Eleri Siôn

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0:00:41 > 0:00:43- When I arrived here today...

0:00:43 > 0:00:46- ..I kept having flashbacks - of my childhood.

0:00:47 > 0:00:51- Standing on a milk stand, - pretending to be a pop star...

0:00:51 > 0:00:55- ..with a hairbrush in my hand - and a tennis racket for a guitar.

0:00:56 > 0:01:00- I just can't get over - how calm and serene it is.

0:01:02 > 0:01:04- I definitely feel a longing.

0:01:04 > 0:01:07- I'd love to live - in a place like this now.

0:01:34 > 0:01:37- I was born in the early 1970s.

0:01:37 > 0:01:41- Mam and Dad bought this farm - in 1970.

0:01:41 > 0:01:45- Everything happened for them - within a year and a half.

0:01:45 > 0:01:47- Their world totally changed.

0:01:47 > 0:01:53- I lived here until the first year - of my degree course in Cardiff.

0:01:54 > 0:01:58- This farm is where I grew up. - It was a working farm.

0:01:58 > 0:02:01- My father kept dairy cattle.

0:02:01 > 0:02:03- We also kept sheep.

0:02:03 > 0:02:05- We had around 30 acres.

0:02:13 > 0:02:16- I don't have an earliest memory - as such.

0:02:16 > 0:02:20- It's more of a collection of memories - to do with this farm.

0:02:20 > 0:02:24- I remember going hunting - and collecting tadpoles.

0:02:24 > 0:02:27- I remember burying my first cat - in the forest.

0:02:28 > 0:02:31- I remember a tree falling down - on the road...

0:02:31 > 0:02:34- ..and all the fuss it generated.

0:02:39 > 0:02:42- I have to admit...

0:02:42 > 0:02:46- ..I don't think I appreciated - being brought up here.

0:02:46 > 0:02:50- I didn't like living on a farm - because it was so remote.

0:02:51 > 0:02:54- I had to walk a mile every day - to catch the school bus.

0:02:54 > 0:02:57- Nobody lived nearby - to give me a lift.

0:02:58 > 0:03:02- Mam was always rushing around - and Dad was always working.

0:03:02 > 0:03:05- I felt completely isolated up here.

0:03:07 > 0:03:12- I come back here now and think - how lucky we were as children...

0:03:12 > 0:03:15- ..to be brought up - in such a lovely place.

0:03:16 > 0:03:21- She never helped out - with the farming duties.

0:03:21 > 0:03:23- She hated farm work.

0:03:23 > 0:03:27- I wasn't too fond of it, - but Eleri never came to help...

0:03:28 > 0:03:30- ..even if Dad shouted at her.

0:03:30 > 0:03:33- "Come on, you have to help." - But she never did.

0:03:34 > 0:03:36- She'd go on strike instead.

0:03:36 > 0:03:41- I remember trying to herd sheep - from the field into the shed.

0:03:41 > 0:03:43- One of the sheep ran towards her.

0:03:43 > 0:03:48- That's the only time I've ever seen - Eleri running away from anything.

0:03:48 > 0:03:52- She never got her hands dirty - on the farm.

0:03:52 > 0:03:58- I spent all those years with Meilyr, - my brother, at Penrallt Lwyd.

0:03:58 > 0:04:01- We didn't get on that well, - I have to admit.

0:04:01 > 0:04:05- There are two years between us. - We were both born on 18 January.

0:04:09 > 0:04:11- We used to fall out a lot.

0:04:11 > 0:04:14- He was a bit of a mummy's boy.

0:04:16 > 0:04:20- As the older sister, Mam was out - at work, Dad was at work...

0:04:20 > 0:04:24- ..so they needed us to help out - around the house.

0:04:24 > 0:04:26- She'd leave us a to-do list.

0:04:27 > 0:04:30- "Eleri, you do this. - Meilyr, you do that."

0:04:30 > 0:04:33- But Meilyr would go, - "Huh, I'm not doing it."

0:04:33 > 0:04:35- There was a lot of falling out.

0:04:36 > 0:04:39- One day, he wouldn't wash the dishes, - so I had to do it.

0:04:40 > 0:04:43- I grabbed a floor-brush - and hit him with it.

0:04:43 > 0:04:46- Unfortunately, - I caught him in the mouth...

0:04:47 > 0:04:50- ..and severed the root - of his front tooth.

0:04:50 > 0:04:53- We fought like cat and dog - as children.

0:04:53 > 0:04:57- She was a ferocious sister - and the best bouncer I've ever had.

