Iconic Welsh mountain brought to life in new poetry book created by pupils and University

The creative collaboration has brought the mountain Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) to life through a new bilingual poetry book inspired by historical visitor books and a new exhibition at Betws-y-Coed Visitor Information Centre.

Earlier this year, 24 children from North Wales schools Capel Garmon, Betws-y-Coed, and Dolwyddelan received a sneak preview of the exhibition. They listened to Dr Daniel Bos and Dr Cian Quayle from the University discuss the history of tourists and the mountain, as well as the 19th-century visitor books kept at the summit, which have been a focus of the Retracing Footsteps project.

The group was joined by special guest Casia Wiliam, a Welsh children's author and former Wales Poet Laureate. Drawing inspiration from historical extracts from the visitor books, Casia gently guided children to reflect on their thoughts and experiences with the mountain, using their senses, memories, and imagination to bring the mountain to life through words and sketches. The children created some fantastic poems, providing insight into how the mountain is seen today.

Following the workshop, Dr Alan Summers of graphic design website 3Dpixels collected the words and drawings produced by the children to create a unique poetry book titled Yr Wyddfa: Retracing Footsteps – I Remember...

The book was inspired by the Retracing Footsteps: The Past, Present and Future of Yr Wyddfa exhibition, currently on display at Betws-y-Coed Visitor Information Centre. The exhibition results from a collaborative project involving the University of Chester, including Senior Lecturer in Human Geography Dr Daniel Bos, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Dr Cian Quayle, and Dr Alan Summers, along with graduate students Jane Evans and Emma Petruzzelli, as well as the Eryri National Park Authority.

The exhibition combines archival research of 19th-century visitor books held at the summit of Yr Wyddfa, with photographs and moving images documenting the modern experience of the mountain. By pairing the historical visitor book extracts with contemporary imagery, the exhibition invites visitors to consider the past, present, and future sustainability of one of the world's busiest mountains.

Daniel said: “Working closely with the local schools offered a wonderful glimpse into how students engage with the history and poetry found in those books. It was truly inspiring to see how young people today reimagine and perceive the mountain, bringing fresh perspectives to our understanding of this special place.

“It has been particularly rewarding to collaborate with the Eryri National Park Authority in understanding some of the challenges they and local communities face in conserving and protecting the mountain, as well as exploring how creative work can influence and offer new perspectives on the landscape.

“Being able to visit and personally deliver the books to the schools and students was a memorable experience. Seeing the students' faces and the excitement that their poems are now part of a book they can keep and share with their families and friends was especially gratifying.”

Nia Artell-Jones, Headteacher at Dolwyddelan, Capel Garmon and Betws-y-Coed schools, said: “Taking part in this project has been such a special opportunity for our pupils. Yr Wyddfa is a mountain they have all experienced in some form of another, but through poetry and art they discovered new ways to connect with it and to share what it means to them.

“Working with the University of Chester, the Eryri National Park Authority and Casia Wiliam really sparked their imagination, and they were all very proud to see their words and drawings brought together in a beautiful book. It’s something they’ll remember for a long time.”

Ioan Gwilym, Head of Communications at Eryri National Park Authority, added: “It’s important for us as an organisation that helps care for this place, to listen to what the next generation thinks and feels about Yr Wyddfa. The children’s poems capture the wonder, respect, and curiosity that so many feel when they visit the mountain, and how creativity can deepen our connection with the landscape and help us think about its future. These poems are not just reflections, they’re reminders that this mountain belongs to them too.”

Main image: Pupils with their book of poetry Yr Wyddfa: Retracing Footsteps – I Remember. Picture by Eryri National Park Authority.

Image 2: Pupils with Casia Wiliam at the Betws-y-Coed Exhibition. Picture by University of Chester.

Image 3: Yr Wyddfa: Retracing Footsteps: I Remember… Book cover. Image by Dr Alan Summers.