Y Bois ar Enlli Only Men Aloud

-*

-We are Only Men Aloud.

-Over the past 14 years,

-we've had some amazing experiences.

-I'm Tim Rhys-Evans,

-the crew's musical director.

-This is a new chapter in our history

-as we go from a 20-strong choir...

-..to a group of eight, plus me.

-We're about to do something

-completely new together.

-Hello! How are you? I'm Tim.

-We're embarking on a week-long

-pilgrimage to Bardsey Island.

-Let's load her up.

-No matter where we go,

-Huw always brings the biggest bag!

-He brings a huge bag

-on overnight trips!

-I've got to carry my essentials.

-I'm sure we've forgotten something.

-I hope we remembered the keyboard.

-There is no electricity, shop or pub

-and we'll use a bucket as a loo.

-We'll leave

-our home comforts behind...

-..and experience everything

-Bardsey Island has to offer.

-Where's it going?

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-Why are we on our way to Bardsey?

-Because I had a crazy idea...

-..that this was the place for us to

-really bond and find our new sound.

-Only Men Aloud have gone through

-some huge changes in 2014.

-We've now got

-a brilliant group of men.

-We must really focus on

-our new sound...

-..and try a different repertoire.

-We'll spend the next six days

-on the island.

-I hope that gives us time

-to do a lot of work.

-They've got so much stuff!

-I only have just about enough room

-to stand here and steer the boat!

-There's a suit hanging up here!

-I think they'll enjoy it because

-it's a different, separate world.

-Once they've had a day to settle,

-they'll be fine.

-Only a handful of people

-live on Bardsey.

-Here to greet us is Steve, who farms

-the island, Rhodri the manager...

-..and our new friend Colin,

-the skipper of the boat.

-I carry almost everything

-that reaches the island.

-Everything from sheep to oil

-to medicine to alcohol.

-I carry a lot of alcohol!

-And now, a choir.

-It's a long walk. We're staying

-in the furthest house of all.

-Walking all this way gives us

-an idea of the island's geography.

-We walk past nine houses,

-a bird sanctuary, an old abbey...

-..and the chapel,

-where we'll rehearse.

-A stone's throw from the chapel

-is the house where we'll stay.

-Fair play. It's lovely.

-Really nice.

-Where's the kettle?

-A cafetiere!

-There's a cafetiere here, but the

-houses on Bardsey are very basic.

-There's no electricity, no hot water

-and the loo is in the garden.

-Do your business, put paper on top

-of it and sawdust on top of that.

-Then, once a day

-or maybe every time you use it...

-..you carry it and empty it in a box

-at the end of the garden.

-This is a big box of pooh?

-This is a big box of pooh?

-

-Basically - yes!

-It doesn't smell!

-I think the island is the perfect

-place for a choir to come...

-..to learn to stick together,

-as a unit.

-The facilities here are very basic.

-They must work as a team.

-They must be organized.

-This is the ideal place to come

-if you want to create a close unit.

-The choir has come here to work

-together, and it's perfect for that.

-It's a special place.

-There's a lot of wildlife here...

-..and it's really beautiful.

-The choir members are from Cardiff

-and it's very different here.

-The thing about Bardsey is

-there's no escaping anything here.

-People come here to escape from

-something but that's impossible.

-Your true personality tends to

-come through in a place like this.

-That's what I've seen in the past.

-This is an ancient

-and well trodden path.

-Bardsey has attracted pilgrims

-for centuries.

-This is thought to have been

-the site of the first settlement.

-They found circles in the soil

-dating back around 3,000 years.

-That's how long

-the island has been populated.

-For 3,000 years?

-For 3,000 years?

-

-Yes. Something like that.

-From there,

-we go to the age of the saints.

-It's said that 20,000 saints

-are buried here.

-That's what some people say.

-Why did the saints

-come on pilgrimages to Bardsey?

-They believed that

-three pilgrimages to Bardsey...

-..was the equivalent

-of one pilgrimage to Rome.

-Who came up with that?

-Who came up with that?

-

-Who knows?

-They believed

-it was a good place to die.

-Oh, great!

-We have rejuvenation, not death,

-on our minds.

