike the music its one simultaneous sound. The huge castle like a giant compared to me.
“Um, excuse me, I’m trying to eat here.”
“I can see, but can you please tell me where it is?”
Cardiff castle, buses, people, children, shops, roads, pavements, bikes, restaurants, cigarettes, fumes, lights, beggars.
Cardiff Castle is very older than the Normans and the Romans. And the castle was invaded by an old rebellious army of ghouls. It is very interesting as I’m here to do a project for school - part of my own rebellious army.
“You might want to look behind you!”
“Oh, gosh, thank you!”
Mali O’Donnell, Ysgol Bro Morgannwg

“Excuse moi, est ce vouez parlez Anglais?”
“Qui, how can I help you?”
Around me there are many shops with big signs, each competiting for your attention , like many sprinters about to cross the finish line. Many people walking around, noise of the bussy traffic passing me, the Eiffel tower and the trees waking up from the long sleep over winter.
“Where is the nearest hotel?”
France is one of the weirdest countries – they eat everything from snails to frog legs, they sometimes eat ducks liver. But I’m not here to eat snails, I’m here to solve the murder of Nicola Sarcozi, the president of France.
“You’re in a hotel!”
“Ah! I thought this was a shop! Mercy!”
Siân Evans

“Um, do you know where the conference room is?”
“What? Are you stupid or something?”
“No, I’ve never been on this floor before, that’s all!”
Around me was the hustle and bustle of one of Turkey’s busiest and most successful companies. The window was open and the cool breeze with the scent of exhaust fumes and honey gently tickled my face.
“Well, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m working, so don’t annoy me.”
I looked down and saw the people, all with a place in society, like a huge colony of ants. There was an expensive velvet carpet at my feet, sleek modern walls around me, covered with memos and bulletins.
“I’m not trying to annoy you, I just want to know where the conference room is!”
“You can’t go in there – there’s a meeting in session!”
People, windows, cars, velvet carpet, mahogany desk, trees, road, building, bulletins, desks, computers, sun, birds, phones...
“I know! I’m meant to be part of it! I’m running a bit late!”
I came here for the heat, the beautiful sights and the sparkling oceans. It’s been five years now, and I’ve loved every minute of it, not only is it fabulously warm and decorated but I was lucky enough to find a job that I love. We make and sell wigs, it was all started when Demarra (the owner) used to make her own wigs out of her secret fabric; the most realistic in the whole world, their even sold to Hollywood. She was luck enough to meet a bold, successful business man, and he helped her set up the company.
“Fine! Down the corridor and to your right!”
“Thank you,” I smiled and whispered, “keep your hair on!”
Owen Young

“Do you know where the Welsh museum is?”
I look around me whilst I sit on the step, watching branches sway in the light breeze. The trees are starting to bloom with lovely green leaves, as they look down on the flowing cars below. The park is full of small children and birds flying all over the place.
“Sorry? I don’t speak English”
Saegulls, pigeons, bikes, cars, shops, benches, roads, buses, cafes, restaurants, fountains.
“Oh. Museum?”
Cardiff museum has the most interesting collection of art sculptures in northern Eurpoe. They have clay, marble, paper and all sorts of other materials of sculptures. There are sculptures of people, animals and objects. But I’m not a sculpture, and I’m here on a trip with the school.
“Here!”
The museum was right in front of me.
Rhiannon Berry, Bro Morgannwg

“Excuse me, could you give me the directions to the town centre?”
Around me, the busy Romans scuttling to the coliseum, briskly hurrying around the odd scatters trees that are in bloom, filling the clear blue sky with pastels and creams. The smell of horse poo overpowers the pungent smell of the local vineyard. The local market is filled with busy people, like lions on an ox, willing to buy the best beef pie to fill them up for the afternoon.
“Can you leave me be, I’m running!”
“No, please, I need to get there!”
Fountains, stalls, togas, grapes, horses, chariots, coliseum, Romans, dogs, marble, water, slaves, ships, children, soldiers, sandals, chains, fruit.
“Will you let me run if I tell you?”
There are loads of unique facts about Rome, but the best is that the coliseum has caused the most deaths in Europe, and has the largest amount of lions in the whole of Rome.
“...To be honest, I don’t know the directions!”
Catrin Morgan, Stanwell Comprehensive, Penarth

“Excuse me, would tyou happen to know where the museum is?”
Around me, the gigantic Cardiff museum sits still like a parked car. It’s walls as solid as logs of metal. The cars swiftly pass by David Lloyd george’s status in the middle of midd-blossoming trees.
“Hold on, I’m going on holiday tomorrow, so I have to go and exchange currency.”
“But it’s important!”
Bicycles, signs, flags, statuses, stadiums, fountains, banks, houses, pedestrians, offices, hedges, lights...
“If I tell you, will you leave me alone?”
The national museum here in Cardiff hosts the Artes Mundi 4 exhibition. Today, sitting in the exhibition, it’s like nothing I’ve seen before. I’m here to write an article about all the work.
“It’s just behind you!”
“Oh! Thank you!”
Lewis Murray, Ysgol y Ferch o’r Sgêr.
 

 

The Red Tree
The trees are rustling and birds are chirping
I see logs on the slimy mud
Squirrels are collecting acorns
Vines wrapping around trees
The red tree is my favourite tree
Because it is furry, it is like the hair on a gorilla
The trees smell organic
Lawnmowers in the background
Little plants making their way up
Lily pads floating on the pond, rivers are flowing into
And on the pond, little pond skaters skating around
And on the ground many leaves
I love the world. I try to do my bit for the environment
Nature is always by my side.
 Lewis

My Exploration of a whole New Universe
It’s not my weird and wonderful world; it’s so much more,
It feels like I’ve stepped through a magical door.

Watch delicate dogs run, and cheeky children have fun
You can just about see through these timeless trees,
The beautiful yellow and orange sun.

I can hear the roaring rush of the river Garw,
The not so silent sway of the astonishing azaleas.

I go on a trek; I see strange stones, so colourful and bright,
It’s like I’ve touched a ray of light.

I also see ravishing ripples in the pond,
Broken branches, it’s still amazing to me.
My sat-nav brain tells me I’ve reached y destination.
I think its right.

Time’s taken its toll, I wish I could stay.
I’ve enjoyed my time with you today.
 Rachel Lewis

Quest of Love and Nature
Here in Bryngarw Park, we hear nothing but lawn mowers
But while I was at a meeting, I heard an owl hoot.
As we began our quest, we began to see
Large statues of large heads, bugs and all sorts
We also came across a bush of thorns, which could scratch
And make you itch.
The trees feel as rough as a large stone with bark
Moss with an icky, mucky colour feels soft as sheep’s wool.
On one tree, the branches have holly on them, As sharp as a porcupine.
We hear the leaves being blown by the wind,
Oh my goodness! A tree which looks like a giant man with muscles.
How strong is he? I don’t know. He was really high.
We then came across a pond and there lying on the surface were lily pads.
They were as wet as napkins being dropped in a sink full of water.
What is that lovely sound? It’s a bird! This lovely creature
Has a voice like a flute playing in the orchestra.

 
The Senses of Bryngarw Park
Bryngarw Park is a place of smell,
Fresh fertile air fills your lungs,
Flowers some sweet some sour
Create an amazing aroma
Marshy mud the opposite flavour
Come down the hill and there’s a catatonic change in smell
But soon your eyes take over

Bryngarw Park is a place of sight
Arching trees twine together, giving the image of a wedding
Motherly magpies sing a song of love
As they travel to build a nest for their resting chicks
In the tress high above the love carvings
The couples express their love in a way that is everlasting

Bryngarw Park is a place of sound
Darling ducks are quacking, the rustling leaves as the squirrels leap
Makes a song of love as the owls and bats sleep
Alongside the river is being rowdy and rough
As the children skim stones with a shimmering splash
Further you go through the forest today the sense of touch comes into play

Bryngarw Park is a place of touch
Entering the statue garden you reach out and feel
The damp, soft, slushy moss, rubbing against the grooves of your fingers
The roots under your feet rubbing against your toes
As you move away from the glade towards the car park

You think to yourself
The sights, sounds, smells and feelings tickle your senses
You have a new memory that’s everlasting.
 Samantha Denyer, Katie Keeping and David Mcluraith

The River
It glides and weaves
Like a watery snake
With its ice cold fangs
It’ll make you shiver and shake

It charges and storms like
An angry Rhino
Unstoppable and dangerous
The unpredictable dynamo

The Forest
Ieuan Briers
The stench of decay was obvious
As we made our way
But we dare not separate
Or let one of us go astray
Through the forest we kept on track
Like Doctor Livingston or Captain Cook
Famous explorers knowing the world
Like pages from a book
We returned home with our head held high
Tom, Anne and me
All the plants, trees and animals of Bryngarw
Had been unleashed by us travellers three.
Bryngarw Park
Mel Davies and Talia Davies

Bryngarw Park, so happy and joyful
The ducks glide so softly across the river
The leaves shiver delicately in the wind
The smell of the freshly cut grass is beautiful
The feel of the bark on the tree is rough and moss covered
The Japanese gardens so peaceful and inspiring
The laughter of children echoes through the park
The cycle track filled with cyclists going fast and recklessly
The sun filters through the trees in the forest, shining and sparkling
The bark prints dotted around the park from previous visitors
Bryngarw Park so happy and joyful
 Ieuan Briers

