Hogia' Pendyffryn Cefn Gwlad

-888

-888

-What wonderful views!

-I've come to visit the lads

-of Pendyffryn, Penmaenmawr...

-..and this is the area

-of their old home, Llanfairfechan.

-Lovely views

-across the sea to Anglesey.

-The four brothers - Huw, Wil,

-Rol and Teg - farm together...

-..and they have four sons

-to follow in their footsteps.

-There are several small children

-here too, to follow on.

-There are indeed new shepherds

-on these old mountains.

-They live in a Welsh paradise.

-This is a busy and important time

-of the year for farms.

-It's time to sort out the cattle

-and the sheep...

-..and decide what to sell

-and what to keep for the future.

-..and decide what to sell

-and what to keep for the future.

-

-August 2005

-With all these young children,

-there certainly is a future.

-Sheep are brought down

-from the mountain.

-Where are we, Rol?

-Where are we, Rol?

-

-At Tyn Llwyfan Farm, Llanfairfechan.

-At Tyn Llwyfan Farm, Llanfairfechan.

-And some of the boys

-have already left?

-Half of them have gone.

-We're going up

-to Bwlch y Ddeufaen...

-..to fetch sheep from Pen Cefn.

-You'll be tired by the time

-we get to Druid's Circle.

-We'll be coming back

-via Gwastad Pen Cefn...

-..and down along the stream.

-How many men are out working today?

-How many men are out working today?

-

-About 15.

-About 15.

-I've brought the dogs.

-The boys are going up that way,

-but I'm coming with you.

-I won't miss anything, will I?

-Are we going in this?

-WHISTLING

-Things haven't changed much over

-the years in these upland areas.

-Old customs survive.

-It's important that younger

-generations learn the craft...

-..from their fathers

-and grandfathers.

-There's plenty of fun.

-Despite the quad bikes, they rely

-on dogs to bring the sheep down.

-Of course, fine weather is a bonus.

-Are you taking these

-to the field by the house?

-To the yard.

-To the yard.

-

-It takes a week to fetch them all.

-Yes. We've already gathered 1,000

-sheep from the Penmaenmawr side.

-Jac, Jac - good boy, Jac!

-THEY CALL TO THE DOGS

-WHISTLING

-It's a job getting them

-through these rushes...

-..and my short legs trip me up!

-Good dog, good dog!

-Good dog, good dog!

-They're very woolly.

-Just look at them.

-THEY CALL TO THE DOGS

-You'll sleep like a log tonight!

-You'll sleep like a log tonight!

-

-Yes, I'll be tired.

-Yes, I'll be tired.

-All these must be treated today,

-and the lambs separated.

-We have to dose them all.

-It was quite an experience.

-Some parts of that mountain are

-dangerous - I was afraid you'd fall.

-You'd have needed a helicopter -

-a pony couldn't carry you down!

-You were scared

-at the thought of lifting me!

-Are you sorting them this afternoon?

-Are you sorting them this afternoon?

-

-Yes, all of them.

-Yes, all of them.

-Some of these sheep

-belong to other people...

-..though most of them

-belong to the family.

-It was interesting to watch

-the other sheep breaking away.

-We needed good dogs today.

-It was hot too.

-I don't know

-if I'm sweating or leaking!

-THEY HOLLER AT THE SHEEP

-It's the end of August,

-and it's boiling hot today.

-We brought them down this morning,

-before the midday heat.

-The children are helping the fathers

-and grandfathers to sort the sheep.

-I've cooled down now,

-so I'll go and help.

-BLEATING, BANGING, SHOUTING.

-Wil, you rarely see

-such a big family working a farm.

-Four brothers run this farm, and now

-there are four sons as well.

-And here's the third generation -

-Osian.

-Ieuan here is your son.

-You all come together

-for the big jobs.

-Yes - harvesting, sheep shearing

-and bringing the sheep down.

-How long has the family farmed here?

-My cousin and her husband have been

-tracing the family's history...

-..and the family's been in this

-parish for about 350 years.

-My father's side of the family.

-My father's side of the family.

-

-Did he have many brothers?

-Did he have many brothers?

-Yes - he was one of 11.

-There's a photo of seven of them

-shearing together, in the '50s.

-It's a hot day.

-Do all these sheep belong to you?

