Rhaglen 6 Bro...

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-This week, we're in Mid Wales...

-..in Wales's ancient capital -

-Machynlleth.

-It's a great place to stop halfway

-between north and south Wales.

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-Machynlleth nestles in

-the beauty of the Dyfi Valley.

-It's an important historic town.

-Machynlleth was the Welsh capital

-in the days of Owain Glyndwr.

-The Parliament House is still

-an important attraction.

-The weekly market is another -

-since 1291.

-Every Wednesday, locals flock

-to the market to do their shopping.

-Yes, indeed. Machynlleth is an

-historic town of great importance.

-Interesting stories abound.

-Well, Geraint, everyone's heard

-or seen Machynlleth's clock tower...

-..and heard about

-the Parliament House...

-..but very few will have heard

-about Y Plas in Machynlleth.

-The mansion has been here

-since the 18th century.

-As a child, I was aware that the

-Prince of Wales used to stay here.

-When he was made Chancellor

-of Aberystwyth University...

-..he stayed here for three nights.

-Mary Cornelia, the mansion's

-daughter, commemorated the visit...

-..with this horseshoe-shaped

-doorway outside the mansion.

-In 1911,

-another Prince of Wales visited.

-He went on to become George V

-and married Queen Mary.

-The building has a rich history,

-but the community now owns it.

-There's a cafe and a gallery

-used by many local artists.

-You can marry in the mansion now.

-The registrar is based here.

-It's nice to see it

-being used by ordinary people...

-..after the early part of its life

-was dominated by royalty.

-That's very important.

-Machynlleth is surrounded

-by such a beautiful landscape.

-It comes as no surprise that

-it's an area that inspires artists.

-Meri Wells is one of those artists.

-Meri is renowned around the world

-for her sculpture.

-Meri,

-you live in an incredible house.

-It is nice. It's suitable for what

-I do. That's what I like about it.

-It's an old house.

-It's an old house.

-

-Yes, it's very old.

-It's changed very little.

-It's a great place to work and live.

-This room is ideal

-for exhibiting your work.

-Look at all these different pieces.

-It's incredible.

-You've dedicated your life

-to sculpture.

-Yes, this takes up most of my time.

-I don't know what I'd do

-if I wasn't doing this work.

-It's fine.

-It does take time.

-You need great concentration.

-It's all about the rhythm

-of working every day.

-Everything grows from there.

-I looked at all the faces

-when I arrived and I thought, "Ooh."

-After spending some time here...

-..I've felt these figures

-become friendlier.

-Each one has a face.

-They're not bad spirits in any way.

-If they do have any feelings...

-..they're looking at the mess

-we've made of the world...

-..and thinking, "Oh!"

-That's their main characteristic.

-Do you have a favourite?

-Do you have a favourite?

-

-I like this one.

-It's missing an ear. It can't hear

-a note. It doesn't belong.

-This one's staying here... for now.

-I like this one.

-This one stays in Caecarrog.

-Geraint,

-Dolgelynen is a wonderful house.

-The views are breathtaking. What's

-the significance of this house?

-This is where Lleucu Llwyd was born.

-# Lleucu Llwyd

-# You're so pretty

-# Lleucu Llwyd

-# You mean everything to me #

-Many people don't realize

-that she is a real person.

-She's a historical person.

-This is where she was born.

-She fell in love

-with Llywelyn Goch ap Meurig Hen...

-..a poet from Dolgellau.

-Lleucu's family wasn't happy

-with the courtship...

-..and one day, as Llywelyn

-walked away to write poetry...

-..Lleucu's father

-turned to his daughter and said...

-..that Llywelyn was in love

-with another woman.

-She had such a shock,

-she had a heart attack and died.

-That's surprised me. I thought

-it was just a Dewi Pws song.

-This is where she was born.

-It's a farmhouse today.

-It also offers bed and breakfast.

-# Lleucu Llwyd

-# You're an angel

-# Lleucu Llwyd

-# I love you, love you #

-The village of Abercegir

-is four miles from Machynlleth.

-It's a laid-back,

-peaceful, tranquil village...

-..but sometimes,

-it springs into life!

-DOG BARKS

-Jane Lloyd Francis and partner

-Georges from Carreg y Fuddau Farm...

-..run a horse training

-and breeding business.

-They also run a horse theatre.

-With the summer show about to begin,

-Jane and dancer Zoe...

-..are busy rehearsing.

-This is my idea of heaven, Jane.

-I'm visiting your stables

-in Abercegir.

-It's nice here.

-You're a local girl. Have you

-lived here your entire life?

-I've lived here

-for the past 19 years.

-I was born in Aberystwyth.

-The Equilibre Horse Theatre.

-Tell me more about it.

