A fire-breathing bird will be taking pride of place at the Smallest Folk Museum in Wales.
The mythical creature will go on display at the mini pop up museum that’s opening at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham next month.
It was drawn by talented Niamh Gillon, aged seven, a pupil from the nearby St Giles’ School.
As a result, Niamh has won a family ticket for the Odeon cinema at Eagles Meadow for herself.
On top of that, she won a pizza based maths lesson with a difference at the Frankie and Benny’s restaurant for her class.
They will enjoy mouth-watering pizzas, made up and cooked with ingredients of their choice while they learn about fractions, adding up, multiplication and division.
The mini museum will be opening at Eagles Meadow from Friday, August 17, to Sunday, August 19.
The exhibition will feature Niamh’s picture and a selection of others, from her class mates and other local schools that took part in the competition.
The list of mythical beasts include the Adar Llwch Gwin, giant birds like griffins given to the warrior Drudwas ap Tryffin by his fairy wife, the Afanc, a terrifying water creature – one of them is said to inhabit Bala Lake – and, of course, the mighty Draig Goch, the Welsh Dragon.
A delighted Niamh said: “We had lots of fun doing the drawings. I drew a flying bird – every time it goes in the sky, lightning comes down.
“I’m going to come and see it when it’s in the museum. I am very proud.”
Teacher Joanna Evans said: “The Year One and Year Two class took part and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Their creativity and the enthusiasm has been extraordinary.
“The children have been absolutely brimming with brilliant ideas and they’ve all come up with such wonderful pictures.
“Niamh’s picture was fantastic. She’s a very creative child, she’s very artistic, and we’re very proud of her.”
“It’s always wonderful when children represent St Giles’ School in such a wonderful way.”
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley went to St Giles’ School to tell them the good news.
He said: “We have received hundreds of fantastic pictures of mythical Welsh beasts from all the school that took part so judging the competition was astonishingly difficult.
“They were all winners in my eyes but Niamh’s picture was very special and the flying bird was just a little bit scary.
“Welsh folklore is so rich and full of wonderful characters and beasts – and they will be coming to life at our mini museum in August.
” As well as the exhibition, we are organising a host of interesting activities for the children. It’s going to be fascinating – and a lot of fun. I can’t wait.”
