Clasuron Cefn Gwlad Cefn Gwlad

-Many have come to Bala

-to see Thomas Charles's memorial.

-Today, Bala has another Thomas

-- Thomas James...

-..or Twm Jim as he's better known.

-He lives in the family home -

-Brynbanon Bach...

-..with his wife, Olwen.

-His father and grandfather worked

-as gamekeepers on Rhiwlas Estate.

-'Though Twm Jim is a well-known local character...

-..and a regular attender at sheep shows and shearing competitions.

-February 1992

-February 1992

-

-These are your show sheep.

-It's a dangerous spot.

-I see you have two lambs already.

-I see you have two lambs already.

-

-Yes, unofficially!

-They're waiting to be fed.

-They're waiting to be fed.

-

-Waiting for their daily bread!

-Bread is a cheap and effective food.

-It's very nutritious.

-How many loaves do you feed them?

-I don't keep count.

-They just eat what I give them.

-I've never seen sheep

-enjoy bread so much!

-All these are show sheep...

-All these are show sheep...

-

-Yes.

-You have several breeds.

-Yes, badger-face

-Torwen and Torddu...

-..and these others are Balwen.

-..and these others are Balwen.

-

-From the Rhandirmwyn area.

-Twm Sion Cati sheep!

-The smaller sheep are Ryelands...

-The smaller sheep are Ryelands...

-

-Yes.

-I keep several breeds.

-You show badger-face

-Torddu and Torwen...

-..Balwen, Welsh Mountains

-and Ryelands. What else?

-I have about eight

-North Country Cheviots.

-How long have you been showing sheep?

-How long have you been showing sheep?

-

-Many years.

-How did you start off?

-I think Bala sheepdog trials

-first kindled my interest.

-Carry on feeding the flock! >

-The Llandderfel to Bala road

-is quite busy.

-It leads to Corwen, through Cynwyd.

-You have a smart signpost!

-Why place it there?

-An old lady once lived

-in the mansion next-door...

-..and people would

-mix up entrances.

-They'd go to her house - Brynbanon,

-

-in mistake for Brynbanon Bach.

-She'd have many callers then -

- everyone visits Twm Jim!

-The day's improving.

-Twm holds an annual sale

-of the area's unwanted articles.

-You arrange an annual sale...

-You arrange an annual sale...

-

-Yes, this will be my fourteenth.

-Do you expect to sell

-this old winnowing-machine?

-Do you expect to sell

-this old winnowing-machine?

-

-Yes. I've a customer for everything.

-Who are your customers?

-Who are your customers?

-

-They come from everywhere -

-Shrewsbury, Llanilar, Llangybi.

-From England and Wales.

-There's plenty of choice.

-People want some strange things!

-People want some strange things!

-

-And they'll pay good money

-to get them.

-You have some rare implements here.

- What's this - an old pulper?

-You have some rare implements here.

- What's this - an old pulper?

-

-Yes.

-Who buys such equipment -

-scrap people?

-Who buys such equipment -

-scrap people?

-

-No, farmers often want pulpers.

-Some buy old implements

-to paint and display in the garden.

-This is very old - a kibbler.

-You have no-end of equipment here.

-Your sale will go on for days!

-You have no-end of equipment here.

-Your sale will go on for days!

-

-No, just a day.

-Here's another old kibbler.

-Yes, turned by hand.

-How would you fancy this job?

-I won't have much use

-for the kibbler!

-You can gather a store of firewood

-along the farm-track.

-You've plenty of firewood.

-May as well gather a few logs now.

-Do you burn coal, too?

-Do you burn coal, too?

-

-Yes, a little.

-Logs supplement

-today's expensive coal.

-Have you always lived here?

-I'm from Cwmtirmynach.

-That's not far away...

-That's not far away...

- That's not far away...

-No.

-Did your family live here?

-Did your family live here?

-

-Yes, my grandparents had the house.

