0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:04 > 0:00:08- # Join us for a trip back in time, - join us on our journey
0:00:09 > 0:00:10- # Where famous Welsh people - once lived
0:00:11 > 0:00:12- # Renowned and revered
0:00:17 > 0:00:19- # Jemima Nicholas
0:00:20 > 0:00:22- # Gwenynen Gwent
0:00:23 > 0:00:25- # Melangell
0:00:26 > 0:00:28- # Hedd Wyn
0:00:29 > 0:00:30- # Gelert
0:00:32 > 0:00:34- # Rhys and Meinir
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- # Y Ferch o'r Sger #
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- Hello and welcome - to Enwog o Fri, Ardal Ni.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- Welcome to our school, - Ysgol Gynradd Bro Hedd Wyn...
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- ..in Trawsfynydd, Merionethshire.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- Our school is named after Hedd Wyn, - a renowned poet.
0:00:59 > 0:01:06- He came from Trawsfynydd and a - statue of him stands in the village.
0:01:06 > 0:01:11- Hedd Wyn was his bardic name. His - real name was Ellis Humphrey Evans.
0:01:14 > 0:01:21- Hedd Wyn was born in 1887 in this - house, in Pen Lan, Trawsfynydd.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23- This was his grandmother's house.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- When Ellis was only a few days old, - he moved to the family home...
0:01:32 > 0:01:33- ..Yr Ysgwrn.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- It's a hill farm not far from - the village in the Prysor valley.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- Why do we still remember - Ellis Humphrey Evans...
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- ..or Hedd Wyn as he was known?
0:01:44 > 0:01:49- Come and hear about Hedd Wyn, - renowned and revered from this area.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- Ellis Humphrey Evans - was the eldest of 11 children.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56- Two of the children - died at a young age...
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- ..which was a common occurrence - at this time.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03- Here they are, - waiting to have their photo taken.
0:02:03 > 0:02:04- A grand occasion.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- I'm the head of the household - - Ifan Evans, the father.
0:02:08 > 0:02:13- Stay still - and look straight at the camera.
0:02:13 > 0:02:14- Ready?
0:02:18 > 0:02:23- From an early age, Ellis enjoyed - spending time on the farmland...
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- ..with his sheepdog.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- He wasn't fond of the hard work - on the farm.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35- Yet, he liked spending time - on the hills.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- Like many farm sons of the time...
0:02:38 > 0:02:41- ..Ellis had little education.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46- He would miss school regularly - to help his father on the farm.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51- Despite having limited education - at school...
0:02:51 > 0:02:56- ..as a young boy, his father - taught him how to write poetry.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- Since Ellis - was the eldest in the family...
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- ..he would stay up later - than his siblings.
0:03:04 > 0:03:11- There, by the fire, they would - write poems and discuss poetry.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14- Night after night, for many hours.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21- Are you still writing poetry? - Go to bed. It's late.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- Goodnight.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28- Goodnight, Mam.
0:03:28 > 0:03:29- Goodnight, Mam.- - I'll be up soon.
0:03:31 > 0:03:37- With the tick-tock sound of the old - clock keeping them both company...
0:03:37 > 0:03:43- ..hours would pass every night - before they turned in for the night.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46- What do you think of this poem?
0:03:47 > 0:03:49- Let me hear it.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- It's about a peat stack.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- "From all directions people carried
0:03:55 > 0:03:57- "To build once more concisely
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- "Happily it was constructed
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- "A wall of peat, so be it."
0:04:04 > 0:04:06- Do you like it?
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- Well done. - Send it in to the eisteddfod.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- They'll give you - a fair adjudication.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- From then on, at the age of 12...
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- ..poetry and competing - in local eisteddfodau...
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- ..became part of his life.
0:04:30 > 0:04:36- Ellis would write poetry - about nature and his locality.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- "Only the purple moon, - at the edge of the bare mountain
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- "And the sound of the old river - Prysor singing in the valley."
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- Despite writing - some excellent poetry...
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- ..he was never happy with his work.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- He was always looking to improve.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- Take a look at this 'englyn'.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- Well indeed, Ellis, - you have a special talent.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- There's passion in your poetry.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- Submit a poem for the - Bala Eisteddfod chair competition.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23- I don't know. - I'm not as educated as you are.
0:05:23 > 0:05:29- Nonsense. I might have gone to - university, but you have a talent.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- It's in here.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36- If you persevere, you'll win - the National Eisteddfod chair.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38- You'll see.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- You'll see.- - That's my dream, one day.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- When Ellis wasn't writing poetry - and shepherding the sheep...
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- ..he would spend time - with his true love, Jini.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- They would have fun together.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- You can be so foolish, Ellis Evans!
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- I'm a fool, - hopelessly in love with you, Jini.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- I've written you a poem.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04- Listen to this.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10- "Pretty are thou - with fairest of skin
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- "Second to none, I am your fan
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- "Tender, fine and cherished
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- "Very sweet thou art.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- "Sian."
0:06:20 > 0:06:22- Who's Sian? I'm Jini.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26- Sian rhymed! You're my Sian.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28- If you say so.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- Come with me - to the Bala Eisteddfod next week.
0:06:32 > 0:06:33- A special occasion?
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- A special occasion?- - Maybe, Jini. We'll see.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- The following week, - the Bala Eisteddfod was held.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- The hall was full - with everyone waiting eagerly...
0:06:48 > 0:06:53- ..to see the winner of the chair - for the best poem
0:06:53 > 0:06:58- It's my pleasure to announce that - one poem stands out from the rest.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03- In my opinion, - this poet has a bright future.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07- The poet's nom-de-plume - is Bugail Prysor.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- At the sound of the fanfare...
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- ..can Bugail Prysor, - and only Bugail Prysor...
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- ..stand up.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- Sit down. - I want to see who's won the chair.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- Me. I've won the chair.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37- Everyone was so happy. Everyone - who knew Ellis was so happy for him.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- Oh, Ellis. I'm so proud of you.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00- The name of the winning poet - is Ellis Humphrey Evans...
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- ..eldest son of Yr Ysgwrn, - Trawsfynydd.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- Yes, Ellis won his first chair - in the Bala Eisteddfod.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- Soon after, - he became known by all as Hedd Wyn.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- Hedd Wyn became a local star...
0:08:27 > 0:08:32- ..but his dream was to win the chair - in the National Eisteddfod.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- Winning the main competition.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- Next year's National Eisteddfod - in Birkenhead is the target.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44- That's my dream.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Then everything changed.
0:08:52 > 0:08:53- The Great War had begun.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56- World War One.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05- Hedd Wyn didn't believe - in fighting and killing.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10- Many young men from Trawsfynydd - had already joined the army.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- Soon, Hedd Wyn had to choose.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- In 1917, he joined the Army.
0:09:16 > 0:09:24- Look. Finally, the great poet - has decided to join the Army.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30- I had no choice. I hate fighting, - I hate being a solider.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- I'm a pacifist.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- That's your name. Hedd Wyn!
0:09:40 > 0:09:45- Before setting off for the war, - Hedd Wyn visited Jini.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- I'll write to you - at every opportunity.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57- Have you written a poem for - the Birkenhead National Eisteddfod?
0:09:57 > 0:09:59- You can win this time.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04- I've written most of it - but the war is on my mind.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- It would be such a pity - if you failed to finish it.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- You've worked so hard. - That's your dream.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- I'll try for you, Jini. - I'm not sure if I can finish it.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- I'm sure you will. - I'm sure you will.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- It was the summer of 1917.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- Be brave, my son.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- Be safe, Ellis.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- Love you forever, Jini.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- He went to fight in Belgium.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- There were fierce battles.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- Many soldiers were killed.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- One of them was Hedd Wyn.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- He died a few weeks - after setting off...
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- ..on the final day of July.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18- So far from his home in Trawsfynydd.
0:11:18 > 0:11:25- "The two eyes that remain closed."
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- A month after his death...
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- ..the Birkenhead - National Eisteddfod was held.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- Who had won the chair?
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- I have some sad news.
0:11:37 > 0:11:43- Ellis Humphrey Evans, Hedd Wyn - from Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd has won.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48- He was a young, talented poet - who was killed in the Great War....
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- ..a few weeks ago.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- Even though he is not here, his - poems will stay with us forever.
0:12:00 > 0:12:06- This empty chair - was called the Black Chair.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- In Yr Ysgwrn's kitchen, - nothing has changed...
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- ..since Hedd Wyn - wrote poetry on this table.
0:12:15 > 0:12:21- Everything has remained the same - and the old clock is still ticking.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- Yes, Hedd Wyn's dream came true.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- He won the chair - at the National Eisteddfod.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- Even though he was not there, - his poems live on
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- Hedd Wyn, renowned and revered, - from our area.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- # We are children - from Hedd Wyn's locality
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- # Remembering his life
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- # The talented poet and shepherd
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- # We'll treasure your poetry
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- # We named our school after you
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- # Your statue stands on our street
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- # Your heart is in Yr Ysgwrn
0:13:05 > 0:13:10- # You will remain - a son of Trawsfynydd
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- # You are renowned and revered
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- # And we will remember
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- # The talented poet and shepherd
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- # Hero of our land
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- # We named our school after you
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- # Your statue stands on our street
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- # Your heart is in Yr Ysgwrn
0:13:34 > 0:13:40- # You will remain - a son of Trawsfynydd
0:13:41 > 0:13:46- # You will remain - a son of Trawsfynydd
0:13:47 > 0:13:52- # Hedd Wyn, Hedd Wyn #
0:13:58 > 0:13:58- .