Cwm Senni Cefn Gwlad

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-SHEEP AND LAMBS BLEAT

-Summer 2011

-You can travel

-as far as you like...

-..but you'd have to go very far

-to find a valley like this one.

-This is Cwm Senni.

-Take the road from Sennybridge

-over the mountains...

-..descend to Ystradfellte,

-climb again to Penderyn...

-..before making a final descent

-to the Vale of Neath.

-The views are magnificent.

-Believe it or not,

-this valley nearly got flooded.

-Thank heavens, it wasn't.

-As you look down

-this lovely valley...

-..it's easy to see why plans

-were drawn up in the 1960s...

-..to drown this valley in order

-to create a substantial reservoir.

-Glyn Powell, I couldn't come

-to learn about this area...

-..without knocking on your door.

-This valley nearly became flooded,

-didn't it?

-We're standing in the exact spot

-where the dam was to be built.

-There were plans to build a dam...

-..where the valley

-is at its narrowest...

-..and then the whole valley

-was to be flooded.

-The planning began in 1963...

-..under the Usk Water Board.

-The project continued until 1972.

-That's nearly ten years.

-It's not that long ago, is it?

-But people have forgotten about it.

-The memories have almost gone.

-But here we are,

-bringing back the memories.

-To put it plainly...

-..this is one of the loveliest

-valleys I've ever visited.

-It is - "the fairest valley of all."

-It's beautiful...

-..especially when you stand by

-Maen Llia and look down the valley.

-But some regarded it as a place

-that could provide water...

-..for South Wales's industry

-and urban population.

-The battle against flooding

-the valley began in the 1960s.

-The biggest protest got under way

-early one morning back in 1970.

-It took place at Brychgoed Chapel.

-Mr Glyn Powell, secretary

-of the Cwm Senni Defence Committee.

-What took place this morning?

-What took place this morning?

-

-This morning at about 6.30...

-..a group of strangers

-came to the valley.

-They included officials from the

-water authority and engineers.

-They thought they could come here

-without anyone knowing about it.

-When the first lorry was spotted...

-..the siren was sounded and the

-telephone network went into action.

-The whole community gathered

-shortly after 7.00am.

-Did you receive any warning at all?

-Did you receive any warning at all?

-

-No, not at all.

-No information at all.

-Animals were in the fields.

-Equipment was unloaded at Bailea...

-..without anyone's knowledge

-or consent.

-Large protests took place

-on two occasions.

-I remember the road

-filling up with people...

-..when the siren sounded.

-A siren had been placed in a tree

-near Ty Canol.

-Nancy was in charge of it.

-When a phone call came through,

-each person phoned three others...

-..and the whole valley,

-on hearing the siren...

-..gathered at the crossroads

-at Brychgoed.

-That's how it went.

-It's a privilege to be here,

-the way you describe it!

-It was encouraging.

-The community was united.

-We went through the town courts

-and the High Court.

-We went to parliament, where the

-matter was raised several times.

-This was the last valley

-to come under threat in Wales.

-It was an important battle.

-Preserving this place was important.

-Green fields and red soil.

-Don't forget...

-..the power of the red soil

-is in the red blood.

-It's in the marrow

-of the Senni people.

-I can remember

-maybe 35 family farms.

-I doubt if 15 of them remain, sadly.

-But at least the land still remains,

-in the hands of other farmers.

-The most common sound

-in this area, Heol Senni...

-..is the bleating of sheep.

-I'm meeting one of the oldest

-residents of Heol Senni...

-..John Davies of Tyle Glas.

-He's commonly known

-as John Tyle Glas.

-I can see that John

-has been busy whitewashing.

-I don't want to hang around -

-I think there's rain on the way.

-You've plenty of grass, John.

-You've plenty of grass, John.

-

-Yes, plenty of grass.

-Yes, you do.

-Well, you know...

-That'll do, Roy.

-Are you ready to bleep?

-Are you ready to bleep?

-

-Eh?

-Are you ready for bleeps?