-My grandfather

-worked as a gamekeeper at Rhiwlas.

-They'd breed pheasants

-by the thousands.

-That little stone shed was used

-for boiling eggs and mixing food.

-My father then became

-estate gamekeeper.

-< Do you shoot game?

-< Do you shoot game?

-

-No, moles are my limit!

-< You're too kind-hearted

-to use a gun!

-We can tell Spring is in the air

-by the sound of nearby tractors.

-We can tell Spring is in the air

-by the sound of nearby tractors.

-

-And there's slight grass growth.

-Let's hope it gets colder tonight now I've gathered these logs for you!

-< Twm Jim is from Cwmtirmynach -

-are you a local girl?

-Yes, from Tal-y-bont, Rhyduchaf.

-< You've numerous cups and trophies -

- do you have a

-favourite show?

-Yes, the Royal Welsh.

-< Do you go for the whole week?

-< Do you go for the whole week?

-

-Yes, it's our annual holiday.

-< And you have to keep an eye on Twm!

-He's such a chatterbox!

-This is the lorry you take to shows.

-This is the lorry you take to shows.

-

-Yes. The sheep in the truck,

-and the wife up front!

-The Bedford Hotel!

-It's seen many a show.

-The Bedford Hotel!

-It's seen many a show.

-

-Yes, if only it could talk!

-It's roomy inside -

-equipped with a bed, too.

-It's roomy inside -

-equipped with a bed, too.

-

-Do you have many callers

-at the Royal Welsh?

-Do you have many callers

-at the Royal Welsh?

-Do you have many callers

-at the Royal Welsh?

-

-Yes, many.

-Is the lorry specially designed

-for the job?

-Is the lorry specially designed

-for the job?

-

-No, it's an old furniture van.

-You sleep up front here,

-with the sheep behind...

-You sleep up front here,

-with the sheep behind...

-

-The sheep are let out at night.

-It's a meeting-centre for Bala folk!>

-It's well-equipped -

-there's a table...

-Yes, cupboards and a commode.

-An essential facility

-for a week's stay! >

-Twm organises courses

-for the ATB in Penllyn.

-A range of courses are on offer.

-What area do you cover for the ATB?

-The Llanuwchllyn, Cwmtirmynach

-and Frongoch areas.

-And it's your job to make sure

-the courses run smoothly.

-And it's your job to make sure

-the courses run smoothly.

-

-That's right.

-The Llandderfel road

-is flanked by stone walls.

-There's some good land around here.

-There's some good land around here.

-

-Yes, nice and flat.

-Plas Isaf Farm, Llandderfel.

-ATB courses are held

-on local farms.

-ATB courses are held

-on local farms.

-

-Yes.

-You helped found the shearing course.

-You helped found the shearing course.

-

-Yes.

-How popular are the welding courses?

-How popular are the welding courses?

-

-Very popular.

-We're lucky to have the use

-of this shed.

-Who's the course teacher?

-This is Aneurin Morris,

-

-but we call him Neu.

-How many attend classes at one time?

-Not too many at a time -

-these lads are quite a handful!

-We usually have

-about four in each class.

-Does welding take much training?

-Does welding take much training?

-

-Yes, quite a lot.

-What exactly do you teach the lads?

- Could you show me?

-I'd better wear the protective eye-shield.

-You must try to keep

-a straight line.

-This is the first thing one learns

-before welding things together.

-This is the first thing one learns

-before welding things together.

-

-Yes, you start on a flat surface.

-Shall I give it a try? >

-I can't see a thing!

-That's better!

-Bloody hopeless!

-I shouldn't touch the metal itself...

-I shouldn't touch the metal itself...

-

-No.

-What do you think

-of Dai's welding, Twm?

-It looks like bird droppings to me!

-He'll take some teaching!

-From welding to buying a sheepdog -

- something much more in my line!

-Do you buy all your dogs locally?

-Do you buy all your dogs locally?