-It's time to start rehearsing...

-..once Niall and Dave

-fire up the generator.

-ENGINE ROARS

-What I want from this week is

-a chance to focus on the music...

-..in a way we've never done before

-because there's too much pressure.

-I want to focus on the sound

-and try some new things.

-A couple of these pieces

-are there as an experiment.

-OK. Who's sung

-Caer Arianrhod before?

-OK. And three and.

-# Ooh-ooh ooh-ooh ooh, ooh

-# Ooh-ooh ooh-ooh, ooh ooh

-# The night at Caer Arianrhod

-# Heralds our new day

-# It's a long day

-# But the night at Caer Arianrhod

-# Isn't long when I'm with you... #

-I feel like I'm in heaven

-at the moment.

-This is a wonderful place to stay.

-We're very privileged

-to have an opportunity...

-..to spend so much time together,

-on the island.

-We're going to focus on new music...

-..and play with the sound we create

-as an octet.

-# We are all exhausted... #

-The atmosphere here

-is really very special.

-It's a feeling

-which is hard to describe.

-# Caer Arianrhod

-# Heralds a new day... #

-It's a golden opportunity

-for us to come here...

-..to bond again, as a group, and to

-go on to further develop our sound.

-Now that we're here,

-I'm glad we're here.

-# Isn't long when I'm with you

-# Ooh ooh... #

-This is a magical place.

-It has a spiritual element.

-# Dawn brings our day to an end

-# Fingers are weak

-# Voices are hoarse... #

-I already feel we're relaxing.

-No phones, no email, no Wi-Fi.

-Just us.

-No toilet either - just a bucket!

-It really is back to basics.

-A-ha! It works.

-We're scattered, as a group...

-..and we've never had a chance

-to bond and become a tight unit.

-We look forward to bonding,

-as a group.

-One of the first things I did when

-we got here was think about food!

-This is a chicken thigh

-and butternut squash curry here.

-Craig is out there,

-preparing the chapattis.

-An Indian feast awaits us!

-I hope nobody gets ill

-from my cooking!

-I don't know what they're supposed

-to look like but it looks OK to me.

-This is the first time I've baked

-with a miner's lamp on my head!

-There are a lot of firsts.

-Anyone else like a gin and tonic?

-Anyone else like a gin and tonic?

-

-Yes!

-I have no expectations.

-I didn't come here

-with a to-do list.

-We have a lot of music with us.

-I couldn't be happier

-with the first day.

-I look forward

-to the rest of the week.

-# With you #

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-We're on Bardsey Island

-to work on a new sound...

-..away from the modern world.

-We're lucky

-to be here to rehearse...

-..but it's part of the deal that we

-help out with island chores.

-This morning,

-we'll begin by herding the sheep.

-We've got 200 Welsh ewes.

-None of the choir members

-are farmers...

-..but Wyn has some experience

-because his father has a farm.

-I'm sure he'll lead

-and the rest of us will follow.

-Like sheep!

-Bardsey Island has a working farm...

-..which the Porter family has run

-for 10 years.

-They farm sheep and cattle.

-Today, it's time to herd the sheep

-which are scattered across Bardsey.

-With our help, of course!

-Those sheep were obedient.

-It was as though

-they knew what route to take.

-That's good.

-Dad's a farmer and I spent a lot of

-time on the farm when I was young.

-Boys! Come around here.

-Huw isn't quite as comfortable

-around sheep!

-OK. Once again.

-We must work as a team in the choir

-but the team was split there!

-But we managed to get the job done.

-I do it on a daily basis in Cardiff!

-It comes quite naturally to me!

-Now for the tricky bit.

-Separating the young sheep

-from the rest of the herd.

-Wyn has handled sheep before...

-..but how will the rest of us fare?

-Very badly!

-Well done, Huw.

-Cuddly!

-That was a new experience.

-They're soft, like teddy bears.

-Right! The pressure's on me.

-LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

-Where do I go?

-Where do I go?

-

-In the shed.

-I just caught a sheep!

-I'm useless at catching a ball...

-..so I'm proud of myself

-for catching a sheep.

-I've surprised myself.

-I'm out of breath!