-This was such a wonderful place and

-I wanted to do something different.

-We perform with the horses.

-People sing and dance here.

-It sounds like a perfect life.

-You spend your entire day

-with the horses.

-Does it pay well?

-Does it pay well?

-

-No!

-Georges is world-renowned

-for his training work.

-After training this horse,

-I was eager to see a performance.

-Alas, no.

-I was given a role for the day.

-# L'amour est un oiseau rebelle

-# Que nul ne peut apprivoiser

-# Et c'est bien en vain

-qu'on l'appelle

-# S'il lui convient de refuser... #

-I'm used to sharing a stage

-with talented individuals.

-Sharing the stage with a horse

-was an incredible experience.

-Its ability to dance to the beat

-was amazing.

-I was having a great time.

-The seaside village of Aberdovey

-is nine miles from Machynlleth.

-The village attracts thousands

-of visitors each year.

-For some of the locals,

-it's a great place to keep fit.

-How's it going? Are you alright?

-I'm very well, thanks.

-I've just been running.

-How far did you run?

-How far did you run?

-

-Ten kilometres.

-Are you training

-for a particular event?

-I'm training for an ironman event.

-You swim for 2.5 miles

-across an open lake...

-..cycle for 112 miles on a bike...

-..and the small matter

-of a marathon run at the end.

-You're insane! Have you completed

-one of these before?

-I've competed in triathlon events

-for the past twelve years.

-The distances are different

-for a triathlon.

-I've completed

-three half-ironman events.

-I'm hoping to end my career

-with a full ironman event.

-This area must be

-an excellent place for training.

-You're surrounded

-by water and mountains.

-It's wonderful.

-I run every morning and evening.

-There's plenty of variety

-in this landscape.

-You've finished your run.

-What's next?

-I fancy going for a swim in the sea.

-Do you want to join me?

-If I can change my clothes,

-I'll give it a go.

-Don't go too fast or too far.

-Let's go.

-There's no turning back now.

-I'll be back after the break,

-if I'm still alive!

-Ready? Off we go.

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-Machynlleth serves as the backbone

-of neighbouring communities.

-With the nearest town 18 miles away,

-it's a lifeline for the locals.

-I love accents.

-The people of Machynlleth

-change every 'a' into an 'e'.

-So, Shen fech sings like a cet!

-How odd!

-I've lived here for almost 50 years.

-There's nowhere better.

-Owain Glyndwr spanked the English

-in the Battle of Dyddgen.

-Machynlleth has grown

-and developed ever since.

-We're all friends in Machynlleth.

-I've lived in Machynlleth

-for 15 years.

-It's a very convenient town.

-Aberystwyth isn't far, and

-there's a lovely beach in Borth.

-The people are lovely.

-They're very friendly.

-They welcome you with open arms,

-and they're more than happy to help.

-Like every other area, the town's

-cafes are a great place for a chat.

-How are you all? What a welcome.

-I'm looking for Alwyn. Is he here?

-He's out the back.

-Excuse me.

-Alwyn is Y Gegin Fach's chef.

-His carrot cake is legendary.

-He also sings.

-The acoustics are great.

-Fancy a sing-song?

-We'll scare the customers away

-before the cake goes out.

-# To Shani forever

-# To Alwyn forever

-# To Shani/Alwyn forever #

-Oh! Excellent.

-Well done, Shan.

-What a finale!

-Right then, who asked

-for a large piece of cake?

-Beryl.

-Muriel.

-What do you think of it?

-Not as nice as the first one!

-The mountainous terrain

-of the Dovey Valley...

-..is perfect for mountain biking.

-Climax, one of the most challenging

-trails, can be found in Ceinws.

-How are you, Dylan?

-Is the bike alright?

-Yes, just about.

-Where are you taking me today?

-Up into the forest.

-This trail is called Climax.

-This is some track.

-Apparently, it's dangerous.

-Apparently, it's dangerous.

-

-No, it's fine.

-You're a competitive biker.

-Yes, I race in cross country

-and Enduro competitions.

-How long are those races?

-Up to 60 miles on a mountain bike...

-..and over 100 on a road bike.

-How long is this trail?

-Eight miles. It's a baby!

-How long does it take you

-to complete eight miles?

-About 50 minutes.

-Eight miles in 50 minutes.

-That's challenging.

-No, it's not.

-Why can't Shan do these items?

-I'm shattered now,

-and they're still going.

-On the other side of the mountain,

-life is far more relaxed.

-I had the chance to enjoy

-the magnificent views...

-..with Gwen Lloyd

-from Glan Dulas Fawr.

-Gwen breeds Bernese Mountain dogs.

-She's had a lot of success

-with the breed.

-She won her class in Crufts in 2008.

