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0:00:43 > 0:00:48- I've had a painting of Menai Bridge - in every house I've lived.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52- It reminds me of my favourite view.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01- This bridge is a symbol - of arriving home...
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- ..from wherever I've been.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- It's my anchor.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25- When I think of my childhood...
0:01:26 > 0:01:30- ..this bridge - is a symbol of the excitement...
0:01:31 > 0:01:33- ..of going away.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35- Every time I crossed the bridge...
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- ..I'd be going shopping to Bangor - or on a trip to Rhyl or Llandudno.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42- Crossing the bridge - was an exciting occasion.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44- Something was going to happen.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56- Even though I feel - a great warmth towards Anglesey...
0:01:56 > 0:02:01- ..and my upbringing in Bodffordd, - which means so much to me...
0:02:03 > 0:02:05- ..there is also some resentment.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08- I was raised on a farm - and I hated it.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- I didn't have anything - to do with the animals.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16- I hated the butter, the milk - and the smell of manure...
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- ..and the fact that I had to help - bale the hay.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25- I felt as if I was in a place - that was totally alien...
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- ..as if the wrong baby - had been raised there.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- As I was born at home - rather than in a hospital...
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- ..there's no doubt - that I belonged there.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50- Bodffordd is a village which was - renowned for cultural activity.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- Like every other village, many - activities were held in the chapel.
0:02:54 > 0:03:00- Charles Williams lived in Bodffordd - and everything revolved around him.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- He organized the drama company, - concerts and entertainment.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07- He was a very influential figure.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- My father encouraged me to sing.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- I remember him teaching me - my first hymn...
0:03:14 > 0:03:16- ..Rwy'n Canu Fel Cana'r Aderyn...
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- ..but not to the accompaniment - of a piano or organ.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- I learnt it to the accompaniment - of the churn!
0:03:23 > 0:03:28- Every Monday morning, - he had to churn the butter.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- My father had a natural tenor voice.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- He wasn't a soloist, even though - he did compete a few times...
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- ..but he was a member - of Bodffordd male voice choir.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44- He sang first tenor but he could - also help out the second tenors...
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- ..if they were particularly weak.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- I don't know anyone, - in any choir I've conducted...
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- ..who could sing in the same way.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57- His brother, Uncle Willy, - was the choir's conductor.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03- I sang with the choir but I was more - interested in playing the viola.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- I felt I was too good - to sing in a choir...
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- ..but I've regretted not taking - it more seriously ever since.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- For my father and Uncle Willy...
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- ..choral singing was the most - important thing in the world.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23- Mam couldn't sing any better - than a crow!
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- She had no musical talent...
0:04:28 > 0:04:30- ..but she was still - the family's anchor.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- She encouraged me at school.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- She didn't want me to work - on the farm.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- My father despised - working on the farm too.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- It was only natural that I would - inherit that hatred of farming.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- It made me work harder in school.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02- Later on, in my teenage years...
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- ..crossing the bridge - meant going to the cinema...
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- ..to the Plaza in Bangor - on a Saturday afternoon.
0:05:09 > 0:05:16- If I was lucky, I would have asked - a girl from Llangefni to join me.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- I'd cross the bridge - on a Crosville bus.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- The bridge was within a stone's - throw of the meeting place.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- Was she going to be there?
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- Was she as pretty as she was - in school? Was she prettier?
0:05:31 > 0:05:36- There was so much excitement - and tension as I crossed the bridge.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- I'd meet the girl in Bangor - and go to the Plaza.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- If I was lucky, - I'd find a double seat.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- It allowed me to get - even more intimate with her.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- Unfortunately, there was always - a light above the double seat.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- As lads from Llangefni, we'd sit - and watch the couples coming in.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- "Ooh, - John's taking Phyllis out today."
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- That sort of banter. - We'd watch them walking in.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- We'd change our partners regularly!
0:06:14 > 0:06:20- I never thought about music - as something I wanted to pursue.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- When the time came - to choose subjects in school...