-I established Only Men Aloud

-14 years ago...

-..so we all know each other

-really well.

-We enjoy working as a team.

-Right - breakfast now!

-# A thousand times

-more beautiful... #

-Singing, of course,

-is our main activity of the week.

-Our challenge is to

-get used to performing as an octet.

-The past year has been

-a difficult time for us...

-..because we've changed such a lot.

-It's a process

-which I think was inevitable.

-We'd reached the point

-where we couldn't progress...

-..because some people couldn't be

-fully committed to the group...

-..because of children or work.

-It was great to have a choir

-of almost 20 men...

-..but it was very difficult for us

-to tour because it was expensive.

-It was impractical at times.

-I wanted to

-professionalize the group.

-It was a big shock to the system.

-It's taken some time

-to find ourselves.

-That's one of the reasons why

-coming to a place like this...

-..has been helpful.

-It's part of the transition

-we're making...

-..and rebuilding the bonds

-that we all had once.

-They were shattered and now, we're

-piecing the jigsaw back together.

-We always think of a lullaby

-as being a woman's song.

-There's something paternal

-about the bass sound in it...

-..but it can't be Papa,

-like the Honey Monster!

-LAUGHTER

-# Sweeter are you

-Than the white lamb... #

-When the choir started, we were a

-group of friends who sang together.

-In a way, that changed

-when we became a smaller group.

-We're still friends,

-but we had to adapt...

-..to become more professional and

-improve our standards as a group.

-I decided to audition everyone

-who wanted to enter the process.

-# A thousand times more precious

-To me than gold

-# Is seeing you smile

-In your crib... #

-It was really difficult.

-A lot of my good friends

-aren't in the choir any more.

-# My little baby... #

-People who'd been in the choir

-for years.

-Our best friends

-have been in the choir.

-We've been through

-incredible experiences together.

-To tell some people they

-were no longer part of the group...

-..was the hardest thing

-he had to do.

-Some of my best friends

-were told they weren't in it.

-He took it hard.

-It was a difficult thing to do.

-The responsibility

-was on my shoulders.

-Sometimes,

-that was a lot to think about.

-But now, I know

-it was the right thing to do...

-..and I can look at it

-with a completely clear head...

-..and with much more energy.

-Very good.

-Always look at each other.

-With the accompaniment now, please.

-How are the boys getting on?

-How are the boys getting on?

-

-They're doing OK, fair play.

-Can they sing?

-Can they sing?

-

-Yes, I think so.

-They're better than me anyway!

-They're better than me anyway!

-

-Better than me too.

-Tim. Are you well?

-How's the singing going?

-How's the singing going?

-

-It's going well. Sounding good.

-What do you think

-of the chapel acoustics?

-It's the perfect place to rehearse.

-It's really lovely.

-Are you ready to go?

-Are you ready to go?

-

-Yes. I can't wait.

-After a five-hour rehearsal in the

-chapel, it's time to take a break.

-I asked Colin

-to take us on a fishing trip...

-..and set some lobster pots.

-Tim, open the bait barrel

-and pull out a fish.

-I can't describe the smell

-of those fish!

-Well done, Tim.

-OK, Tim. Heave-ho!

-There's a longer rope on that one.

-It will go deeper than the others.

-It'll be much harder

-to pull up tomorrow!

-We hope to cook a meal

-as a thank-you to the islanders.

-Fingers crossed we catch something.

-# What shall we do

-with the drunken sailor?

-# What shall we do

-with the drunken sailor?

-# What shall we do

-with the drunken sailor

-# Earl-aye in the morning? #

-Fishing is a waiting game,

-so there's time to sing a shanty.

-# Earl-eye in the morning? #

-The singing seems to be working!

-I'm feeling lucky.

-I think he's caught another one!

-There are two there!

-There are two there!

-There are three fish on the menu.

-They're the first three fish

-I've ever caught.

-Are they alive?

-Are they alive?

-

-No.

