Merthyr Cynefin
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Transcript
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-Wales has a history of rebellion -through the centuries. | 0:00:01 | 0:00:06 | |
-It was also a cradle -for the Industrial Revolution. | 0:00:08 | 0:00:12 | |
-It's easy to take -our industries for granted. | 0:00:12 | 0:00:15 | |
-It somehow feels -as if they've always been here. | 0:00:15 | 0:00:18 | |
-There was no Twitter -to air grievances 200 years ago. | 0:00:18 | 0:00:22 | |
-You had to stand up and act. | 0:00:23 | 0:00:26 | |
-This programme -comes from Merthyr Tydfil. | 0:00:28 | 0:00:32 | |
-It may be a small area, -but it has lots to offer... | 0:00:32 | 0:00:35 | |
-..from the splendour of the wealthy -ironmasters and innovators... | 0:00:36 | 0:00:41 | |
-..to the remains -of heavy industries. | 0:00:41 | 0:00:44 | |
-This is hard work! | 0:00:50 | 0:00:51 | |
-Although an industrial town, -Merthyr Tydfil is in a scenic area. | 0:01:02 | 0:01:07 | |
-To the south, -the valleys head towards Cardiff. | 0:01:08 | 0:01:11 | |
-To the north, the Brecon Beacons -draw adventurers from far and wide. | 0:01:11 | 0:01:16 | |
-As you can see from here, -industry is only part of the story. | 0:01:19 | 0:01:25 | |
-Perhaps this area transforms itself -faster than any other part of Wales. | 0:01:25 | 0:01:31 | |
-This is our habitat. | 0:01:31 | 0:01:34 | |
-Merthyr Tydfil's development -is comparatively unusual. | 0:01:45 | 0:01:50 | |
-It's not a market town or a port... | 0:01:50 | 0:01:52 | |
-..and it can't trace its development -back over millennia. | 0:01:52 | 0:01:56 | |
-At the end of the 17th century, -there were only 40 houses here. | 0:01:56 | 0:02:01 | |
-But the population exploded such, -thanks to the iron industries... | 0:02:01 | 0:02:07 | |
-..that Merthyr Tydfil -was once Wales' most populous town. | 0:02:07 | 0:02:12 | |
-The heavy industries have long gone, -but over 60,000 still live here. | 0:02:14 | 0:02:20 | |
-Young people are bringing a spark -and an energy to the town's future. | 0:02:20 | 0:02:25 | |
-We've come to Dowlais today... | 0:02:29 | 0:02:32 | |
-..because there's a room here named -after my John Owen, my grandfather. | 0:02:33 | 0:02:37 | |
-He was one of the last workers -at the Ifor Works... | 0:02:38 | 0:02:41 | |
-..which was the last ironworks -in Dowlais. | 0:02:42 | 0:02:45 | |
-This is a photo of him -as a young man. | 0:02:45 | 0:02:48 | |
-This photo was taken -on the day the last cast was made. | 0:02:49 | 0:02:55 | |
-There were only seven years -between that day and my birth. | 0:02:55 | 0:02:59 | |
-Even so, it's like some legend. | 0:02:59 | 0:03:01 | |
-There's a huge difference -between my experience of Merthyr... | 0:03:02 | 0:03:06 | |
-..and my grandfather's first-hand -experience of those industries. | 0:03:06 | 0:03:12 | |
-It's the same, but different... | 0:03:13 | 0:03:14 | |
-..like returning to somewhere -familiar yet unfamiliar. | 0:03:15 | 0:03:18 | |
-But the way you tell it... | 0:03:18 | 0:03:20 | |
-..local people -are still proud of Merthyr Tydfil. | 0:03:20 | 0:03:24 | |
-Extremely proud. | 0:03:24 | 0:03:26 | |
-It may be be -one of the few things left. | 0:03:26 | 0:03:28 | |
-So many buildings have been lost, -but the history remains. | 0:03:29 | 0:03:32 | |
-That's why people -hold onto it so tightly. | 0:03:33 | 0:03:36 | |
-But I think Merthyr as a town -has a reputation beyond its size. | 0:03:37 | 0:03:41 | |
-Its reputation -is so much bigger than the place. | 0:03:41 | 0:03:45 | |
-There's a reason -why Merthyr is so well known. | 0:03:48 | 0:03:52 | |
-It played a pivotal role -in the Industrial Revolution... | 0:03:53 | 0:03:57 | |
-..and also in the revolution -of the working class. | 0:03:58 | 0:04:01 | |
-Today, I'm on the trail -of the Merthyr Rising... | 0:04:09 | 0:04:13 | |
-..the industrial action that started -a war between workers and masters. | 0:04:13 | 0:04:18 | |
-From the town centre, -I'll head to Penydarren Park... | 0:04:19 | 0:04:22 | |
-..before focusing on the man who -became a symbol of the uprising... | 0:04:22 | 0:04:28 | |
-..Dic Penderyn. | 0:04:28 | 0:04:30 | |
-Merthyr lay in the shadow -of numerous ironworks... | 0:04:30 | 0:04:34 | |
-..like this one, Cyfarthfa. | 0:04:35 | 0:04:37 | |
-Over a third of Merthyr's population -worked in the iron industry... | 0:04:37 | 0:04:42 | |
-..for two very wealthy families, -the Guests and the Crawshays. | 0:04:42 | 0:04:46 | |
-The town and the industry, -were having a tough time. | 0:04:48 | 0:04:51 | |
-The price of iron was low, -and ordinary people were suffering. | 0:04:52 | 0:04:56 | |
-In 1830, bailiffs entered the home -of an old lady, Margaret Rees... | 0:04:56 | 0:05:01 | |
-..dragged her from her bed -and left her dying in the street. | 0:05:01 | 0:05:05 | |
-With growing tension -between workers and masters... | 0:05:05 | 0:05:09 | |
-..something had to change. | 0:05:09 | 0:05:11 | |
-The protests lacked focus. | 0:05:11 | 0:05:13 | |
-There was no clear leader -or distinct aim... | 0:05:14 | 0:05:17 | |
-..but it sparked a movement -that began right here in Merthyr. | 0:05:17 | 0:05:22 | |
-Before long, -it would shake the world. | 0:05:23 | 0:05:25 | |
-The rising -and the working class leaders... | 0:05:28 | 0:05:31 | |
-..aren't the only people -remembered in Merthyr. | 0:05:31 | 0:05:35 | |
-The home of musician Joseph Parry... | 0:05:35 | 0:05:39 | |
-..who composed Aberystwyth -and Myfanwy, still stands here. | 0:05:39 | 0:05:43 | |
-One particular project brings -a poet and an artist together... | 0:05:44 | 0:05:48 | |
-..to ensure that these historic -buildings will never be forgotten. | 0:05:48 | 0:05:53 | |
-I'm working on a drawing -of Chapel Row. | 0:05:53 | 0:05:58 | |
-I'll also include Dowlais... | 0:05:58 | 0:06:01 | |
-..the windows of Dowlais and so on. | 0:06:02 | 0:06:05 | |
-This is part of a special project -that you're both involved with. | 0:06:05 | 0:06:10 | |
-It's a joint project -between the two of us... | 0:06:10 | 0:06:14 | |
-..combining art and poetry. | 0:06:14 | 0:06:16 | |
-I'm very passionate -about architecture... | 0:06:17 | 0:06:21 | |
-..and the idea that architecture -can reflect the history of a place. | 0:06:22 | 0:06:26 | |
-In my first week as a student -at the University of Liverpool... | 0:06:26 | 0:06:31 | |
-..I was given a project -to draw several buildings. | 0:06:31 | 0:06:35 | |
-One of them struck me -as particularly interesting. | 0:06:35 | 0:06:39 | |
-Within a week, it was demolished, -and I wasn't aware of that fact. | 0:06:39 | 0:06:43 | |
-A building disappearing can have -a psychological effect on residents. | 0:06:43 | 0:06:48 | |
-It's happened to you, in a way. | 0:06:48 | 0:06:50 | |
-The sadness that so many buildings -in Merthyr have been lost. | 0:06:50 | 0:06:55 | |
-Merthyr is infamous -for architectural loss. | 0:06:55 | 0:07:00 | |
-Considering that it was once the -world's leading industrial centre... | 0:07:00 | 0:07:05 | |
-..so few things remain -to attest to that rich history. | 0:07:05 | 0:07:09 | |
-When you lose buildings... | 0:07:09 | 0:07:11 | |
-..you lose more than architecture -and physical structures. | 0:07:11 | 0:07:15 | |
-Time is breached. | 0:07:16 | 0:07:17 | |
-A part of the fabric of the town -is now missing. | 0:07:17 | 0:07:20 | |
-You have examples -of drawings you've done in Cardiff. | 0:07:20 | 0:07:25 | |
-I take it from the tiger.. | 0:07:25 | 0:07:27 | |
-Yes, this is Butetown. | 0:07:27 | 0:07:29 | |
-This is Splott. | 0:07:30 | 0:07:31 | |
-The idea of the other Dowlais works -that was in that part of Cardiff. | 0:07:31 | 0:07:35 | |
-Workers from the valleys -went to work in the works in Splott. | 0:07:36 | 0:07:41 | |
-That's why Welsh -stayed stronger in Splott... | 0:07:42 | 0:07:45 | |
-..longer than it did -in other parts of Cardiff. | 0:07:45 | 0:07:48 | |
-At the turn of the century, -most people in Merthyr spoke Welsh. | 0:07:49 | 0:07:53 | |
-Those workers -were transplanted to Splott. | 0:07:54 | 0:07:57 | |
-So, Welsh was stronger there. | 0:07:58 | 0:08:00 | |
-Do you think there is such a thing -as Welsh architecture? | 0:08:01 | 0:08:06 | |
-Looking at the architecture -of these cottages in particular... | 0:08:06 | 0:08:11 | |
-..they are a little larger -than typical valley houses. | 0:08:11 | 0:08:15 | |
-I'm given to understand -that they housed ironworkers... | 0:08:16 | 0:08:21 | |
-..who were more skilled -than ordinary workers. | 0:08:21 | 0:08:25 | |
-It's sad that they wouldn't -have survived as they have... | 0:08:26 | 0:08:30 | |
-..if Joseph Parry -hadn't been born and raised here. | 0:08:30 | 0:08:34 | |
-If it wasn't for that link -with someone famous... | 0:08:34 | 0:08:38 | |
-..or comparatively famous, -at least... | 0:08:38 | 0:08:40 | |
-..these houses -would also have been demolished. | 0:08:40 | 0:08:44 | |
-The Taff Trail runs over 55 miles -from Cardiff to Brecon... | 0:09:01 | 0:09:06 | |
-..past some of South Wales' wonders. | 0:09:06 | 0:09:09 | |
-This leisurely section, -through Cefncoedycymer... | 0:09:09 | 0:09:13 | |
-..seems unremarkable from here. | 0:09:14 | 0:09:16 | |
-But to be exact, the path doesn't -actually go through the village. | 0:09:16 | 0:09:21 | |
-It goes over it. | 0:09:21 | 0:09:24 | |
-Walkers and cyclists -use this path today... | 0:09:24 | 0:09:28 | |
-..but years ago, it was different. | 0:09:28 | 0:09:31 | |
-In the 1860s, work began -on building the viaduct... | 0:09:31 | 0:09:35 | |
-..to link Merthyr Tydfil -with Brecon. | 0:09:35 | 0:09:38 | |
-Railways spread like fireworks -across the country at the time... | 0:09:38 | 0:09:44 | |
-..but laying tracks -wasn't without its problems. | 0:09:44 | 0:09:47 | |
-This viaduct is unique, -in that it's curved. | 0:09:48 | 0:09:51 | |
-That was to avoid land owned -by ironmaster Robert Crawshay... | 0:09:52 | 0:09:56 | |
-..who didn't want -such a thing near it. | 0:09:56 | 0:09:59 | |
-It cost a total of 25,000. | 0:10:02 | 0:10:06 | |
-That's about 2 million -in modern terms. | 0:10:07 | 0:10:09 | |
-Small change, given the importance -of trains to the area. | 0:10:09 | 0:10:13 | |
-But it's important to remember -the importance of this area... | 0:10:13 | 0:10:18 | |
-..to the development of the railway -industry in the first place. | 0:10:18 | 0:10:22 | |
-You could say -that it all began here. | 0:10:23 | 0:10:25 | |
-. | 0:10:27 | 0:10:27 | |
-* | 0:10:33 | 0:10:33 | |
-For a century up to the 1960s... | 0:10:34 | 0:10:36 | |
-..the Brecon and Merthyr Railway -ran north of Merthyr Tydfil... | 0:10:37 | 0:10:41 | |
-..part of a railway network -that carried cargo and passengers... | 0:10:41 | 0:10:46 | |
-..across the South Wales Valleys. | 0:10:46 | 0:10:48 | |
-Today, the Brecon -Mountain Railway runs here. | 0:10:48 | 0:10:52 | |
-It has carried tourists -for almost 50 years now. | 0:10:52 | 0:10:55 | |
-But trains ran through Merthyr -Tydfil long before this line. | 0:10:56 | 0:11:00 | |
-Long before any line, actually. | 0:11:00 | 0:11:03 | |
-If we think of early trains, -some names quickly spring to mind. | 0:11:03 | 0:11:07 | |
-At the top, Stephenson's Rocket. | 0:11:08 | 0:11:10 | |
-But 25 years before the Rocket... | 0:11:10 | 0:11:12 | |
-..a young industry was taking its -first steps here in Merthyr Tydfil. | 0:11:12 | 0:11:18 | |
-In 1803, Samuel Homfray, -owner of Penydarren Ironworks... | 0:11:29 | 0:11:34 | |
-..went to Cornwall to meet -a colourful young engineer... | 0:11:34 | 0:11:37 | |
