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0:00:37 > 0:00:39- Have you been to Cwm Alltcafan
0:00:39 > 0:00:41- Where the summer lingers long?
0:00:42 > 0:00:45- Where dog violets are cuckoo blue?
0:00:46 > 0:00:48- Have you never? Not at all?
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- Have you not seen the River Teifi
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- Meander slowly through the vale?
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- Never seen the furze in blossom
0:00:59 > 0:01:01- Like a carpet on the hill?
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- Have I been to Switzerland?
0:01:08 > 0:01:14- No, not once, nor to Italy.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16- But I've been to Cwm Alltcafan
0:01:16 > 0:01:20- In high summer many times.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- Have I seen Killarney's lakes
0:01:26 > 0:01:28- In Ireland fair? Not I.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- While so many wish to travel
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- Staying home just suits me fine.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41- Go to Switzerland and Italy
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- Or to Ireland if you will
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- Go to Scotland, where I'm told
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- The views are a wonder to behold
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- But for me it's Cwm Alltcafan
0:01:54 > 0:01:58- When the summer's at its best
0:02:00 > 0:02:02- That's the very finest landscape
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- You are welcome to the rest.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11- Have you not seen Cwm Alltcafan
0:02:11 > 0:02:14- With its trees and river deep?
0:02:15 > 0:02:19- Go! Go soon to Cwm Alltcafan
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- Don't delay
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- Just in case!
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- Do you know what? T Llew was right.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- Some go to faraway lands on holiday.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45- But with Cwm Alltcafan - on your doorstep...
0:02:46 > 0:02:48- ..there's no better place.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- Yes, and age isn't important.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- That's why Cwm Alltcafan - is such a special poem.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- It addresses young and old alike.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02- Some people think of T Llew Jones - as being only a children's author.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- We'd lose out so much, however...
0:03:05 > 0:03:08- ..were we to forget - that he was a major poet.
0:03:11 > 0:03:17- What is Hope? The knowledge - That beyond fault, there is good.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- In these walls hear - the rhythm and the rhyme
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- A story and tale in each slate
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- Llew's home, the cradle of song
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- The house where the muse lives on.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- Bwlch Melyn, Pentrecwrt, - was the birthplace of T Llew Jones.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48- When his father returned from - the war, he didn't recognize him.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- The area and its people - must have influenced him.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- One memory in particular stood out.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- He went with the older children...
0:03:58 > 0:04:01- ..as a reward, - to hear the headmaster tell a story.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05- He wasn't allowed to go - the following week.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- He never found out - how the story ended.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- But it awakened in him - a love of storytelling.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- He had a big personality, - as everyone who met him will know.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19- He was a master storyteller.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- When I'd call on him - in Pontgarreg...
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- ..I could spend hours - listening to all his tales.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- I'd say a few words, - but the stage was his.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- Children were fascinated by him.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- He understood children well.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- I was 20 years old - when I first met T Llew Jones.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40- My heart was beating like a drum.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- It was like meeting - a star of the screen.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48- But I met this most genial man, - with very mischievous blue eyes.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53- He said something quite significant - to me at our first meeting.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- "I have a child within me, - who's like Peter Pan.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- "He refuses to grow up or grow old."
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- He experienced army life - in distant places...
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- ..such as Egypt - and the Cape of Good Hope.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- Eventually, he became a teacher - and taught at various schools.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- He was headmaster - of Tregroes and Coedybryn schools.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- Children were very dear to him.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- He had one immensely sad experience.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- One of his pupils died suddenly.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- He wrote a poem for Dilys.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- It finishes with a poignant line.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- "Goodnight, my silent Dilys."
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- She will stay forever young
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- Full in face, and full of fun
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- Ever fond in our memories
0:06:11 > 0:06:13- Goodnight, my silent Dilys.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- It's heartfelt and simple.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27- Both that simplicity and sincerity - are always there in his poems.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- We would both cycle to school.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- We would descend a steep hill...
0:06:35 > 0:06:40- ..and ride through the valley - to Tregroes school.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- I had his company on the way down.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- I think this is one - of the loveliest poems he wrote.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54- It's a poem about a birch tree - in the valley near Tregroes.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- Down in Cwm Cerdin - One fine, bright morn
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- March became April - With lambs on the hill
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- I never saw a tree - - nor ever will, I'm sure
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- As lively, as alert, - As fair its blossom
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- As that little birch - on the water's edge.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- That poem says everything about him.
0:07:15 > 0:07:21- He had an ability to conjure up - poems that appeal to the ear.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- In his lyrical poems, the sound - of the words is enchanting.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- That's true of all his poems. - He was a master of words.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43- He was a born competitor, - and often recounted a story.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- His englyn won - at the National Eisteddfod.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- It was the best of 347 efforts.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54- I believe the number increased - each time the tale was told.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56- Be that as it may...
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- ..the subject was the weather vane.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04- He was inspired by the weather vane - on Llangynllo church.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- A sentry in trouble on high
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- Swivelling his backside...
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- A good line - - it's his backside that rotates!
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- Swivelling his backside - in the tempest
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- On the highway of the swirling wind
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- A crossroads policeman in a gale.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- It's said that someone, - after the Eisteddfod...
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- ..made disparaging comments - about the englyn in the press.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- A chap called Morris, - from London, wrote to Y Faner.
0:08:37 > 0:08:43- "When the poet composed this, - he was clearly afflicted by wind."