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- ..I wanted to study Welsh.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- Charles had taken me - to the BBC studios.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- I'd taken part in radio programmes.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- I had the performing bug. - It was exciting.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38- The actors were interesting people.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- I filled in my university forms.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- Bangor was my first choice, - to study Welsh.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49- The headmaster asked me, - "What's this?"
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- A Welsh speaker asking me - in English, "What's this, boy?
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- "Music is your subject. Change it."
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- It changed the course of my life.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- Back then, if the headmaster told - you to do something, you did it.
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- I ended up going to Hull University - because I didn't play the piano.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- I only played the viola.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- You needed Grade 8 piano - for most university music courses.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21- I hadn't even reached Grade 1. - I hadn't had any piano lessons.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- I chose Hull University...
0:07:24 > 0:07:31- ..because I didn't need any - piano qualifications to study there.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- I went as far away - as I could from home...
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- ..and ended up - in this unfamiliar city.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- The landscape - was so incredibly dull.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- People spoke English - with a strange accent.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- I missed home so much.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51- I was determined to stay - until the end of the first term...
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- ..before coming home.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- I remember coming home - on the train to Bangor.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- I travelled along this road - and saw the bridge.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07- After being away from home - for three whole months...
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- ..seeing this bridge - lifted my spirits instantly.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- That happened every time - I returned home from university.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- I'd come home, see the bridge - and I knew I was almost home.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35- The journey back over the bridge - means so much to me.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- Coming back to Anglesey, - returning to Bodffordd to see Mam...
0:08:41 > 0:08:43- ..was so important to me.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48- Even though she's no longer with us, - I'm still drawn to the place.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53- My sister and brother's families - still live here.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- There's nothing better - than coming back to see them...
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- ..and rekindling that link - to the past.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11- .
0:09:14 > 0:09:14- 888
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- 888- - 888
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- I'd panic if I had to live - less than a quarter of a mile...
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- ..from an Indian restaurant.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- I'm very lucky - where I live in Cardiff.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- There's a wide choice - but this is my favourite.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- I'd crawl here if I had to do so.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02- As a child, I was thin and frail. - I hated food.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- That's why I was so thin.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10- The only food I really liked - was beans - beans on toast.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- I ate beans on toast all the time.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- When I went to university...
0:10:17 > 0:10:22- ..most students stayed at a hall - of residence during the first year.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- The food there was awful. It was - disgusting. No one could eat it.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35- I remember one student describing - the soup as "cream of armpit"!
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- It didn't look appetizing. - It was bland.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- The food was truly awful.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- Most of the time, we headed - for the Chinese restaurant.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- I never ate for enjoyment.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- I didn't enjoy eating.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- I'm fortunate to be alive.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- I had a very serious illness - when I was 30 years old.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- I had a brain haemorrhage.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- My life hung in the balance - for a whole day.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- I was in a coma for a day.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- After a successful operation - in Liverpool...
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- ..I started to really enjoy life.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- I stopped complaining - about trivial matters.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- I stopped worrying - about trivial matters.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- Possibly, that's when I started - enjoying food - who knows?
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- It does change your life - and your attitude towards life...
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- ..if you've had - a near-death experience.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- Fortunately, I'm still alive...
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- ..and I've had the experience - of looking back at my life.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- After the operation, - it all started to happen for me.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- My horizons broadened.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- I started working for the BBC. I was - doing work I thoroughly enjoyed.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- Ever since, - I've been a very different person...
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- ..from the person I was previously.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- I used to be rather insular - in some ways.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16- I'm not an extrovert now even though - people think I'm a confident person.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- In reality, - I'm quite a private person.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- I think I am.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- With anything that's good, - it's hard to know when it started.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42- The curry club is celebrating either - it's fourth or fifth birthday.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47- Alwyn and I used to go out - for a curry together.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52- We heard that Meic Povey and - Geraint Jones went out for a curry.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- We decided to get in touch - with them.