0:04:57 > 0:05:00- When we went to secondary school...

0:05:01 > 0:05:04- ..if someone picked a fight with me - or bullied me...

0:05:05 > 0:05:06- ..Eleri would sort them out.

0:05:07 > 0:05:11- She wasn't afraid of anything - or anyone.

0:05:26 > 0:05:29- Meilyr and I - both competed in eisteddfodau.

0:05:29 > 0:05:31- We'd do the circuit.

0:05:31 > 0:05:38- Almost all our Saturdays - between October and Easter...

0:05:38 > 0:05:42- ..were spent travelling - to various eisteddfodau.

0:05:42 > 0:05:45- We'd go as far as Tumble - and Abergorlech.

0:05:45 > 0:05:49- We'd go all the way to Tywyn - and the surrounding area.

0:05:49 > 0:05:53- If Air Miles had existed back then, - Mam would have been rich!

0:05:53 > 0:05:56- We looked forward - to the major eisteddfodau.

0:05:57 > 0:06:01- Cardigan and Lampeter - had good cash prizes.

0:06:02 > 0:06:05- The Pontrhydfendigaid eisteddfod - was the pinnacle.

0:06:05 > 0:06:08- You'd get 30 - if you won first prize.

0:06:21 > 0:06:24- It was a remote location.

0:06:25 > 0:06:30- During the 1970s and 1980s, - there were no mobile phones.

0:06:30 > 0:06:36- Dad was a hopeless timekeeper, - so Mam had to call him at mealtimes.

0:06:37 > 0:06:40- He could be out - in the furthest field.

0:06:40 > 0:06:44- So when dinner or supper was ready, - she'd shout...

0:06:44 > 0:06:47- .."Alfor!"

0:06:48 > 0:06:50- Alfor!

0:06:51 > 0:06:54- Alfor!

0:06:54 > 0:06:58- Or I'd call for Mam when it was - my turn to make dinner or supper.

0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Mami!

0:07:01 > 0:07:04- Mami!

0:07:04 > 0:07:06- Mami!

0:07:08 > 0:07:11- They'd come! They'd run home!

0:07:23 > 0:07:27- Penrallt Lwyd is on a remote hill - in the Vale of Aeron.

0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Some people did live nearby.

0:07:32 > 0:07:36- A small road runs past the house.

0:07:36 > 0:07:40- People had a tendency - to slow down...

0:07:40 > 0:07:44- ..just to see what was going on - in Penrallt Lwyd.

0:07:44 > 0:07:48- I could see the other farms - right across the valley.

0:07:48 > 0:07:52- I'd say, I wonder what's going on - over there?

0:07:52 > 0:07:56- I went to university in Cardiff - and stayed there for many years.

0:07:57 > 0:08:02- I never missed the nosiness - that came with rural life.

0:08:05 > 0:08:07- But it's all gone now.

0:08:07 > 0:08:09- I'm in a place now...

0:08:09 > 0:08:12- ..where I think - I'd love to live here...

0:08:12 > 0:08:15- ..and not mind people - knowing my business.

0:08:18 > 0:08:20- She always loved sport.

0:08:20 > 0:08:23- Rounders, netball.

0:08:23 > 0:08:25- She went on to play hockey.

0:08:25 > 0:08:28- She played rugby at university.

0:08:28 > 0:08:30- She never liked losing.

0:08:31 > 0:08:35- I think she still has - that competitive streak.

0:08:35 > 0:08:38- She's a very determined person.

0:08:39 > 0:08:42- She's confident too. - She knows what she wants.

0:08:42 > 0:08:48- Once she sets herself a goal, - she goes for it.

0:08:48 > 0:08:50- She never gives up.

0:08:50 > 0:08:54- I've rarely seen her - give up on anything.

0:08:57 > 0:09:01- The drive has come from Mam, - without a doubt.

0:09:01 > 0:09:04- She wanted us - to have the best of everything.

0:09:04 > 0:09:08- Although I had the drive - when I was younger...

0:09:08 > 0:09:10- ..losing Mam when I was 18...

0:09:10 > 0:09:14- ..meant that I had - to look after myself.

0:09:14 > 0:09:18- I couldn't expect Dad to do it - because he had enough on his plate.

0:09:18 > 0:09:21- He had to look after Meilyr, - who was only 16.

0:09:22 > 0:09:24- I had to grow up very fast.

0:09:24 > 0:09:27- But I was lucky - to have had 18 years with her.

0:09:28 > 0:09:32- I know of children who have lost - a parent at a much younger age.