-# Heave him by the leg

-in a runnin' bowlin'

-# Heave him by the leg

-in a runnin' bowlin'

-# Heave him by the leg

-in a runnin' bowlin'

-# Earl-aye in the morning

-# Way-hay and up she rises

-Way-hay and up she rises

-# Way-hay and up she rises

-Earl-aye in the morning

-# Way-hay and up she rises

-Way-hay and up she rises

-# Way-hay and up she rises

-Earl-aye in the morning

-# Way-hay and up

-Way-hay and up

-# Way-hay and up she rises

-Earl-aye in the morning

-# What shall we do

-with the drunken sailor?

-# In the morning? #

-The day is ending and there's going

-to be a fantastic sunset.

-Rhodri asks us to climb Mynydd Enlli

-to enjoy his favourite view.

-I try to come up here every day.

-I do it to develop my fitness.

-I want to keep fit.

-I also do it because

-it's a beautiful place.

-It's lovely on a day like this.

-You're a lucky man. I'd love to

-come up here all year round.

-# O Lord, who gave the dawn its glow

-# And charm to close of day

-# You made all song

-and fragrance flow

-# Gave spring its magic sway

-# Deliver us, lest we should see

-# A day without a song set free

-# Amen

-# Amen

-# Amen

-# Amen #

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-It's a hard life on this island!

-Champagne, gin, chocolate -

-all the essentials!

-Never mind chocolate, sawdust and

-wet wipes are far more important!

-Day three on Bardsey

-and we're coping heroically...

-..with the reality of living on an

-island without electricity or loos.

-We're bonding as singers and

-we're discovering hidden strengths.

-Cooking for nine of us is one thing.

-Cooking for 24 people

-is another thing entirely!

-We're grateful to the islanders

-for welcoming us...

-..so we'll cook lunch

-for every single one of them.

-It's not about the music.

-It's about the food.

-We'll use

-as much local produce as possible.

-Over the next two days...

-..when we're not singing, we'll be

-collecting ingredients for the meal.

-# Is there another goat?

-# Yes, in need of milking #

-That's enough!

-We'll start with Morwenna and Eira,

-the goats.

-Good morning, Morwenna.

-It is coming but it's difficult.

-Thank goodness Ben,

-the farmer's son, was there to help.

-Can we have this?

-Can we have this?

-

-Yeah, yeah. It's yours.

-Niall, Steve and Dave

-must pick blackberries.

-They're quite scarce because

-we're nearing the end of the season.

-At least there's plenty of potatoes.

-Wyn, Dave and Ben

-are on Colin's boat.

-Did a lobster or a crab

-take the bait?

-There are five pots out there, so we

-hope to have enough lobsters...

-..to cook a meal

-for everyone on the island.

-What do you sing?

-What do you sing?

-

-Tenor.

-Tenor.

-Do you want to sing soprano?

-Do you want to sing soprano?

-

-I've already got a high voice!

-We've done well with the lobster

-but we've got to feed 24 people...

-..so I'll have to do a deal with

-Colin and buy some extra lobsters.

-We don't want people to go without.

-Do you want some crabs too?

-I have some extra lobsters,

-if you want to buy them.

-Wow!

-It's time to say goodbye to Ben...

-..because of his busy timetable

-as a student in London.

-Huw, Craig and I have

-the sedate task of making honey.

-Nature is an amazing thing.

-The bees have a hierarchy -

-there are workers and a queen bee.

-I know who the queen bee is

-within Only Men Aloud.

-It's not the first time

-I've been called that...

-..so I'm happy to be our queen bee!

-Back to work!

-I could eat that all day.

-It's so fresh.

-I can't believe

-we collected these this morning...

-..and now,

-we have two jars of honey.

-The honey's sorted.

-Now let's see if the boys

-had any luck with the lobsters.

-Hello, boys!

-Success?

-Unfortunately, we only have seaweed,

-so we'll make laver bread!

-Just kidding!

-To minimize cruelty...

-..Colin told us to freeze the crabs

-and lobsters before we cook them.

-I look forward to lunch.

-We'll serve up a feast.

-It's hard to have to put

-that lobster in boiling water.

-We did kill it but if you're going

-to eat something...

-..I think it's important

-to be aware of the process...

-..and be able to

-complete the process yourself.

-Everything's under control...

-..but there are less than two hours

-to go before we serve the meal.

-Next, I'll prepare the fish.

-Tim has taken out his frustrations

-on that lobster!

-While the kitchen gets busier...

-..Niall and Dave prepare

-the old school hall for the meal.

-The school closed over 50 years ago.

-The farm family, Young Birders, the

-chaplain and some holidaymakers...

-..will create a hubbub the likes of

-which the hall hasn't seen in years.

-The bird observatory people

-are excited about the hoopoe...

-..which hasn't been seen on Bardsey

-for four years.

-Everyone else

-is excited about the choir!

-They could be good cooks and good

-at singing if they can multitask.

-We're late. I have some finger food

-for you to be getting on with.

-Come in, everyone.

-There's more food on the way.

-Here's some white fish

-we caught yesterday with aioli.

-Enjoy!

-Some very tasty soup.

-Vegetable soup and fresh bread

-with cheese and rosemary...

-..and with sesame seeds.

-They seem quite happy at the moment.

-It's time for the main course.

-Spaghetti with lobster and crab

-which we caught in the sea...

-..and ginger, chilli and herbs.

-There's also

-potato, leek and cheese pie...

-..served with some vegetables.

-Enjoy it.

-It's very good.

-Apple and blackberry crumble

-with custard.

-Wonderful.

-Good job.

-While you're in here, some of the

-rarest birds in the British Isle...

-..are outside, doing the cancan,

-making the most of it!

-We all enjoyed the food.

-We'll all have a nap after this!

-Everyone's had a free lunch

-and now, they want a concert too!

-Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to

-sing a song about home for you.

-A song about

-Wales's incredible landscape.

-# O, great ones,

-Impart your knowledge

-# Of what fabric is longing made?

-# What material in it is used

-# That it never wears with time? #

-I see Bardsey as the final

-truly Welsh island in the world.

-It's also the final

-working island in Wales.

-The farm is fully functioning.

-This place is steeped in history and

-you sense that as you walk around.

-It's sustained people

-since the Bronze Age.

-# Overwhelming longing

-# Cruel longing

-# Heartbreaking longing... #

-It's a kind place,

-if that makes sense.

-There's an early

-growing season here.

-The pasture is good and it's a

-good place to rear cattle and sheep.

-There's a decent fishery

-around the island.

-The lighthouse, built in 1821,

-helps people survive here.

-It's still a great home

-for someone who's willing to work.

-# Ooh-ooh

-# Ooh ooh ooh #

-We've been awake since daybreak

-but we're here to work...

-..so we push ourselves to go

-back to the chapel to rehearse.

-# Calida

-# Calida... #

-To be honest,

-I'm completely exhausted.

-We were up at 6.30 this morning...

-..then we went out on the boat

-to collect lobsters from the pots.

-But we're here to rehearse.

-We're here to come together

-and to work together musically.

-Tim demands a lot from us

-and we demand a lot from ourselves.

-That takes a lot of energy.

-After a hard day of physical work...

-..it can be difficult.

-The focus and the concentration

-in that room tonight was brilliant.

-I think we all understand...

-..why Tim brought us to Bardsey

-to have this time together.

-# Natum

-# Natum

-# Natum

-# Modo

-# Ooh

-# Natum #

-I'm delighted with the effort

-everyone put into this rehearsal...

-..and into the day as a whole.

-Not just the music.

-I really feel

-we've worked together, as one.

-As a team.

-Well done, boys.

-I'm very pleased.

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-It's 8.20 in the morning

-and I'm making bread for lunch.

-Some of the boys are up.

-They've gone for a fitness session.

-I haven't!

-Three, two, one.

-Some are still in bed.

-We're all a bit tired.

-When you're here, you forget

-about everything in the world.

-I haven't seen a car since

-the last time I was on the mainland.

-Everything slows down here.

-Tomorrow, we all go back.

-It'll be nice to go home...

-..but we've had an incredible,

-wonderful time here.

-Cup of tea time.

-This is the reality

-of life on the island.

-I've just had an exercise session...

-..but there's no power shower here

-to massage my head.

-So here I am, outside

-with a bowl of water and some soap.

-We were all a bit shy

-at the start of the week...

