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0:00:21 > 0:00:25- Join me to visit the Centre - for Alternative Technology...
0:00:26 > 0:00:29- ..Newtown, home of Robert Owen - and Pryce Jones...
0:00:29 > 0:00:33- ..Aberystwyth, - through Marian Delyth's lens...
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- ..and the very beautiful Aberaeron.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- Our journey begins - in a remote monastery.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51- Strata Florida, Pontrhydfendigaid...
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- ..is a two for the price of one - location.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- An important monastery...
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- ..and the grave - of one of Europe's greatest poets.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04- As T Gwynn Jones wrote...
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- .."Here, beneath the mournful yew - lies Dafydd, the great poet."
0:01:09 > 0:01:14- Tradition has it that Dafydd - was buried at Strata Florida.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16- He came from this area.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21- The memorial stone - bears the dates 1320 to 1380...
0:01:21 > 0:01:25- ..but nobody knows the dates - of his birth or death.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- He died quite young - after living a naughty life!
0:01:29 > 0:01:33- He'd done more mileage - than his age perhaps suggested!
0:01:33 > 0:01:39- Definitely. Morfudd and Dyddgu may - have chased him around this tree.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- Strata Florida - was a Cistercian abbey.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- What appeal did the Cistercian order - hold for the Welsh people?
0:02:03 > 0:02:08- The Cistercians were, originally - at least, dedicated to asceticism.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- They liked simple buildings - and simple ceremonies.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17- It reminded the Welsh of the values - of Celtic saints like St David.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22- Every Cistercian house - was answerable to the head abbot...
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- ..who dwelt in Citeaux, Burgundy...
0:02:25 > 0:02:30- ..and wasn't subject to the direct - influence of the kings of England.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35- Strata Florida may be Wales's most - important Cistercian monastery.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- This is the Romanesque archway - into the monastery chapel.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45- It's a unique interpretation - of Romanesque design.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50- Thin pillars rise from the ground - right to the top and round again.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- Those pillars are linked - by bands of stone...
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- ..with finials - resembling a bishop's crook...
0:02:57 > 0:03:02- ..or even a shepherd's crook, - which inspired the bishop's crook.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- That was apt for a monastery - that was so reliant...
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- ..on the flocks of sheep - kept on these mountains.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13- This magnificent arch - was built in around 1201...
0:03:14 > 0:03:19- ..and it's a near-perfect relic - of Wales in the early 13th century.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- This is the burial place - of ten of Lord Rhys's relatives...
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- ..according to Brut y Tywysogion.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- It appears these are their graves.
0:03:41 > 0:03:47- Why were they buried here, - not in St David's like Lord Rhys?
0:03:48 > 0:03:53- Lord Rhys died in 1197, - before this abbey was completed.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- The church was consecrated in 1201.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- That's a few years - after the death of Lord Rhys.
0:04:00 > 0:04:06- In the 12th century, St David's - was Deheubarth's spiritual heart.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- By the 13th century, - it seems Strata Florida...
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- ..had become the spiritual heart - of Deheubarth.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- Its influence - spread further than Deheubarth.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- Llywelyn, the Prince of Gwynedd, - came here in 1238...
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- ..to make sure Dafydd, his son, - was recognized as his sole heir.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31- This suggests Strata Florida - was the spiritual heart...
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- ..of the whole of Wales.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- Strata Florida takes on - greater significance...
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- ..when you realize - Brut y Tywysogion was written here.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- Yes, that's what we believe.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- People came to Strata Florida - from all parts of Wales...
0:04:48 > 0:04:53- ..and the writer could ask them - what was happening in their area...
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- ..and include it in the book.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- If it weren't for the authors - of the Brut...
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- ..we'd know little about Wales - from 1175 to 1282.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- You make Brut y Tywysogion - sound like a tabloid newspaper!
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- It would have made - the News Of The World seem tame!
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- "And in that year, Cadwgan - was robbed of his testicles."
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- That's is one of the best lines - in the Brut!
0:05:28 > 0:05:33- Llanerchaeron, a stone's throw - from Aberaeron, is charming.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- It's an old 17th century estate.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- It has been in the hands - of the National Trust since 1989.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57- This is the sight that greeted you - upon your arrival.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- There was a house here - some 150 years before this one.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- This was the front door - of that house...
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- ..which dated back - to the 17th century.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11- This part of the house was added - by John Nash in the 1790s.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14- The old house was also remodelled...
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- ..and this magnificent - cantilever staircase was built here.
0:06:19 > 0:06:25- The staircase is lit from above - by this wonderful roof lantern.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57- Ten generations of the Lewis family - lived here.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- This interesting family - was keen on self-sufficiency.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- The front of this house is all - about fashion, style and image...