0:09:32 > 0:09:35- That has always been...

0:09:35 > 0:09:38- ..at the back of my mind.

0:09:38 > 0:09:43- I felt lucky that I'd had - that length of time with her.

0:09:43 > 0:09:46- But without a doubt, - she gave us the drive.

0:10:02 > 0:10:06- We left Penrallt Lwyd - when I was 20 or 21.

0:10:06 > 0:10:10- Dad was living here, of course, - after losing Mam.

0:10:10 > 0:10:14- He was heartbroken - and lost all interest in farming.

0:10:14 > 0:10:18- Mam saw to the day-to-day running - of the farm.

0:10:18 > 0:10:23- He also had a job besides - keeping an eye on things here.

0:10:23 > 0:10:26- He worked incredibly hard.

0:10:26 > 0:10:31- He lost all interest - after losing his right-hand woman.

0:10:33 > 0:10:36- That's why he left.

0:10:36 > 0:10:39- It's difficult - coming back to the area...

0:10:39 > 0:10:42- ..because Mam is buried - in Neuadd-lwyd.

0:10:43 > 0:10:45- We have to pass the chapel - on our way here.

0:10:46 > 0:10:48- I find it difficult - visiting the grave.

0:10:49 > 0:10:54- I feel guilty that I don't go - as often as I should, but it's hard.

0:10:54 > 0:10:57- It's even harder - since Alffi was born.

0:10:58 > 0:11:01- I miss her more now...

0:11:01 > 0:11:05- ..than perhaps ten years ago, - when it was more recent.

0:11:06 > 0:11:12- She's not around for me to ask, - "What should I do here?"

0:11:12 > 0:11:17- She's not there for me to say, - "Please come and look after him."

0:11:17 > 0:11:20- But Dad fills that role perfectly.

0:11:20 > 0:11:25- It's surprised me - how good he is with him.

0:11:25 > 0:11:29- I know she's up there - looking down...

0:11:29 > 0:11:31- ..and giving my father strength.

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0:11:44 > 0:11:44- 888

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0:12:22 > 0:12:26- This is the first time - I've been outside the shop.

0:12:26 > 0:12:29- It's such a relief - that it's not a Starbucks.

0:12:30 > 0:12:33- They've had to keep the facade - as part of the lease.

0:12:34 > 0:12:36- They've had to keep - the blue and white.

0:12:36 > 0:12:41- It's like Aberaeron - every house - has its own specific colour.

0:12:42 > 0:12:47- My connection with this shop - in Rugby Street in London...

0:12:47 > 0:12:52- ..stems from the fact that my mother - worked here in the 1960s.

0:12:52 > 0:12:54- I think she came here in 1960.

0:12:54 > 0:12:58- A family from Ceredigion - ran a shop here.

0:12:59 > 0:13:01- The Davies family.

0:13:01 > 0:13:05- They were known - as Eirlys and Glyn Rugby Street...

0:13:05 > 0:13:09- ..among the London Welsh - in the big city.

0:13:09 > 0:13:11- Mam worked in the shop.

0:13:12 > 0:13:14- It used to be a dairy.

0:13:14 > 0:13:16- It functioned as a dairy...

0:13:16 > 0:13:18- ..and a grocery shop.

0:13:20 > 0:13:23- Mam used to work in the shop.

0:13:23 > 0:13:28- She also looked after the daughters, - Bethan and Llinos Eleri.

0:13:28 > 0:13:33- I was named after the youngest girl, - Llinos Eleri.

0:13:33 > 0:13:37- When Mam told me - that she'd lived in Bloomsbury...

0:13:37 > 0:13:42- ..I was intrigued to find out - the area's history.

0:13:42 > 0:13:45- It's associated with the arts...

0:13:45 > 0:13:47- ..and medicine.

0:13:47 > 0:13:51- Many artists, poets and writers - have lived here.

0:13:51 > 0:13:54- TS Eliot, Charles Dickens...

0:13:55 > 0:13:58- ..and Virginia Woolf all lived here.

0:13:58 > 0:14:00- Later occupants...

0:14:00 > 0:14:04- ..who came to live opposite - in 18 Rugby Street...

0:14:04 > 0:14:06- ..were Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.

0:14:06 > 0:14:10- He had a lot of visitors, - one of whom was Dylan Thomas.

0:14:10 > 0:14:15- Yoko Ono came into the shop - to buy milk...

0:14:15 > 0:14:18- ..because she only lived - around the corner.

