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0:00:20 > 0:00:23- Welcome to the 04Wal archives - from 2001.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27- We're often reminded - that space should be utilized.
0:00:27 > 0:00:32- A building can be a home, - regardless of its original purpose.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36- We visit a shop - owned by the late Cecil Williams...
0:00:36 > 0:00:39- ..and a chapel, but first, - a former school in Manafon.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42- CHILDREN'S VOICES
0:00:54 > 0:00:59- Having lived in London for years, - Ann Chidgey moved back to Wales...
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- ..to teach in one school - and to live in another!
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- When I designed this house, - I didn't want to change much.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- I felt a responsibility - towards its history.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16- I liked it as it was...
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- ..so why change something - that works well?
0:01:23 > 0:01:25- We like it like this.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30- I had lots of ideas - about what I wanted...
0:01:30 > 0:01:35- ..but lacked the knowledge - to carry them out.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- I worked closely with a surveyor.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40- He gave me lots of ideas...
0:01:40 > 0:01:44- ..and helped me turn dreams - into a reality.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48- We came up with a design - that's suitable for the building.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56- First of all, we decided - not to have too many bedrooms.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- I wanted to have three bedrooms - but it was too complicated...
0:02:03 > 0:02:06- ..and it made the house - feel less spacious.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11- We decided to have two bedrooms - and things just fell into place.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- I wanted to have the gallery - on the other side...
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- ..but it made sense - to have it opposite the window.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- I don't like too much clutter.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- I like the freedom to move around...
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- ..without worrying - about tripping over something!
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- I like the spacious, open feel.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44- I find it easy to relax here.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47- It's very quiet now...
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- ..but I can sense how busy - and bustling it was years ago.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- I feel as though I'm the caretaker - of this building.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01- In which room - do you spend most time?
0:03:03 > 0:03:07- If we're sitting down and relaxing, - we're in here.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13- It's a large room, but it heats up - really well during the winter.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- We close the doors and the fire - gives off plenty of heat.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- During the day, I like to sit - at the kitchen table...
0:03:26 > 0:03:28- ..and gaze out of the window.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- BELL RINGS
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- We've visited converted cowsheds - and mills in the past...
0:03:53 > 0:03:57- ..but never a home - that was once a shop...
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- ..which is now a home - and a shop in one!
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- Cecil Williams was born in Essex.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- His parents moved there - from Dolgellau in 1926.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- He later decided - to move to the area.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- It's the first time - he has ever lived in Wales.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- He speaks Welsh fluently - and runs an antiquesshop.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38- You sit in your shop all day - and it becomes your lounge at night.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- I sit down and watch television. - I live in it.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48- When someone rings the bell, - I let them in and I just carry on.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- If they want to see something - or ask a question, I'm here.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59- Is business good? - Is this a good location?
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- Yes, I think business will be good - during the summer.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- I've sold a lot of items - since I moved here.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- I had the opening night last Friday.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- A wealthy local farmer - bought one of the cockerels.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- He already had 24 hens and he wanted - a cockerel to look after them!
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- China hens, I presume?
0:05:22 > 0:05:23- China hens, I presume?- - Yes.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- Are you glad - you moved to Dolgellau?
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- Yes. I was born in Essex - and lived there all my life.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- I was part of the rat race.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Everyone is friendly around here.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- I know a lot of people.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- What attracted you to this house?
0:06:07 > 0:06:12- It's in a lovely spot, - close to the town centre.
0:06:12 > 0:06:18- I came to view the property and - imagined what I could do with it.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- I had no intention - of opening an antiques shop.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- I just planned to live here.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- What have you done - to the house, in all?
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- I knocked down walls - and removed cement.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- I replastered it - and had the whole house rewired.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- I installed gas central heating.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- I even found this old inglenook.
0:06:46 > 0:06:47- This ceiling is new.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- This ceiling is new.- - Everything has been stripped.
0:06:50 > 0:06:55- There were beams across here, - but I plastered over them...
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- ..to conform to building - and fire regulations.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03- It's better, in one way. - It makes the room lighter.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- The trouble is, I'd like to keep - a lot of the things I've bought!
0:07:22 > 0:07:24- Why don't you keep them?
0:07:24 > 0:07:28- It's an antiques shop. - Everything has to be for sale!
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- I've collected top quality - china cockerels for years.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- Now, I have to sell them!
