Dydd Sadwrn Barlys Cefn Gwlad

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-For Cardis, the last Saturday

-in April is a very important day...

-..when Barley Saturday

-takes place in Cardigan.

-It's an historic event

-which dates back to 1871.

-Nowadays, it's a chance to show off

-horses and ponies...

-..and tractors and cars that were

-used in the area many years ago.

-Barley Saturday, Cardigan

-April 2006

-I, and others like me, head straight

-to see the stallions being judged.

-A well-known local character...

-..lives near the field

-where the judging takes place.

-Meet Dic the Vet.

-Members of your family have been

-vets in this town for many years.

-You must have many memories

-of this event.

-Yes. When it was resurrected -

-in '61, I believe...

-..John Bath-house, Ifor Radley,

-Wil Ty Hen, and Ieu Trefaes Fawr...

-..were all prominent

-in horse circles.

-They resurrected a tradition

-that was important to the town.

-Of course, it was a struggle

-in the early days.

-But nowadays, people feel that Welsh

-traditions are extremely important.

-Look at all the different colours.

-You don't see that at every show.

-And you don't have to enter

-beforehand.

-You just turn up.

-You don't have to know

-the right people.

-It's a social occasion...

-..and it's interesting

-how incomers react to rural folk.

-What could be better

-on a fine Saturday?

-There are old tractors too.

-People have moved into this area.

-When I was practising,

-back in the '60s...

-..people didn't attend events

-at Christmas or Easter.

-But these days, everyone does.

-People have realized that we have

-our own traditions here.

-Later, we'll take a look at the

-steam engines and vintage cars.

-Everyone likes old things.

-Two experts have joined me now...

-..Huw Reed of Tyngwndwn Stud...

-..and of course, everyone knows

-Peter Jones, or Peter Pantydefaid.

-Neither of you is competing today.

-No. My wife and children

-have gone to the show in Llanilar.

-Lisa and the children

-are riding there.

-This is my home patch,

-so I've come to show my face.

-And his birthday's on Monday

-but the celebrations start today!

-It's a bank holiday, of course!

-I haven't brought my wallet,

-mind you!

-Don't worry,

-Huw's got plenty of money!

-That bay horse, owned by Bulman

-of Tregaron, is a very good horse.

-Yes, and he's won a lot

-over the years.

-He's the proper type.

-He's the old type.

-He's the type of horse that Arwyn -

-today's judge - likes.

-As Peter said,

-a Welsh horse of the old type.

-It's nice to see Arwyn judging.

-His family have been involved

-with cobs for years.

-That's right.

-If Arwyn doesn't know his cobs,

-who does?

-Look at this horse

-that's coming down now.

-He was in Lampeter last week.

-This horse was bred in Horeb.

-I really like him.

-He's the one with the white socks.

-I think he's in London now,

-being driven.

-He's here for the day.

-You can see that he isn't as fat

-as the in-hand horses.

-He's being driven,

-so he covers more miles.

-Years ago, you could show a horse

-in-hand, under saddle and driving.

-There's keen competition

-at one end of town.

-At the other end,

-things are more leisurely.

-There are lots of old machines...

-..and horses in harness,

-pulling carts.

-Competition is keen here too.

-I've been coming here to the Barley

-Fair for many years - over 30 years.

-It has grown dramatically.

-You'd only see four or five horses,

-early on...

-..two or three heavy horses

-and two or three cobs.

-These days, you'll see 50 stallions,

-and driving's been introduced.

-It raises money for good causes.

-We're local people -

-we've always lived here...

-..and we like to keep it going.

-It's a great pleasure.

-I've driven horses all my life.

-I used to plough with horses.

-I was kept busy

-when I was a farmer...

-..but I still

-had my own horse and trap.

-Nowadays, I have several traps.

-I've been breaking in horses.

-I've won the cup four times,

-with a different horse each time.

-But today's judge is very harsh!

-He comes from Pyle -

-Dai 'Ginger' Davies.

-He's very well-known

-in driving circles.

-But I'll have to accept

-what he says.

-If he marks me down, I'll deserve

-it, because he knows his stuff.

-First, he looks at the horse.