-No - we bring everyone's sheep down,

-and this is where we sort them.

-We keep the other sheep here

-until the owners come to fetch them.

-Rol's responsible

-for the other sheep.

-He's the parish setter.

-He phones people to tell them

-if any of their sheep are here.

-You're following

-in your father's footsteps, Ieuan,

-That's right.

-Is Osian interested?

-He's very keen.

-How many children do you have?

-How many children do you have?

-

-Osian and his little sister, Ela.

-It's great to see them here today.

-It's great to see them here today.

-

-She's too young to be here.

-She's too young to be here.

-On family farms, it's so important

-for children to be involved.

-You're right.

-That's how they learn.

-That's how they learn.

-

-They preserve the language...

-They preserve the language...

-..and history too.

-Most of the history of this parish

-is oral history.

-A lot of it isn't documented.

-This parish

-has a very interesting history.

-You brothers

-have an interesting history too.

-You know how to enjoy yourselves.

-You know how to enjoy yourselves.

-

-People might talk more about us...

-People might talk more about us...

-..when we're gone to the other side!

-Gareth, it's a tough job

-in hot weather.

-What are you dosing against today?

-Parasitic worms.

-They're fairly healthy

-on the mountain, though.

-Yes, but they must be wormed...

-..before we start sending them away

-for the winter.

-Rol, you're marking sheep

-for selling.

-Yes, sheep to be sold.

-We dose all the sheep against fluke

-and worms, as you can see.

-You've got plenty of helpers.

-Is it easy to find helpers?

-Is it easy to find helpers?

-

-The local boys are good...

-Is it easy to find helpers?

-..when it comes

-to bringing the sheep down.

-..when it comes

-to bringing the sheep down.

-We encourage the boys to keep

-farming - my grandfather farmed...

-..I'm a farmer, and I hope the boys

-and their children will follow.

-The land passes from one generation

-to the next.

-BLEATING

-It's the first farm I've visited

-that's run by four brothers...

-..who have a son each.

-This is Tecwyn's son, Robert.

-Are sheep your main work?

-Are sheep your main work?

-

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Sheep involve more work

-than cattle, these days.

-A lot more.

-Feet are the biggest problem.

-Do you like working with sheep?

-Do you like working with sheep?

-

-Yes, I enjoy working with sheep.

-Yes, I enjoy working with sheep.

-I like a bit of everything.

-You're not married yet.

-You're not married yet.

-

-No, but I'm engaged.

-No, but I'm engaged.

-I'm on the way.

-Be careful, and take your time!

-Be careful, and take your time!

-

-Yes, take it slowly!

-Yes, take it slowly!

-You're building a new house.

-You're building a new house.

-

-Yes - it's half-built.

-Yes - it's half-built.

-I hope it's ready

-before lambing time.

-They're very woolly, Wil.

-Yes, and they're not as greasy

-as they are earlier in the season.

-The sun's warmed it out.

-The sun's warmed it out.

-

-Yes, thank goodness.

-Yes, thank goodness.

-The grease can be dirty stuff.

-That's why I'm wearing overalls.

-I thought you were expecting frost,

-and going out gritting!

-No, these keep my wife happy -

-less washing to do.

-We roll the fleeces inside-out...

-..so the fleeces

-can be graded more easily.

-You don't tie it?

-You don't tie it?

-

-No, I tuck it in like this.

-No, I tuck it in like this.

-This is quite a tiring job

-to do all day.

-I don't often see someone

-using a table.

-I thought tea was ready!

-My back and legs hurt

-when I bend too low.

-My belly gets in the way!

-Shearing day is a day for fun.

-A local boy, Berwyn, has been

-coming here since he was small.

-This is a great place to learn.

-He's very keen.

-Learning, are you, Berwyn?

-Yes.

-Have you finished school?

-Have you finished school?

-

-Yes.

-Yes.

-What will you do next?

-I'm going to Glynllifon.

-For six months.

-For six months.

-

-For six months?

-For six months?

-Teg and the boys are teaching you.

-When did you start coming here?

-When did you start coming here?

-

-When I was 14.

-When I was 14.

-Have you learned a lot?

-Have you learned a lot?

-

-Oh, yes.

-You know your way on the mountain.

-You know your way on the mountain.

-

-Of course!

-Stick with it,

-you're in a good place.

-They say that farmers

-have a good life.

-You still work every day.

-Rol, who's shearing, is nearly 70.

-Teg shears too,

-and Wil rolls the fleeces.

-We all pitch in...

-..though it's the youngsters

-who do most of the shearing.

-When they have a break,

-we take over.

-It's nice to have the boys here.

-We have 1,200 sheep to shear.

-We start about 8.00am

-and finish about 6.00pm.

-It's quite a long day.

-It's quite a long day.

-

-No need to tell a brother anything.

-No need to tell a brother anything.

-No need to speak for us, you mean?

-They're old enough

-to speak for themselves...

-..and they know

-how to count pound notes!

-There's no need to worry about money

-- we all get an equal share.

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-Rol's second son, Huw, lives here

-on the outskirts of Penmaenmawr.

-He runs Graiglwyd Springs,

-a fishery.

-The work is different, but it's

-located next to the family's land.

-It's a lovely spot, Huw...

-..and just a stone's throw from the

-family home in Llanfairfechan...

-..just through Penmaenmawr.

-It's a novel idea - a fish farm.

-It's a novel idea - a fish farm.

-

-Yes.

-Yes.

-How long has it been here?

-How long has it been here?

-

-Since September '93.

-Since September '93.

-Your brother looks after sheep,

-but this is your interest.

-Yes. I enjoyed fishing in rivers

-when I was a child.

-This was in the middle of the farms.

-I got a chance to buy it,

-and I turned it into a fishing lake.

-It's gone from strength to strength.

-Do you leave the fish to grow

-in the bottom pond?

-Yes, I grow them on.

-You buy in fish

-when they weigh a pound.

-1lb old! That's a good one!

-They grow to 2lbs or so,

-then I put them in the lake.

-I also buy large fish,

-over 10lb and up to 30lbs.

-We stock the lake every day.

-People are constantly catching fish.

-If 30 or 40 fish have been caught -

-80 is the average...

-..then 80 fish are put in.

-Lifting those fish

-must be hard on your back.

-Oh God, yes.

-I'm there with the net

-every morning.

-But it's a pleasure to see children

-and disabled people catching fish.

-Some are fishing for the first time.

-People come from everywhere,

-do they?

-Yes. 50% come from

-between here and Chester.

-Teg lives just behind you -

-you're in among the farms.

-Yes, I see him in the afternoon.

-That makes him sound as though

-he's never up in the morning!

-This is a very peaceful spot.

-Who'd have thought there was

-a place like this here?

-He was very lucky to buy it.

-Because we had the farms,

-we knew about the place.

-But it was my son who came up

-with the fishery idea.

-He's done a good job

-of attracting people here.

-It's often very full,

-like it is today.

-A DOG BARKS NOISILY

-A DOG BARKS NOISILY

-

-There's a dog barking.

-There's a dog barking.

-It's the rottweiler

-that guards the place.

-Hello! A Welsh speaker too!

-Where are you from?

-Blaenau Ffestiniog?

-Don't you have enough water there?!

-Don't say that, Dai!

-Don't want to lose customers!

-You can see why people come here.

-It's lovely.

-There's a breeze here,

-although the weather's sultry.

-There's a light breeze.

-Fish are jumping everywhere.

-Fish are jumping everywhere.

-

-I hope he doesn't hook my glasses!

-I hope he doesn't hook my glasses!

-Is this your land?

-Yes, it belongs to the farms.

-We keep sheep all over the mountain,

-all the way round to here.

-What's the name of Teg's home?

-What's the name of Teg's home?

-

-Plas Uchaf.

-Plas Uchaf.

-They're dipping sheep there today.

-That's right.

-All four brothers and four sons

-work together on everything.

-How lovely.

-The family owns several farms.

-This is Plas Uchaf, Teg's home.

-They're dipping sheep today.

-It's nice to see

-the youngsters busy.

-Yes. It takes the pressure off us -

-the three old men!

-It lightens the burden.

-But being involved keeps you young.

-Yes, indeed.

-You can work

-when you feel like working.

-You can keep going 'till you're 100.

-You can keep going 'till you're 100.

-

-We hope so.

-You can keep going 'till you're 100.

-We don't plan to leave

-for a long time!

-We don't plan to leave

-for a long time!

-They're dipping sale sheep,

-three- and four-year olds.

-We've got good sheep this year.

-The youngsters

-work on the farms every day.

-We want to keep the farms

-in the family.

-There's no point

-installing these facilities...

-..for rubbish stock.

-You're right.

-These facilities are here to stay.

-You can't pay for new facilities

-if you don't have good stock.

-You get your money when they're sold.

-Huw is the fourth brother,

-the eldest.

-He has a son, Owen John.

-They're both very keen on machines.

-Good tractors, Owen John.

-Yes, they're good tractors.

-You need them, too.

-They're essential.

-It's a matter of necessity.

-Huw, you're the eldest brother.

-Of the partners, yes.

-I have another brother

-who's older than me.

-We four carried on farming here

-after our father died.

-We've been partners for years.

-Were you always the one

-who looked after the tractors?

-Yes, though we all got involved.

-But I did the most,

-cutting hay and so on.

-Rol did the baling.

-WHISTLING

-HE CALLS TO THE DOG

-Who's this, Gareth?

-He's Star's son.

-He's a handy dog.

-Yes, he is.

-His mother is David Young's Jen.

-Oh, from Scotland.

-Yes. He's a young dog,

-just two years old.

-I know you compete with dogs.

-Yes. I wish I had more time

-to do this.

-He should be good in a year or two.

-He should be good in a year or two.

-

-How long have you been doing this?

-How long have you been doing this?

-Since I was 10.

-An old boy, William Hughes,

-came here to train dogs.

-I started with him and Dad.

-I started with him and Dad.

-

-Are you the only one...

-Are you the only one...

-..who's been training him?

-..who's been training him?

-

-Yes, I train all the dogs.

-Yes, I train all the dogs.

-We have 17 dogs in all.

-We have 17 dogs in all.

-

-17? I saw the kennels.

-17? I saw the kennels.

-Seven of them are puppies, mind you.

-Dogs are essential -

-you've got nearly 6,000 sheep.

-Yes. Plenty of work for them.

-Will you use him on the mountain?

-Will you use him on the mountain?

-

-We're taking him there tomorrow.

-We're taking him there tomorrow.

-He was up there the other day too.

-It helps to train him.

-It's nice to spend the evenings

-training a dog.

-It's better than the pub!

-I think you're right.

-It also gives me time to think.

-Well done, and good luck with him.

-He's a smart dog. What's his name?

-He's a smart dog. What's his name?

-

-His name's Fflach.

-His name's Fflach.

-The boys gave him that name.

-Fflach. I'm sure they'll laugh

-at the sheepdog trials!

-The boys have quite a lot of land...

-..around Llanfairfechan,

-Penmaenmawr and Conwy.

-But the farm has to support

-eight homes and families.

-So it's no surprise that they rent

-grazing land in Anglesey.

-The land belongs to Lord Anglesey,

-on the Plas Newydd estate.

-There's plenty of food

-for the lambs, William.

-Yes, there's plenty of clover here.

-Lots of clover. Is all this yours?

-Lots of clover. Is all this yours?

-

-Yes. We have 150 acres here.

-Yes. We have 150 acres here.

-Grazing land, for lambs.

-When we bring them down from the

-mountain, male lambs come here...

-..to fatten.

-I hope by holiday time, they'll

-be good enough, or nearly so.

-You've got over 1,000 lambs here.

-You've got over 1,000 lambs here.

-

-Yes, well over 1,000.

-You sell them

-when the price is right.

-That's right.

-Anglesey isn't terribly far to come.

-No. Sometimes we come over every

-day, but at least every two days.

-We have cattle and sheep here

-so we've got to keep an eye.

-Your sons, like your brothers,

-know what's going on everywhere.

-It doesn't matter

-who comes to check on them.

-We have a meeting in the morning

-over a cuppa...

-..so we all know who's going where.

-Amazing. That's what I call

-a proper family farm.

-I'd say so.

-There's good land in Anglesey.

-Yes, indeed.

-This is the jewel in the crown.

-It's the best farm in Anglesey.

-You breed all your own cattle -

-you never buy any.

-These were reared in Llanfairfechan.

-There's something about the land

-in Anglesey - it suits cattle well.

-They used to import big Irish cows.

-They used to import big Irish cows.

-

-What really helps us...

-What really helps us...

-..because we have so many

-mountain sheep...

-..we'll have 1,000 female lambs...

-..and this place makes a big

-difference to them come spring.

-In April they go straight back

-on the mountain.

-We breed our own stock,

-and we only buy bulls and rams.

-If we had to buy all these,

-on top of paying rent...

-..it would be difficult

-to make a profit.

-I feel that if you breed them

-yourself...

-..it's possible to make a profit.

-..it's possible to make a profit.

-

-And you know what you've got.

-And you know what you've got.

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-Hill farms are ruled by the seasons.

-Hill farms are ruled by the seasons.

-

-September 2005

-It's September,

-again a time of gathering.

-But the weather is very different.

-What a morning!

-Dai Jones slept late!

-I couldn't see my way!

-It's a filthy morning,

-but the forecast was good.

-It was raining heavily at 6.00am.

-It was cold too.

-Must we wait for the fog to clear?

-What we're after today

-are the sheep we want to sell.

-All the shepherds are here.

-Some of them have come from afar.

-We'll wait 'til 10.00am or 11.00am.

-We can't do much

-after midday, can we?

-Rain, wind and cold

-mean nothing to the shepherds.

-But fog is another matter.

-Rol's son, Gareth, and his wife

-and family, live near the farm.

-Rhian, Gareth has his interests,

-his work with sheepdogs.

-You have your own interests.

-You have your own interests.

-

-Yes - singing.

-Yes - singing.

-Singing and composing.

-I write lyrics too.

-Have you sung on stage a lot?

-Yes, I have.

-It's not so easy now I have

-children, but I enjoy it.

-That's Rolant on your lap.

-Sior is the quiet one.

-And how old is little Mari?

-And how old is little Mari?

-

-Just over a year old.

-Just over a year old.

-This is a great place to live.

-Plenty for the children to see.

-It's a great place,

-but it's hard work too.

-Long hours.

-Long hours.

-

-It's very foggy this morning...

-It's very foggy this morning...

-..and you have to fetch sheep

-from the mountain.

-Can I have a colouring book?

-I'm good at drawing birds!

-Where did you meet Rhian, Gareth?

-Where did you meet Rhian, Gareth?

-

-In a nightclub in Bangor.

-In a nightclub in Bangor.

-A nightclub, of all places!

-That was a long time ago!

-The boys used to go there

-quite often.

-We had a good time.

-This is a good place

-to raise children.

-Yes - plenty of fresh air...

-..and they get a taste

-of the traditional way of life.

-One foot in the future

-and one in the past.

-They take their stories

-to school in Bangor.

-The school benefits too.

-To go back to the singing, Rhian -

-when do you find time to compose?

-When I'm washing dishes!

-I put a CD on, I wash the dishes,

-and I think about lyrics.

-# Will we ever have

-this chance again?

-# Where's the challenge,

-where's the excitement?

-# We must defend the right

-of the mountain. #

-Wil, you live

-in the middle of the village.

-Yes, but we don't keep

-many animals here...

-..just a few calves in winter...

-..because the road

-goes through a housing estate.

-We can't take cattle back and forth.

-We can't take cattle back and forth.

-

-How long have you lived here?

-How long have you lived here?

-It'll be 50 years next year.

-Hen Blas. Who owned this place

-previously?

-It looks like a very nice place.

-It looks like a very nice place.

-

-It was owned, years ago...

-It was owned, years ago...

-..by the Bulkeleys

-of Baron Hill in Anglesey.

-That stone still bears

-an inscription to that effect.

-There's a lion on top too.

-You live right in the middle

-of the village.

-Sometimes it's convenient,

-sometimes not.

-The flowers are lovely.

-The flowers are lovely.

-

-My wife looks after those.

-My wife looks after those.

-Hello there!

-Is this your original home, Ieuan?

-Yes.

-You've married

-but you haven't moved very far.

-No, just down the road there.

-It's unusual - you live

-in a large village, Llanfairfechan.

-If this was where I live,

-I'd call it a town.

-But the mountain's nearby.

-You get the best of both worlds.

-Both worlds, yes.

-Our fields start just up the road.

-It's great.

-Do you work on the farm every day?

-Do you work on the farm every day?

-

-Yes.

-This is Osian. Is he your eldest?

-Osian's the eldest - he's nine.

-My daughter's three.

-She's at the nursery this morning.