-..but, as you can see,

-everyone strips off now.

-It's no different from

-taking a shower after playing rugby.

-Ah!

-The cheeky monkeys!

-My voice is deeper in the morning.

-Everyone's the same.

-I'm not sure how low I can go.

-HE SINGS VERY LOW NOTES

-Something like that!

-Oh! Ha, ha!

-Before we leave Bardsey, we'll sing

-for an audience in the chapel.

-We'll perform at lunchtime

-but we must rehearse before then.

-First, we'll have porridge

-and banana for breakfast.

-Bridge, Hiraeth, Diamonds.

-That's not bad, is it?

-That's not bad, is it?

-

-It's pretty good. I like it.

-Ironing, Bardsey Island style!

-Only nine more to do, Tim!

-It's time for us

-to take off our dirty clothes...

-..and put on

-our Only Men Aloud suits.

-News of our performance

-reached the mainland.

-A group of people

-venture across the choppy waters.

-We mustn't disappoint them.

-The journey across here

-was quite rough.

-Colin is used to it...

-..but it was rough for people

-like us, who aren't used to it.

-Some of them seemed pale

-on the way across!

-The colour's coming back

-to their cheeks now.

-Let's hope

-the music is a tonic for them!

-We can't wait.

-Bryn Terfel has sung here

-and that was a good experience.

-I know this will be just as good.

-Thank you very much.

-Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for

-coming to this special performance.

-It's a performance

-in a special, small location.

-We hope you enjoy

-what we've prepared for you.

-# You did this mighty deed

-O Christ God's son

-# You gave me joy anew

-The race to run

-# Your spirit held

-And guided me along

-# Forever more

-I'll sing the glorious song

-# I see the beauty now

-That can survive

-# I feel the touch divine

-That makes alive

-# The Hallelujah

-Has possessed my soul

-# To You, o Christ

-I give my praises all #

-This chapel has never seen such

-a thing before. Not in my lifetime.

-All the saints have risen.

-All the saints have risen.

-

-Yes - all the saints have risen.

-It was great.

-It brought out their strengths.

-# Beside the sea

-The stones lie scattered

-# Where tender words

-In love were uttered

-# While all around

-There grew the lily

-# And sweetest branches

-of rosemary... #

-If you closed your eyes,

-you'd say it was a 50-strong choir.

-I've never heard anything like it.

-Was it the acoustics

-or is it just Bardsey?

-I really enjoyed it.

-It's nice to hear

-some different music.

-It's been great to have them here.

-Bardsey will be quiet without them.

-# Amen

-# Amen

-# Amen, Amen

-# Amen

-# Amen #

-We had a good, positive reaction

-from the audience...

-..so I hope the people

-of Bardsey Island enjoyed it.

-For my part, it was a genuine

-pleasure to perform for them.

-It was our way of thanking them

-for putting up with us.

-We are not primarily

-what they came here for.

-They came here for the birdwatching,

-for the peace and the solitude.

-They came here

-to get away from people like us...

-..then we drag them into a chapel

-and sing at them!

-But I think they really enjoyed it.

-The time we've spent

-rehearsing here, on the island...

-..has exposed our weaknesses but

-it's also shown us our strengths.

-We now have a clearer idea of the

-direction we'll take as a group.

-It's been a wonderful week and we've

-learnt a lot about ourselves...

-..and about

-what Only Men Aloud actually is.

-Bardsey is incredibly beautiful

-but without its residents...

-..people like Colin, Steve,

-Jo and Rhodri...

-..we wouldn't have had the

-experiences which came our way.

-The island is incredible

-but the islanders are even better.

-I hope they use the island

-as a step up.

-They tell me

-they were inspired by it.

-I hope they go

-from strength to strength.

-From my perspective,

-something spiritual happened.

-I went through a turbulent year

-in my personal life.

-A lot of changes.

-It's nice to be able to savour

-a taste of the simple life here.

-To feel carefree.

-I didn't worry about too much stuff

-when I was here.

-I did simple things with the group.

-I owe a huge debt of gratitude

-to the Bardsey Island crew.

-They helped us discover

-something new in Only Men Aloud.

-S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones

-.