0:12:54 > 0:13:00- We saw Rhisiart Arwel - looking incredibly glum one day.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- We asked him to join us - and that's how we formed the club.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16- The five of us meet once a month.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- "How pleasant for brethren - to dwell together in unity."
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- We have a lot of fun together. - There's a lot of leg-pulling.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- We say nasty things about each other - but not about other people!
0:13:30 > 0:13:35- We're like... Well, the term - Alwyn uses is, "grumpy old men".
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- It's a night - that's a blessing to us all.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- When we go home afterwards, - we're far better people.
0:13:50 > 0:13:55- It's a cathartic experience - where we exorcise our frustrations.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- We don't go home and kick the cat! - We become far better people.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- I'd always liked visiting Cardiff - occasionally.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- I never thought about living here.
0:14:09 > 0:14:15- When the opportunity arose to become - a radio producer with the BBC...
0:14:15 > 0:14:20- ..I moved down to Cardiff - and settled here immediately.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- Meirion Edwards, Radio Cymru's - new editor, phoned me one day.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- He asked me if I was interested...
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- ..in producing a Sunday morning show - called Cywair...
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- ..a popular classical music - programme...
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- ..presented by Frank Lincoln.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- Frank wanted a three-month break.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- Meirion also asked me - if I wanted to present it.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- I wasn't sure about presenting...
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- ..because I hated - the quality of my voice...
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- ..but it was only for three months, - so it would soon be over.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02- I produced and presented Cywair - for 17 years!
0:15:02 > 0:15:07- I expected a harsh reaction from - the people listening to my voice...
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- ..but the exact opposite happened.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- People starting talking - about the sexy voice they'd heard...
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- ..the sexiest voice on Radio Cymru.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- Sexy? Goodness me!
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- People then thought - I was putting it on...
0:15:21 > 0:15:26- ..and once you've created a certain - image, you have to continue...
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- ..especially when people - are writing in every week.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- I received - some very suggestive letters.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- At the time, people didn't know - what I looked like.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42- I used to present radio shows - from the National Eisteddfod.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- People would walk past and say, - "Oh, you're Alwyn Humphreys."
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- I remember one woman saying...
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- .."I always thought - you were old, fat and bald."
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- I thought to myself, - "I'm none of them!"
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- I was quite pleased with that.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- This woman looked so disappointed!
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- The picture she had of me - was very different.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- I don't think she enjoyed - listening to me after that!
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- I hate listening to myself, - I always have.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- I hate seeing myself on TV. - I never watch or listen to myself.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- I don't know why other people would - want to but that's their choice.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- Every time I pass this restaurant...
0:16:25 > 0:16:30- ..I think of the close bond the - five of us have in the curry club.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34- The socializing we do together, - along with the food...
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- ..makes it an event - I look forward to every month.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- I enjoy every minute of it.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- ORGAN MUSIC
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- As soon as you leave the M4 - and head for Morriston...
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- ..one of the first sights in view - is this chapel's tower.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- It's known as the - Nonconformist Cathedral of Wales.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- It's more than a chapel, - it's a magnificent building.
0:17:07 > 0:17:13- It's the type of building that takes - your breath away when you enter it.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- # Llanfair # - sung by a male voice choir
0:17:31 > 0:17:36- The sound of a male voice choir is - the most exciting sound musically.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- It's the ensemble - that produces the greatest emotion.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- I'll never forget the first time - I walked in here...
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- ..to conduct - the first annual concert...
0:17:52 > 0:17:57- ..a few months after being appointed - as the Orpheus's conductor.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- They didn't believe in rehearsing - in the afternoon.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- When I walked in and the chapel - was packed, my legs were shaking...
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- ..as I made my way up here.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- The choir filled one side - of this area.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- It was an electrifying experience.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19- Every time I come here, I remember - that night. I was so nervous.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- # Amen
0:18:25 > 0:18:33- # And amen #
0:18:34 > 0:18:40- I'd been a conductor with - Risca male voice choir for a year.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- A friend told me about an advert - he'd seen in the Western Mail...
