MORE THAN 120 Monmouthshire children took part in writing workshops with the Young People’s Laureate for Wales yesterday.

Around 60 children from Deri View Primary School and 60 from Cantref Primary School took part in several workshop sessions with Sophie McKeand.

The sessions, which were organised by the Abergavenny Writing Festival and funded by Abergavenny Round Table, enabled the Year Five and Six pupils to work with Ms McKeand, learn about the life of a poet and write poems about fireworks.

The timing and theme of the sessions were chosen to tie in with the annual Belgrave Park Fireworks display organised by the Abergavenny Round Table, which take place in Belgrave Park from 6pm on Saturday.

Abergavenny Writing Festival organiser Lucie Parkin said: “I was contacted by John Meredith, chairman around Aber Writing Fest in April this year. John had seen what we were planning and wanted to know how the Round Table could help and get involved.

“We came up with the idea of a stand-alone school project as a way of showing young people just how exciting and dynamic poetry can be.

“Sophie held a children’s poetry workshop, gave readings and hosted a poetry open-mic session at the first Abergavenny Writing Festival.

“I was so delighted when she agreed to return to share her talent and enthusiasm with school pupils.”

Ms McKeand said: "After being part of the inaugural Abergavenny Writing Festival earlier this year, and seeing what a huge success it was, I was delighted to be invited to take part take in their outreach programme in junior schools yesterday.

"I was impressed with both schools' enthusiasm for poetry and for getting involved with a workshop format. The children showed great imagination and really got stuck into our creative sessions. I had a wonderful time".

Ms Parkin said she hopes to deliver the sessions in more schools soon, but also make the sessions community wide.

She said: “It’s been really nice to be able to deliver something like this. In the future I’m hoping to get some more sessions set up and to run them in care homes or places like that.

“It would be great to bring something like this into the community and make it a regular thing.”

The Abergavenny Writing Festival was held for the first time this year in April 2016 at the Kings Head Hotel, and is set to take place at the same location next year.