Pencerdd

Pencerdd is a Welsh-language opportunity for poets to develop the ancient craft of cynganeddu*; the programme is run in partnership between Literature Wales and Barddas. The aim is to develop poets that are new to the tradition and nurture new voices and perspectives within the cynganeddu tradition in Wales, raising the profile of the canu caeth scene.

It is a year-long programme, free of charge, providing an opportunity for five poets who are relatively new to this unique poetic tradition to hone their craft. The poets attend a residential course at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre with tutors Ceri Wyn Jones and Mererid Hopwood, before being paired with a mentor for a year of one-to-one sessions. The group will also receive digital workshops, a year’s subscription to Barddas magazine, be a part of a supportive network, and receive information about local eisteddfod competitions and other relevant opportunities.

The five poets selected for the Pencerdd 2025 – 2026 cohort are:

Brennig Davies

Llio Elain Maddocks

Mared Fflur

Megan Jones

Nanw Maelor

Applications are now open for Pencerdd 2026-2027. Please see the Welsh-language side of the website for more information about this programme.

*Cynghanedd is a Welsh poetic device where a variety of systems including rhyme and alliteration, or corresponding consonants are utilised to create poems which, at it’s best, can be as musical as they are meaningful.

This scheme is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales and Cronfa Elw Park-Jones.