0:07:37 > 0:07:41- I don't have to sell them, - but everything is for sale.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- Is everything in your house - for sale?
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- I suppose not...
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- ..but it's difficult.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- I just feel - everything has to be for sale.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- I'd sell myself, - if I could get a decent price!
0:08:16 > 0:08:21- In Blue Anchor, near Penclawdd, - overlooking the Loughor estuary...
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- ..is Capel Isaac, - the home of Amanda Frobisher...
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- ..her children, Osian and Nia, - and her husband, Simon.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- There was a chapel here - until three years ago...
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- ..and this new house - has echoes of the old chapel.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- It was our choice. We didn't - have to make it look like a chapel.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- Everyone in the community - was fond of the chapel.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- It was part of everyone's history.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- Everyone had special memories of it.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57- We took that on board and - designed something quite similar.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- Did local people protest against it?
0:09:02 > 0:09:04- No, but it was a sensitive issue.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- People came every day - and asked questions.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- They were interested - in what we were doing.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17- They wanted to be sure - that we weren't creating a monster!
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- The only strict rule - was the height of the house.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26- This house is within an inch - of the height of the old chapel.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- It was important - to the local planner.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- These are oak floors.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- The floorboards upstairs - were rescued from the chapel.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- These boards are new.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- A local firm in Ammanford - made these floors.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- The doors are also made of oak.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59- I love that cupboard.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- It's an old bookcase - that was also in an old chapel.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- This is a very respectable house! - Everything came from a chapel!
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- It's great - you can fit - lots of stuff in there.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20- These doors are interesting. - The handles are made of wood.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21- Did you have those made locally?
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- Did you have those made locally?- - No, they were made in Oxford.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- Why did you choose wooden handles?
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- Why did you choose wooden handles?- - I just knew I wanted wooden floors.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- Simon and Osian - suffer from allergies...
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- ..so we didn't want carpets - on the floors.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- Wooden door furniture - was in keeping with the floors.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- The light, airy hall - is very reminiscent of a chapel.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12- I knew how the house would look, - but I had no concept of its size.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17- Simon took me and the children - to Llangennith...
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- ..and drew an outline - of the house's size on the beach.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- He traced its shape in the sand - with a piece of wood.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- We could then walk - from room to room...
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- ..and we knew exactly how big - every room would be.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- You have lots of maritime artefacts.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40- I can see some boats...
0:11:41 > 0:11:46- ..lots of seashells - and pictures on the walls.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- Are you interested in the sea?
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- Yes, we all love the sea.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- We live near the sea.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- Simon is related - to Sir Martin Frobisher...
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- ..the Elizabethan mariner.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- Simon works on the sea.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- Even when he's home, - he goes sea fishing.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- The road that leads to Penclawdd - is far higher than the house.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- Has that caused any problems?
0:12:18 > 0:12:23- We had to build - an extremely thick wall there.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- There's a lot of metalwork - in the wall.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34- We blew the budget on it. - It cost around 8,000!
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- It had to be strong enough...
0:12:36 > 0:12:40- ..to take the weight of the road - and the houses.
0:12:40 > 0:12:46- Another disadvantage is that people - can see into your bedroom!
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- Yes, we give them - a great performance every day!
0:12:51 > 0:12:52- .
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0:13:01 > 0:13:02- Welcome back to 2001.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- In the second half, - we look at artists' houses.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11- Artists' homes are often - an extension of their creativity.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- We visit Gwynedd later, - but first, to Brittany...
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- ..home of Gwilym Prichard - and Claudia Williams.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40- What attracted you to this house?
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- When we viewed it, - we came upstairs to this room.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47- It was just a garret.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- You could see the slates on the roof.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- We thought we could put - north-facing windows up there...
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- ..and turn it - into a wonderful studio.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- As in all things, - you must use your imagination.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- You must be able to envisage - what you can do with a room...
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- ..and with a whole house.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- How many hours a day - do you spend up here?
0:14:19 > 0:14:24- We're here all day, - from nine o'clock in the morning.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- We work from nine o'clock - until lunchtime.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34- We come back to the studio - after lunch until the evening.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- What's your favourite part - of the house?
0:14:40 > 0:14:41- The studio.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- Because you spend - so much time here?
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- Well, I love the smell of oil paint.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- I'm also completely happy - with my surroundings.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- Everything in here - means something to you.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- Did you plan to make this - your permanent home?
