Emyr Jones Cefn Gwlad

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-Here I am,

-on the outskirts of Cydweli.

-This place is called Llys y Gorlan.

-It's the home of Emyr Jones

-and his wife, Non.

-Emyr may not be a farmer...

-..but he buys

-all kinds of lambs and sheep.

-Every week, he travels the country.

-On Sunday mornings, in the company

-of saints, as they say...

-..this is the place to be.

-If you should ever want to find

-this place when you visit Cydweli...

-..look out for these sheep

-on pedestals!

-Emyr has been buying sheep

-since he was a young lad.

-He'd go to school in the morning...

-..but he spent his afternoon

-at the mart.

-Let's go and find him.

-January 2017

-It's busy here this morning.

-It's busy here this morning.

-

-Yes, it is.

-You're here at home on Sundays.

-You're here at home on Sundays.

-

-Yes, on Sundays.

-The aim is to buy lambs

-to take to the abattoir on Monday.

-This shed is ideal.

-There are slats on the floor

-and it's an airy building.

-How recently was it built?

-The first shed

-was built 12 years ago.

-The new shed was built last year.

-You need the facilities in place.

-You need the facilities in place.

-

-Yes, at the moment.

-We're under cover, the floor

-is slatted and there are fans.

-They keep the sheep dry.

-Are they weighed as they come in?

-Yes, they're weighed.

-They're sorted according to weight.

-And then they're sent

-to various areas?

-Yes - the smallest lambs, weighing

-10 to 15 kilos, go to Birmingham.

-The best lambs are sent

-to Craven Arms - they're for export.

-The little book in your pocket

-serves as your Bible!

-It would be the end of the world

-if I lost it!

-We have sheep from Pembrokeshire,

-Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

-That's right.

-You visit marts during the week.

-Llanybydder and Llandeilo on Monday,

-Crymych and Neath on Wednesday...

-..Carmarthen on Thursday...

-..and Tregaron on Friday.

-How many sheep

-can this shed accommodate?

-The two sheds

-can accommodate 6,000 sheep.

-They'll all be gone by tonight.

-They'll all be gone by tonight.

-

-Most of them, yes.

-There are store lambs

-in the other shed.

-They're sold after fattening,

-which will take three or four weeks.

-There are lorries outside,

-waiting to be filled.

-I won't keep you any longer.

-You're looking very happy.

-Where are you from?

-I seem to recognise your face.

-Llangennech.

-That's not too far.

-No.

-It's a convenient place

-to bring your lambs.

-I'm very grateful

-to Emyr and to Mrs Jones...

-..for all this.

-It's a good place

-for selling lambs.

-It represents another opportunity,

-like marts and abattoirs.

-It's very accessible, too.

-Yes.

-The staff are always happy.

-There's a smile on your face, too!

-But you've missed chapel

-this morning!

-My daughter-in-law and the children

-have gone to chapel!

-It's a good place

-to meet interesting people.

-Wyn Bwlch y Rhiw,

-I haven't seen you for months.

-How are you?

-Very well, thanks.

-I'm very fortunate.

-We're about the same age.

-That's right, we're quite close.

-We were good friends when we were

-in the Young Farmers' Club...

-..a long time ago.

-I learned a lot from Wyn,

-of an evening!

-Are you still in the same area?

-Yes, I am.

-I've kept Bwlch y Rhiw,

-though I live in Llansawel, now...

-..as I did when I got married.

-We still farm.

-We have about 1,500 sheep, all told.

-You bring your lambs here.

-You bring your lambs here.

-

-I bring everything here.

-It's an ideal place for sheep

-farmers living in remote areas.

-Yes.

-It caters for all kinds of animals.

-You can sell rams, sheep and lambs.

-Everything is honest and straight.

-You're given a price, and that's it.

-We're lucky to have it.

-There's plenty of room

-for unloading.

-Yes, it has all the facilities.

-And Emyr is a man

-who works very hard.

-Lyn Jones, Emyr's father,

-buys cattle at the markets.

-People have a lot of respect

-for him.

-Lyn Jones, how are you?

-The man himself!

-It's Sunday morning.

-You're a regular at the marts,

-like your son.

-Not so much, these days.

-But I like coming here on a Sunday.

-But I like coming here on a Sunday.

-

-Of course.

-I like to talk to people.

-Someone may have a cow to sell

-or a few stores.

-Of course,

-Emyr travels around a lot.

-All credit where it's due -

-he's serious about his job.

-The facilities here

-are good for handling sheep.

-When he first told me

-he was building a shed...

-..I said, "Why on earth

-are you building a shed?

-"Buy land, it's more useful."

-But he was right.

-But he was right.

-

-Yes, of course he was.

-He became interested in marts

-at a very young age.

-He'd go to school

-on Monday morning...

-..then he'd tell the teacher

-that he was feeling ill...

-..and he'd spend the afternoon

-at the mart in Llandeilo!

-Meeting you this morning

-has been a lovely surprise.

