Colwyn Bay pupil meets Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones

Mar 11 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Colwyn Bay pupil meets Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones

A LITTLE girl was left shocked after Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones handpicked her poem at a special awards ceremony to be read out before the Assembly.

Ruth, who plays chain-smoking lorry driver Nessa in the BBC hit series, picked out a poem written by nine-year-old Jemma Lehane from Colwyn Bay.

The TV star read out Jemma’s poem at an awards ceremony at the Assembly Senedd in Cardiff. Jemma, who attends Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn in Upper Colwyn Bay was one of 18 finalists chosen from over 1,600 entries in the first ever national libraries arts competition Express Yourself.

Jemma was presented with an award by heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones, TV presenter Sara Edwards and the Gavin and Stacey actress.

But when attending the ceremony, Jemma with her brother Jonathan were left stunned when Ruth hand-picked the poem as her favourite and read it out to a packed out hall.

Jemma, who’s poem was about visiting the library, said she was chuffed to meet Ruth, as her mum is a fan of Gavin and Stacey.

“We could either write a poem, piece of art or a dance, and I chose to perform a poem,” said Jemma.

“I’m extremely proud, I didn’t know who Ruth Jones was, but my mum likes Gavin and Stacey. Ruth Jones chose the poem and read it out before the Assembly as it was her favourite.

“I was shocked at first to hear she had chosen my poem. But she was friendly and nice and my brother Jonathan asked for her autograph.”