0:14:19 > 0:14:24- There was a wealth of talent - from the arts world in this area...

0:14:24 > 0:14:28- ..on the doorstep of this shop - where my mother lived.

0:14:39 > 0:14:43- My mother came to London - to work in this shop...

0:14:43 > 0:14:45- ..at the tender age of 17.

0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Her sister, Elinor, - was already here working.

0:14:50 > 0:14:55- She worked for another family - from Ceredigion who owned a shop.

0:14:58 > 0:15:04- Moving from rural Wales - to work in London was a big thing.

0:15:04 > 0:15:07- It's something - I'd always hoped I'd do one day...

0:15:08 > 0:15:11- ..because I've bought a flat here - with my friend.

0:15:11 > 0:15:15- But I never had the guts - or the courage...

0:15:15 > 0:15:19- ..to just leave Wales - and come here to live and work.

0:15:20 > 0:15:24- She did something that I never did - and something I'd hoped I'd do.

0:15:34 > 0:15:37- This is where Mam lived - when she was here.

0:15:37 > 0:15:42- The small room next door - was apparently just a box room.

0:15:43 > 0:15:46- This is where she lived, - in this small but lovely room.

0:15:48 > 0:15:52- To think that she was - only 17 years old...

0:15:52 > 0:15:54- ..and had slept in a bed...

0:15:55 > 0:15:57- ..in this very room.

0:15:57 > 0:16:00- It's a strange feeling...

0:16:00 > 0:16:04- ..and very emotional, - as you'd expect.

0:16:04 > 0:16:06- It's lovely being here...

0:16:07 > 0:16:13- ..and to have perhaps relived - a moment of her life...

0:16:13 > 0:16:15- ..back in the 1960s here in London.

0:16:22 > 0:16:27- Mam and Auntie Elinor - left their jobs...

0:16:27 > 0:16:29- ..without telling the owners.

0:16:29 > 0:16:32- They did that - because they were afraid...

0:16:32 > 0:16:36- ..that the owners - would persuade them to stay.

0:16:36 > 0:16:41- The Welsh people who owned and ran - these shops and dairies...

0:16:41 > 0:16:45- ..said Ceredigion women - were the best workers...

0:16:45 > 0:16:48- ..because they were reliable - and hard-working.

0:16:49 > 0:16:52- Mam met Dad...

0:16:52 > 0:16:56- ..and she was offered a job - managing a shop in New Quay...

0:16:56 > 0:16:58- ..so she upped and left.

0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Mam-gu had never driven - outside Ceredigion.

0:17:02 > 0:17:04- She jumped in the car...

0:17:05 > 0:17:08- ..and came all the way to London - to bring Mam home.

0:17:12 > 0:17:16- I'm getting goose pimples - just sitting outside here...

0:17:16 > 0:17:20- ..and thinking about all the history - and our family ties.

0:17:21 > 0:17:25- It's also on Rugby Street - and rugby's a big part of my life.

0:17:25 > 0:17:29- I feel so emotional - being here today.

0:18:01 > 0:18:04- We're in the Millennium Stadium.

0:18:04 > 0:18:08- In my opinion, - it's the best stadium in the world.

0:18:08 > 0:18:12- Perhaps one of the reasons - I've chosen the Millennium...

0:18:12 > 0:18:16- ..is because I've spent - some of the most exciting days...

0:18:16 > 0:18:18- ..of my working life here.

0:18:19 > 0:18:23- I pinch myself each time I'm given - the privilege of coming here.

0:18:23 > 0:18:27- When I walk in here for any game....

0:18:28 > 0:18:32- ..usually for Wales's - rugby internationals...

0:18:32 > 0:18:38- ..I'm always filled with hope, - anticipation and excitement.

0:18:38 > 0:18:41- It's no longer - a feeling of confidence.

0:18:41 > 0:18:45- There's nervousness too - because I have to do a day's work.

0:18:47 > 0:18:50- The table's empty today, - but during a game...

0:18:50 > 0:18:53- ..I have all my notes - in front of me.

0:18:53 > 0:18:58- There's a machine with numerous - leads coming out of it...

0:18:58 > 0:19:01- ..for the earphones and microphone.

0:19:01 > 0:19:04- The same pattern can be seen - all along here.

0:19:04 > 0:19:08- Everybody sits here - with what's known as an ISDN kit.

0:19:08 > 0:19:13- Everybody's huddled together - on the days when there's a big game.

0:19:13 > 0:19:17- It's dangerous if you're sitting - right at the front.

0:19:17 > 0:19:19- All it takes is a puff of wind.

0:19:19 > 0:19:23- I'm speaking - from personal experience here.

0:19:23 > 0:19:27- All your notes - can be blown away by the wind.

0:19:37 > 0:19:41- The Camp Lawn programme - has been going for ten years.

0:19:41 > 0:19:44- I've been a part of it - since the beginning.

0:19:44 > 0:19:48- These days, - I present it all by myself...

0:19:48 > 0:19:52- ..which means I have to know - far more about football...

0:19:52 > 0:19:54- ..than I had to before...

0:19:55 > 0:19:57- ..when Dylan Ebenezer - was at my side.

0:19:57 > 0:20:03- "After nine consecutive games, - the crusade ended in Scotland...

0:20:04 > 0:20:06- "..thanks to Wales's - top try scorer..."

0:20:06 > 0:20:09- Every Saturday is different.

0:20:09 > 0:20:11- You have to be fully prepared.

0:20:11 > 0:20:14- You could never do a programme - unprepared.

0:20:14 > 0:20:17- You have to be ready - for whatever happens.

0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Once, when I was presenting - the programme...

0:20:21 > 0:20:26- ..the line went down, - causing technical difficulties.

0:20:26 > 0:20:31- All I heard was, "Pick up the - commentary. Describe what you see."

0:20:32 > 0:20:35- I can't say - I did a very good job of it...

0:20:35 > 0:20:39- ..but I can say that I commentated - on a Wales v England game...

0:20:40 > 0:20:42- ..even if it was - for only two minutes.

0:20:46 > 0:20:49- Welcome to Cracabant - from the Arms Park...

0:20:49 > 0:20:52- ..a rugby ground - in the heart of a bustling city.

0:20:52 > 0:20:55- The three Cs - - charisma, character...

0:20:55 > 0:20:57- ..and conscientiousness.

0:20:58 > 0:21:02- Those are just some - of the many traits Eleri possesses.

0:21:02 > 0:21:05- As someone - who has worked alongside her...

0:21:06 > 0:21:08- ..for more than a decade...

0:21:09 > 0:21:11- ..on Camp Lawn every Saturday...

0:21:11 > 0:21:14- ..I know that she's - an intelligent girl...

0:21:14 > 0:21:17- ..with a genuine interest in sport.

0:21:17 > 0:21:22- She's also someone - who's at ease with her audience.

0:21:22 > 0:21:26- Just imagine - having to anchor a programme...

0:21:26 > 0:21:29- ..for six hours or more - every Saturday afternoon.

0:21:30 > 0:21:34- But she enjoys it - and that certainly comes across.

0:21:34 > 0:21:36- If you listen to the programme...

0:21:36 > 0:21:40- ..you sense that the presenter - enjoys being there.

0:21:41 > 0:21:46- She puts listeners at ease - and makes the programme enjoyable.

0:21:50 > 0:21:56- At the beginning of the 1990s, - when I started covering rugby...

0:21:57 > 0:22:01- ..I think I was the first female - to do so on Radio Cymru.

0:22:01 > 0:22:04- People often ask me...

0:22:04 > 0:22:09- ..whether I've encountered prejudice - because I'm a woman.

0:22:09 > 0:22:11- But I have to admit, I haven't.

0:22:11 > 0:22:15- Back in the early 1990s...

0:22:15 > 0:22:18- ..maybe I was the token woman.

0:22:18 > 0:22:22- But nowadays, more and more women - are working in sport...

0:22:22 > 0:22:25- ..and most of them know their stuff.

0:22:31 > 0:22:33- I used to be a workaholic.

0:22:33 > 0:22:36- My work was my life.

0:22:36 > 0:22:40- While the work was there - and I wanted to do it...

0:22:40 > 0:22:42- ..there was no reason not to do it.

0:22:43 > 0:22:46- Unfortunately, - I didn't have a work-life balance.

0:22:47 > 0:22:50- I didn't have time - to do the nice things in life...

0:22:50 > 0:22:53- ..because I always had work to do.

0:22:53 > 0:22:55- I'm not a person who can say no.

0:22:56 > 0:23:01- But in the past two years, - I've learnt to say no.

0:23:01 > 0:23:05- Crikey, I was 39 years old - having a baby. That says it all!

0:23:07 > 0:23:09- Now, I can sit back and say...

0:23:10 > 0:23:13- ..I don't need to do that any more.

0:23:13 > 0:23:15- That's a very nice feeling.

0:23:53 > 0:23:55- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

0:23:56 > 0:23:56- .