-It's a Sunday morning.

-As they say, "The better the day,

-the better the deed!"

-Emyr's lucky to have

-his parents-in-law to help him.

-His father-in-law

-can turn his hand to anything.

-If something breaks down,

-he can repair it.

-Emyr is as clueless as I am

-about repairing things!

-How do you operate, Emyr?

-You buy lambs, and you visit

-two or three marts every day.

-Do you sort lambs into groups?

-I bring store lambs home.

-Fat lambs are sent away immediately.

-I sort them into different sizes.

-I bring the others home.

-Store lambs are dosed and sorted.

-I shear them about two weeks later.

-I shear them about two weeks later.

-

-You employ full-time workers.

-I employ three men - Chris

-has been with me since the start.

-I employ two others,

-working mornings and evenings.

-I'm lucky to have good workers.

-I like this floor very much.

-It's good, isn't it?

-It suits my system.

-You'd need a lot of straw

-for such a huge number of lambs.

-People are saying

-straw is becoming scarce.

-There's an Aeromixer system

-in operation...

-..that mixes the slurry

-every night...

-..and I can pump it out

-whenever that's necessary.

-Emyr's business and his home

-occupy the same site.

-Non, his wife, plays a vital role

-in the business.

-She keeps everything in order -

-including Emyr's little book.

-Non, how are you?

-You're busy in the office.

-Yes - I keep licences in order.

-When farmers come here

-on a Sunday...

-..I record their details on paper.

-There are lorries to manage too -

-there's a lot of work involved.

-Yes.

-Drivers have to carry out

-daily routines with their lorries...

-..and I file the details

-for every lorry.

-Then there are six-weekly routines

-for every lorry.

-Every Sunday morning, I help

-with filling in the licences...

-..and taking care of invoices

-and writing cheques.

-Emyr makes everything look

-so simple, with his little book!

-You'd think he'd need

-a lot more than that!

-After he visits a mart...

-..the first thing I do

-is ask him for any paperwork.

-It's either in his van

-or in his pocket.

-I suppose you check his pockets

-before washing his clothes!

-You also have your own job.

-You also have your own job.

-

-Yes, I'm a hairdresser.

-A mobile hairdresser.

-Do you enjoy it?

-Do you enjoy it?

-

-Yes.

-I've been a hairdresser since I left

-school, when I was 16 years old.

-My customers feel like family to me.

-Have you always lived in this area?

-Have you always lived in this area?

-

-I come from Llanarthne.

-A good place!

-Emyr didn't have to go far

-to do his courting!

-He didn't have much spare time!

-I'll let you carry on.

-You can see

-the whole yard from here.

-Yes, you can sit in here

-and look out at the sheep.

-.

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-It's a wet morning,

-and I'm at the mart in Llanybydder.

-People from all over the world

-visit the mart in Llanybydder.

-Its famous horse sales are held on

-the last Thursday of every month.

-Every Monday,

-there's a big sheep sale.

-There are pregnant sheep, barren

-sheep, store lambs and fat lambs.

-The place is packed today.

-We're following Emyr, of course.

-This is one of the markets

-that Emyr visits every week...

-..in order to buy sheep.

-I think we can expect some banter!

-We'll also hear that delightful

-sound - the sound of an auctioneer.

-AN AUCTIONEER SPEAKS RAPIDLY

-Markets are vital for farmers.

-They form

-their own unique communities.

-People discuss business

-and put the world in its place.

-AN AUCTIONEER SPEAKS RAPIDLY

-These sheep are exceptional.

-Are they yours?

-And they're all in lamb?

-Where are you from?

-I come from Bwlchmawr, Llanybydder.

-We came through Bwlchmawr

-earlier today.

-Who's the lady?

-Who's the lady?

-

-This is my granddaughter.

-Are you interested in sheep?

-What's your name?

-What's your name?

-

-Sioned.

-Are you selling surplus sheep?

-You aren't retiring, are you?

-I've retired already, or rather,

-I've reached pension age.

-Now, it's time to bring the boat in.

-Are you handing on the business

-to someone?

-I have a son - he's a contractor.

-Do you like sheep?

-Yes.

-It's nice to see young people

-taking an interest.

-They keep you on your toes.

-I don't have any grandsons,

-but I have three granddaughters.

-That's nice.

-It's all up to the bidders, now.

-Yes.

-Trade has been quite good

-over the past few weeks.

-These sheep should do well.

-There's still room for them at home.

-There's still room for them at home.

-

-That's good!

-You're fine

-so long as you have a home!

-Emyr relies a lot on markets.

-Auctioneers and farmers

-appreciate his contribution.

-He's an important link

-in the rural business chain...

-..and he's widely regarded

-as a good Samaritan.

-Will you be taking these sheep

-to the abattoir?

-They'll be sent to Birmingham

-this evening.

-The night shift begins at 10.00pm.

-The lorry should be there by 9.30pm.

-You also bought fat lambs

-and store lambs.