-Then he awards points

-for the harness and the cart.

-The driver and the groom

-must look smart.

-I've got the best groom.

-People seem amazed that I can

-still attract young female grooms!

-This horse

-is called Maesyfelin Viscount.

-He's by Laburnam Magic

-out of Tireve Tywysoges Ddu...

-..who was sired by Nebo Prince.

-This six-year-old gelding

-has been driving for two years.

-This trap is an armchair gig.

-We bought it in Reading

-two years ago.

-We're here to enjoy ourselves.

-We won the cup last year...

-stand, boy...

-..so we're defending the cup

-this year...

-..but we're also here

-to enjoy ourselves.

-Morgan Jones from New Quay

-has the same attitude.

-We've had this horse

-since he was a foal.

-This cart's been with us

-for seven years.

-We bought it in Ledbury.

-We don't do a lot of showing

-but we like coming here.

-We've been coming to the Barley Fair

-ever since we got this cart.

-We won the cup every year

-until last year.

-We'll see how it goes.

-There's a very keen

-competitive spirit.

-How will it go?

-Yes!

-Thank you very much! Cheers!

-It's such a good show.

-The faithful old shire horses

-are a great attraction.

-They're decked out

-and looking their best.

-He's 18 years old and he's competed

-at the All Wales Ploughing.

-He's an excellent horse,

-though getting on in years.

-But he's 100% safe...

-..which is important, because

-our farm is open to the public.

-They're both safe.

-Both of these can work,

-plough and pull carts.

-They're in harness today.

-We've been coming here for 20 years,

-since we were children.

-Trials have been held at Carneddog

-since 1849 - it's an old tradition.

-My son's here, and Huw's son.

-They'll be riding on the cart

-later on.

-We want to keep traditions going.

-They eat a lot - they're big horses.

-Shoeing them costs a lot.

-He's worth too much to sell.

-Like a car, you know

-how many miles he's done.

-We know the horse's history and

-we wouldn't sell him for the world.

-Cleaning the harnesses

-is the biggest job.

-It's not easy.

-It takes a lot of elbow grease.

-We hope it doesn't rain -

-it tarnishes the brass...

-..and our work gets spoilt.

-We hope it'll stay dry.

-They're running downhill and horses

-don't like running downhill.

-It would be better

-if they ran uphill.

-This is Geler Cymro Du.

-Claire Davies, who's showing him,

-is his owner.

-He's a nice horse.

-He's a nice horse.

-

-I owned him for four or five years.

-I owned him for four or five years.

-Claire was working for me

-and she fell in love with Cymro Du.

-Here comes Derwen Reward.

-I must say, I like him.

-Black horses look smart.

-There's Arwyn Bulman.

-He's a superb contender.

-He's a superb contender.

-

-He'll be celebrating...

-He'll be celebrating...

-..before the end of the day.

-..before the end of the day.

-

-Nice horse, nice mover.

-..before the end of the day.

-He's an experienced horse.

-Mr Tom's coming now.

-Mr Tom's coming now.

-

-Mr Tom's speeding things up.

-Mr Tom's speeding things up.

-The handler's young,

-and the horse can move.

-He goes like an arrow.

-He goes like an arrow.

-

-He's true - no dishing or anything.

-He's true - no dishing or anything.

-He's got pace.

-He's a good one,

-a consistent winner.

-He's done well.

-Here's another horse

-that's won a lot.

-Owned by the Davies family

-of Newcastle Emlyn.

-He came second

-at the Lampeter Stallion Show.

-Second to that horse from Facwn.

-Second to that horse from Facwn.

-

-Here's the winner...

-Second to that horse from Facwn.

-..in a superb competition -

-Section D stallions.

-Clougha Reet Lad, owned

-by Arwyn Bulman of Tregaron...

-..wins first prize.

-He's a strong contender

-for the championship later today.

-He's a special type of cob.

-A horse bred by Geler comes second.

-The horse from Pengelli Fach,

-Newcastle Emlyn, comes third.

-The horse from Trefaes Fawr, Beulah,

-comes fourth.

-Look at Mr Tom moving!

-Mr Tom can move

-as well as any of them...