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- ..but to keep up this image, - you needed servants.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- This is the servants' yard.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31- Here, you'll find a dairy, - a brewhouse, a larder, a pantry...
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- ..a kitchen and a scullery.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- All these rooms are included - in this charming square.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- This was the engine room - of the house.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- This is what maintained - that wonderful image.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- This is Alban Square, Aberaeron.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- People now visit Aberaeron - for many different reasons.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23- Aberaeron was, and still is, - a very attractive town.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- That stems from the uniformity - of the architecture...
0:08:28 > 0:08:30- ..and a simple street grid.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- The harbour was developed in 1807 - and then the town followed.
0:08:35 > 0:08:41- Planners rejected - less elegant Victorian designs...
0:08:41 > 0:08:46- ..and remained true - to the original Regency style.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- This is Masons Row, - which is among the oldest streets...
0:08:58 > 0:09:00- ..in the northern part of Aberaeron.
0:09:01 > 0:09:02- This was the template.
0:09:02 > 0:09:08- This is the architectural style - you see in the rest of the town.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- Aberaeron celebrated - its bicentenary in 2007.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24- We should toast its founder, - the Rev. Alban Thomas Jones Gwynne.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- That's two Ns and an E!
0:09:32 > 0:09:33- .
0:09:36 > 0:09:36- 888
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- 888- - 888
0:09:48 > 0:09:53- Is there a better vantage point - from which to see Aberystwyth...
0:09:53 > 0:09:55- ..than from the top of Consti?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- No, probably not.
0:09:57 > 0:10:04- For lazy people, like us, this is - the fastest way to reach the top.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- I came up here - to the camera obscura...
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- ..to see whether I could capture - the view of Aberystwyth...
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- ..through the eye - of the camera obscura.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- There's something magical - about this.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24- The first camera obscura - was created in Ancient Greece.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- Camera obscura - is Latin for darkened room.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36- Imagine how exciting it was - to create an image of the world...
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- ..without using a pencil or a pen.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49- In the book, Wales: 100 Places - To See Before You Die...
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- ..there's a combination - of traditional images...
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- ..and shots that are my reaction - to life in Aberystwyth.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02- The shot of the statue isn't - a simple, straightforward record.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07- It also records the second when - a plane almost touches the statue.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- This is one of my favourite - photographs in the whole book.
0:11:20 > 0:11:26- I feel it captures the vibrancy - of life in Aberystwyth.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- The town has always been - a melting pot of ideas and activity.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- Several important protests - were staged there.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- The first - Welsh Language Society protest...
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- ..was held on Trefechan Bridge.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- The Old College is on the prom.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- It's one of the most important - buildings in Aberystwyth.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- Nikolaus Pevsner, - the architectural historian...
0:12:02 > 0:12:08- ..couldn't believe his eyes - when he first saw this building.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- He apparently shouted out, - "Good God!"
0:12:14 > 0:12:20- There are beautiful architectural - elements to the university building.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- People like me, - who live in Aberystwyth...
0:12:23 > 0:12:29- ..rarely appreciate them - because they're above eye level.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- Newtown lies just over an hour - east of Aberystwyth.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- Newtown reverberates - with the names of three men.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58- WH Smith, in the town centre, - was built in 1927...
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- ..a time when WH Smith - was doing a roaring trade.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- In accordance - with the Arts & Crafts style...
0:13:05 > 0:13:10- ..it includes great carpentry, - plasterwork and roof lanterns.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- Over the years, - the shop was modernized...
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- ..then, in the 1970s, - it was restored.
0:13:18 > 0:13:24- The new fittings were stripped away - to reveal the original woodwork.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- It was all in excellent condition - and this shop was reborn...
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- ..and returned - to its original glory.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- A museum above the shop - traces the history of WH Smith.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48- WH Smith's link with typographer - Eric Gill is interesting.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57- It's a fascinating read.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- The photographs are nice!
0:14:09 > 0:14:14- This museum is dedicated to one of - Newtown's famous sons, Robert Owen.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- He's remembered in many places - across this town.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- Robert Owen campaigned - to improve the health, education...
0:14:28 > 0:14:30- ..and the rights - of the working class.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- He was a socialist and an atheist.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42- Robert Owen was a social reformer - and the caring face of capitalism.
0:14:42 > 0:14:48- He lived here for his first ten - years and for his final ten years.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- The Scots enjoy telling the world - about his work at New Lanark...
0:14:53 > 0:14:54- ..but he was Welsh.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- The third man who is - closely linked with Newtown...
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- ..made sure we knew his name.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09- Unfortunately, the Royal Welsh - Warehouse has seen better days.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- Pryce Jones invented - mail order shopping...
