PUPILS from Stanwell School were crowned runners-up in a Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) competition at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells earlier this week.

In a special ceremony hosted by Wales’ leading environmental charity, Keep Wales Tidy (KWT) and Natural Resources Wales on Tuesday, July 22, the national and international winners of the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) competition showcased their work at the world famous agricultural show.

Huw Edwards, BAFTA award winning journalist and member of YRE judging panel for 2014, said:

“Young Reporters for the Environment is a great opportunity for young people in Wales to sample the world of journalism while exploring the issues that impact on Wales’ environment.”

Young Reporters for the Environment is an international programme and competition, promoted by the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE) and operating in 27 countries throughout the world. In Wales, the programme is managed by Keep Wales Tidy and funded by Natural Resources Wales.

YRE provides young people from the age of 11 years old, secondary school pupils, college students, youth organisations and individuals up to the age of 21 years-old with a vision of the professional world of journalism, while giving them the opportunity to explore and report on environmental issues that affect Wales.

Emyr Roberts, Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales, said:

“This programme gives our young people an opportunity to explore environmental issues and to report on what they experience.

"We are working hard to make sure that our natural resources are sustainably used, maintained and enhanced in a way that is good for people, environment and the economy, and clear, well-argued, original reporting on the environment is needed now more than ever.

“Wales’s Young Reporters for the Environment are making a valuable contribution – and gaining national and international recognition in the process.”

This year, Welsh winners have scooped prizes at the international stage of the competition. Students from Cowbridge Comprehensive School have won first prize internationally in the 11–14 age category for their video entry, beating competition from entrants worldwide! The video, a winner in the Welsh competition, is a report on their school litter pick, with expert support from Keep Wales Tidy.

Nia Evans, a Year 7 pupil and member of Cowbridge Comprehensive’s Eco-Committee, said: “We did some research for our YRE video project and found that litter in waterways close to our school can damage and kill wildlife. Now that the area is cleaner, we hope that people will think twice before dropping litter and will help preserve our beautiful habitat.”

Another runner-up in the international competition is Stanwell School in Penarth for their alternative and well-balanced report on mobile phones and their environmental impact.

Alisa Maxwell and Megan Wookey co-wrote ‘Mobile Phones- The Hidden Cost’.

Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, Lesley Jones, said:

“Young Reporters for the Environment celebrates talented young people who express a passion for protecting our planet. At Keep Wales Tidy we are delighted that the Welsh winners have received international acclaim. The winning pieces are an inspiration for us all as we work together to achieve a sustainable future.”