-

-Yes, at the cheapest place!

-Where are we destined today?

-Where are we destined today?

-

-Cryniarth Farm.

-Poet Llwyd o'r Bryn

-wrote about Cryniarth.

-Poet Llwyd o'r Bryn

-wrote about Cryniarth.

-

-Yes, he lived nearby.

-What do you know about this dog?

-What do you know about this dog?

-

-I sold its mother

-to Robin in the first place.

-How much are you prepared to pay?

-How much are you prepared to pay?

-

-It depends on Robin's asking-price.

-Whatever the price,

-Twm will haggle!

-She's quite good

-for a young bitch, Twm.

-She needs new brakes!

-She's not too bad.

-She's going well for a young bitch.

-She's going well for a young bitch.

-

-Not bad at all for an 8-month old.

-I just want her fully trained

-to sell at May's sheepdog sales.

-The dog I have at home is too young.

-She has great potential.

-She has great potential.

-

-Yes, she'll be ready by May.

-Don't be too complimentary - or Robin will raise the asking-price!

-She's a handy bitch, Robin.

-She's a handy bitch, Robin.

-

-Yes, very useful.

-Especially for an 8-month old.

-Is she for sale?

-Is she for sale?

-

-Yes, for the right price!

-That's the snag!

-I get quite good prices around here.

-How much do you want for her?

-I want to be able to sell her

-at the May sale.

-It's good of you to admit it.

-Don't be too complimentary now, Dai!

-Don't be too complimentary now, Dai!

-

-No, this is between you two.

-She's good for her age.

-But not not fully trained.

-No, she must learn the stops,

-but she's young enough yet.

-The bargaining went on - Robin wanted 100, Twm offered 80.

-We'll have to settle on a price,

-or we'll be here all day!

-I'll give you 80.

-I'll give you 80.

-

-No - let's meet half way.

-What's that - 85?

-No, 90!

-Thanks for trying, Dai!

-Come on, before he asks for more!

-Back to Brynbanon Bach, to prepare

-for Saturday, March 7th...

-..day of the sale.

-There are people everywhere!

-You hold this sale every year.

-You hold this sale every year.

-

-Yes, this is my fourteenth.

-There's a good selection.

-You have all kinds of people here -

-scrap collectors, and gyppos...

-..as Trebor Gwanas calls them!

-And Cardis, too!

-You don't bracket Cardis with gyppos!

-You don't bracket Cardis with gyppos!

-

-They're the same breed!

-Let's go and see what's on sale.

-Are these your geese?

-Are these your geese?

-

-Yes.

-How old are they?

-How old are they?

-

-A year this April.

-Where are you from?

-Where are you from?

-

-Llandrillo.

-I hope you get a good price for them.

- The money will come in handy!

-Yes, my trousers are in rags!

-Good luck! >

-Twm, this is your grandson.

-Twm, this is your grandson.

-

-Yes, my only grandson.

-You've an only daughter.

-You've an only daughter.

-

-Yes, and one grandson.

-What's your name?

-What's your name?

- What's your name?

-Deiniol.

-Will you follow in your

-grandfather's footsteps?

-Will you follow in your

-grandfather's footsteps?

- grandfather's footsteps?

-I expect so.

-What do you think of today's sale?

-What do you think of today's sale?

-

-A dirty old day like every year!

-Young lads having fun in the mud!

-Twm has made me a new kennel -

-let's hope it's not too expensive!

-Have you got money to pay for it?

-Have you got money to pay for it?

-

-No, not a penny!

-40 to Dai Jones, Llanilar.

-You'll have to give me

-a discount for luck.

-You'll have to give me

-a discount for luck.

-

-I'll wish you good luck!

-Is it guaranteed waterproof?

-Is it guaranteed waterproof?

-

-Yes, guaranteed!

-Look who was bidding against you!

-Look who was bidding against you!

-

-Don Llannerch - I suspected so!