0:15:17 > 0:15:22- ..when he started his catalogue - business in the mid 19th century.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- He sent parcels - all over the world...
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- ..and his customers - included Queen Victoria.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36- The roots of both catalogue shopping - and Internet shopping are here.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- The Euklisia Rug is an example - of Pryce Jones's inventiveness.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- In essence, it was the predecessor - of the sleeping bag.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- There's an inflatable pillow - within this blanket.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- Thousands of these were sold - to the Prussian army...
0:16:05 > 0:16:07- ..during the Crimean War.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- It was truly revolutionary.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- This strange memorial - at St Mary's Church...
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- ..recalls another Pryce...
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- ..John Pryce of Newtown Hall.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- He was a very strange man.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39- He married three times.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- When his first wife died, - he had her embalmed...
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- ..and he slept next to her - in their bed.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51- His second wife shared that same bed - with his deceased first wife.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- When she died, - he also had her embalmed...
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- ..and Sir John now slept in a bed - with two corpses.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00- Thankfully, his third wife...
0:17:00 > 0:17:04- ..insisted on the removal - of her predecessors' corpses...
0:17:05 > 0:17:07- ..and they were laid to rest.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13- In 1847, a masterpiece - was moved from St Mary's Church...
0:17:14 > 0:17:15- ..to St David's Church.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- Within the church is what remains - of the rood screen...
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- ..salvaged from St Mary's Church.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41- It's a magnificent example - of the work of local woodcarvers.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47- Next, to the Centre for Alternative - Technology, near Machynlleth...
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- ..to join the people - some call the Dyfi loveys.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59- I came here in the early 1980s - and was a bit disappointed.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- A theatre and an information centre - have since been added.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09- Mankind now uses in a year - the same amount of energy...
0:18:09 > 0:18:14- ..used between the heyday - of the Greek civilization...
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- ..and the onset - of the Industrial Revolution.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- We use in a year - what man once used in 2,000 years.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- That sends out a message to us, - a message we should heed.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- They use 18th century - building methods here.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38- They use local stone - and build walls of mud and straw.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- They also use local slate.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- The message is we'll move forward - by going backwards.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- Wales should be proud - of this centre.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52- It was built on the site - of the old Llwyngwern slate quarry.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- It was purchased - by Morgan-Grenville in 1974...
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- ..a year after the Green Party - was established.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05- The green movement, arguably the - most important movement we have...
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- ..was embraced by the Welsh people.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- It's a very promising portent.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- We'll move forward - by going backwards, John?
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- We're certainly - about to go back in time...
0:19:24 > 0:19:25- ..in Corris.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45- This was an underground quarry.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- When these tunnels - were discovered...
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- ..they saw their potential - as a tourist attraction.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- That's how King Arthur's Labyrinth - was created.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01- King Arthur is down there, - poised to awaken from his slumber...
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- ..to lead the people of Wales - to victory.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- That's Excalibur, - King Arthur's sword.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13- Caledfwlch, in Welsh.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18- I never thought I'd have a chance - to correct your Welsh, John!
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- The Llynfi Valley must be better - than the Rhondda Valley!
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- I must admit, - this is a bit of a hoot!
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- It's fanciful, but it's the product - of a great imagination.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- They've been quite inventive.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- Seeing Excalibur sink into the lake - was a very striking sight.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- That was - a very enjoyable experience.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59- Tabernacle chapel...
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- ..is one of Machynlleth's - most interesting buildings.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- It is now the home - of the Museum of Modern Art Wales.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17- You can see that Machynlleth - is a hub of the ecological movement.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- There's an Aga shop here.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- The Aga is a splendid symbol - of clean country living.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- The crop of wholefood shops - are here to cater...
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- ..for the army of lovey Dyfis - who have made this area...
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- ..one of the green movement's - main centres.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42- Almost all of them - have learnt Welsh, by the way.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47- Our journey ends, very fittingly, - at Owain Glyndwr's Parliament House.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57- Is there any evidence that this was - Glyndwr's parliament house?
0:21:57 > 0:22:02- It seems certain that Owain - summoned a parliament here in 1404.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- He may also have been crowned - in Machynlleth.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13- The roof structure suggests - this is a 15th century building.
0:22:13 > 0:22:19- Tradition has linked this building - with Glyndwr's parliament...
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- ..and it was preserved - for that reason.
0:22:22 > 0:22:27- That's why Machynlleth has a rare - example of a 15th century townhouse.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- There's nowhere like it in Wales.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- This is set to house - a new interpretation centre.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- We can come to the exhibition here - to learn all about the revolt.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- We can come here to learn about - the key locations of the revolt...
0:22:46 > 0:22:51- ..and to learn how important - Machynlleth was to Owain Glyndwr.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- I look forward to it.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones