Brynaman a'r Fro Bro...

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-Iolo and I are in a village

-that's split between two counties.

-It's Brynaman and this is

-the southern part, Lower Brynaman.

-It's in

-the County of Neath and Port Talbot.

-I've reached

-the northern part of the village.

-This is Upper Brynaman

-which is in Carmarthenshire.

-Welcome to Bro.

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-Brynaman is located

-in South-West Wales.

-Over the years,

-there's been a friendly rivalry...

-..between the residents

-of Upper and Lower Brynaman.

-Many years ago,

-a fair was held in this area.

-Fights occurred between men

-from opposite parts of the village.

-Fortunately,

-it's a much friendlier place now.

-The village lies

-on the edge of the Black Mountain...

-..which is within

-the Brecon Beacons National Park.

-Many ramblers visit each year

-to take in the magnificent views.

-I joined a local group

-to learn about the area's history.

-The view from up here

-on the Black Mountain is wonderful.

-It is indeed, but of course

-we're above the village itself now.

-We're near the area

-where many lime kilns were located.

-Here are the old quarries.

-They're all around us.

-In the village, coal mining

-took over during the 19th century.

-It led to the development

-of iron, brick and tin works.

-The industries benefited

-from one another.

-By now, as you know,

-there's nothing left at all.

-They've all closed down

-which is a shame.

-We'd better make a move

-towards the village itself.

-Come on. Bring Henry the dog too!

-Here's Brynaman coming into view.

-Were you brought up here?

-Were you brought up here?

-

-Yes, I've always lived here.

-I went to college for three years...

-..but luckily, I found a job here

-allowing me to stay in Brynaman.

-I wouldn't have it any other way.

-It's clear from the way you talk

-of Brynaman...

-..that the whole area

-means a lot to you.

-As Welsh speakers, local culture

-has been part of our upbringing.

-Many sports clubs and societies

-have been established here.

-There's so much going on,

-it's like living in heaven!

-I'm going down to heaven.

-Thank you for your company,

-and thanks to Henry too.

-Carry on with your walk,

-and all the best to you.

-In the 1990s, I worked in this area.

-I was a music teacher

-at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera.

-A former pupil works nearby,

-with Gareth Evans Buses over there.

-Someone's busy! Hello!

-Shan, how are you?

-It's nice to see you again.

-Do you remember me?

-Do you remember me?

-

-You taught me Music at Ystalyfera.

-There are three generations,

-and you're the third.

-Yes, Mam, Mam-gu and me.

-We all drive.

-That's great

-to have women running the show!

-We like to keep the men in check.

-Is there always enough work to do?

-There's plenty

-to keep us on our toes.

-We check the buses,

-then do morning and afternoon runs.

-The buses need cleaning,

-there's computer work and paperwork.

-Is your mother around?

-Is your mother around?

-

-She's cleaning the bus.

-Does she want help to clean?

-Does she want help to clean?

-

-Give her a shout.

-I think I may need overalls

-to avoid a shower!

-Hello.

-Sharon?

-Yes? Well hello, Shan!

-You're on your knees there.

-I've just seen Steffani,

-my former pupil.

-She's altered so much.

-Everyone says

-that she takes after me - poor girl!

-Tell me about

-the Gareth Evans Bus Company.

-Is it an old company?

-Yes,

-Fred Russell owned it originally.

-He ran it

-from premises further up the road.

-When he died,

-my parents bought the business.

-It was in 1960

-and we moved into these premises.

-Kevin and I took over after that.

-That's it - we're still here!

-I could chat with you here all day.

-Hadn't I better give you a hand?

-Hadn't I better give you a hand?

-

-Can you help?

-Yes, I have a pair of hands!

-Wear these gloves first.

-They protect from the effects

-of chemicals in the spray cleaners.

-Thank heavens that's done!

-That's only one bus.

-Yes, I know.

-Steffani's cleaned the exterior,

-we've done the interior.