-Do you fancy making a profit, Dai?

-I'll give you 41 for the kennel!

-You've got a good kennel here.

-I sold the kennel to Don Llannerch,

- but made no profit!

-William, you managed to make it to the sale despite a busy schedule.

-Do you come here every year?

-Do you come here every year?

-

-I don't miss many sales.

-Do you come to buy?

-Do you come to buy?

-

-Yes, I always buy or sell something.

-Has anything caught your eye today?

-Has anything caught your eye today?

-

-There are some useful things here.

-I bought the kennel!

-You didn't want that?

-I bought the kennel!

-You didn't want that?

-

-No, I'm all right for kennels!

-People flock here from everywhere.

-Sales like this attract more crowds

- than cattle sales.

-It's so central for Bala

-

-and Montgomeryshire.

-Dic is a good auctioneer.

-Selling isn't easy these days.

-Yes, he's very efficient.

-Six hens and two cocks.

-Are you happy with the price?

-Are you happy with the price?

-

-Yes, quite happy.

-Do you breed many hens?

-Do you breed many hens?

-

-Quite a few.

-You'll be out on the town tonight!

-Did the geese sell well?

-Did the geese sell well?

-

-Yes, 4 each. I had to sell

-as I had too much stock.

-Are the geese brooding this year?

-Are the geese brooding this year?

-

-Yes, some have laid eggs already.

-Good luck to you!

-Look at the professionals!

-What a good trailer!

-What a good trailer!

-

-Yes, it tows well.

-What's your asking-price, Twm?

-I expect to get around...

-I expect to get around...

-

-I expect to get around...

-30?

-I expect to get around...

-

-I expect to get around...

-30?

-

-No, between 100-150!

-Aluminium floor.

-Aluminium floor.

-

-And easy to tow.

-Is Dai Jones interested?

-Is Dai Jones interested?

-

-Is Dai Jones interested?

-No, indeed!

-He has nothing to put in it!

-He has nothing to put in it!

-

-It'll carry the kennel!

-It comes with a cover, too.

-150 to Dewi Jones, Garnedd.

-What a commotion! Have you just arrived, Don?

-What a commotion! Have you just arrived, Don?

-

-Yes.

-Where have you been all morning?

-Where have you been all morning?

-

-I had lambing troubles.

-It's a dirty old morning.

-How's your lambing coming on?

-How's your lambing coming on?

-

-Quite well.

-You're dressed up today, Don,

- with gentleman's wellingtons!

-I bought these new last Friday.

-Things must be looking up, then!

-Things must be looking up, then!

-

-Not too bad.

-But the wife will have

-to wait another year for a new hat!

-How is your wife?

-How is your wife?

-

-Quite well, thank you.

-I've never seen such implements

- on sale.

-And there are some characters here!

-Do you often go to sales?

-Do you often go to sales?

-

-Yes.

-You haven't missed any bargains today

- - I bought a kennel for 40.

-I need a good rope for the stallion.

-He needs a rope around his neck!

-There are plenty of ropes here

-for you, Don.

-How much will the winnowing-machine

- fetch, I wonder?

-22 - not bad.

-That's a good price, Twm.

-You've made a fortune today!

-You've made a fortune today!

-

-A small fortune!

-You'll be on your second million now!

-You'll be on your second million now!

-

-I expect so!

-I spoke to a man just now who said he's sold you some kittens.

-I spoke to a man just now who said he's sold you some kittens.

-

-That's right.

-He had plenty of kittens to sell.

-How many did you buy?

-How many did you buy?

-

-As many as I could get.

-There was a lady in Gwyddelwern once

-

-who'd lost her cats.

-She accused me of taking them -

-'It's that Twm Jim from Bala!'

-She accused me of taking them -

-'It's that Twm Jim from Bala!'

- Yes - Twm Jim, gentleman from Bala.

-S4C subtitles:

-Enid Mathias

-TROSOL CYF