Ymlaen Ferched Cymru Cymru ar Ffilm

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-There was a revolution in Wales

-in the 20th century.

-In rural areas and large towns,

-the lives of ordinary people...

-..were transformed by political,

-economic and technological forces.

-The old way of life came to an end

-and a new one was born.

-The BBC's reporters and film crews

-witnessed it all.

-The fruits of their labour

-can be seen in film cans...

-..many of which haven't been opened

-since the day they were broadcast.

-I want to share some of these

-lost treasures with you.

-The films, the stories

-and the characters...

-..which record our

-nation's history.

-The role of women changed

-a great deal in the 20th century.

-In the Victorian Age, they

-mostly remained in the home ...

-..but during the two world wars,

-with the men on the battlefield...

-..the women had to

-take their place in the workplace.

-Things were never the same again.

-There was freedom

-and new experiences to enjoy...

-..beyond the home,

-as these three women who worked...

-..at the tin works in Kidwelly

-explained.

-The reporter wasn't quite sure

-what to make of them.

-Mrs Lloyd,

-what was it like working here?

-We were happy,

-although we worked hard.

-Sometimes I felt a little

-depressed, but I always returned.

-What did you do here?

-A man's work

-because the men had gone to war.

-Heavy work. You must have

-had incredible muscles!

-We were happy.

-We look just the same now!

-No!

-You look great now!

-How did it feel working here

-with the men?

-What were their attitudes like?

-Good. You knew everyone

-and everyone knew you.

-They were good to us, fair play.

-Was it a good place

-to find a husband?

-Yes! I could have done worse!

-I could have done far worse!

-You obviously had a lot of fun.

-We were happy here

-although we worked hard.

-Women had better opportunities than

-ever to enjoy each other's company.

-But this new life wasn't

-without its problems...

-..especially when the man

-was out of work.

-Home comforts, familiar to everyone

-on a frosty winter's morning...

-..but the home can still be a

-burden under certain circumstances.

-Eric Jones is unemployed.

-All home comforts, including

-a morning cuppa, cost money...

-..and so Mrs Jones

-has to go out to work.

-These facts have turned this house

-upside down.

-The wife is earning a living,

-while the husband stays at home.

-I'm off, Eric.

-Alright. Good.

-So-long. See you lunchtime.

-How do you spend your day?

-If my wife is working,

-I'll tell her to leave it to me.

-I'll clear the table, do the fire,

-then I'll go shopping.

-I'll ask her what she wants

-for lunch. I'll prepare food.

-She comes back at 1.00pm

-and everything is ready for her.

-I wash the dishes, she goes back to

-work, and I make food for my son.

-In our society, that is what

-you'd expect the wife to do.

-Do you feel awkward about that?

-Do you object to doing it?

-I don't enjoy it,

-but you have to try and help out.

-It's not fair if she comes home

-and there's no food or fire.

-How has knowing you have to go

-out to work affected you?

-Oh.

-Well, I have to do it.

-You can't live on the dole.

-Has anything changed as a result

-of your husband being out of work?

-Yes.

-Is there tension?

-Yes. Awful.

-Can you explain how this works?

-Well, you know,

-Eric is in the house all the time.

-He doesn't want to be there.

-He will make me lunch. "Have food

-straight, before it gets cold."

-Things like that.

-There is definitely tension.

-It wasn't easy trying

-to secure equality...

-..but it was an exciting time.

-Despite its traditional nature,

-establishing Merched Y Wawr...

-..in 1967 gave women in Wales

-confidence and a new voice.

-We have gathered here

-from different parts of Wales...

-..and I'm sure we'd all like

-to get to know each other...

-..as regional representatives

-at our first council meeting.

-This movement has grown

-out of the Women's Institute.

-It was formed after a branch...

-..was refused permission to keep

-its minutes in Welsh.

-There are now around 70 branches.

-Leaders intend to ensure

-the movement supports the language.

-What will you be emphasising

-this afternoon?

-The idea that it has grown

-so quickly.

-We're pleased there are so many

-young members...

-..and they have a voice.

-What will happen here

-this afternoon?

-It is our first national festival.

-It's an experiment.

-As a young organisation, we are

-doing things for the first time.

-We are expecting members

-from all parts of Wales.

-We want to unite north and south.

-We're not from the north or south.

-We are all Welsh.

-Merched Y Wawr gave women a chance

-to socialise in Welsh...

-..share skills

-and take part in new activities.

-If you can, ride a bike round

-the garden or the fields...

-..or somewhere where no-one

-can see you...

-..if you're worried

-about being laughed at!

-Lean back slowly.

-There you go,

-lift your legs and knees..

-..and place your feet on the floor.

-Lower your feet slowly.

-Sit up. Roll yourselves back up.

-Lie back.

-Hands behind your head

-and swing over!

-Over you go!

-And lower yourselves slowly.

-Yes, keeping fit without breaking

-into too much of a sweat!

-But the women of Penygroes,

-near Ammanford, had been taking...

-..it seriously

-since the start of the '60s.

-This class is showing how to

-stay young and fit.

-These women are stretching

-their arms, legs and feet.

-The average age of this class

-is 45.

-This class is called

-Look Lively For The Hip Line.

-Let's take a look.

-Mrs Davies,

-you have a good-looking class.

-Yes, don't you think we look smart?

-Yes. This is a popular class.

-We have a waiting list and some

-come from Gorslas, Penygroes...

-..Blaenau, Betws and Ammanford.

-Why do people come?

-I think one reason is to try

-and lose weight and to stay young.

-What are you doing next?

-Pendulum rock.

-Off you go. They tell me

-this is good for the waistline.

-'Left, rock. Right, rock.

-'Left arm stretch.

-Right arm stretch. Up and over.'

-You feel it is doing you good?

-Oh, yes!

-I feel about ten years younger.

-And you look it, if I may say so!

-Mrs Jones and Mrs Phelps,

-married women are enjoying this.

-Yes, we really enjoy it.

-What does your husband

-say about this?

-Oh, he's pleased

-I have joined a class.

-He was very keen for me

-to join, actually.

-Does he come along to watch you?

-He brings me and picks me up.

-Well, there we are.

-Some cheeky local men

-call this a keep fat class...

-..but I've never seen

-a fitter class.

-And if it's good for the women,

-it's probably good for the men.

-And why wouldn't married women

-enjoy keeping fit?

-That was the macho attitude

-of the '60s.

-The young people of Llanddewi Brefi

-had a different style...

-..thanks to the '60s pop explosion.

-Two groovy presenters, Mary

-Middleton and Hywel Gwynfryn...

-..went along to find out more.

-We are at the Hunt Ball

-in Llanddewi Brefi.

-The place is full of pretty girls

-and Hywel is enjoying...

-..looking at these young girls

-and...

-And there are plenty of rich

-farmers here for Mary.

-Hopefully, we can give you

-a taste of what's happening.

-Anything else to add?

-Anything else to add?

-

-No, I don't think so.

-Right. Come on, then.

-Off we go.

-The boys are a bit slow,

-aren't they?

-No-one is dancing.

-I think the boys are all shy.

-Have you got your eye on anyone?

-Have you got your eye on anyone?

-

-No, not yet!

-Tell me about the boys round here?

-What are they like to go out with?

-I couldn't answer that.

-Some are slow and some are fast.

-What did you say?

-Some of them are slow

-and some of them are fast.

-Yes, women's lives

-were changing fast.

-New doors were opening

-for the girls of the early '70s.

-The sexual revolution had begun...

-..but what would that mean

-for girls in Wales?

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-After the Second World War,

-there was economic growth...

-..and a chance for women to

-insist on equality and a voice.

-Expressing themselves with

-newfound confidence was the aim.

-And the fashion revolution

-was one way of doing so.

-You can go out in this

-and wear it on the street.

-This is a long frock.

-It's a cloth dress.

-It has a floral pattern.

-Hywel Jones, how is your designing

-going in Pwllheli?

-Excellent. People are showing an

-interest in all kinds of fabrics.

-I expect them to take an interest

-in Welsh fabrics after tonight.

-The woman has to wear it

-above the knee or below.

-You can't wear it halfway.

-Legs are interesting, especially

-in October when it's chilly...

-..and they turn blue.

-There we go again, women's legs.

-Any excuse to show them!

-New technology provided

-means of producing...

-..fashionable clothes

-women could afford.

-Miles upon miles of material

-being cut...

-..to make bras, roll-ons

-and panty girdles.

-This underwear is for women...

-..so it's natural that women

-are employed in this factory.

-This factory is in Merthyr.

-There are others in Pontardawe

-and Ebbw Vale.

-To quote the minister

-this morning...

-..factories like these give women

-of all shapes a good grounding...

-..and also maintain, among

-other things, the economy.

-Germaine Greer and her supporters'

-campaign to get rid of the bra...

-..hasn't had an effect

-on this factory yet.

-You could almost say that bras

-are being worn more than ever.

-After officially opening

-the factory, Mr Gibson-Watt...

-..had to choose Miss Bra '71.

-We won't tell you who won.

-You can choose for yourself.

-The technology might be modern...

-..but the attitude towards women

-was still prehistoric...

-..during the '70s.

-Women in Wales were still being

-judged on their looks and shape.

-Margaret, how did you start

-in this beauty queens business?

-Well, I was 16 years old.

-There was a competition in

-Llangefni, Chamber of Trade Queen.

-My friends were taking part

-and they persuaded me to take part.

-It was a lot of fun and I won that.

-The prize was a week in Belgium,

-all expenses paid.

-I was in a dress so it wasn't

-as bad as being in...

-..a bathing costume.

-Did you have to compete

-in a bathing costume?

-Yes. Miss Llangefni.

-I was a little bit worried because

-it was in a bathing costume...

-..but I came third.

-Then I went to Colwyn Bay

-and came first.

-You were used to being in

-a bathing costume by then?

-I did get used to it.

-And you went to America

-to represent Wales.

-Yes.

-What was that?

-What was that?

-

-Star of the World.

-A talent competition.

-A talent competition.

-

-What sort of talent?

-Singing, dancing -

-all kinds of things.

-Did you know that before going?

-No. I had a week to learn a song.

-Of course, I had no chance.

-I can't sing.

-Were the girls catty?

-No.

-Erm, one girl I came across...

-..she was Miss France.

-Oh, she and her mother were

-shouting at the judges...

-..saying she should've come first.

-It was laughable.

-It was worse than the Eisteddfod!

-There were still prejudices...

-..against women

-and their role in society.

-What makes a good barmaid?

-Someone with a nice smile

-behind the bar...

-..who is always ready to serve you.

-The important thing is to mind

-the bar and not talk too much.

-A woman who looks

-but never listens.

-And someone friendly.

-What shape should she be?

-Fat? Slim?

-Medium.

-Oh... slim.

-Erm... I like a big girl, myself.

-Shape? Liz is a lovely shape,

-that's all I can say.

-Well, everyone's praising you.

-What makes a good barmaid?

-Being able to talk to anyone.

-We're all the same.

-People are out to enjoy themselves.

-You need to be able

-to talk to people.

-Is it important to listen?

-Erm, listen when they want you

-to listen.

-There's a lot of things

-you shouldn't listen to.

-Prejudice was alive and well

-in Wales.

-It was alright for men to pay

-to look at naked women...

-..in magazines like Playboy

-and Mayfair...

-..but no woman should want

-to appear in them.

-Sheila, how did these photographs

-end up in the magazine?

-I wrote to the Mayfair magazine

-in London...

-..and the editor told me that I...

-..was...

-..suitable to be photographed...

-..for the magazine.

-A photographer came down

-from Yorkshire...

-..to Llanfihangel in Pencader.

-But since the magazine

-was published...

-..there has been a fierce reaction.

-Yes.

-I was prepared for

-people talking...

-..but I wasn't prepared for..

-..people coming to write abuse

-on the walls of the house.

-That's going too far.

-They've told me to move away.

-They think they can frighten me

-but I'm not scared.

-I'm going to carry on.

-Society,

-including television reporters...

-..were ready to judge women and

-put one or two in their place.

-But fair play to a women's darts

-team in Aberystwyth...

-..they were more than ready

-to fire answers back.

-Darts has become big business.

-One told me that we use 700 small

-muscles when throwing a dart...

-..and that men are the best.

-Well, not many of the women agree,

-of course.

-You seem like a sporty woman.

-I wouldn't say that these darts

-weigh too much.

-Why don't you think women

-are as good as men?

-It's the men who think

-we're not as good.

-Why do you think...?

-Why do you think...?

-

-Women are as good as men.

-Do you have a specific technique?

-No, I just look at the board

-and hope to get them in!

-They tell me you play better

-when you're drunk.

-Much better.

-When you're shaking?

-You have more confidence.

-Despite the prejudice...

-..the workplace opened its doors

-to more women...

-..and there were new and exciting

-opportunities in Wales and beyond.

-I'm hoping to see places

-I've never seen before.

-But women were making their mark

-in male strongholds as well.

-Barclays Bank in Llanwrtyd.

-Behind the counter and the glass

-is Miss Beryl Hughes.

-But she's not your average clerk.

-She's been the bank manager here

-for two years.

-Discussing loans and investments

-is as natural to her...

-..as the men who held the position

-in the past.

-Why do you think women haven't

-been allowed to manage banks?

-You're the only one in Wales.

-I'm the only sub-branch manager,

-here in Llanwrtyd.

-The fact is, they look at women

-and think they'll take the job...

-..and then leave to get married.

-As a result, they don't want

-to give them a full-time job.

-You have to be committed

-to the job.

-But bank managers usually have to

-move around to get on in the world.

-That's difficult for a woman...

-..having to take her husband

-with her.

-Exactly.

-It is difficult for the woman...

-..because it often depends on

-the husband and he has a job.

-But if we talk about a single

-woman, she could do that.

-She has nothing to stop her.

-It depends on the person.

-And as I mentioned earlier,

-I think the question is...

-..why aren't women

-getting these jobs?

-Because they think

-we're going to get married.

-Yes, things have changed,

-thank goodness.

-It hasn't been an easy journey

-and there's a long way to go...

-..but all credit to women

-over the decades...

-..for challenging prejudice,

-opening doors...

-..and demanding that equality

-is not a privilege but a right.

-S4C subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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