-Is there any chance of a spin?

-Is there any chance of a spin?

-

-I'm sure there is.

-What we'll do

-is ask the best driver.

-I should say the best female driver.

-Otherwise,

-I'll have a riot here in the yard!

-Our very best lady driver

-will take you for a spin.

-My mother's around here somewhere.

-Margaret, they tell me

-you're the best driver.

-It's good to hear them saying so!

-We'll see for ourselves, shall we?

-Are we all ready to go?

-What we want is a trip

-around Brynaman, so off we go!

-This is the Black Mountain Centre.

-Since it opened in 2004...

-..it's become a focal point

-for the whole community in Brynaman.

-All sorts of activities

-are held here...

-..and to find out more about it,

-I've come to meet Ffion Davies.

-Hello, Ffion.

-Hello, Ffion.

-

-Hi, there.

-When I last visited Brynaman,

-I forget when, this hadn't opened.

-Tell me about the centre.

-Tell me about the centre.

-

-It's an old school building.

-It was converted

-into a community centre.

-That was about

-six or seven years ago.

-What happens in this centre?

-Local groups hold meetings here...

-..such as art, heritage

-and gardening groups.

-Many different people

-visit the centre.

-It's the one building in Brynaman

-where everyone can drop in.

-They can eat here or attend courses.

-There's something for everyone.

-They can drop in

-for a coffee and a chat.

-What are you doing here right now?

-I'm preparing for a swap shop.

-The idea

-is that people exchange clothes.

-It's a sort of swish party

-to swap clothing.

-Yes, there are some smart items.

-As you're busy now,

-I'll let you carry on.

-Can I just borrow this hat?

-What do you think?

-Thanks, I'll see you later.

-Margaret, your driving's a treat.

-Could you please drop me off

-at the Black Mountain Centre?

-Yes, that'll be fine.

-Thank you very much, Margaret.

-Let me tell you,

-just between ourselves...

-..you were the best driver!

-Bye, everyone,

-and thanks for the welcome.

-Alright, are you all ready?

-Off we go then!

-Here's the first one.

-54. Two fat ladies, 54, as they say.

-With Iolo's being a busybody

-downstairs, I went upstairs...

-..to meet Peri Thomas and

-Mess Up The Mess theatrical group.

-Can you spare a moment

-amongst all this activity?

-Yes, they're all hard at work.

-They're very focused.

-Mess Up The Mess.

-That's the group's name.

-What's the aim of Mess Up The Mess?

-Mess Up The Mess

-is a theatre company...

-..is a theatre

-creating drama with young people...

-..about young people's issues.

-Much of what we do

-is physical theatre.

-Out of a theme

-that's important to young people...

-..they'll create a play.

-Your enthusiasm and theirs,

-is obvious.

-It's made me want to join in.

-Can I help out in any way?

-No problem, I'll show you.

-Hello, hello, who are you?

-Laura and Daniel, right.

-Abdomen to foot.

-Nose to back.

-Nose to what?

-Back.

-A stone's throw from the centre...

-..is the home of photographer

-Dai Evans.

-Dai uses models to create

-messages and special images.

-Yoo-hoo! Hi, Dai.

-Hello, Shan. How are you?

-I'm very well, thanks.

-So, is this your studio?

-What inspires you, Dai?

-You could say

-that I try to undermine art.

-You look at something

-that's not quite as it should be.

-I turn it upside down,

-to make it look different.

-I think it was

-at the time of Con Passionate...

-..that I made this,

-if I remember correctly.

-I had these two dolls and a violin.

-And what does it give you?

-A G-string.

-You're a real character, Dai.

-I'd say you enjoy a joke.

-Yes.

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-This week, Shan and I

-are visiting the Brynaman area.

-It's in south-east Carmarthenshire.

-It was originally called

-Y Gwter Fawr.

-The newer name

-came from Brynaman House.

-It was the home of John Jones...

-..who built a railway here

-back in the 19th century.

-At one time,

-there were 150 shops in Brynaman.

-Since the demise of coal mining,

-many businesses have disappeared...

-..and yet, a strong community spirit

-prevails here.

-The legs are on show once again!

-Some local girls

-have challenged me...

-..to take part in a Zumba class.

-I've absolutely no idea

-what a Zumba is.

-However, as the only man here,

-it should be a lot of fun!

-Come on, Iolo.

-Juliana, I'm nervous about this.

-What exactly is Zumba?

-Zumba can't be described,

-it has to be experienced.

-It's like keep fit...

-..but using Latin dance rhythms

-such as salsa, so just try it.

-This is a large class -

-it's popular in this area.

-We had 63 people

-when it started back in January.

-We relocated to Gwauncaegurwen

-because the class grew.

-It's nice to have a class

-that draws all the women together.

-It's great,

-but you're the only man who's come.

-Right, I'll go in and have a go.

-Having fun with women in Lycra

-would be brilliant, I thought.

-It's killing me!

-I wonder where Shan is.

-Shani, where are you?

-Help me, please.

-The cinema is an impressive building

-in the centre of Brynaman.

-It was the miners

-who funded its construction in 1926.

-It remains

-a popular local attraction.

-Hello there, Brian!

-Hello, Shan. How are you?

-Is this where it's all at

-in Brynaman cinema?

-Yes, anything of importance

-at least.

-It's a cosy little room.

-Yes, it's nice and cosy.

-I've not been in a room

-similar to this before.

-I didn't realize

-that reels still operate the film.

-Yes, all that's here

-works automatically nowadays.

-You've worked here for many years.

-Yes, since I was 14 years old.

-That's a long time.

-Yes, it's got into the blood by now.

-Explain to me

-how these reels actually work.

-There's a projector here

-that's older than the digital gear.

-This dates back to the 1950s.

-That's the new one there.

-There films come in on eight reels

-which I stick together.

-I put them on that large machine.

-Then it'll keep going all night.

-Years ago, we put a reel on one,

-then crossed to the other.

-We had to do so every 20 minutes.

-So it used to involve more work.

-Yes, but now

-once the film starts, that's it.

-To me, it's boring.

-I enjoy putting it all together

-and then dismantling it all again.

-What about your retirement?

-What about your retirement?

-

-Yes, I'm supposed to be retired.

-The official date

-was the end of last year.

-But I'm still in charge...

-..of the projection, the films,

-the stage and such operations.

-I still do a lot here.

-It's hard to say, "I'll do no more."

-It's in the blood

-so I'm driven and I enjoy it.

-Brian,

-do you have a few hours to spare?

-I've got all day!

-Do you think we could watch a film?

-No problem. It's set up already.

-Great!

-Shan's relaxing in the cinema

-but I'm still in my shorts.

-I'm on my way to the hall.

-I was nervous about Zumba dancing

-but now I'm meeting a wrestler.

-Blimey, I'll be lucky

-to leave Brynaman in one piece!

-Edward Dennis

-was brought up in Gwauncaegurwen.

-After spending six months training

-at a wrestling school in Canada...

-..he goes on tour around the UK

-to show off his skills.

-Whoa! Let him go.

-Whoa! Let him go.

-

-Hi, there!

-Please don't kill him.

-How are you, son?

-You're a big fit bloke.

-How long have you been wrestling?

-About two, two and a half years.

-Do you enjoy it?

-Do you enjoy it?

-

-Yes, of course, man.

-I've wanted to do this

-since I was five years old.

-You have to train constantly.

-Of course,

-although I do other things as well.

-I train at least twice a week.

-Your background is fascinating.

-Didn't you train

-to be a Mathematics teacher?

-Yes, I graduated

-in Mathematics in Cardiff.

-I then did my PGCE

-at a Cardiff school.

-I'm a graduate

-qualified Mathematics teacher.

-I could still follow that path.

-I've decided instead

-to take a couple of years off.

-I want to give wrestling a go.

-Is the aim to go to America?

-Yes, America or Japan.

-There are plenty of opportunities

-to make a career of it there.

-Either country, or both,

-will be fine by me.

-I'm doing local shows at the moment.

-I'm building up towards the WWE.

-That's where the big money is made.

-Yes,

-but money can be made in Japan too.

-But America's the place

-to make the big bucks.

-I'd just like to earn a living.

-But everyone wants to be a star

-once you're over there!

-If I'm honest about it.

-If I'm honest about it.

-

-The women will all be chasing you!

-I'm nervous asking this.

-You're a big lad and Joe's strong.

-Is there a simple move

-that you can show me?

-Yes, of course, no problem.

-We can show you a wrestling move.

-We call this one a body slam.

-Throw his arm over your shoulder.

-Pick him up.

-Then you slam him downwards, OK?

-Right. OK, Joe?

-Here we go.

-Here we go.

-

-Careful now, Joe.

-OK.

-Hand up!

-Aargh!

-Aargh!

-We need a referee!

-Bring on a referee.

-Oh, oh, oh!

-No, never, never!

-Oh! Never, never!

-Here's a girl who's been inspired

-by the area - Lisa Pedrick.

-# Your smile

-and characteristic laugh #

-Lisa, what a glorious day

-to visit Brynaman Common.

-It's situated behind the house.

-I've bought a house in Brynaman.

-I come here for a stroll, especially

-on fine days such as this.

-You were born and bred here.

-I'm actually from Gwauncaegurwen.

-There's a great difference

-between there and Brynaman...

-..despite them being

-neighbouring villages.

-People tell me

-it's the same place...

-..but the locals are clear

-about where they come from!

-I live in Lower Brynaman.

-When I've really made it,

-Upper Brynaman is my goal.

-That's what someone told me anyway.

-I have a few years

-before I move up the valley.

-No promotion yet?

-No promotion yet?

-

-No, not quite.

-I know you're a versatile singer

-and songwriter.

-How much of an influence

-has Brynaman had on your music?

-The people who live

-in this area have influenced me.

-The fact that I'm close

-to friends and family is important.

-If I can't think of something

-personal to write about...

-..I draw inspiration

-from the stories of local people.

-The area's full of characters

-with a good story to tell.

-Did you sit here

-keeping an eye on who goes by?

-People watching!

-People watching!

-

-Yes, I do that.

-Brynaman and the whole valley

-are full of characters.

-They always have their stories.

-People know about the origins

-of little nicknames...

-..and how they got them long ago.

-You do get ideas,

-especially when growing older.

-I appreciate the stories

-people tell me about their lives.

-Is there one song you've written

-which is very close to your heart?

-Yes, one about a local person,

-as we were just discussing.

-I wrote a song a few years ago

-about my late grandfather.

-He died in September 2006.

-It was hard.

-I'd been fortunate

-to know all four grandparents...

-..on both sides of the family.

-They were around into my twenties

-and not many have that privilege.

-Sometimes, it's more difficult

-to lose someone when you're older.

-I knew my grandfather as a friend.

-When he left us,

-I had to write this song.

-It offered a catharsis

-to release all the emotions.

-What's the song called?

-What's the song called?

-

-Sunshine.

-It's unusual, because

-I say Sunshine and you think...

-..it's a happy name for a sad song.

-It was his nickname as a young man.

-I found out at his funeral

-that this is what people called him.

-I thought it would be

-a nice title for his song.

-He'd be proud of you,

-it's a perfect gift.

-# Sleep gently, Sunshine

-# I'm fine, I'm not scared now

-# The way's clear now, Sunshine

-# Sunshine

-# If I could see you

-# For only a second

-# I would say everything

-# I know you're there all the time

-# To pick me up wherever I go

-# And here are your final words

-# Do sleep gently

-# Sunshine, Sunshine #

-S4C Subtitles by Simian 04 Cyf.

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