Sustainable Wales Co-founder awarded Hay Medal for Poetry 2022

Sustainable Wales co-founder Robert Minhinnick has been awarded the 2022 Hay Festival Medal for Poetry.

Hay Festival have announced the recipients of their 2022 festival medals and award-winning poet and author Robert Minhinnick has been awarded this year’s Medal for Poetry. The Medal, designed by Christopher Hamilton, will be presented on stage at Robert's event with Gillian Clarke on the 4th June. 

Awarded annually since Britain’s Olympic year (2012), the Medals draw inspiration from the original Olympic medal given for poetry. Past recipients include Hilary Mantel, Lydia Cacho, Inua Ellams, Mererid Hopwood, Laura Marling, Margaret Atwood, Evelyn Schlag, Gillian Clarke, Ahdaf Soueif, Alan Bennett and John le Carre. 

Robert is one of four authors receiving medals at this year’s festival. The other recipients include Lyse Doucet, awarded the Medal for Journalism; David Harewood. awarded the Medal for Drama; and Jacqueline Wilson, awarded the Medal for Fiction. Find out more about the Medals on the Hay Festival website.

Robert Minhinnick

New Chair of Sustainable Wales appointed

Sarah Murphy is the newly appointed Chair of Sustainable Wales, having previously volunteered at our high street social enterprise SUSSED. A Social Justice Researcher and Political Advisor she has worked with Anna McMorrin MP in her role as a member of the Parliamentary Climate Change Committee and on the Packaging (Extended Producer Responsibility) Bill 2017-19. As the Bridgend Refill Champion and a member of Bridgend Local Energy Group, Sarah is passionate about empowering communities to live more sustainably in-line with cooperative values of sharing power, wealth and resources. Sustainable Wales has a long history of campaigning for sustainable development and climate justice so as the threat to our planet increases, Sarah is up for the challenge to fight for our Welsh charity to continue to create the world that we want to live in now, and for our future generations.

Photo: Sarah Murphy at the National Botanic Garden of Wales

‘Counterpoint’ talks announced - Twentieth Anniversary Celebrations

Sustainable Wales announces celebrations of its Twentieth Anniversary.

Click to enlarge image of poster

‘Counterpoint’ talks feature leading speakers, all experts in their fields.

Director, Margaret Minhinnick, says: “These events cover the charity’s concerns, which are environmental and cultural. They lead up to our AGM on November 16.”

The three talks take place at the GREEN ROOM, 5, James St. Porthcawl CF36 3BG. 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 8pm

Professor Allan Williams:

‘Marine litter’. This problem intensifies as plastics break down, even entering the human bloodstream. A timely talk from one of the world’s leading ‘beachologists’ 

GREEN ROOM, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 8pm

Professor Merryn Hutchings of London Metropolitan University:

“Are schools now exam factories? What are we doing to children’s education?

Merryn appears on the BBC and Channel 4 speaking of her increasing concern about the stress we are creating for our young.

GREEN ROOM, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 8pm

Kevin Sinnott discusses his art and the extraordinary gallery he has created in Pontycymer. There will be opportunities to purchase new prints.

SW Logo

SW Logo

These talks are part of the charity’s celebrations of its twentieth anniversary. These culminate at the STAGE DOOR, GRAND PAVILION, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 6.30pm – 10.00 pm (more information will be published about this celebration event/AGM on the blog and events sections).

Expect music and poetry and a performance by Porthcawl’s own ‘One Time Alive’, launching their third album, ‘Red Shift’.