0:15:26 > 0:15:31- We've moved into every house - thinking we'd live there forever.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- We then make the house a home.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44- Once we move in, we work on a house - and make it just right for us.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- We adapt ourselves - to our surroundings.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- I see that you're not afraid - to paint pieces of furniture.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- People tend to show - their furniture too much respect.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- You want to customize - your furniture.
0:16:05 > 0:16:11- Yes, but we wouldn't paint - Chippendale furniture!
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- Claudia painted the table - we have downstairs.
0:16:18 > 0:16:24- It's only plywood, - but it looks like painted wood.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- She has a good eye for such things, - much more so than me!
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- Claudia is responsible - for the bold colours.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- She also arranged the furniture - and the interesting antiques.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01- You use this room - as your own personal gallery?
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- Yes.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- It's good to be able to see - your paintings on the wall.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- You can see which ones - hang well together.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19- Paintings often look alright - on the easel...
0:17:20 > 0:17:26- ..but when they're on the wall, - I realize that they look terrible!
0:17:28 > 0:17:31- I then take it down and do it again.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- What about this ping-pong table?
0:17:35 > 0:17:39- We used to play ping-pong, - when we had time on our hands!
0:17:41 > 0:17:45- Do you get a flash of inspiration - during a game?
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- "That picture needs a tree!"
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- Mihangel Arfor Jones moved home - to Wales from England...
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- ..to work as a serious - professional artist.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- Having said that, the decor - in his house is very humorous.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40- We relaid the roof and restored - the wall to its original state.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- We also kept the windows and doors.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47- It's old-fashioned.
0:18:48 > 0:18:53- You've added a few things - to the exterior, such as the birds.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- Yes, they're fun.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- Yes, they're fun.- - That knocker is great.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- Is that a typical example - of your work?
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- Is there humour in your work?
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- Is there humour in your work?- - No!
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- No, my work is devoid of humour!
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- That's why I like - these small touches.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45- Why the poem 'Mab y Mynydd'?
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- There was no door here, - so I put the door in.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- Making a door is no fun. - It was hard work!
0:19:52 > 0:19:57- I like the poem 'Mab y Mynydd', - so I carved it into the door.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- It's about a country boy - whose heart is in the mountain.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- That's how I felt - when I lived in London.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- You carved that - into the wood yourself?
0:20:09 > 0:20:11- Yes. With a Stanley knife.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- You can do that - with a Stanley knife?
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- You can build a house - with a Stanley knife!
0:20:32 > 0:20:37- This is the hall, the first thing - people see when they come in.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39- There's a lot of red here.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- Yes, this is a cold house - and red is a warm colour.
0:20:44 > 0:20:50- Since I painted it red, - every day is like a summer's day!
0:20:52 > 0:20:54- Just looking at it makes you sweat!
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- Just looking at it makes you sweat!- - I sweated when I painted the walls!
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- It works well.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- Have you made any changes - to this room?
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- Yes, quite a few.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- The fireplace was out here.
0:21:18 > 0:21:24- The walls were under layers - of wallpaper, hardboard and plaster.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- It was this thick!
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- The wood panels - had been covered too.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39- Various walls stuck out here - with a fireplace in each one!
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- Is the fireplace original, - or did you fit it?
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- The original fireplace collapsed.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52- I used some of the original stone - to rebuild the fireplace.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Do you use the room next door - as a gallery?
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- Do you hang your work on the walls - and look at it?
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- Yes, it's my life history.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- You can see my work, - but it represents my life history.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16- It makes me feel more secure.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21- Do you find it difficult - to sell your work?
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- Do you hate to be parted from it?
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- A piece is alive - when you work on it.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33- You can change it, - get rid of it or let it grow.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- It's like a child, in a way.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- Once I've finished a piece of work, - I put it on the wall.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- It's dead, in a way.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- You sell the body - but not the heart.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- In a way, the heart - is still in your head.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- Is that how you think of the house?
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- Is it a work in progress?
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- Is it a work in progress?- - Yes, very much so.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- I let it go for a while, - then I make some changes.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09- I feel colder as I get older, - so I'll paint more walls red!
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- Will you move house - when you feel it's complete?
0:23:18 > 0:23:20- No, I don't think - I'll move from here.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22- You'll be here forever?
0:23:22 > 0:23:24- You'll be here forever?- - Yes, I hope so.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones