Merched Brynffynnon Cefn Gwlad

-888

-It's an old story.

-A farming family

-with no son to keep the farm going.

-That's what happened here

-at Brynffynnon Farm, near Llangwm.

-There are four sisters - Eleri,

-Bethan, Rhiannon and Meinir.

-Would one of them be willing

-to keep this lovely farm going?

-There's a happy ending.

-Meinir, the youngest sister, and

-her husband, Gwion, farm here now.

-Come with me to find out more

-about the girls of Brynffynnon.

-# YSBRYD Y GAEL by Mairi MacInnes

-and Cor Meibion Llangwm #

-HE CALLS TO THE DOGS

-September 2003

-The dogs work well, Gwion.

-Yes.

-Stop the bike so we can talk.

-What breed is that dog? Ben, I mean.

-What breed is that dog? Ben, I mean.

-

-Oh, Ben? Ben doesn't listen much.

-I thought he worked well -

-he's got a difficult job.

-He's a motorbike dog!

-You must remember helping out

-as a child.

-I remember walking up here and

-the thistles were taller than me.

-One of the first things we did when

-I came here was plough this land.

-Gwion, you're a minister's son.

-But there must be some farming

-in your blood.

-This isn't an easy place to farm.

-This isn't an easy place to farm.

-

-No. When we were courting...

-..Meinir lied to me and said

-she came from the Vale of Clwyd!

-I've taught him everything!

-He had a lot to learn!

-When I came here, they dosed their

-sheep with a spoon and a saucepan!

-You'd need lots of spoonfuls

-to dose all those!

-I'm quite envious of you.

-Those views - I can see

-why you've stayed here.

-It would be hard to leave here.

-Your father would be delighted

-that the farm's still going.

-I'm sure he would be.

-I'm a person

-who doesn't listen much to anyone.

-And when I came here,

-he left us alone.

-He didn't stick his oar in.

-He let us learn from our mistakes.

-He retired

-and let us get on with it.

-How many children do you have?

-How many children do you have?

-

-Five.

-It's all this fresh air!

-And a lot of guts!

-How many of them are boys?

-How many of them are boys?

-

-Three boys and two girls.

-Your father had four girls.

-Do you know whether any of them

-want to be farmers?

-They all argue

-over who will stay at Brynffynnon.

-They argue among themselves.

-This is such a lovely area.

-This is your area.

-Let's see Ben doing some work again.

-Ben? We should have called him

-Bob Marley, with those dreadlocks!

-You'd need more than one spoon

-to dose these!

-I'll let you get on with it.

-With Bob helping,

-you'll round them up easily.

-All you need is a bike

-and a wife to open gates!

-Right, away we go.

-HE CALLS TO THE DOG

-It's nice that one of you

-has stayed here.

-You can all return to your old home.

-Yes. It's nice to have them

-living in our old home.

-Eleri, they say you're the shy one.

-Eleri, they say you're the shy one.

-

-Yes, indeed, that's me!

-You're the eldest,

-so you kept order.

-Yes, I worked hard

-to look after these younger ones.

-When you were children, Bethan...

-..you were interested in singing

-and similar pursuits.

-Your parents must have

-encouraged you in those areas.

-Everyone thought Dad

-was interested in signing...

-..but Mam was always at the piano.

-She taught us sol-fa.

-She gave us a grounding in sol-fa.

-She always coached us when

-we competed in the Urdd Eisteddfod.

-Remember?

-Remember?

-

-You sound as if it was years ago.

-It was many years ago.

-There must have been a lot

-of interest in singing in this area.

-Yes. We went to the Urdd

-every Thursday evening...

-..and Emrys Jones coached us

-for the Urdd Eisteddfod.

-It was a natural part of life.

-We also had a children's choir

-at Gellioedd Chapel.

-Robert Ellis, Auntie Mair Elen

-and Uncle Emyr and Jane taught us.

-The chapel choir

-competed at local eisteddfodau.

-Remember Nant y Rhiw?

-I remember going there,

-and to Nebo in Llanrwst.

-In Mrs Williams's van!

-No need to take the stand,

-just move your backside!

-Right.

-# SHE SINGS A CHORD #

-Watch the connecting pieces.

-# Mi-so-doh. #

-One, two.

-# Roo, roo, roo, roo,

-# Lullaby, my gentle son,

-Hear the wind making moan. #

-Bethan, you challenged me

-to walk up here and I have!

-I wanted to race you!

-I didn't realise it was so high up.

-Cor Llangwm do their breathing

-exercises by climbing up here!

-I doubt it!

-Talking of Llangwm,

-aren't these views exceptional?

-They're magnificent.

-Is that Gellioedd down there?

-Is that Gellioedd down there?

-

-Yes, Gellioedd.

-That's Meirionnydd -

-the road leads to Bala.

-It marks the boundary

-between the two counties.

-That's Foel Goch over there...

-..and Llangwm Valley is

-on the other side of the mountain.

-Where do the members

-of Cor Llangwm come from?

-They come from all over

-the Llangwm area.

-And there are some

-from Cerrig, Pentrefoelas, Bala...

-..and there are a few

-who come from Ruthin.

-I don't mean to flatter you...

-..but this is a rural area

-with a sparse population.

-Farms and villages

-are widely scattered.

-But the choir is up there

-with the big choirs.

-Yes. It's a miracle, really.

-The Llangwm area is so small.

-People can travel through Llangwm

-without realising it.

-There aren't many houses

-in the village itself.

-You were brought up in Brynffynnon,

-of course, which is near here.

-You haven't moved away

-from your home patch.

-No, I haven't.

-There's nothing wrong with that.

-This is my area

-and I feel happy here.

-I know everyone in the wider area.

-There's nowhere nicer

-to live and raise your children.

-Though my children

-are in Cardiff now.

-I have two children and they're both

-at college in Cardiff.

-Llyr has taken this year off.

-But I hope they will return

-to this area.

-What's the pattern of your week?

-Starting with Sunday - have you

-always attended Gellioedd Chapel?

-Was that your nursery?

-Was that your nursery?

-

-Yes, Sunday School and sermons.

-We practise regularly

-throughout the year, really.

-Choir practice on Monday evening.

-On Tuesdays we have three hours

-of Urdd practices.

-I work a few days.

-I'm also a governor.

-These things fill up the week.

-You've got choir practices

-and you coach children.

-Does it give you a kick?

-To be honest,

-I wonder why I do it!

-# Roo, roo, roo, roo. #

-I get great pleasure

-in hearing the finished work...

-..seeing them performing

-and enjoying themselves.

-I was coaching a boy

-to sing last year.

-He told his mother he really enjoyed

-singing a particular song.

-It was a two-part harmony.

-I thought, that's why I do it!

-I thought, that's why I do it!

-

-What strikes me...

-..is that you stand

-in front of Cor Llangwm...

-..and they're scared

-to do anything wrong!

-But your dog is tiny,

-yet you keep it on a lead!

-Why is that?!

-The men aren't like that

-in practices!

-You must enjoy

-the challenge, though.

-It appears to other people

-that I keep strict discipline...

-..but I don't really.

-They're terribly noisy

-in the practices.

-I'm always shouting at them!

-"Ysbryd y Gael" by Cor Llangwm is

-certainly a big favourite in Wales.

-Do you feel the same thrill

-as your audiences?

-Yes. When we recorded it we didn't

-realise it was so special.

-We were concentrating

-so much on singing.

-After recording it in the studio,

-they played the song back...

-..and everyone fell silent.

-We thought, wow,

-this was something special.

-We all say "Wow"!

-I'll be saying "Wow"

-when I reach the top!

-What's the dog's name?

-What's the dog's name?

-

-Tosca.

-# YSBRYD Y GAEL by Mairi MacInnes

-and Cor Meibion Llangwm #

-888

-888

-# While the stars still smile,

-# And the moon sails the sky,

-# How can I forsake her,

-While the stars still smile?

-# And the moon sails the sky,

-# How can I forsake her,

-Before our time is at an end? #

-Cor Meibion Llangwm,

-conducted by Bethan Smallwood.

-How many are there in the choir?

-How many are there in the choir?

-

-About 45, at most.

-We've never been more

-than that in number.

-The number isn't so important.

-This choir's doing brilliantly,

-it's as good as any choir in Wales.

-How difficult is it

-to get the boys together?

-Some of them are busy farmers.

-Many of them are farmers.

-Yes.

-But things have changed nowadays.

-Many go out to work during the day

-and do farm work in the evenings.

-It can be a problem.

-# As the day turns into twilight,

-Let us go sailing in a boat,

-# As the day turns into twilight,

-Let us go sailing in a boat,

-# And rock gently

-on the smooth bosom of the sea,

-# And rock gently

-on the smooth bosom of the sea. #

-Right, we'll do that again.

-Both end the same way.

-It goes like this.

-# On the smooth bosom of the sea. #

-The second is different.

-Let's do the middle piece -

-it's a bit too slow.

-Standing before a choir

-waving your arms is fine...

-..but there's a lot of work

-involved.

-You have to choose the pieces

-and the programmes...

-..and learn the notes

-and the intonation.

-Everything -

-we have to learn everything.

-I choose the songs.

-I often ask them for suggestions,

-though I seldom listen to them!

-I choose and they obviously

-have faith in what I choose.

-Choosing pieces for a competition

-is quite a job.

-It carries as much responsibility

-as conducting.

-Does the choir travel much?

-You've travelled to Scotland

-to sing with Mairi MacInnes.

-We go away for weekends, but

-anything longer is impossible...

-..because they all have jobs

-or they're farmers.

-Many of them

-have young children too.

-They want to spend holidays

-with their families...

-..not just with the choir.

-# Sailing quietly,

-sailing quietly. #

-Monday night is choir night.

-Yes. A real slog for me.

-I bet you sleep well afterwards!

-No, I don't, really.

-I can't relax after choir practice.

-It's very hard work, I can tell you!

-Huw Smallwood is Bethan's husband.

-His roots are in

-the London area - like me.

-He has learned

-to speak Welsh fluently.

-This is fairly new, is it?

-This is fairly new, is it?

-

-It's been here six months.

-It's very windy here,

-which keeps it turning.

-Yes.

-From the outside

-it looks like a pipe.

-What goes on in here?

-What's this machinery?

-There's a computer at the bottom.

-It controls everything.

-What's your involvement with these?

-Do you look after them?

-Do you look after them?

-

-Yes, I check on them each day.

-The company that produces them does

-the servicing and the repairs...

-..all the maintenance.

-I must admit,

-they don't take up much room.

-They look very neat.

-They don't make any difference

-to farmers.

-They receive an annual rental.

-They don't disturb the animals

-at all.

-In fact they seem to like them -

-they graze right beneath them.

-Can't we have green ones

-that look like trees?

-In Germany, some are painted green

-at the bottom...

-..graduating to white at the top.

-They look good in fields.

-They look good in fields.

-

-What's that building outside?

-It looks like a privy!

-It houses a transformer.

-It steps up the voltage.

-In here it's 700 volts.

-It goes up to 11,000 volts down

-at the substation across the fields.

-Do you climb up there sometimes?

-Do you climb up there sometimes?

-

-Yes. It's great at the top!

-I'll take your word for it!

-# YSBRYD Y GAEL by Mairi MacInnes

-and Cor Meibion Llangwm #

-Everything's so neat and clean here.

-Well, we try.

-What's this - an old Morris 1000?

-Yes, an old Morris 1000 from 1971.

-Dad bought this brand-new

-in Colwyn Bay.

-It cost 950.

-950!

-That old jeep runs like a watch.

-Yes. I use this every week.

-The little dog

-likes coming along for a ride.

-I use it all the year round.

-Does it have a good engine?

-Does it have a good engine?

-

-Yes, everything's in working order.

-It was made in 1942.

-It's older than me,

-and that's saying something!

-It's still being used every day.

-# Roo, roo, roo, roo,

-# Lullaby, my gentle son,

-Hear still the breath of the wind,

-# Just sleep now, my gentle son,

-# Sleep the contented sleep

-of the pure,

-# What does it mean to me,

-My dear son, if you were taken? #

-Because you had no brothers,

-did you have to help out a lot?

-Everyone helped out.

-It was really tough.

-Dad didn't have much patience

-with these weak girls...

-..who couldn't carry bales!

-..who couldn't carry bales!

-

-I don't blame him!

-He thought everyone could drive

-a tractor instinctively!

-The good thing was that our

-neighbours often helped out.

-Uncle Bob or Uncle Emyr.

-The atmosphere changed

-when someone else was here to help.

-It eased the pressure a bit.

-Our grandfather helped, too.

-Our grandfather helped, too.

-

-It was hard work.

-Yes, it was.

-Sometimes he expected us to work and

-sometimes there was nothing to do.

-# Roo, roo, roo, roo,

-# Lullaby, the wind has gone,

-Wandering where it may.

-# Whatever may come will come,

-# Sleep each night

-until summer's end. #

-I understand that you're the compere

-when the choir travels around.

-Yes.

-It must be fun.

-Yes.

-We get good audiences.

-They really appreciate us.

-You can tell them anything.

-# Roo, roo, roo, roo. #

-Is the conductor strict with you?

-Oh, gracious, yes!

-She's a right mistress!

-I must say, these girls

-are full of go.

-That's just what you need.

-That's just what you need.

-

-You need it with a pack like ours!

-Nice chord!

-You get a good sound out of them!

-They listen well!

-They listen well!

-

-No they don't!

-Lots of things wrong

-with the middle.

-I think they're scared

-of the cameras!

-Shall we try it again?

-These words are by Thomas Jones,

-Cerrigelltgwm, Ysbyty Ifan.

-The boys sing well.

-You must love meeting them here!

-You must love meeting them here!

-

-No, I don't!

-It gives you a reason for living!

-When I hear them

-on your programme...

-..I think, "They sound good -

-who are they?"

-I agree.

-They have an angel to conduct them!

-Not at all!

-They sing really well, fair play.

-It depends what you mean by "good".

-It could always be better!

-# Together we shall embrace it,

-# Together, with passion

-in our voices,

-# We shall all call out together,

-# Together we can see

-that the night is slowly turning. #

-888

-888

-As if we had nothing to do.

-Try and remember the verses, please!

-"All the hounds ran."

-Repeat the verse -

-"A great gentleman from Bala."

-What comes next?

-"As he rode back from the hunt."

-"As he rode back from the hunt."

-

-Remember you're telling a story.

-"As he rode back from the hunt,

-"The feeble gentleman

-crossed an old wooden bridge."

-Then, wait for it!

-Watch my expression.

-You now.

-Owain.

-This is better than playing football

-or rugby!

-Sing first, then play rugby.

-Keep your feet still.

-# A great gentleman from Bala

-# Decided to go hunting one day

-# On a skinny black mare,

-on a skinny black mare.

-# Ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha,

-On a skinny black mare.

-# The old mare galloped

-from nine o'clock until twelve,

-# They didn't see a single creature,

-they didn't see a single creature.

-# Ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha,

-they didn't see a single creature. #

-Why a boys' singing party, Bethan?

-We have a strong Urdd group here...

-..and the children compete

-every year at the Urdd Eisteddfod.

-The party has also competed

-at the Cerdd Dant Festival.

-Is it difficult

-to get boys to do this?

-They love football!

-They love football!

-

-The problem is finding a night...

-..when they don't play football.

-But they're very enthusiastic

-and they like singing.

-# At last they spotted a fox

-near a neighbour's house

-# And the horn let out a blast,

-the horn let out a blast.

-# Ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha,

-the horn let out a blast. #

-You drum the songs into the boys,

-as you do with the choir.

-They pick things up straight away.

-It's a pleasure to be with them.

-They learn things and remember them.

-They always learn the words.

-You're in a rural area.

-These boys' families

-are keen for them to do this.

-Do you receive any help with them?

-Yes. There are three of us

-coaching them.

-Well, three of us doing this.

-Others do other things,

-like folk dancing.

-Dorothy Jones does recitation.

-Rhian does cerdd dant

-and I do singing.

-We're busy for three solid hours

-every Tuesday evening.

-They're quite successful, too.

-They had a lot of success last year.

-We've been competing for years.

-# The hounds ran

-and they caught the red fox,

-# But it was some farmer's dog,

-it was some farmer's dog!

-# Ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha,

-it was some farmer's dog! #

-It's more than just singing,

-for them.

-They learn about local traditions

-and culture.

-And their gestures and expressions

-as they sing speak volumes!

-They understand the song.

-# As he rode back from the hunt,

-the feeble gentleman

-# Crossed an old wooden bridge,

-he crossed an old wooden bridge.

-# Ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha,

-he crossed an old wooden bridge.

-# But I won't sing any more -

-he and his mare fell

-# Head over heels into the river,

-head over heels into the river!

-# Ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha,

-head over heels into the river! #

-Eleri, you're the eldest

-of the Brynffynnon sisters.

-You've followed a slightly different

-path from the others.

-Yes. I left school when I was 16

-and went to work in a shop in Bala.

-Then I went to work

-with Meirionnydd County Council.

-I had no further education until

-my daughter was four and at school.

-I was living in Wrexham

-and I attended the college there.

-The late, talented Jennie Eirian

-Davies, and Rhys Jones were there...

-..and I felt privileged

-to study Welsh there.

-But you girls

-were all brought up together.

-You could join in

-whatever they were doing.

-Yes. I belonged

-to children's choirs.

-But I didn't get as involved

-as the others.

-We had lots of books at home and

-reading was considered important.

-Even my grandfather read a lot

-and people brought him books.

-We were very lucky.

-We were never punished for reading.

-Our father always encouraged us

-to read.

-I believe we had

-an excellent upbringing.

-I'm sure you enjoy visiting Meinir

-and Gwion at your old home.

-The door is always open to you.

-The door is always open to you.

-

-Yes, it gives me great pleasure.

-Every week I go to see Mam

-in Bronafallen...

-..and I call in here

-to see Meinir and her family.

-We're all still very close.

-I like going to eisteddfodau

-and watching the competitions.

-Your parents built this house

-to live in when they retired.

-Yes, back in the mid '80s,

-after Gwion and I got married.

-Mam and Dad needed somewhere

-to retire to...

-..and they managed to get

-planning permission to build here...

-..on farm land.

-What's the house called?

-What's the house called?

-

-It's called Nant yr Helyg...

-..because of the willow trees

-growing around here.

-Of course, it enabled them

-to stay within the area.

-Yes - we were so happy

-to have them living nearby.

-The children could walk

-to visit their grandparents.

-But they had to move from here.

-You girls have kept

-your parents' values...

-..despite living

-away from home at times.

-We feel it's important

-to hold on to things...

-..rather than allow everything

-to pass into other people's hands.

-It's very important.

-# YSBRYD Y GAEL by Mairi MacInnes

-and Cor Meibion Llangwm #

-Three of you are no longer

-very involved with agriculture.

-But you can still appreciate

-the different seasons...

-..and rural customs.

-Yes. It's an integral part of you

-for ever.

-I love the smell of a hayfield!

-I'm envious that Meinir

-can raise her children like this.

-There's a lot of farming vocabulary

-that I can't pass on to my children.

-You live in rural Pembrokeshire.

-You live in rural Pembrokeshire.

-

-Yes...

-..but the family's not directly

-involved with farming.

-It's a world that has

-its own particular vocabulary.

-My children are unfamiliar

-with many of the words.

-Emrys Jones Llangwm,

-known locally as Emrys Penbont...

-..knows the girls well.

-Emrys remembers them growing up.

-He must be one of the oldest members

-of Cor Meibion Llangwm.

-The girls of Brynffynnon...

-..have kept hold of their culture

-and their old home.

-You remember them

-when they were small.

-Yes, I remember them all growing up.

-They attended

-the village Urdd branch.

-They were very good.

-It's amazing...

-..how they've all preserved

-the values of their upbringing.

-Yes. I remember their parents.

-Trefor was a very good poet.

-He belonged to Parti Cwm Eithin

-and the choir.

-There's one famous englyn he wrote

-to Bob Lloyd - Llwyd o'r Bryn.

-"Eisteddfodau were his world,

-"Preserving his culture

-was his achievement,

-"A great man among poets.

-Who on earth can take his place?"

-Their mother was very good

-with the tonic sol-fa.

-Can you remember them competing

-when they were young?

-Yes, quite clearly.

-They competed in the Urdd.

-Bethan and Rhiannon

-were a very good duet.

-They sang very well.

-Yes indeed.

-And they always won.

-Bethan started conducting the choir

-in the mid '70s.

-She's done excellent work.

-That's nearly 30 years.

-Yes, very nearly.

-You wouldn't think

-she was old enough.

-She was very young when she started.

-We've had conductors

-who have done sterling work.

-But music has become

-a lot more complex now.

-You need someone

-who's had a musical education.

-Llangwm choir has a record as good

-as any of the bigger choirs...

-..at the Eisteddfod and elsewhere.

-..at the Eisteddfod and elsewhere.

-

-Yes, nowadays.

-We've come second to Pontarddulais.

-The boys of Llangwm at their best!

-# Let me always say my prayers,

-# When my heart is full

-of the cares of the world.

-# O my Lord! #

-888

-888

-# To the vale of the Eisteddfod,

-To summer fun,

-# The bells of Gwalia call out,

-# Today there is a sincere

-invitation to a joyful festival,

-# Our country's greatest festival.

-# Come to the land of St David,

-# The land of ancient

-and uncommon virtues.

-I don't know why you'd want

-to move away from Gellioedd.

-But the Preseli area

-is also a lovely place.

-Rhiannon, one of the

-Brynffynnon girls, lives here.

-She and her husband, Tecwyn Ifan,

-live in Efailwen.

-As Tecwyn has so often sung...

-.."The spirit of Rebecca

-still lives on in Efailwen."

-# PIANO MUSIC #

-Is this a special piece

-for a particular occasion?

-It's for a solo

-at the Cerdd Dant Festival.

-You arrange pieces for your party

-and your pupils, do you?

-Yes.

-Arranging is quite difficult work.

-How do you tackle it?

-It's quite a task.

-But that's the icing for me -

-it's what I like to do.

-Watching something grow,

-interpreting it with the party...

-..or with an individual...

-..gives me a special thrill.

-It's not like a male voice choir.

-Cerdd dant demands composition.

-You realise your sister

-will be listening?!

-Arranging cerdd dant demands greater

-talent than just reading music!

-It's very creative.

-# Come in your thousands,

-and come joyfully,

-# With light in your heart,

-# To Dewi's land, bring praise

-and song to your great festival,

-# Feel the layers of our history

-among the folk of Pembrokeshire. #

-I love listening to cerdd dant.

-At one time I didn't know

-when to come in or finish.

-But your ears

-learn to read an arrangement.

-I find it easier now.

-My arrangements

-are always in sol-fa.

-I'm a strong adherent of sol-fa.

-Sol-fa is considered old-fashioned.

-It allows people to read it easily.

-I'm lucky - many in the party

-can read sol-fa.

-# See how fair is its beauty,

-# The wild grandeur of Pwll Deri.

-# And though the mill may be silent,

-its history still resounds.

-# Among the scores of small coves,

-do any compare with Solva? #

-You left the Gellioedd area...

-..where cerdd dant

-remains a strong tradition...

-..and came here to Pembrokeshire.

-Singing is an integral part

-of life here, too.

-Yes. I'm lucky.

-The area is similar to Llangwm.

-The area has a wealth

-of choral tradition.

-Consider the primary schools,

-and the chapels...

-..Ysgol y Preseli, the Crymych

-and Maenclochog Urdd branches.

-There's Cor Meibion Ar Ol Tri

-in Cardigan, Whitland choir.

-I like to think

-that we all help each other.

-# Common folk, pilgrims,

-at this time, come to this land,

-# To stay near Glyn Rhosyn,

-and hear a voice in the valley,

-# In the land of angels,

-a haven of song and poetry. #

-How difficult was it

-to get Parti'r Gromlech together?

-How did it begin?

-I wasn't teaching music at all

-when I started Parti'r Gromlech.

-I felt I had a need

-to sing cerdd dant.

-I'd watch the Cerdd Dant Festival

-on the box, or visit the festival...

-..but couldn't take part.

-It was something I wanted to do...

-..so I found a group

-of like-minded girls.

-How many are there in the party?

-How many are there in the party?

-

-There were 16 originally...

-..now there are 20.

-Is it difficult

-to get the group together?

-It can be - we're all so busy

-with our various commitments.

-But we can spare some time.

-But we can spare some time.

-

-They're mothers, too.

-Yes, and they work.

-# A magical land,

-where brotherhood reigns,

-# From the mountains to the sea,

-# This land has preserved

-the idiom of our traditions.

-# To this joyful festival, the

-greatest festival in our country,

-# Today, we sincerely invite you. #

-Did you go to college

-and live in different areas?

-Yes. I spent four years in Bangor.

-Then I moved to St Clears

-for two years.

-We moved to Pontrhydfendigaid

-when the children were small.

-A great place, Ceredigion!

-Yes, indeed.

-It's a very special place,

-and I lived among Cardis!

-I learned a lot about life!

-I bet!

-Then you settled in Efailwen.

-We've been here for 12 years.

-Doesn't time fly?

-How many children do you have?

-How many children do you have?

-

-Three.

-What are they doing now?

-What are they doing now?

-

-Gwenno's teaching in Anglesey.

-I don't think

-she'll ever move back south.

-She likes the north.

-Gruffudd moves around.

-He's lived in Whitland.

-He's an actor.

-And Gwawr is in her final year

-at Ysgol y Preseli.

-They fly the nest soon enough.

-I was hoping to see Tecwyn today,

-but there's no sign of him!

-He ran away somewhere!

-I have managed to get him to join my

-choir for the Cerdd Dant Festival.

-I've added tenors to the girls.

-It's been quite a headache,

-getting them to blend together.

-Men don't show a lot of feeling.

-But they've learned a lot

-from the girls.

-# The yews are dark

-around the church,

-# They close around my burden

-and my weariness.

-# There is another moment

-of weakness,

-# The yews are dark

-around the church,

-# Everywhere seems so dark tomorrow,

-# The pools of the River Nevern

-are so black,

-# The yews are dark

-around the church,

-# They close around my burden

-and my weariness. #

-These wind turbines

-don't make much noise.

-No. We very rarely hear them,

-to be honest.

-The wind itself is often louder

-than the turbines.

-I didn't realise they were so tall.

-They can make you dizzy

-when you stare up at them!

-You've got some Welsh Blacks.

-You've got some Welsh Blacks.

-

-No, those belong to neighbours.

-They don't have much land, so

-they send them here in the summer.

-Fair play, they look after things

-for us when we go away.

-It's good to know your neighbours.

-Yes, indeed.

-You mentioned

-that you go away regularly.

-You write scripts

-for "Pobol y Cwm" and so on.

-It all takes time.

-We've got to fit the farming

-around the writing.

-There are deadlines to meet.

-They're very important.

-Do you write together, and argue?

-Yes, we write together.

-Aaarrrgh!

-We do argue sometimes.

-We've been doing this for years.

-We've been doing this for years.

-

-We understand each other better now.

-This must take a lot of time.

-You can't do it in your spare time.

-As soon as the children

-are off to school in the morning...

-..we have to sit down and work.

-..we have to sit down and work.

-

-A great example of diversification.

-I know how you feel.

-Fortunately, it works for us.

-It would be impossible for us

-to keep a family just by farming.

-It's not really diversification.

-Writing is something

-we've always done.

-We've been lucky.

-But it helps, doesn't it.

-Oh, yes.

-Both pursuits are flexible.

-That's what's so good.

-Does farming

-inspire some ideas in you?

-Or is farming a break from writing?

-I like the lambing season -

-I try to look after that myself.

-It's nice to be outside

-in the spring.

-It's an escape from writing

-at a computer all day with Meinir.

-A terrible imprisonment!

-# Come with me for a walk

-to Rhyd yr Ewig at sunset,

-# Hand in hand

-towards Bwlch y Greigwen,

-# In the sun

-and the heather and the leaves.

-# Then back over Craig y Llwynog

-on a fine September afternoon,

-# There's a welcome here for lovers,

-at the end of summer. #

-Have you considered...

-..how much the Brynffynnon family

-has contributed to Welsh culture...

-..with all your activities?

-Did you ever consider that?

-Did you ever consider that?

-

-No, not at all.

-Dad would never wants us

-to think like that.

-We're no different

-from many other families.

-I'm glad that there's someone

-to carry on here.

-We haven't had to sell the place.

-Meinir and her family

-still live here.

-I find that comforting,

-as I live in the south.

-With the singing, we're just

-giving back what we received.

-What we received when we were small.

-# Come with me for a walk

-to Cwm Penanner, past Bwlchymawn,

-# And on towards Bwlch Cae Melyn

-in the twilight of late afternoon.

-# Late evening on the shores

-of Llyn Brenig, in the silent dusk,

-# Where we can gaze at our

-reflections dancing on the water.

-# We'll go walking on Foel Goch,

-with Llyn Tegid far below,

-# The beauty of the countryside

-can enchant us from afar.

-# There, we shall both dream,

-while the moon swims on the water,

-# And we'll share the joy

-of making plans for the future,

-# You and me. #

-S4C subtitles by

-TROSOL Cyf.