-..who knew steam engines -better than anyone. | 0:11:38 | 0:11:41 | |
-His name was Richard Trevithick. | 0:11:41 | 0:11:44 | |
-Homfray wanted Trevithick -to devise a steam hammer... | 0:11:44 | 0:11:48 | |
-..but on arriving in Merthyr, -the Cornishman had another idea. | 0:11:48 | 0:11:52 | |
-There were 9.5 miles of tram tracks -between Penydarren and Abercynon. | 0:11:53 | 0:11:58 | |
-This was perfect -for what Trevithick had in mind. | 0:11:58 | 0:12:02 | |
-Ponies and wagons hauled the trams -along the tracks back then. | 0:12:02 | 0:12:06 | |
-But Trevithick thought -that he had a better idea. | 0:12:07 | 0:12:10 | |
-He designed -a fairly Gothic-looking machine... | 0:12:11 | 0:12:16 | |
-..a huge beast -with wheels everywhere... | 0:12:16 | 0:12:20 | |
-..pistons and a narrow chimney -coughing steam everywhere. | 0:12:20 | 0:12:25 | |
-Ultimately, it came down to a bet -between Homfray and the Crawshays. | 0:12:26 | 0:12:32 | |
-Could Trevithick's engine... | 0:12:33 | 0:12:36 | |
-..haul ten tons of iron -the whole way? | 0:12:36 | 0:12:40 | |
-The prize? 500 guineas. | 0:12:41 | 0:12:44 | |
-About 40,000 in today's money. | 0:12:44 | 0:12:48 | |
-It was a February morning in 1804 -when the engine set off. | 0:12:51 | 0:12:56 | |
-It's easy for us -to laugh at the scene. | 0:12:56 | 0:12:59 | |
-This clumsy black engine -crawling along the tracks... | 0:12:59 | 0:13:03 | |
-..at five miles per hour. | 0:13:03 | 0:13:05 | |
-But for people then, -it must have seemed miraculous. | 0:13:05 | 0:13:09 | |
-That's why 70 local wags -climbed onto the engine... | 0:13:09 | 0:13:12 | |
-..more than doubling its weight... | 0:13:13 | 0:13:16 | |
-..and becoming -the first train passengers! | 0:13:16 | 0:13:19 | |
-Trevithick marched -ahead of the engine... | 0:13:21 | 0:13:23 | |
-..checking the track and listening -for strange noises from the engine. | 0:13:24 | 0:13:29 | |
-You can imagine the celebrations -once they reached Abercynon... | 0:13:29 | 0:13:33 | |
-..four hours later. | 0:13:33 | 0:13:35 | |
-Trevithick hadn't fully grasped the -significance of the new invention. | 0:13:36 | 0:13:41 | |
-Its development was left to others, -like George and Robert Stephenson. | 0:13:41 | 0:13:46 | |
-But when Stephenson's Rocket -made its maiden trip in 1830... | 0:13:46 | 0:13:53 | |
-..the iron for the tracks -came from Penydarren. | 0:13:53 | 0:13:58 | |
-Another invaluable contribution -by this area to the rail industry. | 0:13:59 | 0:14:04 | |
-Industry and history are -an integral part of Merthyr Tydfil. | 0:14:12 | 0:14:16 | |
-You need only scratch the surface -to realize... | 0:14:17 | 0:14:20 | |
-..that these influences leave -their mark on everyone in some way. | 0:14:20 | 0:14:24 | |
-I don't always start with charcoal. | 0:14:27 | 0:14:30 | |
-It doesn't really matter -what I start with... | 0:14:33 | 0:14:36 | |
-..because it's gone at the end. | 0:14:36 | 0:14:38 | |
-Sometimes, I'll start -with a clear idea... | 0:14:45 | 0:14:48 | |
-..and it doesn't change much. | 0:14:48 | 0:14:50 | |
-But it can sometimes -change completely. | 0:14:50 | 0:14:54 | |
-Political history -is very important in Merthyr. | 0:15:03 | 0:15:06 | |
-I think that comes out in my work. | 0:15:06 | 0:15:09 | |
-It's an interesting question. | 0:15:15 | 0:15:17 | |
-Would my work look different -if I lived somewhere else? | 0:15:17 | 0:15:21 | |
-I'm not sure. | 0:15:21 | 0:15:22 | |
-Originally, -after finishing college... | 0:15:28 | 0:15:31 | |
-..my work reacted -to the here and now. | 0:15:31 | 0:15:34 | |
-But since my children were born... | 0:15:38 | 0:15:40 | |
-..I've thought much more about -the future, where we are going. | 0:15:40 | 0:15:45 | |
-We look at history -through rose-tinted glasses. | 0:15:48 | 0:15:52 | |
-Yes, history is important, -but we mustn't forget the future. | 0:15:53 | 0:15:57 | |
-We have to ask the question, -how can we make things better? | 0:15:57 | 0:16:01 | |
-The streets of Williamstown -are a rare example... | 0:16:08 | 0:16:12 | |
-..of working-class houses -in Merthyr Tydfil. | 0:16:12 | 0:16:16 | |
-Unexpectedly, -it wasn't just the men... | 0:16:16 | 0:16:19 | |
-..who worked -in the heavy industries. | 0:16:19 | 0:16:22 | |
-Some people might not be aware... | 0:16:23 | 0:16:25 | |
-..that women were employed -in the ironworks. | 0:16:25 | 0:16:29 | |
-Some jobs were only done by women. | 0:16:29 | 0:16:32 | |
-For example, -they worked in the brickworks... | 0:16:32 | 0:16:35 | |
-..making bricks -to line the furnaces. | 0:16:35 | 0:16:38 | |
-Women also did very heavy work... | 0:16:38 | 0:16:41 | |
-..cutting limestone -with huge hammers. | 0:16:41 | 0:16:44 | |
-Women were also employed -as pilers... | 0:16:45 | 0:16:48 | |
-..stacking coal -ready for the furnaces. | 0:16:49 | 0:16:52 | |
-They also worked with the coals -that came out of the furnaces. | 0:16:53 | 0:16:58 | |
-The tip girls, as they were called. | 0:16:58 | 0:17:01 | |
-They loaded the stuff onto the trams -and unloaded it onto the tips. | 0:17:01 | 0:17:06 | |
-780 women worked -at the Dowlais works. | 0:17:06 | 0:17:11 | |
-Of those, 20% were under 18. | 0:17:11 | 0:17:14 | |
-Life for women -in the ironmasters' families... | 0:17:19 | 0:17:22 | |
-..was very different to that -of the women of Williamstown. | 0:17:22 | 0:17:27 | |
-But the likes of Rose Crawshay and -Charlotte Guest did their best... | 0:17:27 | 0:17:32 | |
-..to improve the lives -of the workforce. | 0:17:32 | 0:17:35 | |
-The splendour of the gardens -at Cyfarthfa Castle... | 0:17:36 | 0:17:39 | |
-..reflects the wealth -of the Crawshay family at the time. | 0:17:39 | 0:17:44 | |
-The name Crawshay -rankles greatly with many people... | 0:17:44 | 0:17:48 | |
-..which may not be very fair -to the wife, Rose Crawshay. | 0:17:49 | 0:17:53 | |
-You're right, -the name Crawshay does that. | 0:17:53 | 0:17:57 | |
-Everyone's familiar with Richard -Crawshay and the men... | 0:17:57 | 0:18:01 | |
-..but may be less familiar -with the women. | 0:18:01 | 0:18:04 | |
-Rose Crawshay was quite remarkable. | 0:18:04 | 0:18:07 | |
-She wanted to improve the lot -of women of that age. | 0:18:07 | 0:18:12 | |
-She was a member of an organization -that supported women's suffrage... | 0:18:12 | 0:18:18 | |
-..and campaigned for women's rights -in divorce cases, for example... | 0:18:18 | 0:18:24 | |
-..and childcare, -and she worked extremely hard. | 0:18:24 | 0:18:28 | |
-Even so, -the names of the wealthy families... | 0:18:29 | 0:18:33 | |
-..are still held in contempt -in the town. | 0:18:33 | 0:18:37 | |
-Many question if the work to improve -workers' living conditions... | 0:18:37 | 0:18:41 | |
-..was merely philanthropy... | 0:18:42 | 0:18:44 | |
-..or rather an attempt to tame them -and prevent any revolt. | 0:18:44 | 0:18:48 | |
-Taking all this -into consideration... | 0:18:50 | 0:18:52 | |
-..do you think -it was a cynical scheme? | 0:18:53 | 0:18:55 | |
-There is a cynical element, -but good work was done. | 0:18:56 | 0:19:00 | |
-The wives of the ironmasters -played an important role in that. | 0:19:00 | 0:19:05 | |
-You might have heard -of Lady Charlotte Guest. | 0:19:06 | 0:19:09 | |
-She came to Merthyr -as a young woman, about 18. | 0:19:09 | 0:19:12 | |
-She married a man -who was much older than her... | 0:19:13 | 0:19:16 | |
-..Josiah John Guest, -owner of the Dowlais works. | 0:19:16 | 0:19:19 | |
-When she came here, she became -interested in Welsh and learnt it. | 0:19:20 | 0:19:24 | |
-She became famous, of course, -for translating the Mabinogi. | 0:19:25 | 0:19:29 | |
-The people of Merthyr held Lady -Charlotte Guest in high regard. | 0:19:30 | 0:19:34 | |
-She was a great believer -in education. | 0:19:35 | 0:19:38 | |
-She did think that a good education -was important, as she had received. | 0:19:38 | 0:19:44 | |
-She wanted children and adults -to be given opportunities. | 0:19:44 | 0:19:48 | |
-She had a plan to establish schools. | 0:19:49 | 0:19:51 | |
-A lot of the profits of Dowlais -was spent on establishing schools. | 0:19:52 | 0:19:56 | |
-She was prominent in that respect. | 0:19:57 | 0:19:59 | |
-Today, I'm on the trail -of the Merthyr Rising. | 0:20:16 | 0:20:19 | |
-As May 1831 went on, the Merthyr -Rising grew ever more fervent. | 0:20:21 | 0:20:27 | |
-There were protests every night. | 0:20:28 | 0:20:30 | |
-At the end of the month, a gathering -was held on the moor above Dowlais. | 0:20:31 | 0:20:35 | |
-That's when some names -first came to prominence. | 0:20:35 | 0:20:39 | |
-Dic Dywyll was a blind man -who gave a long speech... | 0:20:39 | 0:20:43 | |
-..drawing workers' attention -to the ironmasters' huge salaries... | 0:20:43 | 0:20:48 | |
-..and Lewis Lewis, -Lewsyn yr Heliwr... | 0:20:48 | 0:20:51 | |
-..the most influential figure -of the entire rebellion. | 0:20:51 | 0:20:54 | |
-Lewsyn led the men, standing -in front of them, fist raised. | 0:20:56 | 0:21:01 | |
-The men in turn followed him, -chanting Welsh slogans. | 0:21:01 | 0:21:07 | |
-On 2 June, Lewsyn yr Heliwr led the -men down to the old Castle Hotel. | 0:21:11 | 0:21:17 | |
-While local businessmen met inside, -Lewsyn and his men stood outside... | 0:21:18 | 0:21:24 | |
-..demanding a fair price for bread -and wage rises. | 0:21:24 | 0:21:27 | |
-Between the two factions -stood the army. | 0:21:27 | 0:21:30 | |
-After the demands were refused, -the army's weapons were stolen... | 0:21:32 | 0:21:36 | |
-..and turned against them -in a battle on Merthyr's streets. | 0:21:37 | 0:21:42 | |
-All the authorities could do -was make the odd arrest... | 0:21:42 | 0:21:46 | |
-..in an attempt to maintain -some sort of order. | 0:21:46 | 0:21:50 | |
-One detainee was Lewsyn yr Heliwr. | 0:21:50 | 0:21:52 | |
-The other is a man whose name -is now in the history books. | 0:21:52 | 0:21:56 | |
-The workers ruled the town for days. | 0:21:58 | 0:22:01 | |
-Eighteen members of the public were -killed, and hundreds were injured. | 0:22:01 | 0:22:06 | |
-The ironmasters managed to flee -to Penydarren House down the road... | 0:22:08 | 0:22:13 | |
-..and locked the doors behind them. | 0:22:13 | 0:22:15 | |
-The work done by Richard Trevithick -here in Merthyr Tydfil... | 0:22:21 | 0:22:26 | |
-..was pivotal to the development -of the steam train. | 0:22:26 | 0:22:29 | |
-After his engine successfully hauled -ten tons of iron and 70 men... | 0:22:30 | 0:22:34 | |
-..you could say that this was -the world's first passenger train. | 0:22:34 | 0:22:39 | |
-But ask most people -who invented the steam train... | 0:22:39 | 0:22:43 | |
-..and not many -would say Richard Trevithick. | 0:22:43 | 0:22:46 | |
-By the time trains -came to the fore in the 1830s... | 0:22:55 | 0:22:58 | |
-..Richard Trevithick -barely had a penny to his name... | 0:22:58 | 0:23:02 | |
-..even though he'd made -lots of other people wealthy. | 0:23:02 | 0:23:06 | |
-He returned from South America, -after numerous failed ventures... | 0:23:06 | 0:23:10 | |
-..and the patent for his Penydarren -locomotive had been lost. | 0:23:11 | 0:23:15 | |
-In 1833, -Trevithick died of pneumonia. | 0:23:19 | 0:23:23 | |
-There were no friends or relatives -by his deathbed... | 0:23:23 | 0:23:27 | |
-..and he was buried -in an unmarked grave. | 0:23:27 | 0:23:30 | |
-But his name hasn't been forgotten. | 0:23:30 | 0:23:32 | |
-A society has been named after him. | 0:23:33 | 0:23:35 | |
-Statues, buildings -and streets commemorate him... | 0:23:35 | 0:23:38 | |
-..in Cornwall, Cardiff, -Dartford, London and Abercynon... | 0:23:39 | 0:23:43 | |
-..and here -in Merthyr Tydfil, of course. | 0:23:43 | 0:23:45 | |
-But it's sad, somehow, -that such a talented innovator... | 0:23:47 | 0:23:52 | |
-..didn't receive the recognition -he deserved while he was alive. | 0:23:54 | 0:23:58 | |
-. | 0:24:01 | 0:24:01 | |
-Subtitles | 0:24:08 | 0:24:08 | |
-Subtitles - -Subtitles | 0:24:08 | 0:24:10 | |
-We're on the trail of Merthyr -Tydfil's remarkable history. | 0:24:14 | 0:24:19 | |
-No story is bigger -than that of the Merthyr Rising... | 0:24:19 | 0:24:24 | |
-..when thousands of workers -revolted against the ironmasters. | 0:24:24 | 0:24:29 | |
-Every year, tens of thousands -of football fans... | 0:24:33 | 0:24:37 | |
-..come here to Penydarren Park. | 0:24:37 | 0:24:40 | |
-But in June 1831... | 0:24:40 | 0:24:42 | |
-..with the Merthyr Rising -taking over the streets... | 0:24:42 | 0:24:46 | |
-..the welcome here -was much more tepid. | 0:24:46 | 0:24:49 | |
-This is the old site -of Penydarren House's gardens... | 0:24:51 | 0:24:54 | |
-..home of the Homfray family. | 0:24:55 | 0:24:57 | |
-Much of the Merthyr Rising's history -is focused on the workers. | 0:24:57 | 0:25:02 | |
-But another battle was brewing -between the ironmasters themselves. | 0:25:02 | 0:25:06 | |
-They shared politics and beliefs -but weren't all that united. | 0:25:07 | 0:25:11 | |
-The Guests from Dowlais didn't like -the Crawshays from Cyfarthfa. | 0:25:11 | 0:25:16 | |
-They viewed Cyfarthfa Castle -as a mere folly... | 0:25:16 | 0:25:20 | |
-..and couldn't abide William -Crawshay's very short temper. | 0:25:20 | 0:25:24 | |
-But Penydarren ironmaster Samuel -Homfray's temper was even worse. | 0:25:25 | 0:25:30 | |
-He lived at Penydarren House. | 0:25:30 | 0:25:32 | |
-For a time, -during the Merthyr Rising... | 0:25:32 | 0:25:35 | |
-..the ironmasters -were under his roof... | 0:25:35 | 0:25:38 | |
-..having locked themselves in -to flee the madness outside. | 0:25:38 | 0:25:42 | |
-At the root of all this -was business and money. | 0:25:44 | 0:25:47 | |
-The Guests were wealthier -than the Crawshays... | 0:25:47 | 0:25:50 | |
-..who were wealthier -than the Homfrays. | 0:25:51 | 0:25:53 | |
-Nothing has changed. | 0:25:53 | 0:25:55 | |
-But unlike some other -British industrialists... | 0:25:55 | 0:25:59 | |
-..they lived in Merthyr -and made their homes here. | 0:25:59 | 0:26:02 | |
-Both the Crawshays -and Guests spoke Welsh... | 0:26:03 | 0:26:06 | |
-..not that it was -of much comfort to the workers. | 0:26:07 | 0:26:10 | |
-Outside Penydarren House, -the town was being torn apart. | 0:26:10 | 0:26:14 | |
-In Hirwaun, -the workers killed a calf... | 0:26:14 | 0:26:17 | |
-..and soaked a flag in its blood. | 0:26:18 | 0:26:20 | |
-The red flag. | 0:26:20 | 0:26:22 | |
-The same red flag -that would be adopted... | 0:26:22 | 0:26:24 | |
-..by workers' movements -all over the world. | 0:26:25 | 0:26:28 | |
-With people from Yorkshire to London -taking notice... | 0:26:28 | 0:26:32 | |
-..and workers -all over Britain rousing... | 0:26:32 | 0:26:35 | |
-..the authorities -had to stop things quickly. | 0:26:35 | 0:26:38 | |
-Cyfarthfa Castle was the grand home -of the Crawshay family... | 0:26:43 | 0:26:47 | |
-..who made their fortune -in the iron industry. | 0:26:47 | 0:26:51 | |
-By today, -it's a tourist attraction. | 0:26:51 | 0:26:53 | |
-Part of the castle -houses Merthyr Tydfil's museum. | 0:26:55 | 0:26:58 | |
-But for almost 70 years, -until the 1980s... | 0:26:58 | 0:27:02 | |
-..the building -had a very different purpose. | 0:27:02 | 0:27:05 | |
-Hundreds of local children knew it -as Cyfarthfa Castle Grammar School. | 0:27:05 | 0:27:10 | |
-I spent seven years here... | 0:27:11 | 0:27:15 | |
-..between 1954 and 1961, -but I never came to this room. | 0:27:15 | 0:27:19 | |
-This was the staffroom at the time. | 0:27:19 | 0:27:22 | |
-It's very grand. | 0:27:22 | 0:27:23 | |
-It is now, but it wasn't then. | 0:27:24 | 0:27:26 | |
-In the far end -was the headmaster's room. | 0:27:26 | 0:27:30 | |
-This was the corridor -where the headmaster... | 0:27:32 | 0:27:37 | |
-..and all the teachers... | 0:27:37 | 0:27:40 | |
-..strode grandly -towards that door... | 0:27:40 | 0:27:44 | |
-..where the hall was, and where -the daily morning service was held. | 0:27:44 | 0:27:48 | |
-Unfortunately, only the museum -section of the former school... | 0:27:50 | 0:27:55 | |
-..is safe enough to explore today. | 0:27:55 | 0:27:57 | |
-But clear traces remain outside, -bringing back happy memories. | 0:27:58 | 0:28:03 | |
-It's an inspiring place -in which to go to school. | 0:28:04 | 0:28:08 | |
-It's a striking and majestic -castellated building. | 0:28:08 | 0:28:12 | |
-It was considered to be -an exceptional school in Merthyr. | 0:28:12 | 0:28:17 | |
-There was another grammar school -in Merthyr, the County... | 0:28:17 | 0:28:21 | |
-..but the County School -wasn't as good as Cyfarthfa. | 0:28:21 | 0:28:25 | |
-Cyfarthfa Castle Grammar School, -the former home of the Crawshays. | 0:28:25 | 0:28:31 | |
-We used to walk through that door -into the school. | 0:28:32 | 0:28:36 | |
-On the wall in front of us... | 0:28:36 | 0:28:39 | |
-..we were greeted by pictures -of successful former pupils. | 0:28:39 | 0:28:43 | |
-Gwyn Alf Williams, Glanmor Williams. | 0:28:43 | 0:28:46 | |
-They were the first things we saw. | 0:28:47 | 0:28:49 | |
-One teacher in particular -inspired his pupils... | 0:28:51 | 0:28:55 | |
-..and kindled lifelong passions. | 0:28:55 | 0:28:57 | |
-This was the important room for me, -the classroom of Arthur Harris. | 0:29:01 | 0:29:06 | |
-I spent three years here... | 0:29:07 | 0:29:10 | |
-..at the feet -of this Gamaliel among teachers. | 0:29:11 | 0:29:15 | |
-Arthur always emphasized -the value of first-hand experiences. | 0:29:16 | 0:29:22 | |
-To get first-hand experiences, -you had to leave the classroom... | 0:29:22 | 0:29:27 | |
-..and go out into the field. | 0:29:28 | 0:29:30 | |
-Go to local quarries -to savour the thrill... | 0:29:30 | 0:29:34 | |
-..of coming across -some of the minerals in the rocks... | 0:29:34 | 0:29:38 | |
-..and, better still, -some of the fossils in the rocks. | 0:29:38 | 0:29:42 | |
-Personally, coming here today -is a very sad experience. | 0:29:42 | 0:29:48 | |
-Not just because this classroom -has now been lost... | 0:29:48 | 0:29:54 | |
-..but also because this is one -of Merthyr's landmark buildings. | 0:29:54 | 0:30:00 | |
-The home of the Crawshays... | 0:30:01 | 0:30:03 | |
-..the most important ironmasters -in this area. | 0:30:04 | 0:30:08 | |
-By now, -substantial parts of the building... | 0:30:08 | 0:30:11 | |
-..have gone to the dogs, -make no bones about it. | 0:30:12 | 0:30:15 | |
-You can't walk through Merthyr... | 0:30:30 | 0:30:33 | |
-..without noticing the statues -of boxing heroes. | 0:30:33 | 0:30:36 | |
-As well as those -who made their mark in the ring... | 0:30:37 | 0:30:40 | |
-..one son of Merthyr made his mark -as a boxing journalist and author. | 0:30:40 | 0:30:45 | |
-I was an ordinary news journalist... | 0:30:47 | 0:30:51 | |
-..but a vacancy cropped up for -Western Mail boxing correspondent. | 0:30:52 | 0:30:56 | |
-That's how I started, -about 40 years ago. | 0:30:57 | 0:31:00 | |
-What is it about the sport -that attracts you? | 0:31:01 | 0:31:05 | |
-It's always said that you play -football, rugby and cricket. | 0:31:05 | 0:31:11 | |
-In boxing, no-one plays. | 0:31:11 | 0:31:14 | |
-It's hard, it's serious -and it's dangerous, I must admit. | 0:31:14 | 0:31:19 | |
-But there's something about boxing. | 0:31:19 | 0:31:21 | |
-It provides a thrill -other sports don't. | 0:31:22 | 0:31:24 | |
-What is it about this area -that turned out so many fine boxers? | 0:31:25 | 0:31:30 | |
-Most of the men in Merthyr -in days gone by... | 0:31:31 | 0:31:34 | |
-..either worked in the pits... | 0:31:35 | 0:31:37 | |
-..or in the ironworks in Dowlais. | 0:31:38 | 0:31:42 | |
-They were hard men, who worked hard. | 0:31:42 | 0:31:45 | |
-Strong men. | 0:31:45 | 0:31:46 | |
-That was the way -arguments were sorted out. | 0:31:46 | 0:31:52 | |
-In Merthyr and all the valleys, -boxing booths came around. | 0:31:52 | 0:31:56 | |
-They'd go from fair to fair -or from village to village. | 0:31:56 | 0:32:00 | |
-They'd stay for a weekend, -and local boys got a chance... | 0:32:01 | 0:32:05 | |
-..to challenge the semi-professional -boxers in the booths. | 0:32:05 | 0:32:10 | |
-Boxers like Jim Driscoll -and Jimmy Wilde... | 0:32:10 | 0:32:14 | |
-..learnt their craft... | 0:32:14 | 0:32:17 | |
-..in the booths against men -of different sizes... | 0:32:18 | 0:32:22 | |
-..and different levels of skill... | 0:32:22 | 0:32:25 | |
-..or no skill at all! | 0:32:25 | 0:32:28 | |
-They learnt how to avoid punches -as well as how to throw them. | 0:32:28 | 0:32:34 | |
-Dowlais Amateur Boxing Club -is still as popular as ever. | 0:32:42 | 0:32:47 | |
-The town's youngsters -are taught their craft... | 0:32:47 | 0:32:51 | |
-..by two men who were trained -by boxing giant Eddie Thomas. | 0:32:52 | 0:32:56 | |
-At one time, Eddie Thomas, -and it's never been known before... | 0:33:01 | 0:33:05 | |
-..and won't be again... | 0:33:05 | 0:33:07 | |
-..Eddie Thomas -had the whole Welsh side... | 0:33:07 | 0:33:10 | |
-..from the flyweight, that was me... | 0:33:10 | 0:33:13 | |
-..right up to light heavyweight. | 0:33:13 | 0:33:17 | |
-He didn't have a heavyweight, -and that's all. | 0:33:17 | 0:33:20 | |
-Only one in the Welsh side -wasn't in Eddie Thomas' gym. | 0:33:20 | 0:33:24 | |
-All of them? | 0:33:24 | 0:33:25 | |
-Every one of them, all fighting -for Wales at the same time. | 0:33:26 | 0:33:29 | |
-So, who's that then? | 0:33:30 | 0:33:31 | |
-That's me and Winstone. | 0:33:31 | 0:33:33 | |
-We were a good team, -weren't we, Ger? | 0:33:34 | 0:33:37 | |
-We had a bit of fun, mind. | 0:33:37 | 0:33:39 | |
-It's clear that boxing -is in the blood in Merthyr. | 0:33:42 | 0:33:45 | |
-The next generation is just as keen -to share their experiences. | 0:33:46 | 0:33:50 | |
-What do you like about coming here? | 0:33:51 | 0:33:52 | |
-What do you like about coming here? - -I like to keep fit. | 0:33:52 | 0:33:54 | |
-I think it's fun. | 0:33:54 | 0:33:56 | |
-And it brings colour -to your cheeks! | 0:33:56 | 0:33:59 | |
-I'm wearing these, -so should I have a go? | 0:34:00 | 0:34:03 | |
-Me or you? | 0:34:04 | 0:34:05 | |
-Me or you? - -You go first, then me. | 0:34:05 | 0:34:06 | |
-Start with a jab. | 0:34:07 | 0:34:08 | |
-Start with a jab. - -A jab first. | 0:34:08 | 0:34:09 | |
-Jab, right. | 0:34:10 | 0:34:11 | |
-Keep them up. | 0:34:12 | 0:34:13 | |
-Keep them up. - -Keep them up. | 0:34:13 | 0:34:14 | |
-And hit it hard. | 0:34:14 | 0:34:16 | |
-And try not to laugh! | 0:34:17 | 0:34:20 | |
-. | 0:34:21 | 0:34:21 | |
-Subtitles | 0:34:28 | 0:34:28 | |
-Subtitles - -Subtitles | 0:34:28 | 0:34:30 | |
-Unlike any other town -in Wales or the world... | 0:34:30 | 0:34:33 | |
-..Merthyr Tydfil -has three statues of boxers. | 0:34:34 | 0:34:37 | |
-They are the town's big heroes. | 0:34:37 | 0:34:39 | |
-They sweated and bled... | 0:34:39 | 0:34:41 | |
-..and literally fought -to leave their mark. | 0:34:41 | 0:34:45 | |
-Eddie Thomas was the first -major boxing hero in Merthyr. | 0:34:46 | 0:34:51 | |
-It's said that the statue follows -the town's honourable tradition... | 0:34:51 | 0:34:56 | |
-..of defying the authorities... | 0:34:56 | 0:34:58 | |
-..by aiming a punch towards -the town hall and its councillors. | 0:34:58 | 0:35:03 | |
-Howard Winstone -was a world champion... | 0:35:03 | 0:35:05 | |
-..and the only Welshman to win gold -at the Cardiff Empire Games. | 0:35:06 | 0:35:10 | |
-Johnny Owen, the Merthyr Matchstick, -European and Commonwealth champ... | 0:35:11 | 0:35:16 | |
-..who went on to fight -for the world championship. | 0:35:16 | 0:35:19 | |
-If people think about boxing -and Merthyr... | 0:35:48 | 0:35:51 | |
-..the first name to come to mind -is Eddie Thomas. | 0:35:52 | 0:35:55 | |
-Eddie Thomas was a fantastic boxer. | 0:35:55 | 0:35:58 | |
-He was British champion -at amateur and professional level. | 0:35:58 | 0:36:02 | |
-After retiring, he became -a fantastic manager and trainer. | 0:36:03 | 0:36:08 | |
-Eddie didn't become world champion, -but two of his fighters did. | 0:36:09 | 0:36:13 | |
-Howard Winstone from Merthyr -and Scotsman Ken Buchanan. | 0:36:14 | 0:36:17 | |
-What kind of boxer -was Howard Winstone? | 0:36:18 | 0:36:21 | |
-He was like his trainer. | 0:36:22 | 0:36:24 | |
-He used a straight left. | 0:36:24 | 0:36:27 | |
-Not many boxers nowadays -box like Howard used to box. | 0:36:27 | 0:36:32 | |
-He won the Lonsdale Belt -as British champion... | 0:36:32 | 0:36:37 | |
-..and went on to challenge Mitsunori -Seki of Japan for the world title. | 0:36:37 | 0:36:43 | |
-Of course, Winstone won the bout. | 0:36:43 | 0:36:45 | |
-Of course, Winstone won the bout. - -Terrific. | 0:36:45 | 0:36:47 | |
-Eddie Thomas and Howard Winstone -then went on to influence... | 0:36:47 | 0:36:51 | |
-..another famous boxer -from Merthyr, Johnny Owen. | 0:36:51 | 0:36:55 | |
-Johnny Owen was the next generation. | 0:36:56 | 0:36:59 | |
-This photo was taken -before he flew out to Los Angeles... | 0:36:59 | 0:37:03 | |
-..to fight for the world title -in what would be his last fight. | 0:37:04 | 0:37:08 | |
-Were you at the fight? | 0:37:08 | 0:37:10 | |
-I was there, I was there. | 0:37:10 | 0:37:12 | |
-Johnny was doing well, fair play. | 0:37:12 | 0:37:15 | |
-He was ahead on points -until the ninth round. | 0:37:15 | 0:37:19 | |
-The Mexican, Lupe Pintor, -knocked him down in the ninth. | 0:37:19 | 0:37:24 | |
-He got up and fought -for another three rounds. | 0:37:24 | 0:37:28 | |
-But when he went down -in the twelfth round... | 0:37:28 | 0:37:31 | |
-..he didn't get up. | 0:37:32 | 0:37:33 | |
-Lupe Pintor came to Wales -several years later, didn't he? | 0:37:34 | 0:37:40 | |
-Yes, but Lupe was a bit reticent. | 0:37:40 | 0:37:45 | |
-He wasn't sure -what kind of welcome awaited him... | 0:37:45 | 0:37:49 | |
-..given that he had killed -a local hero. | 0:37:49 | 0:37:54 | |
-I remember, in the rain -in the town centre... | 0:37:54 | 0:37:59 | |
-..Johnny's father and Lupe Pintor... | 0:38:00 | 0:38:03 | |
-..arm in arm... | 0:38:03 | 0:38:05 | |
-..tears rolling down their faces... | 0:38:05 | 0:38:10 | |
-..looking at the statue -of Johnny Owen. | 0:38:10 | 0:38:13 | |
-In the 1820s, this was the site of -the Guest family's Dowlais stables. | 0:38:48 | 0:38:53 | |
-It's a prime but rare example -of the town's history. | 0:38:53 | 0:38:57 | |
-Most of the buildings -may have disappeared... | 0:38:57 | 0:39:00 | |
-..but the history of Merthyr and -the Rising is still all around us. | 0:39:00 | 0:39:04 | |
-By 7 June 1831, -26 people had been arrested. | 0:39:07 | 0:39:11 | |
-Clearly, that wasn't enough. | 0:39:13 | 0:39:15 | |
-Someone had to be punished. | 0:39:15 | 0:39:17 | |
-Lewsyn yr Heliwr, of course, the -closest the rebels had to a leader. | 0:39:18 | 0:39:23 | |
-It's said that another leading rebel -met the workers in this pub. | 0:39:24 | 0:39:29 | |
-Richard Lewis - Dic Penderyn. | 0:39:30 | 0:39:32 | |
-It was alleged that Dic... | 0:39:34 | 0:39:36 | |
-..stabbed Private Donald Black -with a bayonet... | 0:39:37 | 0:39:40 | |
-..during the melee -outside the Castle Hotel. | 0:39:40 | 0:39:43 | |
-But what evidence -did they have to prove it? | 0:39:44 | 0:39:47 | |
-Almost none. | 0:39:47 | 0:39:48 | |
-When Dic appeared in court... | 0:39:49 | 0:39:51 | |
-..neither the prosecution witness -nor the judge spoke a word of Welsh. | 0:39:51 | 0:39:56 | |
-Dic was taken to Cardiff -and hanged on 13 August. | 0:39:56 | 0:40:02 | |
-He was then buried -in unconsecrated land. | 0:40:02 | 0:40:06 | |
-Lewsyn yr Heliwr -was transported to Australia. | 0:40:06 | 0:40:09 | |
-Some say that Lewsyn -came back to Merthyr once... | 0:40:11 | 0:40:14 | |
-..and was seen in the crowd when -the Taff Vale Railway was opened... | 0:40:15 | 0:40:20 | |
-..just to have one more look -at his native town. | 0:40:21 | 0:40:25 | |
-There's one -even more incredible story... | 0:40:27 | 0:40:30 | |
-..about a man -called Ieuan or Ianto Parker. | 0:40:30 | 0:40:33 | |
-On his deathbed 33 years later, -he confessed that he stabbed Black. | 0:40:34 | 0:40:39 | |
-That Dic Penderyn -was completely innocent. | 0:40:39 | 0:40:42 | |
-Whatever the truth, -two weeks after the Rising ended... | 0:40:43 | 0:40:47 | |
-..trade unions sprouted -across South Wales. | 0:40:47 | 0:40:50 | |
-The Red Flag spread out -across the world. | 0:40:50 | 0:40:54 | |
-The Merthyr Rising and the workers' -efforts will never be forgotten. | 0:40:54 | 0:40:59 | |
-North of Merthyr, near the Brecon -Beacons, lies Pontsticill reservoir. | 0:41:03 | 0:41:09 | |
-It hides a sad secret... | 0:41:09 | 0:41:11 | |
-..caused by past engineers' -lack of geological understanding. | 0:41:11 | 0:41:16 | |
-We're more or less on the banks -of Pontsticill reservoir... | 0:41:18 | 0:41:23 | |
-..in an area that was -a part of my research area. | 0:41:23 | 0:41:27 | |
-I served my geological -apprenticeship here. | 0:41:27 | 0:41:32 | |
-This reservoir is interesting. | 0:41:32 | 0:41:34 | |
-There is an interesting story... | 0:41:35 | 0:41:37 | |
-..initially about Pentwyn reservoir -rather than Pontsticill. | 0:41:37 | 0:41:41 | |
-That was built, more or less, -where the present reservoir narrows. | 0:41:42 | 0:41:47 | |
-Sadly, the engineer responsible... | 0:41:47 | 0:41:50 | |
-..didn't ask why -the valley narrowed. | 0:41:50 | 0:41:53 | |
-Had he asked that question, -had he inspected the land... | 0:41:53 | 0:41:57 | |
-..he would have realized... | 0:41:57 | 0:42:00 | |
-..that in the exact spot -where the dam was built... | 0:42:00 | 0:42:05 | |
-..there's a huge block -of limestone... | 0:42:05 | 0:42:09 | |
-..in the middle -of the old red sandstone. | 0:42:09 | 0:42:13 | |
-The reservoir leaked. | 0:42:13 | 0:42:16 | |
-Fifteen million litres -of water a day. | 0:42:16 | 0:42:20 | |
-As the water leaked -through the cracks in the rock... | 0:42:20 | 0:42:24 | |
-..it weakened the dam itself. | 0:42:24 | 0:42:26 | |
-The fear was -that the dam would fail... | 0:42:26 | 0:42:29 | |
-..and that water would cascade -down the Taf Fechan valley... | 0:42:29 | 0:42:34 | |
-..towards Cefncoedycymer -and on to Merthyr... | 0:42:35 | 0:42:38 | |
-..destroying homes -and buildings in its wake. | 0:42:39 | 0:42:43 | |
-There was no way to solve -the problem at Pentwyn itself. | 0:42:44 | 0:42:48 | |
-They had to create -another reservoir... | 0:42:48 | 0:42:51 | |
-..this one, Pontsticill reservoir. | 0:42:51 | 0:42:55 | |
-What was here before the reservoir? | 0:42:55 | 0:42:57 | |
-What was here before the reservoir? - -The small village of Pontsticill. | 0:42:57 | 0:43:01 | |
-They had to pay the price -for the engineer's failure... | 0:43:02 | 0:43:07 | |
-..to grasp the nature of the land -at Pentwyn itself. | 0:43:07 | 0:43:13 | |
-A Welsh-speaking community -was submerged. | 0:43:13 | 0:43:19 | |
-Not unlike Tryweryn, -in that respect. | 0:43:19 | 0:43:22 | |
-The only difference... | 0:43:22 | 0:43:24 | |
-..is that Tryweryn was drowned -for the benefit of Liverpool... | 0:43:24 | 0:43:29 | |
-..the other side of Offa's Dyke. | 0:43:29 | 0:43:31 | |
-Our own people were responsible -for events in the Taf Fechan valley. | 0:43:31 | 0:43:36 | |
-As an archaeologist, -what interests me about Merthyr... | 0:43:50 | 0:43:54 | |
-..is the industry. | 0:43:54 | 0:43:56 | |
-But that wouldn't have been here -if it wasn't for the geology. | 0:43:56 | 0:44:00 | |
-Yes, the geology -was vital for the industry. | 0:44:00 | 0:44:03 | |
-They needed iron ore -in the first place, naturally. | 0:44:04 | 0:44:07 | |
-Iron ore was plentiful... | 0:44:07 | 0:44:09 | |
-..in the same series of rocks -that bore the coal seams. | 0:44:09 | 0:44:14 | |
-Coal was also needed -to fire the furnaces. | 0:44:14 | 0:44:18 | |
-But limestone was also needed -to purify the iron, in effect. | 0:44:18 | 0:44:24 | |
-All three were readily available -in the Merthyr area. | 0:44:24 | 0:44:29 | |
-As a geologist, do you think -of yourself as a historian? | 0:44:29 | 0:44:33 | |
-Of course I do. | 0:44:34 | 0:44:35 | |
-That's the difference between us. | 0:44:35 | 0:44:37 | |
-You might confine history -to the past 500,000 years... | 0:44:38 | 0:44:43 | |
-..whereas I prefer to go back -over 700 million years. | 0:44:44 | 0:44:50 | |
-That's when the story -in Wales begins. | 0:44:50 | 0:44:53 | |
-But that's not old either, -in the context of the world... | 0:44:53 | 0:44:58 | |
-..in which case -we're talking about rocks... | 0:44:58 | 0:45:02 | |
-..that are 4,000 million years old. | 0:45:02 | 0:45:05 | |
-It's a matter of perspective! | 0:45:05 | 0:45:07 | |
-Definitely. | 0:45:07 | 0:45:08 | |
-Before leaving Merthyr, -I'm back at Joseph Parry's home... | 0:45:18 | 0:45:23 | |
-..to see the finished drawing -and to hear the poem it inspired. | 0:45:24 | 0:45:29 | |
-Efa, let's see the completed work. | 0:45:31 | 0:45:33 | |
-It's wonderful. | 0:45:36 | 0:45:37 | |
-As well as Chapel Row itself, -I added Bethesda chapel... | 0:45:37 | 0:45:43 | |
-..where Joseph Parry's mother -used to run the Sunday school. | 0:45:43 | 0:45:48 | |
-That's where he was -first introduced to music. | 0:45:48 | 0:45:52 | |
-I've portrayed Dowlais as it looked -when the ironworks were open... | 0:45:53 | 0:45:57 | |
-..and how it looked -when Joseph Parry was growing up. | 0:45:58 | 0:46:02 | |
-It's lovely, so let's hear the poem -to complete the picture, Morgan. | 0:46:02 | 0:46:08 | |
-My curse was to eventually -understand her from afar | 0:46:09 | 0:46:12 | |
-And learning to understand her -was the final exile. | 0:46:13 | 0:46:16 | |
-Absence is necessary -for Merthyr to reveal its scar. | 0:46:16 | 0:46:19 | |
-I was far enough away -to see it in its entirety. | 0:46:19 | 0:46:22 | |
-I'm complete because of it. | 0:46:23 | 0:46:25 | |
-The old town's notes -are constantly stolen. | 0:46:26 | 0:46:28 | |
-But a new song is needed -to heal a wider rift. | 0:46:29 | 0:46:31 | |
-The fields of spoils -will flower soon. | 0:46:31 | 0:46:34 | |
-Fish will return to the dark waters. | 0:46:34 | 0:46:37 | |
-But within me, -all the fragments are reunited | 0:46:38 | 0:46:41 | |
-The rift I created -is filled by my language. | 0:46:41 | 0:46:44 | |
-As a settlement, -Merthyr is comparatively new. | 0:46:50 | 0:46:54 | |
-But we now know -that the town's roots... | 0:46:54 | 0:46:57 | |
-..in the rock itself -are older than we can imagine. | 0:46:57 | 0:47:01 | |
-Even though the world has changed... | 0:47:01 | 0:47:04 | |
-..I'm confident that Merthyr will -flourish long after we have gone. | 0:47:04 | 0:47:09 | |
-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf. | 0:47:24 | 0:47:26 | |
-. | 0:47:26 | 0:47:26 |