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- ..for a conductor - for the Morriston Orpheus.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- Why should I try for it? - I was happy with Risca.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56- My friend told me it would be like - promotion to the First Division.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- There was no Premier League - in those days!
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- I attended the interview...
0:19:02 > 0:19:07- ..which lasted for 45 minutes in - the deacons room in a nearby chapel.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- I heard the sound - of men walking into the vestry.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- It was rehearsal night.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- The chairman put two pieces of music - in my hand.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23- "Now," he said, "You will go into - the vestry and conduct the choir."
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- I'd never seen them before.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27- I thought, "This is unfair."
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- You always want to prepare - before something like that.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- After half an hour, - the chairman stood up.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- "Thank you, Mr Humphreys, - you may now go."
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- They treated me like dirt.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- On the way out, - I started feeling ill.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52- I ran out - and I was literally sick...
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- ..on the chapel wall.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- It was an awful experience.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01- I drove home and promised myself - I'd never return to Morriston.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06- They phoned me a few days later and - invited me for another audition...
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- ..to conduct the choir - for an entire rehearsal.
0:20:10 > 0:20:15- I said, "Thanks, but no, thanks. - I'm happy with my choir."
0:20:16 > 0:20:20- But they told me I could choose - which songs the choir would sing.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25- I came back - and I stayed for 25 years.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- # For everyone who is loyal
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- # Fighting in His name #
0:20:33 > 0:20:37- I become a different person - when I'm standing on the podium.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40- In reality, I'm quite shy...
0:20:40 > 0:20:45- ..but when I'm there, I turn - into a conductor and a master...
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- ..because there's a job to be done.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53- Socially, I never lead - conversations - I hope I don't!
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- I'm happy to follow - on those occasions.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- There's an element of performing.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08- Otherwise, - I couldn't have done what I've done.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- Having said that, if there's - criticism, I take it to heart.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- I'm very sensitive.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- That's why I left Morrison Orpheus - after 25 years.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- I felt that it was going well - at the time.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26- It could only go downhill from - then on because I was getting older.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- A time comes in one's life when - you must make a crucial decision.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- That's one of the very few - crucial decisions I've had to make.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37- I'm in touch with the choir.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- My wife was the accompanist - - she's now the conductor.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- I'm still in touch with them - and that's very pleasing.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- At the same time, - I'm glad I walked away when I did.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- Every time I visit Morriston...
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- ..and I see this building, - there's a warm feeling inside me.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- I think about the community - and the sound of the choir.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- The choir is a group of people.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- Those people have shown me - such generosity.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- I'm so happy to be back here...
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- ..to have the thrill - of walking into the building again.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- It's the same feeling every time.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- I feel so passionate - every time I walk in.
0:22:25 > 0:22:31- Here, more than anywhere else, - I sometimes had a problem.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37- I used to tell myself - to rein in my emotions.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42- Often, I'd think back to my father's - days with the choir in Bodffordd...
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- ..and the experiences he had, - along with Uncle Willy.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- They thought they were - in the Tabernacle...
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- ..when they were singing - in Capel y Gad, in the vestry.
0:22:54 > 0:22:55- That's the connection.
0:22:56 > 0:23:02- I'd have given anything to see them - in just one concert in this chapel.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19- One of the main advantages I've had - in life is not having an ambition.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22- I don't have any ambitions now...
0:23:22 > 0:23:26- ..apart from being - happy and healthy...
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- ..and to enjoy what I'm doing.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33- I'm still nervous - in front of an audience...
0:23:33 > 0:23:35- ..but at the same time...
0:23:35 > 0:23:40- ..I enjoy being involved in two - media which bring such pleasure...
0:23:40 > 0:23:43- ..not only to me - but also to other people.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:24:22 > 0:24:23- .