Bryngarw Park
Brown birds soar sky high
Thin trees sway in the breeze
And the Japanese garden is silent
Leaves fall from the abandoned branches
Merging together to form a carpet
While scary animals charge through the bushes.
You can hear birds tweeting
And smell the dew from the fresh grass
The bark teases your fingers
As you touch and feel for the textures.
As you hear, touch and smell
You admire Bryngarw Park.
 Lauren Hill

A Day at Bryngarw
As you enter the beautiful bright forest
Early in the morning, it’s silent
Then as the ducks awaken, the silence is broken
The sweet musical sounds of the dawdling ducks
The birds arise from their slumber
The magical whistles of their natural beauty and talent

As the morning turns to noon, the children
And family enter the site. A smile stretches
Across the child’s face as he watches his
Reflection appear in the shimmering
Pond. The fish swim softly and gently greeting
The boy, though his reflection ripples his
Happiness glistens

The fast flowing river is crowded. As it
Watches the children play and splash in the
Water, he too enjoys making others happy.
The tall, thin trees shade the guests from
The burning hot sun, but still let’s sun shine break
Through. The sweet scent of blossoms breeze
Through the wood swiftly.

As the day comes to a finish, the
Cars, children and family leave. The beautiful
Forest again is silent. Waiting, waiting, waiting
For tomorrow to begin.

Bryngarw Park
The ducks glide across the ripples of the water like a floating feather
The trickle of the water as it flushes away is enough to soothe anyone
The heat of the sun praises on the water warming the little visitors that come to play
The bridge stands adequately as we all come and admire the peace and quiet
The flowers bloom so delicately on the rough surface of the old oak
The Japanese garden is ripe and ready as ever for the new season, Summer.
The willow tree whistles by the soft touch of the wind
The bugs scatter on the sandy ground like an angry mob
The leaves shiver in the wind like a cold baby
The sun shot shadow blazes the grounds of Bryngarw
 Sophie Bevan and Jess Cundy

Tree Tops
The tree tops glisten with the dew left from the cold night
The top most branches of the old oak wave in the blissful breeze
Leaves flutter gracefully to the green grassy ground and rest
Amongst the others that have fallen and turned brown.
Sparrows spring from tree to tree echoing their sweet song through the blue sky
Ivy twined around rough brown bark tumbles through the clear air
Beautiful blossoms nestle within the star shaped leaves
Leaves from other trees merge with the various sizes, shapes and shades of the big beech
Rushing, the river flows past, rapidly speeding up carrying smooth soft pebbles
Along the wrath of the water.
Bubbling the river sparkles and the ripples rest as the sun beats down,
shining in the reflection of the children’s faces
Giggling gleefully the children drift into the darkest depths of the forest.

Bryngarw
Lawn mowers cutting
Tree leaves rustling
Twigs snapping
Birds chirping
Nasty nettles
Smooth leaves
Damp wood
And moisturised moss
Scampering squirrels
Flowing streams
And a mossy mound of mud
Broken trees and colourful logs
With silky spider webs
Under the torn tree branches
There were black beetles and
Slimy mushrooms like leather.

Tranquil Change
I’ve stepped into a wonderful world
So calm,
So different
No longer are the towering trees dull and green
They are red rhododendrons and amazing azaleas
Little rocky foot bridges and oriental lanterns
Rive Garw and streams make here so tranquil
The beautiful bamboo shoots shoot up higher than the eye can see
But all I see is change
I walk on
The trees make a pitch black tunnel
I walk on and on …until
Everything is back to the way it was
Like time has stood still here
I’ll come here again some day
I promise
I will
 Rachel Mcmeekin

Bryngarw
The water parts, leaving its cascading brother to fall, effortlessly, down the small moss filled channel. It looks longingly towards its brother, as it tumbles down the cracked and chipped stone Sentinels which watch silently from the river bed, gazing with a glazed stone eye at the water’s faltering flow. While the water twists and turns down the spiralling meander its brother moves fast, spitting angrily at their sudden separation. The defeated water falls from the last rock, splashing down back into the rippling pool, meeting with its murky brother. Embracing each other in an overlapping cycle, they both sweep down the river, reunited at last.
 Tom

Bryngarw Park
Dancing dragonflies skim across the murky water
The sound of the river timidly tipping over the rocks
A leaf floating down to the rotting vegetation below
Twisted tree roots forced out of the ground
Three trees convoluted into one
A twisted tunnel of over hanging branches
The wind whistling through the ancient trees
A rotting tree trunk covered in vines
Smooth, soft feeling of damp moss
Tiny, delicate deep pink flowers against a green canvas.
 Samantha