-That'll do, Roy.

-Here Roy, here Roy.

-That'll do.

-Come by, Roy.

-Roy!

-Come by, Roy!

-Roy, Roy, Roy, Roy!

-Roy, Roy, come on!

-Come by, Roy.

-Roy, Roy.

-Come on.

-Roy, away.

-Good. Come by, Roy.

-How old is he, John?

-How old is he, John?

-

-Ten months.

-You've worked hard with him.

-It came naturally.

-He was working

-when he was nine weeks old.

-Roy, away.

-HE WHISTLES

-He'll be winning at Sennybridge

-for the rest of his life.

-At the sheepdog sales.

-At the sheepdog sales.

-

-To defray expenses, you see!

-Come by, Roy!

-You've hit the high note many times

-at the sheepdog sale.

-Have you always trained your dogs,

-or did you buy them?

-I trained them all.

-I've never bought a working dog.

-I've bought the occasional whelp.

-Occasionally.

-But no...

-I prefer a dog rather than a bitch.

-Here Roy, good dog, come on.

-Usually, "come by" means clockwise

-and "away" means counter-clockwise.

-But it's the other way round

-with you.

-I've always been contrary!

-That's the way I am!

-I'm still a farmer

-because I don't do things properly!

-I'll go and fetch the old dog.

-Here, Roy!

-Here, Roy!

-

-Right, I'll keep an eye on him!

-Good dog.

-You've been selling dogs

-for a long time.

-I've only sold one

-in the past 15 years.

-What's the highest price you got?

-What's the highest price you got?

-

-Last year - 2,900 guineas.

-That's good money for a farm dog.

-That's good money for a farm dog.

-

-He was a good dog.

-The bloke who bought him

-came from Devon.

-He was very satisfied with him.

-When you trained dogs, when you were

-on the mountain with the sheep...

-..you're over 21 years old

-by now, aren't you?!

-Yes - I'm 22!

-Well done!

-How did you train the dogs?

-You train a dog

-in a small field, at first.

-The main thing is to stay close.

-And as the dog gets better...

-..you gradually move further away.

-How old were the dogs?

-It depends on the dog.

-Every dog is different.

-I believe they should be exposed

-to sheep as soon as they can run.

-A little training every day?

-Exactly.

-I like to see a dog coming back

-in a happy mood.

-Do you know what I mean?

-I don't work them too hard.

-No, no.

-They progress.

-You're not often wrong, John.

-You have good grass.

-You've been using lime.

-You've been using lime.

-

-No, not for many years.

-No.

-No.

-

-Guano?

-I'm organic.

-I'm organic.

-

-Are you?

-Just look at the thistles!

-Those sheep are eating something

-apart from thistles!

-They're fine lambs.

-Reeds and bracken -

-it's a good combination!

-Vitamin E, you know!

-I have to ask you -

-your sheep are marked "TM".

-My father-in-law, Tom Morgan.

-My father-in-law, Tom Morgan.

-

-Tom Morgan, not John Davies.

-I thought, because you're getting

-older, you have "Too Many"!

-No, not "Too Many"!

-You've been whitewashing.

-It's a pleasure to see the place.

-Whitewash is traditional.

-Whitewash is traditional.

-

-I'm too old now to do the roof.

-It needs to be done.

-You've done well

-to whitewash the buildings.

-It's a lot of work.

-It's a lot of work.

-

-It's the missus who did it.

-Was it?

-Was it?

-

-Oh yes, definite.

-I held the ladder!

-And pointed out

-the bits she'd missed!

-Somebody has to do it!

-Somebody has to do it!

-

-Of course!

-Somebody has to listen too!

-Your missus must be a good listener!

-Your missus must be a good listener!

-

-Well, you know...

-She's used to it.

-It's no use having a woman around

-and doing the work yourself!

-No good!

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-# Here is a lovely place

-to turn to God... #

-Across the valley from Tyle Glas...

-..stands Brychgoed

-Independent Chapel.

-Mrs Ann Jones,

-the chapel secretary...

-..isn't the first in her family

-to fulfil this role.

-She enjoys singing the old hymns.

-She enjoys singing the old hymns.

-

-# To thy throne we raise our cry

-# O look upon us

-# And hear our prayer #

-Well, Ann fach!

-Those words

-describe this place perfectly.

-"Here is a lovely place

-to turn to God."

-Yes, it's such a lovely place.

-The chapel, like the area,

-is so delightful.

-How many chapel members are there?

-Well, let's see...

-..there are 30 members.

-That's a decent number,

-the way things are nowadays.

-There used to be a few more...

-The chapel is called Brychgoed,

-isn't it?

-Yes, Brychgoed Independent Chapel.

-The same name as your farm.

-Is there a service every Sunday,

-every fortnight, or once a month?

-We've had three services this month,

-there'll be one service next month.

-Services are held in summer,

-beginning on Good Friday.

-That always takes place at 3.00pm.

-The services continue

-all through summer...

-..until the Thanksgiving service.

-In winter, we attend another chapel

-because it gets cold in here.

-The chapel has a graveyard.

-Do the old families

-still bury their dead here?

-Or is it full?

-Or is it full?

-

-It's not full.

-People come from a fair distance.

-Were your parents buried here?

-Were your parents buried here?

-

-Yes, down the bottom end.

-What's this book?

-Is it the chapel membership book?

-Yes. It's the oldest book

-we possess.

-Really?

-It dates back to 1830,

-I believe.

-You're evidently very interested

-in these books.

-It's important to preserve them.

-It's important to preserve them.

-

-Yes.

-I try to carry out the work

-my father did.

-He was the secretary for 69 years.

-He and Mam got married in 1940.

-He was made a deacon...

-..and also became the secretary

-when he was 25 years old.

-Good gracious.

-Good gracious.

-

-Just after they got married.

-You're a deacon and an organist.

-And a singer.

-You do a little of everything.

-And your grandchildren are the same

-- they enjoy singing and reciting.

-Yes, they do.

-A chapel or a church is a great

-place for giving children a start.

-Sophie Jones is Ann's granddaughter.

-She lives at Brychgoed farm,

-near the chapel.

-# The woodland

-# In springtime

-# Green and young and brand-new

-# Dressed all over in young green

-# Just like a young girl

-# The woodland

-# In summer

-# Grows into a beautiful woman

-# Grows into an adult

-# Dark green is her skirt #

-Ken Morgan is the third generation

-of his family...

-..to farm at Gorslwyd, Cwm Senni.

-He's very familiar

-with local shepherding traditions.

-It's now mid June, and almost time

-to shear the Cheviot sheep...

-..that live on the Beacons.

-But first, we take a walk...

-..along the paths

-that descend from the mountain.

-What's the name of this stream?

-What's the name of this stream?

-

-Nant Cwm-du.

-We're in Cwm-du, a little valley.

-There's plenty of water.

-This is where we used to wash

-the sheep, years ago.

-Yes, I can see the walls.

-Did you take the sheep back

-up the mountain after washing them?

-Yes, they took them back up.

-Imagine those sheep,

-after being washed!

-It took time for them to walk back!

-I've had a very interesting morning

-on the Brecon Beacons...

-..gathering yearlings,

-shearlings and ewes for shearing.

-They had all been driven up here

-after lambing.

-Years ago, everyone

-would have been on horseback.

-They're on quad bikes today...

-..though some of the fitter lads

-are on foot - good luck to them!

-It's important

-to preserve these places...

-..the way they've been

-for centuries.

-When people desert these mountains,

-they'll grow wild.

-# I am the son of the mountain

-# I love the dust and the wind

-# The heir to this old land

-# The land of my forefathers

-# My dog, Mot, and I

-# Are the best Welshmen ever

-# We both come from ancient families

-# Our instinct is to protect

-# Others may live a life of leisure

-# Amid the hurly-burly of towns

-# But a shepherd lad prefers

-# To be beneath a blue sky

-# But a shepherd lad prefers

-# To be beneath a blue sky

-# I do not know what it's like

-# To sleep until daybreak

-# I wash myself, like a heron

-# In a pool in a great ravine

-# I have a thousand sheep

-# On hillside and on dale

-# And no-one but Mot and I

-# To look after them

-# Let others dress in satin

-# And who would dare to blame them?

-# But a shepherd lad prefers

-# To dress like his flock

-# But a shepherd lad prefers

-# To dress like his flock #

-We're gathering the sheep

-belonging to Gorslwyd, Cwm Senni...

-..to be sheared.

-Neighbours are helping, of course.

-These sheep belong

-to Ken and Lynwen Morgan...

-..and their son, Owen,

-and daughter, Mair.

-Owen has been busy shearing

-since mid April...

-..but he had to come home today

-to gather the sheep.

-This is a centuries-old tradition.

-There's been some leg-pulling

-this morning.

-If your dog does something wrong,

-you're told about it!

-There's a special feeling

-about working in such a place.

-Just look at those beautiful views.

-It's like paradise,

-and farming is heavenly work.

-Lynwen, the sheep are looking well.

-They're alright, Dai.

-They're a bit wet.

-Their wool is wet.

-You brought them up the mountain

-after marking the lambs, did you?

-Yes, in May.

-They're very woolly.

-Yes, they're fine.

-These are your neighbours

-from Ystradfellte, are they?

-John comes from Blaenclyn,

-near Libanus.

-Stuart is from Blaen Senni.

-That's not far from here.

-And we have Colin and Eifion

-from Cefnfedwfawr.

-It's nice to see so many young lads.

-Owen has given up

-a day's shearing to come here.

-He always comes to help.

-Very good.

-You need plenty of hands -

-there are lots of sheep.

-Things have gone quite smoothly.

-You started off at 7.00am.

-It's 11.00am now.

-We're doing well.

-There's a breeze

-and a little sunshine.

-The sheep weren't slow

-to start moving.

-Are you taking them down

-to the sheds?

-We'll try to get them dry first

-so we can shear them tomorrow.

-I'm hoping for good weather.

-Have you done some shearing already?

-Have you done some shearing already?

-

-Yes, a fortnight ago.

-Are there any twins still here?

-No, it's just singles

-on the mountain.

-They're doing well.

-It saves you a lot on feed,

-doesn't it?

-Imagine if all these

-were down on the farm.

-It helps us keep fields free

-for silage, for winter fodder.

-Will you put the lambs to graze

-on harvested fields?

-No, we bring them back up

-the mountain after shearing.

-We'll round up the mountain sheep

-again in August...

-..and separate the lambs

-from their mothers.

-They're in the field.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-

-They'll dry out down here.

-Is this the final lot for shearing?

-Yes, the last of the mountain sheep.

-Your wife said you take the sheep

-up the mountain in early May.

-Does lambing take place outdoors?

-Does lambing take place outdoors?

-

-No, most of them are brought inside.

-They go outside again

-straight afterwards.

-They don't spend much time inside.

-They don't spend much time inside.

-

-You're not shearing today, Owen.

-That's right - a day off.

-How long

-does the shearing season last?

-This year, it began early,

-at the end of April.

-I'll be busy until the Royal Welsh

-in mid July.

-You began at the end of April?

-Do you keep to this area,

-or do you travel to other counties?

-I've been to Buckinghamshire,

-and to Pembrokeshire too.

-How many of you are there?

-How many of you are there?

-

-Just two of us.

-Don't you get tired?

-Don't you get tired?

-

-A little, sometimes.

-It's not bad.

-I was watching you walking on the

-mountain - you can certainly walk!

-You keep fit.

-It's good to see young lads

-helping out.

-If this farming method

-came to an end...

-..it would be a great loss

-to the area.

-Yes, it would.

-Looking around Cwm Senni,

-there are a number of farms.

-You have to be born

-into mountain farming.

-Of course.

-I was following you on this bike.