-It's amazing the way

-your father and uncles keep going...

-..at 70 years of age.

-Let's hope you do the same.

-Let's hope you do the same.

-

-It's a job keeping up with them!

-It's a job keeping up with them!

-It must be good

-to be such a big family.

-Today, everyone's waiting

-to go up the mountain.

-What's the latest we can leave it?

-It's 10.40 now. Midday?

-We can't leave it later

-than midday...

-..or it'll be too dark

-by the time we come down.

-The shepherds are here,

-the company's ready to move.

-We must retain these customs.

-If we lose these, we lose Wales.

-The other brother's here today.

-Three generations.

-Which brother are you?

-I'm Robert, the eldest.

-The eldest? And you're his son?

-The eldest? And you're his son?

-

-I'm Tudor.

-I'm Tudor.

-And you're the grandson?

-Dewi.

-Three generations.

-I'm fascinated by these generations.

-The brothers, the sons

-and the grandsons.

-Do you farm on the mountain?

-Do you farm on the mountain?

-

-We have land in Llanfairfechan...

-We have land in Llanfairfechan...

-..but we farm outside Bangor.

-Coed Hywel is the main farm.

-You must have many memories

-of this place.

-I remember my uncles here,

-years ago.

-That generation's gone now.

-But your sons are here

-to inherit the things you've done.

-Back to the wilds and the fog.

-We're not far from the Carneddau.

-Just 30 minutes from the village,

-we found a very remote spot.

-What's this place called?

-It goes up to what we call the Drum.

-From the stream right up to the top

-- we call it the Drum.

-It's nice here.

-The fog stops on that ridge.

-Several times we've been up here,

-and a thick fog descends...

-..and then the sheep scatter.

-You can see the sheep moving.

-They usually take them further over

-before turning over the top.

-They keep heading back

-to their habitats.

-Some people talk about taking

-these flocks off the mountains.

-Good gracious, you'd have a job

-finding a habitat for those sheep...

-..or getting the sheep

-used to a new place.

-When Foot & Mouth disease

-hit Anglesey...

-..we lost 1,200 young sheep.

-We had to keep older sheep on...

-..so that female lambs

-could regain the habitat.

-When you buy sheep - say we sold

-a farm and its sheep...

-..the buyer would have to buy

-the habitat as well.

-Mountain grazing rights.

-They've come over the top now.

-Yes. They're coming down

-Foel Lwyd and Drosgl...

-..towards Bwlch y Ddeufaen.

-Then they cross the river

-and head for Gwastad Pen Cefn.

-It's steep over there.

-It's very steep and craggy.

-It's very steep and craggy.

-

-Within sight of the farm, though.

-Within sight of the farm, though.

-Yes.

-They'll come in their own time now.

-Those fields down by the house

-look good.

-You've been working on them.

-Yes. My uncle

-used to farm that land.

-He's the one who improved the land.

-Improved the land?

-Yes. He worked

-and improved the land.

-That word you used was unfamiliar.

-That word you used was unfamiliar.

-

-As you can see...

-As you can see...

-..they're growing silage there.

-That part where the cattle are,

-in the distance...

-..we did all that.

-"Loesi" is the word you use

-for ploughing the land.

-"Loesi." It's an old word.

-I'm sure it is.

-How did your forefathers

-do this, years ago?

-Did they walk up here?

-Did they walk up here?

-

-Yes. They got up at 2.00am...

-..so they could start

-rounding up the sheep at daybreak.

-They'd have been

-coming back in pitch darkness...

-..if they'd only started out

-at daybreak.

-It's a long way up, about four miles

-from the village to the top.

-Did they have this number

-of sheep years ago?

-Or were there fewer?

-About the same number.

-They also kept sheep

-for mutton back then...

-..what we'd call "myllt"

-or "llydnod".

-Older sheep.

-We call them "gweddrod".

-But roughly

-the same number of sheep.

-Mutton has a certain flavour

-you don't get with lamb.

-Was that what you were raised on?

-Was that what you were raised on?

-

-Yes, of course.

-Was that what you were raised on?

-It did a good job!

-It did a good job!

-It did a good job!

-

-And bread-and-milk.

-And bread-and-milk.

-There's a picture of you in the

-house that looks quite impressive!

-Like that bloke - not Humpty Dumpty

-- "Ingleberg" Humperdinck...

-..Engelbert Humperdinck!

-Heck, Dai! Humpty Dumpty?

-That makes two of us!

-# Don't ever be too busy,

-# Come together now to defend

-the right of the mountain. #

-You've got as many as the other day.

-You've got as many as the other day.

-

-You know, I was disappointed.

-You know, I was disappointed.

-You should have come to help us!

-We went into the fog, it lifted,

-but it fell again.

-When we went over the top,

-the last place...

-..and Teg and I are in our 70s -

-it was hard going.

-But it's gone well.

-But it's gone well.

-

-You didn't leave many behind.

-You didn't leave many behind.

-888

-888

-With much shouting and barking...

-..the sheep were brought down

-from the hills and sorted.

-We're now at the auction

-in Gaerwen, Anglesey.

-The brothers bring four-year-old

-sheep to the annual sale.

-These sheep should do well

-for many years on lowland farms.

-Will they do well in the sale ring?

-If trade is slow, it's a loss.

-If it's brisk, they'll profit.

-Gaerwen is a long way

-to come from Llanfairfechan.

-Is this where you've always come?

-Is this where you've always come?

-

-No.

-No.

-Years ago, we had our own sale

-in Llanfairfechan.

-Cattle were also sold there.

-But the attendance grew smaller,

-so we joined another sale.

-We were with them for years.

-Then Foot & Mouth struck,

-and auctions were cancelled.

-We've been coming to Gaerwen

-ever since.

-It's a good place,

-and it's not too far.

-Getting them here is the problem.

-There are 500 sheep, and farmers

-can choose what they want.

-They can buy just one sheep

-if they want.

-That's a three-year-old.

-There are some three-year-olds.

-THE AUCTIONEER SPEAKS RAPIDLY

-Fair play - three years old.

-Fair play.

-21.

-No.

-They've been dosed, dipped

-and treated for foot rot.

-If a few appear lame, don't worry -

-they've been treated.

-Fair play.

-They're guaranteed. We've been

-selling for over 50 years.

-21.

-That's low.

-Just look at the length in them.

-You can cross them

-with Border Leicesters, or anything.

-This depresses me.

-I'll have a word with my brother,

-or I'll be in trouble.

-What shall I do?

-It's very low, 21.

-Well, that's the way it is.

-Happy?

-Happy?

-

-Yes! No - of course I'm not!

-Yes! No - of course I'm not!

-No holidays for us next year!

-It's serious.

-But they're good, strong sheep.

-These are the ones you helped us

-bring down from the mountain.

-I hope they'll do better

-than the others.

-THEY WHISTLE AND SHOUT

-AT THE SHEEP

-As God is my witness -

-and I was in chapel yesterday...

-..so strike me down dead...

-..these came off the mountain

-last Tuesday.

-Exactly the same type.

-You're getting a huge bargain.

-Fair play.

-You know.

-You know how old they are -

-between three and four.

-Three-year-old, look.

-This is very depressing.

-I thought I'd get a bit more.

-I thought I'd get a bit more.

-

-Happy, Teg?

-Happy, Teg?

-No, not at all.

-No, not at all.

-

-How much did you get last year?

-How much did you get last year?

-28 last year.

-That's 7 difference.

-Everyone's saying prices are up

-but they're down, really.

-21.

-You're working hard, Rol.

-You're working hard.

-It's a tough job.

-Tougher than being on the mountain.

-I don't doubt it!

-They don't believe they've just

-come down from the mountain.

-If they knew, they'd pay more!

-All of these were sired

-by selected rams.

-They've cost us pounds.

-Are you happy

-with an average of about 20?

-It could have been better.

-It could have been better.

-

-It could have been a lot worse.

-It could have been a lot worse.

-They're strong sheep, too.

-You can see that. They're very good.

-Watch out, boys.

-How do you feel, Ieu? Happy?

-Of course!

-If the boys are happy, I'm happy!

-Bring them back

-if you're not satisfied.

-21.

-Those are good ewes they're getting.

-We used to get 33 in the '60s.

-You'll sleep fine tonight.

-You'll sleep fine tonight.

-

-No, I won't.

-No, I won't.

-You will, because you're tired!

-This lot's better still.

-You know your sheep

-anyway, Dai Jones!

-These are from a different habitat.