-Gwen is also well-known locally for

-practising alternative treatments.

-After wandering the mountains,

-I put my feet up...

-..to enjoy her latest treatment -

-Hopi candles.

-Right, Shan, we'll place this over

-your face or the side of your head.

-There's a hole in the tissue.

-This will stop anything

-from falling on your face.

-It's not our intention to burn you!

-I have to locate your ear.

-It's there - somewhere!

-It's there somewhere.

-Are you comfortable?

-It's wonderful.

-The fragrance has knocked me out.

-I can see the flame getting closer.

-It's OK. Don't worry about a thing.

-You're OK.

-Hopi candles are used

-to treat all sorts of illnesses...

-..including headaches

-and allergies.

-The hollow candle in my ear...

-..draws out the dust from my ear

-and the heat relaxes my body.

-Falling asleep during the process

-is a common occurrence.

-Right, Shan, I'm removing

-the candle from your ear.

-OK?

-It's lovely.

-I'm removing the tissues.

-I'll just clean

-the inside of your ear.

-OK?

-Time to wake up.

-Where am I?

-Thanks, Gwen.

-The town is packed

-with interesting little shops.

-Kelvin and Judy Jenkins

-run a successful jewellery shop.

-Hello. Is Kelvin in?

-Yes, he is.

-He's down in the workshop.

-Lovely. Thank you.

-Kelvin, how are you? How are things?

-Are you alright?

-I'm fine, thanks.

-What are you doing here?

-I'm finishing off this ring

-made of Welsh gold.

-You work with jewellery now

-but you used to be an archaeologist.

-I've worked as an archaeologist

-in America, the Outer Hebrides...

-..and in Czechoslovakia.

-When I was in America, I saw people

-working in small workshops.

-I thought that was a good idea.

-I returned to London.

-I was living there at the time.

-I returned to college in London

-to study jewellery.

-Have you made a ring

-for someone famous?

-I made a ring

-and designed the pattern...

-..for Sian Lloyd and Lembit.

-That relationship

-didn't end up well.

-That's another story.

-On the mountains above Penegoes,

-Sioned and Alan Pugh...

-..have diversified their farm.

-They've established

-a laser clay pigeon...

-..and quad bike centre.

-Happy?

-How are things, Sioned? When did you

-introduce these bikes to the farm?

-We've had quad bikes

-for the past 12 years.

-It's a successful venture.

-You're very busy.

-We attract people

-from Britain and beyond.

-A lot of people

-forget about this area.

-They visit Snowdonia

-and the Brecon Beacons...

-..and they forget about

-the delights of this area.

-Mid Wales is often ignored.

-People think there's more to do

-in Snowdonia or on the Beacons.

-We have something special

-to offer here.

-The landscape is very different.

-That's a reason for setting up

-a business here.

-You can see everything

-from these hilltops.

-There's nowhere better

-than Montgomeryshire.

-I've had a great welcome

-in Machynlleth.

-The people have been so wonderful.

-I think they like me because I've

-been invited to a party in a yurt.

-Hello there!

-This is a party to launch

-the El Sueno Existe Festival...

-..The Dream Lives On.

-The Latin American festival

-is held here every year...

-..to commemorate the life of

-Chilean freedom fighter Victor Jara.

-Here it is - the yurt.

-Lovely.

-The festival organiser

-is Tony Corden.

-He's been interested

-in Latin American music for years.

-He is Cloud Cuckoo's lead singer.

-Tony, that was the longest

-song finale I've ever heard.

-Sit down.

-I love this kind of music -

-Latin American music.

-You have a wonderful voice

-and some wonderful instruments.

-What is this?

-It's a charango - a traditional

-instrument from the Andes.

-This is made out of wood

-from the orange tree.

-Here's another one. It's smaller.

-This is an older instrument

-made from an armadillo shell.

-An armadillo shell.

-A dead one, of course.

-A dead one, yes.

-A dead one, yes.

-

-It had a good life.

-In its will, it wanted to be used

-as a musical instrument!

-It's found a wonderful home.

-How about another song?

-How about another song?

-

-Why not?

-Let's keep the party alive.

-Everything's swinging in the yurt.

-We're going to sing a song

-called You Are The Party...

-..La Fiesta Eres Tu.

-One, two, three.

-# Muchacha morena y tierna

-# Se te ha roto tu vestido

-# Por ahi te miro la pierna... #

-What better way to bring

-our visit to Machynlleth to an end?

-A party with some of my new friends

-in the yurt.

-# Ay, ay, ay

-# Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay

-# Muchacha morena y dulce

-como llevarte por ahi

-# Ay, ay, ay

-# Ay, ay, ay #

-S4C Subtitles by Simian 04 Cyf.

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