0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:08 > 0:00:12- Growing old is a privilege, - not a right.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- This is the story of three ladies...
0:00:15 > 0:00:19- ..who were born before the start - of The First World War.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30- There we are, Lilian.
0:01:31 > 0:01:32- Thank you, my love.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34- I don't drink.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37- I don't smoke.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40- I don't wear glasses.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- I don't wear hearing aids either.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- But I do swear a bit - from time to time!
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- Medwen comes here - to do my hair every week.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- When I celebrated - my 100th birthday...
0:02:10 > 0:02:14- ..I received 1,500 - instead of birthday presents.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- I gave the money to the chapel.
0:02:20 > 0:02:21- Isn't that great?
0:02:21 > 0:02:22- Isn't that great?- - I should be safe!
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- I can face the world, - as long as my hair is right.
0:02:34 > 0:02:35- It's true, isn't it?
0:02:35 > 0:02:37- Yes. Absolutely.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- Are you happy here, Lilian?
0:02:42 > 0:02:44- Are you happy here, Lilian?- - Yes, I'm completely happy.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- I've never been miserable.
0:02:47 > 0:02:48- Never.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51- No, I'm completely happy.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- All done, Lilian.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- When I don't think about - the fact I'm 104, I'm OK.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- When I do think about being 104...
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- ..I think, "Oh! I must be careful."
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- You know?
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- I like to forget about being 104!
0:03:58 > 0:04:01- He's bringing you something to eat.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03- Something sweet.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15- Margaret is very kind.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17- She looks after me.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22- She's my sister's daughter.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- I have nobody else, you see.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30- Nobody else.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- Mam had one boy - and then she had six girls.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42- I was the middle daughter.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45- I'm the only one left.
0:04:48 > 0:04:49- Yes.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54- Yes, I'm the only one left.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- My youngest sister - died a fortnight ago.
0:05:00 > 0:05:01- In Bangor.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03- She lived in Penrhosgarnedd.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05- She was 100.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- Anyway.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- Yes.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- We're fond of clothes!
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- We always buy a jumper or something.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41- I bought this today.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52- That's just the way I am.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- Mam was very particular, you see.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- I take after Mam.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- I like to dress well.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10- This is nice.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18- I still buy clothes - as though I'm going to live forever!
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- I'm still buying clothes, - even though I'm 104!
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- Isn't that ridiculous?
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- Oh, well!
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- I was born in Dylife vicarage, - Montgomeryshire.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- Everyone there spoke Welsh - at that time.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- Nobody was worried.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- I've been back there many times...
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- ..but it's changed completely.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- Is being Welsh important to you?
0:07:33 > 0:07:38- Yes, it's important to me - because I feel it's part of me.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40- I can be nothing else.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- Mam and I share the potatoes.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- She has one and I have the rest!
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- What sort of son - has Rolant been to you?
0:08:07 > 0:08:08- He's terribly good.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- He was involved with football - and he was a writer.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- He gave all that up for me.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- He did it so he can look after me.
0:08:21 > 0:08:22- Oh, he's good to me.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- I wish I could let him know...
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- ..just how proud of him I am.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- He's so good to me.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46- You're great friends.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- Yes. He gave everything up for me.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55- Oh, dear.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- Mari, how does it feel - to reach your 100th birthday?
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- You're 101 now, of course.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17- I don't think about it.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- I've lived naturally.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- I've taken it all naturally.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- There's nothing remarkable about me.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- Mari, what's the secret - to living to such a ripe old age?
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- Is there a secret - to living for so long?
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- Don't drink - too much intoxicating liquor.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- I'm sure that helps.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03- Moderation.
0:10:06 > 0:10:07- Behave yourself.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11- Be a good girl!
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- Yes.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- Well, just keep going.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- Don't sit around doing nothing.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- Keep going.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- I mean, it doesn't do to sit.
0:10:57 > 0:10:57- .
0:11:01 > 0:11:01- Subtitles
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- This is the story of three ladies - who are centenarians.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18- One of whom - is the author, Mari Ellis.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- When you look back - down the years, Mari...
0:11:29 > 0:11:31- ..what made you proudest of all?
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- The fact - I still speak Welsh, I suppose.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40- But I don't think about it - like that.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42- I take it for granted.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- It's part of my life.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- My mother went to the county school.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- The county schools in those days - anglicized everyone.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- That was their job, almost.
0:11:59 > 0:12:05- She was educated to believe - that English was superior...
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- ..but she was naturally Welsh.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- She was always - between the two worlds.
0:12:20 > 0:12:21- The Welsh language...
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- ..was terribly downtrodden.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- It's wonderful for you - to see Rolant and Marged.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- Of course, Marged has raised - her children to speak Welsh.
0:12:37 > 0:12:38- Oh dear me, yes.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- I remember my husband saying - he would hang his head in shame...
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- ..if his children - didn't speak Welsh.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51- He'd be so ashamed.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- But he knew people from - the same generation as himself...