-..but that's the type today's judge

-likes, and he's the boss.

-Arwyn Hughes, of Cefncoch,

-Rhydyfelin.

-I must say, though -

-all of those horses deserve to win.

-It's lovely to see such a spectacle.

-I know Cardiganshire

-is the stronghold for Welsh cobs.

-This is where they all came from,

-originally.

-By now, they've travelled the world.

-Cardiganshire

-is the home of the cob.

-Yes, there's no doubt about that.

-People still come here

-to find something better.

-Cobs are sold and taken away

-but they win only so much.

-People still come back here

-for more.

-As I said in Lampeter last week,

-it's always the same with animals.

-People who have money come and buy

-a good cob or whatever...

-..but it's the old boys

-who know how to breed them.

-When the cob they bought has gone...

-..they don't know

-where to find another.

-They have to come back

-for the blood.

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-It's no surprise,

-on Barley Saturday in Cardigan...

-..to learn that there's

-an exhibition at Oriel Awen Teifi...

-..featuring work by Aneurin Jones.

-Aneurin lives in this town.

-Over the years, Aneurin has focused

-a lot on the nature of horses...

-..and horses and people together.

-I've always loved horses

-a great deal.

-And it's something very old...

-..something handed down from father,

-or even great-grandfather, to son...

-..in this respect.

-I was brought up with horses

-and sheepdogs...

-..and rural characters.

-These things still appeal to me.

-Is it correct to say that you have

-to grow up with these things...

-..before you can truly portray them?

-That picture, for example, of a

-stallion with his tail held high...

-..or the picture

-of the startled horse.

-They're so lifelike, but they were

-done with a brush, not a camera.

-It's no accident.

-It's something that's passed on

-in the blood.

-If someone from, say, Birmingham,

-takes a picture of a cob...

-..you can't tell the difference

-between its hooves and its ears.

-But I know how to look at a horse...

-..and I've listened to people

-talking about horses at fairs.

-I ask them, "What's so special

-about that one?"...

-..and they'll tell me.

-Over the years, I've learned a lot.

-I know what to look for.

-I know what to look for.

-

-Those two horses.

-Those two horses.

-One's running as though

-he just got his head free.

-His tail, indeed every single hair

-are just as they should be.

-And this startled horse -

-it's so accurate.

-That one's perfect.

-I find something like that

-to be very appealing.

-Others do, too.

-You catch the horse's spirit.

-Anyone can take a horse's picture

-with a camera.

-Lots of people like photographs.

-But if you want something extra...

-..you need someone who knows horses

-well, and has an artist's eye.

-Over here is a picture

-of Meirion with Gwynfaes Culhwch.

-Meirion's way of running is unique

-and you've captured him perfectly!

-I recognised Meirion and Gwynfaes

-Culhwch as soon as I came in!

-That's very interesting.

-Many people come in

-to see my work...

-..and they say, "Duw, where did you

-see Uncle Dai?" or Sam, or whoever.

-And I always say that's who

-they are, though they may not be!

-They just look similar.

-It means you've caught

-the character.

-It gives people great pleasure.

-The characters who lead the horses

-in show rings have changed.

-Flat caps and big hands

-and tweed jackets have gone.

-Today everyone wears white jodhpurs

-and they've got earrings everywhere!

-Yes, they've changed a great deal

-over the past decade.

-I remember going to Lampeter and

-Llanybydder and other horse fairs...

-..and I'd remark on groups of men

-who stood and talked.

-They had a certain stance.

-They could only be rural people.

-They could never

-have been watchmakers.

-They belonged to the land.

-That's a cliche nowadays.

-But these days they seem to have

-receded into the shadows.

-They're not running the show

-any more.

-They're a different generation

-and a different sex.

-I've got nothing

-against the other sex.

-But for me, it doesn't look natural.

-The old boys - the characters...

-..they were so similar

-to the cobs themselves.

-Wil Williams of Gotrel, you're

-the chairman of Barley Saturday.

-How are things this year?

-It's all gone very well.

-Traditionally, the chairman follows

-on after the previous chairman.

-How long are you the chairman?

-How long are you the chairman?

-

-A year. From one year to the next.

-You've been associated

-with the show for many years.

-27 years.

-I've been the chairman once before.

-People still enjoy coming here.

-Look at the crowd that's here today.

-There are horses

-of all shapes and sizes.

-It's a strong annual tradition.

-People even come from England.

-You don't have to enter beforehand.

-People just turn up on the day.

-We didn't know how many would come.

-We didn't know how many would come.

-

-Don't let me keep you.

-Don't let me keep you.

-But I must say, I like your rosette!

-You look like a Section C winner!

-Thanks very much!

-You don't often see traffic

-excluded from towns...

-..to make way for a grand parade.

-Tractors are passing by now,

-followed by vintage cars.

-It's a spectacular sight.

-Thousands of people are watching.

-Wil Trewindsor, you've attended

-many Barley Saturdays.

-A great many, ever since

-I was a boy, in the '30s.

-I used to come with my uncle.

-He came to choose stallions

-for our mares.

-We had five mares on the farm

-at Trewindsor.

-Were they mostly heavy horses,

-back then?

-Shire horses and cobs.

-You saw the occasional thoroughbred.

-Do you still work with horses?

-I still have a grey mare

-and I have two colliers.

-I hope I can take them

-to Llanybydder at the end of May.

-Have you had a good day?

-Have you had a good day?

-

-Yes, thanks.

-Have you had a good day?

-This parade is a fine sight.

-This parade is a fine sight.

-This parade is a fine sight.

-

-It's good.

-This parade is a fine sight.

-Is this your first time?

-Is this your first time?

-

-No, I've been coming for years.

-No, I've been coming for years.

-Tell me about the Fergie.

-Tell me about the Fergie.

-

-It's my son's.

-It's my son's.

-He won it in a raffle at the

-Sennybridge Road Run five years ago.

-But he's too young to drive.

-How long have you been doing this?

-These cars are an amazing sight.

-What's this car - an Austin?

-What's this car - an Austin?

-

-Morris 8.

-Morris 8, 1937.

-Does it go like a rocket?

-Does it go like a rocket?

-

-It goes very well.

-It goes very well.

-Mind you don't drink and drive!

-Would you like to drive it?

-Would you like to drive it?

-

-How much do you want for it?!

-How much do you want for it?!

-How's Dai today?

-How's Dai today?

-

-Very good!

-Very good!

-What time did you get here today?

-I left home about 8.00am.

-It's not my own tractor.

-But it's a lovely machine.

-It makes a very good noise!

-How much power does it have?

-How much power does it have?

-

-About 80 or 85.

-About 80 or 85.

-It's amazing

-how many people are here.

-It's an eye-opener -

-this is my first time.

-I thought you went to all the shows.

-I thought you went to all the shows.

-

-I always missed this one.

-I thought you went to all the shows.

-I only heard about it afterwards.

-I only heard about it afterwards.

-Where have you come from?

-Where have you come from?

-

-Newcastle Emlyn.

-Newcastle Emlyn.

-That's nearby.

-Did you come on the tractor?

-Did you come on the tractor?

-

-Yes. I have two here.

-Yes. I have two here.

-This one's in very good condition.

-It's got a saw bench behind,

-for sawing firewood.

-Do you need firewood?

-A wood-burning stove

-is just the job!

-How long have you been keen

-on tractors?

-I sold these in the 1960s.

-I've worked with Mansel Davies

-for 20 years.

-Barley Saturday

-is an important day.

-A very important day.

-This is my first time.

-It's all very thrilling.

-Yes, it's special.

-Children are enjoying it too.

-They've only ever seen these

-in books.

-Some have never seen them before.

-Some have never seen them before.

-

-I can smell TVO too!

-I can smell TVO too!

-It smells so nice!

-I remember when I was a boy -

-not that I'm all that old!...

-..lighting a Woodbine, and the smell

-of TVO - they were wonderful!

-It's the end of Barley Saturday.

-This is the first time

-I've attended.

-I've enjoyed it enormously.

-Whether you've been before or not,

-I can thoroughly recommend it.

-S4C subtitles by

-TROSOL Cyf.