-They're what they call

-"defaid gerlan".

-They come from the top

-of the mountain.

-Last Tuesday...

-Last Tuesday...

-

-THE AUCTIONEER SPEAKS

-THE AUCTIONEER SPEAKS

-Hang on - Dai, tell them...

-..last Tuesday

-these came off the mountain.

-Why can't he speak up for me?!

-Why can't he speak up for me?!

-

-Late at night too.

-They were late coming down.

-You did well.

-I didn't think

-they'd believe you were there!

-How did those prices

-compare with last year?

-Wait a minute - about 27

-last year - that's 6 less.

-It could have been worse, though.

-Thanks, but that's not really

-how I feel...

-..though things might turn out

-better by the end of the sale.

-They're strong sheep, otherwise

-you wouldn't have sold so many.

-Just give them a cross-bred ram.

-Farmers won't spend money

-in an insecure market.

-Lamb prices are low.

-We can't buck the market.

-If the money's not there, you can't.

-If the money's not there, you can't.

-

-Just hope it'll pick up.

-These ewes

-will give them two seasons.

-Well, you can comfort each other.

-You're in the ring -

-are you the spokesman?

-I get a row sometimes!

-I get a row sometimes!

-

-Mam always said...

-Mam always said...

-..he'd be a preacher

-or an auctioneer!

-Yes, the sheep were 6

-down on last year.

-They'll have to claw that money

-back somehow.

-It's good to get back to the hills

-to see the cattle.

-They live in a wonderful place.

-I've never seen cattle

-living so high up.

-How high are we?

-How high are we?

-

-About 1,000ft, I should think.

-About 1,000ft, I should think.

-You've gone Continental -

-you use Continental bulls.

-Yes - Blonde d'Aquitaine.

-We bought two bulls in Carlisle.

-They cost about 3,000.

-Before that, we used Limousins.

-But they weren't very good.

-These are a bit better.

-And the calving's easier.

-Yes, they just slip out.

-Yes, they just slip out.

-

-They're better than Charolais.

-They're better than Charolais.

-Oh yes.

-Calving after lambing - you must

-have been tired out after that.

-It was a lot of work.

-It's nearly the end of September.

-When will you bring them in?

-They'll soon need feeding.

-In about three weeks.

-In about three weeks.

-

-We've got heavy coats on...

-We've got heavy coats on...

-..but Rol's in his shirt sleeves!

-..but Rol's in his shirt sleeves!

-

-It's not terribly cold.

-..but Rol's in his shirt sleeves!

-It's not terribly cold today.

-It's the end of October,

-and today's a big day.

-The weather hasn't been bad,

-but it's windy.

-The neighbours have gathered

-to bring in the ponies...

-..and sort out the foals.

-It's a day and a half!

-This is important to me.

-My father, in his Will,

-left the ponies to Teg and me.

-We sold the weaker ones,

-and we have good ponies now.

-I saw a nice white one

-on the mountain.

-We sold 150 foals and ponies last

-year, and 150 the year before.

-How long will they stay here?

-Will you pick out the foals?

-Will you pick out the foals?

-

-Yes. They'll be here for two weeks.

-Yes. They'll be here for two weeks.

-Step back a bit.

-They're nice ponies.

-They're in very good condition.

-They're all looking good.

-Hey! Steady on, boys!

-There they go. Lovely.

-Rol, you have excellent neighbours.

-They've brought all the ponies down.

-Yes, we have...

-Yes, we have good neighbours.

-You couldn't find better.

-Our children's children

-are getting involved now.

-There's an excellent generation

-coming up.

-It's good to see

-them taking an interest...

-..and keeping

-the old traditions alive.

-You can't learn these things

-at college.

-They have to learn from childhood.

-How many acres do you have in all?

-How many acres do you have in all?

-

-We have over 2,000 acres...

-We have over 2,000 acres...

-..all told,

-from Penmaenmawr to Anglesey.

-And that's just lowland.

-You also have the mountain.

-We graze 5,000 acres

-on the mountain.

-We have over 4,000 mountain sheep.

-I remember my father

-telling Uncle Wil...

-.."Wil, my boys will never work

-for anyone except me."

-We're still working for him,

-although he's dead.

-MOBILE PHONE, GIGGLING

-Sorry.

-S4C subtitles by TROSOL Cyf.