On Wednesday 12 June 2024, the pupils of Penmachno Primary School and Llanddoged Primary School had the special experience of seeing Bishop William Morgan’s Bible (1588) alongside a portrait of him by Keith Bowen.
A joint project between the National Trust and the Education Service at the National Library of Wales, the event was part of the Library’s priorities to take masterpieces to schools. This originally stemmed from the Library’s work for Masterpieces in Schools – a scheme by Art UK to bring children face-to-face with great works of art inside their classroom, breaking down traditional barriers to art.
This year’s event was a celebration of Bishop William Morgan’s achievement in translating and publishing the first Welsh Bible in 1588. An achievement widely credited for having saved the Welsh language. The two treasures went to the schools and pupils had the opportunity to take part in workshops by the Library’s Education Service team.
Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, Chief Executive of the National Library of Wales said:
“I’m extremely glad that the Library is collaborating with Penmachno and Llanddoged primary schools. The Library’s education team does excellent work in providing experiences that meet the requirements of the curriculum by using the Library’s treasures. And this is a project at the heart of our mission to inspire future generations to learn and to create by going out into those communities and sharing the wealth of our culture which has deep roots in their locality.”
Lois Jones, Senior Programming and Partnership Officer for the National Trust said:
“We are very proud to be working in partnership with the National Library of Wales on their Masterpieces in Schools project. The inclusion of young people in our work at Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant is a priority for us.
“By working with the Library on this plan, we have been able to offer a package of experiences to the children which will strengthen the local community’s relationship with Tŷ Mawr and William Morgan’s story.”
Elliw Roberts, Headteacher of Ysgol Gynradd Penmachno said:
“It was a privilege and an unforgettable experience for the pupils, staff and Governors of Ysgol Penmachno to welcome the 1588 Bible, together with a portrait of Bishop William Morgan, to the school for a day. It was an amazing occasion, and certainly one that will be treasured here at Ysgol Penmachno for years to come.”
On Friday 12 July, both schools will visit the National Library of Wales, to see where the two items are kept safe, and learn more about the national collections and how they are preserved for future generations.
As part of the project, the children will also visit the birthplace of William Morgan, Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant, which is in the care of the National Trust, in order to learn about how William Morgan lived when he was a young child, and what inspired him to learn.
In addition, the schools will hold a day of art workshops, during which the artist Eleri Jones will visit the schools to show the pupils how to paint portraits.
The Library’s work to take masterpieces to schools is part of the strategy to reach out to communities across Wales and support participation in cultural, educational and artistic activities for children and young people.
The sessions assist the school in aligning with the Curriculum for Wales guidelines, while supporting the Learning and Experience Areas of the Humanities, and the Expressive Arts, as well as presenting material that is relevant to the pupils’ cynefin.