0:12:56 > 0:12:57- ..who were like that.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- During her entire century - - a brilliant bridge
0:13:05 > 0:13:10- A persistent person, who diligently - Brought to life ancient times
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- Through her immaculate research.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26- Do you remember your party, Mam?
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- Do you remember your party, Mam?- - Yes - perfectly.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30- Do you remember this card?
0:13:31 > 0:13:32- It's from the Queen.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- Yes - it's from the Queen.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- We didn't know it at the time, - but you can get Welsh ones.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44- I went to chapel every Sunday - when I was young.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- I was a goody-goody, - but I also swore!
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- Sometimes, if things weren't right!
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- Dad was an elder - at Llaneilian Baptist Chapel.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04- He was the chapel treasurer too.
0:14:06 > 0:14:07- I was christened there.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16- I was the first one of the six of us - to be was christened as a Baptist.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22- The minister who christened me - had the same name as me...
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- ..Lilian Mary Valentine!
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- Anna, Gwilym and Tomos - don't recognize these people.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- This was taken on January 1st, 1940.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- How did you meet Richie?
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- I knew Willie Bryn Y Neuadd, - Llanfairfechan...
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- ..and he was with - a man from the chapel.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- I was introduced to him.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03- I saw Richie in Woolworth later - and he asked me to go out with him.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10- I told him I had a date but I'd go - out with him the following Saturday.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- That's how it started!
0:15:17 > 0:15:19- The happiest time of my life.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22- Yes.
0:15:23 > 0:15:24- Oh, yes.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- We didn't always see eye-to-eye...
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- ..but I was always in the wrong, - not him.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- Richie went out to inspect - the septic tanks in the field...
0:15:44 > 0:15:46- ..with a plumber.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50- He said to the plumber...
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- .."You're going at it - too hard for me."
0:15:56 > 0:15:58- He died on the field.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- Massive heart attack.
0:16:05 > 0:16:06- Anyway.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- There's a photo of Richie there.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- He died when he was 60.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- It happened in 1962.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- I was 52.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- It happened 52 years ago.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- Isn't that strange?
0:16:54 > 0:16:58- I was 52 - and it's 52 years since he died.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03- So...
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- I go to Y Felinheli - to stay with Margaret.
0:17:15 > 0:17:16- We have fun.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18- A lot of people call by.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22- She has a lot of friends.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29- She puts a record on the television.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- We dance and have fun.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- We have a drink too.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44- I have a sherry.
0:17:49 > 0:17:50- I don't like anything else.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- Everyone dances and has fun...
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- ..until the early hours - of the morning sometimes.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- It went on - until three o'clock last week.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- Three o'clock in the morning!
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- That's when her friends left.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- Oh!
0:18:23 > 0:18:27- I've had a good life...
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- ..to tell you the truth.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- When you lie in bed at night, - do you dwell on things?
0:18:50 > 0:18:51- No. I go to sleep.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- I don't think about things.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- Nothing troubles me.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59- Nothing.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04- I'm grateful every single day - that I'm in such good health.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08- I can see.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- I can hear.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- That's a lot, isn't it?
0:19:14 > 0:19:16- I enjoy my life.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17- I do.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- Do you like getting old, - Aunty Maria?
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- No, I don't like it.
0:19:23 > 0:19:24- No.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29- When I'm lying in bed...
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- ..I plan what I'm going to do.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37- Oh, I'm going to do wonders!
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- But when the time comes, - I can't do it.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- You know?
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- Has the time flown by, Mari?
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- Has time flown by?
0:20:00 > 0:20:01- Yes.
0:20:03 > 0:20:04- Yes, it has flown...
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- ..and yet, I would like to have - some of that time back.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- Are you worried about going?
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- Are you frightened - of leaving this world?
0:20:32 > 0:20:35- No, I'm not - the least bit frightened.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- Two or three times - during the past week...
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- ..I have been wondering - if this is the first stage of death.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- There was something wrong. - I can't remember what it was.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- I felt I was probably dying.
0:20:56 > 0:20:57- That's what I thought.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- I didn't want to mention it.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- It's morbid to talk about it.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12- There we are.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- When it comes, it will come.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- I don't think about it, - to be honest.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- I don't think like that.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26- No.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- No. I don't think about death.
0:21:31 > 0:21:32- Very strange.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35- No.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- We shouldn't think about death.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45- No.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- I don't think about death.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55- No, I don't.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- I say my prayer every morning - and every night.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- I have an unshakeable faith in God.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- He watches over me.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- I'm absolutely certain of that.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13- Absolutely certain.
0:22:14 > 0:22:15- Yes, I am.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32- Dear Jesus, hear my prayer.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- In you, there is mercy.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- To whom should we turn - to share our woes?
0:22:39 > 0:22:41- You died to save us.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46- Remember everyone who's unwell - and those in mourning.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- "Comfort my people," says our God. - "Comfort them!"
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- Thank You very much. - Thank You very much.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones
0:23:22 > 0:23:22- .