Translator wins National Eisteddfod poetry crown
A translator has won the eisteddfod crown after competing in the poetry competition for the first time.
Glenys Mair Glyn Roberts, from Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, won for her work on Newid (Change).
Judge Mererid Hopwood said: "This is a collection which calls for thought, and which provides satisfaction, poems reflecting the voice of someone with something to say."
The eisteddfod is being held in Ebbw Vale for the first time in 52 years.
Mrs Roberts is also competing at the National Eisteddfod as a member of two choirs, Côr Merched y Garth and Côr y Mochyn Du.
"The privilege of winning the crown is a complete thrill," she said.
Thirty four poets entered the competition this year and were tasked with writing a series of poems no longer than 200 lines on the subject 'Newid' (Change).
Writing under the psuedonym Barcud fyth, her work was chosen by judges, Mererid Hopwood, T James Jones and the late Iwan Llwyd.
Ms Hopwood said: "Having spent weeks in the company of the 34 poets, I am no closer to answering the question of how to measure and evaluate taste.
"Iwan Llwyd was enchanted from the first reading and both T James Jones and I were drawn to this collection."
Mrs Roberts attended the university at Aberystwyth, where she was awarded a first class honours degree in Welsh, and then an MA degree for her work on Celtic Mythology in 20th Century literature.
The winning work is a collection of poems dealing with "life's basic patterns - birth, growth, maturity, decay and death".
One of the poems, Cenaist Gân, is a tribute to her father, who experienced "a number of traumatic changes during his life".
The National Eisteddfod is held in The Works, Ebbw Vale, until 7 August.