-I've never seen anything like it -

-it's a specialist craft.

-I wouldn't dare look away

-to see what the dog was doing!

-Because of holes and ditches

-in the ground?

-You're looking at the ground...

-..and the next minute

-you're looking at the sky!

-So the sheep will stay

-in these fields.

-There's plenty of grass.

-There's plenty of grass.

-

-We're alright for grass.

-All we need is dry weather.

-Yes, that's right.

-We're strange, aren't we?

-One minute, we want rain,

-and then we want dry weather.

-And after a morning on the mountain,

-we want food!

-We live in want!

-Shall we move on?

-# I have no wish for purer pleasure

-# Than to love the lambs

-and the sheep

-# And to stride across the hillside

-# Chasing the wild rams

-# And to meet on shearing day

-# And to recount the dogs' exploits

-# To live by the mountain stream

-# And to die within its sound

-# Let others have marble tombstones

-# And wreaths of artificial flowers

-# Mot and I would prefer

-# To be buried in the heather

-# Mot and I would prefer

-# To be buried in the heather #

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-As summer turns to autumn,

-it's a time for sales in Cwm Senni.

-Mair Morgan, the daughter

-of Ken and Lynwen of Gorslwyd...

-..works for ADAS,

-providing help to farmers.

-But her heart remains

-at home on the farm.

-These calves are destined for

-a suckler calf sale in Sennybridge.

-Most of the calving

-takes place in early summer.

-These calves were born earlier.

-These calves were born earlier.

-

-Spring calves.

-These are the oldest calves

-on the farm.

-You sell them young -

-you don't fatten them.

-No, we don't fatten

-any of the cattle.

-Just the lambs.

-Which do you prefer -

-sheep or cattle?

-It depends on the time of year.

-On a day like today,

-it's good to be with the cattle.

-I work with the sheep, mostly, but

-I help with the cattle sometimes.

-Do you still live at home?

-I live in the village.

-Very good.

-I like the cattle - I'm sure

-they'll sell well in Sennybridge.

-Let's hope so.

-Do you keep any store cattle?

-Or do you sell them all?

-We usually sell calves at this age.

-Most of the calves

-will be sold in April...

-..when they're about this age.

-They're younger,

-so we're keeping them over winter.

-Very good.

-They're fine animals.

-You work outside the farm,

-but you know what's going on.

-Well, I try to help every day.

-That's right.

-That's right.

-

-On the farm.

-That's good.

-It's a lovely spot

-among the mountains.

-It would be difficult to leave.

-Excellent.

-WHISTLING AND CALLING

-Lot number seven, and we're back

-in the main ring now.

-Come and join me.

-On to lot number seven.

-That's John Davies,

-one of our regular vendors.

-Been coming to us

-for many, many years.

-Eighteen fifty back in,

-eighteen fifty.

-Eighteen fifty.

-At nineteen hundred.

-At nineteen - nineteen hundred.

-Are you all done now?

-Last chance.

-Nineteen hundred guineas.

-Thank you, sir. Nineteen hundred.

-If you'll just go to the office.

-We're at the Sennybridge

-sheepdog sale.

-It's one of the most popular

-in the country.

-John Tyle Glas is here today.

-He's selling a dog.

-He's sold many dogs here,

-and received some very high prices.

-Today, he's selling a 14-month-old.

-He's number 17 in the sale.

-One dog has sold for 1,800 guineas.

-Trade is good

-and there's a crowd of people.

-A whole field full of people.

-How will it go for John Tyle Glas?

-I must find him.

-A life ahead of her,

-a quality bitch.

-We'll start then - two two.

-Two two -

-at two thousand two hundred.

-Is that alright?

-Are we on the market?

-This is in your hands.

-At two thousand two hundred.

-It's up there - are we all done?

-I'm selling now.

-Two thousand two hundred guineas.

-Thank you, sir. Come to the office.

-The dog's looking well, John.

-He's 14 months old, isn't he?

-He's 14 months old, isn't he?

-

-Yes.

-People have bought from you before,

-and they've been satisfied.

-A lot of them have died.

-They may have children, though!

-But maybe no-one's told them!

-There are a few more dogs

-before yours.

-The trade is excellent today.

-The trade is excellent today.

-

-It's alright.

-One dog sold for over 2,000,

-and we're only at number 10.

-That's nothing for a good dog.

-You can't pay too much

-for a good dog.

-It's bad dogs that are expensive.

-It's bad dogs that are expensive.

-

-It's sunny.

-The Almighty smiles upon you.

-The Almighty smiles upon you.

-

-I prayed last night.

-The first time in a long while?

-No - the second time in two weeks!

-Very good!

-I won't trouble you further,

-but we'll watch while you sell him.

-If he does something stupid,

-switch off.

-He won't do anything stupid.

-We'll keep moving on, John.

-See it later on in the day, maybe.

-Strange surroundings,

-difficult for these young dogs...

-..in the early stages of training.

-At thirteen hundred guineas,

-a quality bitch.

-At thirteen hundred guineas.

-That's a quality bitch out there,

-at thirteen hundred guineas.

-At fifteen hundred.

-At sixteen hundred.

-Don't be afraid to bid.

-At sixteen hundred.

-Last call, then, at sixteen fifty.

-Have a word with me afterwards.

-We'll keep moving on.

-Lot number 17 now

-from John Davies Tyle Glas.

-Here we go, boys.

-Here, Roy. That'll do.

-John Davies Tyle Glas, Senni.

-John Davies Tyle Glas, Senni.

-

-Thank you.

-One of the instigators

-of our dog sales back in 1976.

-I think he was the first vendor

-at our sale then.

-He's got a first-class farm dog.

-He's got a first-class farm dog.

-

-You wait and see.

-Here we go, boys.

-Here, Roy. Come by.

-Come by, Roy.

-Away, Roy.

-Roy, away.

-We have quality out there,

-to run towards a couple of thousand.

-Fifteen hundred, then.

-Here, Roy.

-Who's got a thousand to start me?

-A thousand guineas?

-Thank you,

-a thousand guineas I'm bid.

-One thousand guineas I'm bid.

-At one thousand I'm bid.

-At a thousand guineas.

-Got eleven in the company now.

-Sadly, John is no longer with us.

-He was one of the great characters

-of Cwm Senni.

-He was an expert with dogs.

-A thousand guineas.

-Got eleven in the company now.

-Mr John Davies, how's your hearing?

-Very bad!

-Come by, Roy.

-Come by, Roy.

-

-A thousand guineas I've got bid.

-No good at all.

-I don't think he really wants

-to part with this dog.

-He's grown attached to it.

-You like the dog an awful lot -

-more than the money.

-Sorry, I can't sell that one.

-I told you he'd make a mess of it.

-He reached a thousand guineas.

-It wasn't enough?

-It was far from enough.

-It was far from enough.

-

-He's a mountain dog too.

-Exactly.

-He doesn't have too much eye

-or anything.

-He's a good dog.

-I prefer to take him home.

-Perhaps you'll manage to sell him

-before the sale ends.

-Stand your ground.

-I got a bollocking last night

-about selling him.

-He's a good-looking dog.

-He's good-natured too.

-Your other dog's getting old.

-You may want to think about it.

-You don't really need the money.

-You don't really need the money.

-

-That's what my granddaughters said.

-"If it's not tight on you,

-why are you selling him?

-"Haven't you heard

-of the credit crunch?" I said.

-"If it was tight,

-we'd help you out!"

-.

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-A MAN SPEAKS THROUGH A LOUDSPEAKER

-This is one of the biggest days

-of the year.

-Almost everyone from Cwm Senni

-is here today.

-Some of them are selling rams.

-It's the Sennybridge ram sale.

-There are over 350 rams.

-The show has taken place.

-Trade should be good.

-The day of the Sennybridge ram sale

-and show is a big day.

-Glyn Thomas of Aberdyfnant,

-Llanddeusant, wins the championship.

-Many rams from the Cwm Senni flocks

-are about to be sold.

-THE AUCTIONEER

-SPEAKS THROUGH A LOUDSPEAKER

-Nineteen hundred guineas.

-At nineteen hundred guineas.

-You did quite well, Ken.

-You did quite well, Ken.

-

-Yes, I'm quite pleased.

-It was alright.

-You had some good rams.

-They're a good size, aren't they?

-They're a good size, aren't they?

-

-Yes, they're big rams.

-I've never been to this sale before.

-There are some fine rams here.

-Will you be buying?

-I've bought one.

-Are you leaving it at that?

-Are you leaving it at that?

-

-No, I need more.

-More's the pity.

-More's the pity.

-

-Good luck!

-You'll sleep well tonight -

-you've made a decent amount.

-Thanks, Dai!

-At a thousand guineas I'm bid.

-Champion of the day.

-At a thousand guineas I'm bid.

-At two thousand guineas.

-Is there five hundred coming in?

-I'm going to cash it down

-at two thousand guineas.

-Goes to the gent.

-The social traditions of rural Wales

-are very important in Cwm Senni.

-The weather doesn't matter.

-Mothers, fathers and children have

-gathered to practise their singing.

-They're having fun too.

-Bethan Cefnfedwganol...

-..it's good to see

-so many young children in the area.

-There are many children whose

-parents were pupils at the school.

-This is the younger generation -

-the future.

-Your father was one of the giants

-who saved the valley.

-It has a future,

-and that's the important thing.

-Exactly.

-That's the story.

-Unlike the story of Tryweryn

-and the tragedy of Epynt...

-..this story has a happy ending.

-All of the children growing up here

-now are Welsh speakers.

-As I say, it's a happy story.

-What do you do for a living?

-I know you live

-on your father's farm.

-Yes.

-My son and daughter are the seventh

-generation to live at the farm.

-I travel to Builth Wells every day.

-I teach Welsh and modern languages.

-Excellent.

-Thanks for bringing these children

-together this evening.

-I know you're keen to join them.

-Thank you!

-# So high, you can't get over it

-# So deep, you can't get under it

-# So wide, you can't get past it

-# Such great love #

-AN OWL HOOTS

-Lynnette Thomas, you're head teacher

-of the local school.

-Sennybridge School, yes.

-You know all these children.

-You know all these children.

-

-Yes.

-And their parents too?

-Most of the parents

-and all the children.

-A little bird told me a story.

-I know you conduct

-the Brecon and District Male Choir.

-You're retiring from something soon.

-You're retiring from something soon.

-

-Yes, as head teacher.

-At Christmas.

-How many years

-have you been at the school?

-Nearly seven years

-at Sennybridge School.

-I wouldn't like to tell you how long

-I've been teaching! Too long!

-It's true to say that the Welsh

-language has suffered in this area.

-But I can see signs of a resurgence

-among the young.

-Welsh is on the increase.

-The school has two streams,

-one English, one Welsh.

-The Welsh stream is growing

-all the time...

-..so the non-Welsh speakers

-hear the language all the time...

-..and they're picking it up.

-Where the school is concerned,

-Welsh is on the increase.

-There's a lot of support

-for the language in the area.

-We must remember

-that these people have Welsh roots.

-Yes, they do.

-Everyone speaks Welsh, towards

-Carmarthenshire and Ystradgynlais.

-The valley was well worth saving.

-Definitely, certainly.

-# I will always love him

-# Because he loves me #

-This is the first auction

-to be held in October 2011...

-..by the Brecon and Radnor

-Suckled Calf Rearers.

-It's taking place in Sennybridge.

-There are many vendors

-from Cwm Senni.

-Trade and prices are pretty good.

-A BELL RINGS

-Four heifers there.

-Four heifers there now, boys.

-We've got seven hundred and fifty.

-Eight hundred and forty.

-Eight forty, fifty.

-Eight fifty.

-Eight hundred and fifty.

-Eight sixty.

-Morley Jones of Brychgoed,

-you're working hard at the moment.

-It has been a successful sale.

-It has been a successful sale.

-

-I'm quite happy with the trade.

-Trade has been good.

-The cattle are fetching good prices.

-The cattle are fetching good prices.

-

-Everything's selling very well.

-Do you sell stock

-at this sale every year?

-Yes, I try.

-Yes, I try.

-

-Selling young cattle.

-The calves are aged

-from six months to 15 months.

-That's how old they are.

-That's how old they are.

-

-So you're happy.

-You're keeping the ring going.

-Yes, I'm behind the scales,

-working hard.

-A thousand and twenty.

-Thank you, sir.

-One seven nine, three heifers,

-aged ten and eleven.

-Lovely heifers.

-Sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety.

-Seven, ten, twenty, thirty, forty.

-Fifty, sixty.

-Seventy.

-Seven ninety, eight hundred.

-And again - ten.

-At eight hundred and ten.

-Eight ten.

-Eight ten.

-

-Ken of Gorslwyd.

-You must be a happy man.

-Yes, I'm quite happy.

-Yes, I'm quite happy.

-

-Your calves were superb.

-They were quite good.

-Trade was good.

-We need the trade to make up

-for our losses and costs.

-Exactly.

-Eight-month-old calves

-are selling well.

-Yes, they're selling well.

-It makes sense to sell a calf

-at eight months and keep the cow.

-It works out better.

-Winter is an expensive time.

-We've seen cattle sold for over

-1,000, but they need finishing.

-There are more costs to come.

-There are more costs to come.

-

-Good luck to those who buy them.

-Morfa Mawr, nine ninety.

-Glyn, it must give you

-a lot of satisfaction today...

-..that you and your friends

-managed to save Cwm Senni.

-It's a wonderful place.

-I've enjoyed my visits.

-It has been a privilege.

-It has been a privilege.

-

-Thank you.

-I can say

-from the bottom of my heart...

-..my heart sings because we managed

-to save this very lovely valley.

-Isn't it a lovely valley?

-Isn't it a lovely valley?

-

-Lovely!

-Apart from the fact

-that it's a lovely valley...

-..people in this area have been

-superb farmers for generations.

-You've seen evidence of that today.

-You could have lost all that.

-Yes, the quality of the animals

-and the quality of the farming...

-..in this valley, is second to none.

-It's a fertile valley,

-despite its exposure to wind.

-We get plenty of rain.

-We should be grateful.

-There are people in other areas

-who would be thankful for it.

-Just look at the grass.

-It's a special valley.

-I must admit...

-..and I say this

-from the bottom of my heart...

-..I got a strange feeling

-in my bones...

-..as I listened to the children,

-and the beautiful young women...

-..and the men too...

-..as I listened to them singing.

-Imagine losing all that.

-It was worth it.

-Last night, you saw the glory

-of Welsh life.

-The families of this valley...

-..came together with the children.

-It's a productive valley

-where animals are concerned...

-..and also in its young people.

-The children are very talented.

-"They fought long and hard

-"to keep an old valley

-from the flood

-"The inhabitants' blood

-was boiling

-"And they all rose as one

-"Why should we give up our land

-"As a sacrifice

-to some Englishman's whim

-"And lose our neighbourhood

-and heritage?

-"Why suffer such a ravage?

-"The loss of community

-and pasture

-"Homes, chapels and churches

-"And Welsh culture at its best

-"They shall not make another Epynt

-of this place

-"To the farmyard at Brychgoed,

-one morning

-"The Board

-brought its machinery

-"But it was this far

-and no further

-"John had a siren at the house

-"The valley was saved

-from the dam

-"And peace was established

-once more

-"Far better

-than unromantic stillness

-"Were the flocks on hills

-and pastures

-"Some spoke of the compensation

-"They would have received

-had they left

-"But could it pay

-for losing a home

-"A neighbourhood,

-a community, friends?"

-S4C subtitles by Trosol Cyf.

-.