-I'll take the store lambs home.

-They'll be taken to Craven Arms

-tomorrow morning.

-I'm going to Llandeilo next -

-the sale starts at 2.15pm.

-It'll take me 30 minutes

-to get there.

-It's tiring work, every day.

-It's tiring work, every day.

-

-Yes, it is.

-There's also paperwork to do.

-There's also paperwork to do.

-

-I admire you.

-I'll come with you to Llandeilo -

-you may find a bargain!

-This morning we were in Llanybydder,

-in the rain.

-Now, we're in the mart

-in Ffairfach, Llandeilo.

-Emyr is buying more sheep.

-One of his lorries

-is on its way to England.

-Another should be here soon

-to pick up a load.

-It's not very busy,

-but there's a relaxed atmosphere.

-At this time of year,

-there are fewer sheep for sale.

-It's early January.

-The sun shines on Llandeilo,

-unlike Llanybydder.

-Seventy-seven bid.

-Seventy-seven pounds.

-At seventy-seven pounds - Emyr.

-John Eirian, it was

-quite a good sale this afternoon.

-Trade was good.

-Trade was good.

-

-Yes, it was quite good.

-We've had quite a good winter,

-I'd say.

-Farmers have had time to fatten

-their lambs over Christmas.

-There are lots of people here today.

-Emyr is a good customer

-at local markets.

-Emyr and I are the same age, we were

-in the same Young Farmers' Club.

-The first time I met him, his mother

-had picked him up from school.

-He was buying against the big boys -

-Elgan Jones and Ross Beynon.

-That would have been

-in about '83 or '84.

-He favoured the mart

-rather than school.

-Please don't ask why I was here too,

-rather than in school!

-This is where we did our learning!

-I do other kinds of business

-with him too.

-He rents land from me, and he has

-lambs on tack at our farms.

-Every deal is completely straight

-and completely genuine.

-That's how he conducts his business,

-from top to bottom.

-He deals in a huge amount of stock.

-The fact that he buys so much

-is good for the area.

-Sold, seventy-six pounds - Emyr.

-Ifor Davies, you're a familiar face

-at markets in this area.

-It's good to see you looking

-so well and working as a clerk.

-Is it something you do often?

-I've been doing it for years.

-I enjoy it - it's a day out.

-You meet farmers,

-and it helps pass the time.

-John Eirian is working hard.

-You have to move quickly

-to keep up with him.

-Marts and farmers are very fortunate

-to have people like Emyr around.

-Yes, very fortunate.

-Emyr is a very fair man.

-He never tries to cheat anyone.

-He's always been an honest man

-and he pays a fair price.

-Buying is his main business...

-..but he also finds time

-to fatten his own stock...

-..which he keeps near Carew Castle

-in Pembrokeshire.

-It's early September.

-The sheep will stay here until...

-This is the first lot to fatten.

-They'll stay until late February.

-There are 80 acres of grassland.

-Of course, when dealing

-with such large numbers...

-..you must have

-appropriate facilities.

-That's right - otherwise

-you risk causing stress...

-..both for us and for the lambs.

-Good facilities make things easier.

-Good facilities make things easier.

-

-How often do you check on them?

-They've been here since September.

-The boys come every six weeks

-to dose them...

-..and check their feet

-and make sure everything's alright.

-There's a lot of work involved.

-After buying sheep at the mart,

-you have to transport them...

-..and look after them

-before you send them away.

-There's always something to do.

-I'll let you get on with your work.

-We're taking some of them to fresh

-pasture and the others need dosing.

-I'll just watch!

-WHISTLING

-That didn't take long!

-No, it went quite well.

-Proper equipment

-makes things easier.

-There's a lorry coming

-to pick up the fat lambs.

-Yes.

-These are off to fresh pasture.

-Yes, dosed and given fresh pasture.

-You have more lambs elsewhere.

-You have more lambs elsewhere.

-

-Yes, in Lawrenny.

-They're mule lambs,

-brought from the north.

-I'll take you to see them.

-I'll take you to see them.

-

-Shall we go?

-It's been an eye-opening experience.

-I've never been to this area before.

-What a huge field, Emyr!

-It covers over 50 acres.

-Really?

-You brought these lambs

-from northern England, did you?

-I brought them from Longtown.

-Is it difficult

-to find enough store lambs?

-I used to visit Longtown regularly,

-but not so much this year.

-I like these mules -

-they're healthy and they grow well.

-You'll be moving them

-to fresh land...

-..in about a month's time.

-Yes, or three weeks.

-Most will have fattened by then,

-and trade should improve.

-Of course, there are costs.

-You have to transport them

-and manage them.

-You're lucky to have

-ideal facilities at home...

-..for sorting lambs

-according to size.

-They suit me.

-You never regretted leaving school

-and neglecting your homework?

-No, and I doubt I'll ever change!

-No, and I doubt I'll ever change!

-

-Well said!

-S4C subtitles by Trosol Cyf.

-.