0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- 888- - 888
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- 888
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- # Remember
0:00:20 > 0:00:22- # Remember #
0:00:24 > 0:00:27- Today, we remember - Sir TH Parry-Williams.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31- This literary giant - was born in Rhyd Ddu in 1887.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- He was a schoolmaster's son.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37- He lived in many towns - and travelled extensively.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- Yet, as we hear - in this programme from 1966...
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- ..Thomas Herbert Parry-Williams - remained a country boy.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- When I Was A Boy
0:00:54 > 0:00:59- Even though I've lived - in Aberystwyth and in other towns...
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- ..for most of my lifetime...
0:01:03 > 0:01:06- ..I remain nonetheless - a little country boy.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- That's what I used to be - and, most likely, always will be.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16- The countryside in question - is Caernarfonshire.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20- Or the heart of the county, - namely Snowdonia.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24- Here, Snowdon reigns - over the surrounding peaks.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29- The hills may all appear - to be desolate and bare...
0:01:29 > 0:01:32- ..although, by now, - there is forestry development.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36- It encroaches - on this desolation and bareness.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- "Only a woodless world, - sharp, unkind
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- "Surrounded me at birth by Snowdon
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- "As though giants had forever been
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- "Smoothing the landscape all around
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- "And so my rearing - through the wondrous years
0:02:22 > 0:02:24- "Of childhood in our home - so near to the sky
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- "Impressed on me - the shapes of mountains old
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- "Until their bareness - became part of me
0:02:33 > 0:02:35- "And if there ever will be - part of me
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- "I've left behind, not gone for good
0:02:39 > 0:02:43- "That's found perchance - by someone of like mind
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- "On Snowdon as night's about to fall
0:02:48 > 0:02:51- "There'll be no plan or picture - to be seen
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- "Only an outline - of the sheer bareness of it all."
0:02:57 > 0:03:01- The name of the village - where I was born is Rhyd Ddu.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07- As the name in Welsh suggests, - the village stands on a river.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12- Indeed, one part of the village - is on one side of the river...
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- ..and the other part - is on the other side of the river.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18- The area is unique in one sense.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- It belongs to three parishes.
0:03:21 > 0:03:27- We had no church or a cemetery - or a mansion.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- Neither did we have - a permanent policeman.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- But there was a pub, - the Cwellyn Arms.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38- This pub, which stands - on the banks of the River Gwyrfai...
0:03:38 > 0:03:43- ..was the very depth of perdition - to us when we were children.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- There was, and still is, a chapel.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- Indeed, there were once - two chapels in the village.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- The older of the two - was once visited by George Borrow.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00- He eavesdropped by the door, - listening to a preacher's sermon.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05- He wrote somewhat disdainfully - about that experience later.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11- In the middle of the village, - rather bizarrely, is a farmyard.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15- As a result, we as children - became familiar...
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- ..with many agricultural activities - of that era.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24- The village also had a school - and a schoolhouse.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- I was born in the schoolhouse.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30- I was one of six children.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- My father was the headmaster - of the school at that time.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39- That's where he stayed - for many years, until he retired.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- We were quite a large family.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- For us, home was the focus - of our social life.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52- Home and chapel.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- I have great respect - for this old schoolhouse...
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- ..and the school itself, of course.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07- The surrounding area - had many attractions...
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- ..especially for children.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15- Away from the village, there were - small trees down by the riverbank.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- They were hazel trees, - not much to look at.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23- But we could lose ourselves in them, - as if we were in a large forest.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28- Many years later, when I saw - the great trees of California...
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- ..I saw these hazel trees vividly - in my mind's eye.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- There were also - two or three crags nearby.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- These were crags - on which we could slide and skate.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45- The marks of such skating - could be seen from top to bottom.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- We'd sit on a slate - or a piece of stone or wood...
0:05:48 > 0:05:55- ..and slide or skate from the top - of the crag down to the bottom.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00- There was also a bridge - carrying the narrow gauge railway.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04- It was a mile down the track, - going over a ravine.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- The railway bridge - was a big steel bridge.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- It was a very dangerous place.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- There was one big attraction for me.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- That was the lake, - not far from the school.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57- It was called Llyn y Gadair.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- It's a small lake, - and quite unremarkable.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- But I was attracted to it greatly.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- "It's hardly noticed - when the hiker stills
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- "To overlook its shallows - to the rolling land
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- "There is more beauty - in our mighty hills
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- "Than in this drop of water
0:07:57 > 0:08:02- "Where by hand an angler - whips the surface with his rod
0:08:02 > 0:08:07- "Or rows a yard or two, - directionless
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- "A soul who is forever lost, a clod
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- "In nightmare's grasp - with no way from his mess.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- "But there's a wizard - with satanic charm
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- "Makes for me - this place a paradise
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- "Although no glory shines - to gild its form
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- "No splendour for another's eyes
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- "Only a peat bog - and some tree stumps worn
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- "Two outcrops and two quarries, - shut, forlorn."
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- # Remember #
0:08:44 > 0:08:44- .
0:08:46 > 0:08:46- 888
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- 888- - 888
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- # Remember #
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- When TH Parry-Williams - was eleven years old...
0:08:56 > 0:09:01- ..his life changed overnight - when he had to leave his home.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- He spent six years - at school in Porthmadog...
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- ..longing for his family - and birthplace.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- My whole life centred on my home - high up in Rhyd Ddu.
0:09:15 > 0:09:21- That was my story until I reached - my eleventh birthday.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- At that point, - the big break-up occurred.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30- From then onwards, I would - no longer be staying at home...
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- ..but would instead - be returning home each holiday.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- That's how it always was after that.
0:09:37 > 0:09:42- The reason was - that I had won a scholarship...
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- ..to Porthmadog Intermediate School.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- This is how it was recorded - in my father's school log book.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- It's written down in his own hand.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- The name - of Tom Herbert Parry-Williams...
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- ..is removed from registers today...
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- ..having won the county scholarship, - first on the list...
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- ..for Portmadoc Intermediate School.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- In this way, therefore, - I embarked upon a new career.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16- I left the uplands behind - to go to school in Porthmadog.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- It was by the sea, and I left - the warmth of my mountain home...
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- ..to the solitude and silence - of a lodging house...
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- ..down in Porthmadog, on the coast.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- The journey from the mountainous - village of Rhyd Ddu...
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- ..was very tiresome in those days.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- The Caernarfon train - went no further than Rhyd Ddu.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- The only option was to walk.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- The landmarks - along the way are still with me.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- This rocky crag - stands near the roadside.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- Someone at some point declared...
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- ..that it bore a resemblance - to the head of Pitt.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- About a mile away, - the road turns sharply to the left.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- This place was Llam Trwsgl.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- There was a large rock there.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- It was nicknamed Llam Trwsgl - - leap of the clumsy.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- Legend had it that a giant - had leapt from one side...
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- ..over the river - to a rock on the other side.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- His footprint was still there.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- I'm not sure whether anyone - has written the name down...
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- ..and whether it's still - Llam Trwsgl.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- Onward I'd go towards a cowshed - on the left side of the road.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- This was Beudy'r Wernas, - a cowshed which I feared passing.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- It was said - that a ghost lived in the cowshed.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- The ghost of Beudy'r Wernas.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- Down from there to Beddgelert.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- It was a four-mile walk.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- I'd then catch a brake, Humphrey - Jones's brake, in Beddgelert.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- I'd ride in this brake - to Porthmadog.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- We'd start - through Aberglaslyn Pass.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- We called it Y Gymwynas - - The Favour.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- What an excellent name - for this old pass!
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- There's a bridge - at the lower end of the pass.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- Many visitors - have come here over the years...
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- ..to view the glorious scenery - in the area of Aberglaslyn Pass.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- The road went on - to the edges of Traeth Mawr.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- It ran through - the village of Prenteg...
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- ..and on to Porthmadog.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49- You'd reach Tremadog first.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54- In Tremadog, in those days, - if I remember correctly...
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- ..there was a chemist shop - on the corner.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- It was kept by the poet, - Alltud Eifion.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- There was also a pub close by.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- The driver, - in the normal course of events...
0:14:06 > 0:14:11- ..used to call into this pub, - and into another pub en route.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- That then was Tremadog.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- It's a well-known place.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- The people of Port called it - Y Dre - the Town...
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- ..as though it were - a much bigger place than Porthmadog.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28- Onward then - past the corner of Ynys Galch...
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- ..to the railway station - at Porthmadog.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- I'd alight from the brake there.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- I'd walk to the lodging house, - wherever that might be.
0:14:39 > 0:14:44- Even though I yearned for Rhyd Ddu - when I was in Port...
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- ..as we used to call the place...
0:14:46 > 0:14:52- ..everybody was very kind - to the newly-arrived country boy.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- I made many friends.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59- Certain people in particular, - especially at the lodging house...
0:14:59 > 0:15:01- ..were extremely kind to me.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06- Apart from school, there was - another main congregating point.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10- This was around the chapel, - Tabernacle chapel.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- Iolo Caernarfon was the minister.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- It was a big chapel, compared - to our small chapel at home.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- It had a gallery, for one thing.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- There was also a large vestry - beside the chapel.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- Many meetings - were held in the vestry.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- I went to each and every one - of them, I believe.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- I recall going there once - with a group of boys.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38- We left the vestry one evening, - through the chapel yard.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- They dared me - to strike some other boy.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44- I did it, and a fight ensued.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50- After that episode, some boys - in the road used to threaten me.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52- Nothing came of it, mind you.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- I was frightened all the same...
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- ..because I was - a lonely and introspective boy.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- Oddly, I remembered the boy's name.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- Many, many years later...
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- ..in fact, - until about two years ago...
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- ..I hadn't seen this man at all.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- He didn't come - to the county school.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- There he was sitting - on a bench in Aberystwyth.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- A Porthmadog man pointed him out, - and I remembered the boy I'd hit.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- He was a mild-mannered, - quiet and sincere boy.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34- We became great friends, - although decades had passed.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- I recall writing an article - about this episode.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- It was entitled - "Reflecting on Fear".
0:16:41 > 0:16:45- I used that excellent phrase - from the scriptures as its title.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- I felt very odd indeed...
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- ..and I'm being honest with you, - when I saw this man.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- He'd aged by now, - and we'd met again...
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- ..here in Aberystwyth, - after so many years.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01- Another great attraction - for the boys...
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- ..especially country boys, - was the harbour in Porthmadog.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10- What a glorious place, - much better than Caernarfon quay.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15- It was considerably smaller, - but was a very busy place.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- They built ships there.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- It was a big day for the children, - the boys at least...
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- ..when a ship was launched.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- We had a day off school. - I don't know if it was official.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- Be that as it may, - we were sure to be there...
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- ..whenever a ship - was being launched in the harbour.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- It was a very busy place - in those days.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- I believe that in recent times...
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- ..the busy times are back - in the harbour...
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- ..especially at the quay - where we had such fun long ago.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03- During the six years - I spent at school in Porthmadog...
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- ..six years of great longing...
0:18:06 > 0:18:12- ..I would very often - take a walk all by myself...
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- ..along Traeth Mawr.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- I'd walk in the direction - of Aberglaslyn Pass.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22- Towards the village - where I was born.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- I was attracted towards it.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- I would often go for a walk - on Traeth Mawr.
0:18:30 > 0:18:36- My old friend Mr John O John - says that he remembers me...
0:18:37 > 0:18:40- ..walking, - in a hermit-like fashion...
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- ..on Traeth Mawr, - towards Aberglaslyn Pass.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- As I said, we called it Y Gymwynas - - The Favour.
0:18:46 > 0:18:52- It was a very big favour for me - at that time, as you can imagine.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- I was only allowed - to go home once each term...
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- ..from Porthmadog to Rhyd Ddu.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- That was usually at the end - of each term, of course.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- I remember that time very well.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- I would have been - counting the weeks, one by one.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- Then the big day arrived, - for me to return home...
0:19:16 > 0:19:17- ..from Port to Rhyd Ddu.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20- After reaching Beddgelert...
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- ..and setting out - on my walk to Rhyd Ddu...
0:19:24 > 0:19:28- ..I would note the landmarks - that I mentioned earlier.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- Llam Trwsgl, - Pont Cae'r Gors and so on.
0:19:32 > 0:19:38- There were two other - special landmarks, or places.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- I would notice these, - in particular, when returning home.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47- One of these was less than a mile - from Beddgelert, on the way up.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52- It was a large, square white stone - in the wall on the right-hand side.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- I would also notice it, - even in the darkness of night...
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- ..on my way home.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04- This old white stone - held a strange fascination for me.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09- I would stand in front of it - and hold a conversation with it.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- I did that many times - afterwards too.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- It brought back memories - of those happy journeys...
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- ..from Beddgelert to Rhyd Ddu.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- There was one other landmark, - a mile from the village.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- On the flat near Cerrig Cyllau, - there was a milestone.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- This was also - on the right hand side of the road.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- It bore that wonderful message, - Rhyd Ddu 1 mile.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- I was almost there.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- I was approaching - the old village, and my home.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- That was always - the big attraction for me...
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- ..throughout the term, - and throughout the years.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- This was during my six years - spent at school in Porthmadog.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- "If I have shared - the Gwyrfai's inky flow
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- "Its waters coursing - through my veins so free
0:21:41 > 0:21:43- "And if a destiny I scarcely know
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- "Has given - its unknown voice as well to me
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- "And if the hills of Arfon - always are
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- "On watch, so jealous, - of its wandering way
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- "They also guard my progress - from afar
0:21:58 > 0:22:03- "Each livelong day, - at work, at rest, at play
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- "It is no wonder, - for the place that brought
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- "To each of us his life - remains entwined
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- "In all our wanderings, - and there is nought
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- "That can, not ever, part us, - heart or mind
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- "Until we two, - though separate, co-travellers
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- "Are going, and have gone
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- "Yet still are there."
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:28 > 0:23:28- .