0:08:46 > 0:08:52- The jibes of Windbag Morris - from London didn't upset T Llew.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- Three weeks later, - the BBC telephoned him.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01- They wished to send someone - to film the famous cockerel.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- A fortnight later, - there was a knock on the door.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- He was a stranger, - wearing thick spectacles.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- He said in the doorway, - "Where's this bird?"
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- For a moment, - I thought he was after my wife!
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- In fact, he had come to film - the weather vane on the spire.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- T Llew and the cameraman - came to the church for a viewing.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33- It was a cold autumn day.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- The sky was bright towards the west.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- He said to me, "What did you say - about it in your poem?"
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- "I compared it to a policeman...
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- "..standing on the crossroads - of the winds."
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- His eyes opened wide.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- He stared at me open-mouthed.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- He said this to me, - "What wonderful imagery."
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- That's the only praise - I had for my englyn.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- From an Englishman! An Englishman!
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- A good comic - can poke fun at himself.
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0:10:22 > 0:10:22- 888
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- 888- - 888
0:10:39 > 0:10:44- T Llew Jones was well-known - as a novelist and children's poet.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- But he met with considerable success - as a poet for adults too.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- He won the Chair in 1958 - for his ode to Caerleon.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- He repeated his success in 1959 - with his ode to the climber.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- He and Dewi Emrys - remain the only poets...
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- ..to have won the Chair - in consecutive years.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10- I believe that my father's main - attribute was his great creativity.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- He was always churning out ideas.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- He had to be working on something, - be it a poem or a novel.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- He'd prepare lectures too.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- He'd compose cynghanedd - for Talwrn y Beirdd.
0:11:24 > 0:11:29- In my view, creative people - are often slaves to their muse.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31- They have to obey their muse.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- He spent much of his time - in the study.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- Perhaps, in his case, - it isolated him from his family.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41- That's not entirely true maybe.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- He was a family man, - and very warm towards us.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- To a degree, however, - he had to obey the muse.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- It was extremely important.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- The ode to Caerleon - is a masterpiece.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10- In it, he describes a young man - being attracted by a Roman fortress.
0:12:10 > 0:12:16- An old man urges him to adhere - to the ancient Welsh way of life.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- The tension escalates - between the military east...
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- ..and the peace-loving west, - the Welsh heartland.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- People may not be rich - in a material sense...
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- ..but at least they can - hold their heads high.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- Escape from deceit - to the heather's refuge
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- To tranquil woods, and you may - Cast your seed in freedom's vale.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- We should battle - for our Welsh communities.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- People from these areas - should maintain the fight.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- They shouldn't be blinded - by bright lights.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54- They should ignore things - that aren't part of our tradition.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- That poem obviously - influenced my father...
0:12:58 > 0:13:02- ..and me as a person, - and our whole family.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- An old man stares, all alone
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- Sees beside the woodland there
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- Rich ploughed earth and harrowed
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- Clovered like a picture fair.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- He sees houses in the meadows
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- Many gardens, manors too
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- From afar he sees the waves
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- Made by the wind in the grasses.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- Nurtured by the good rich earth
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- Under the warm sun, the corn danced.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54- A peaceful, healthy country
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- Safe, secure, reassuring.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- Below, he sees a fortress
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- The fine work of foemen's hands
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- Well built and well proportioned
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- With tall turrets on each wall.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- Westward, there lies - a land of prickly gorse
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- A poor peatland - that the rich do not want
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- But there lies - the freedom of unbroken hills
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- A land that reviles - the fickle's treason.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- It is poor, - but no serfs are found
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- On its terrain, - nor guilty flatterers.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- The brightness of the unsung stars
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- Gives lustre to Caerleon
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- The land is mute 'neath full moon
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- The Usk is mute 'neath a shroud.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- The young man sees from cover
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- The lights of the splendid fort.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- They shine bright as though weaving
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- A night-time full of lanterns.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- The old man, after a late nap,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- With dim eyes from his far tree
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- Sees his feet's furrow of death
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- Traced plain through meadow frost.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44- Because T Llew composed - clear, simple poetry...
0:15:45 > 0:15:47- ..poetry that was so accessible...
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- ..he was no fan - of obscure, dark poems.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- This became obvious, - in a very public fashion...
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- ..with the publication of Cerddi 79.
0:15:57 > 0:16:03- He said in his editor's preface - that dark poems were excluded.
0:16:03 > 0:16:08- Poets writing such works - didn't know what they wanted to say.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- They had an unclear vision.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- Given that he himself - didn't write such poems...
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- ..how could he understand them, - and, in turn, the readers?
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- A major quarrel ensued.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- Arguments raged - in the press and elsewhere.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- T Llew said, "I'm the editor", - and that was that.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- He was a man who loved a joke. - He was full of humour.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- This would come to the fore - in his conversation.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- He liked to laugh, and to hear - others laugh at his tales.
0:16:44 > 0:16:50- A breathless old lady runs into - the ironmongers shop in Llandysul.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55- "Hurry, I want a mousetrap. - I have to catch a Crosville bus."
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- He was a storyteller par excellence.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03- He had the gift of making - people laugh and feel good.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- You know, I've told that story - in many places.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Nobody laughed, - so thank you, thank you.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13- Even when old age overtook him...
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- ..I heard him speak - at the Eisteddfod.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- He could still thrill his audience.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- They were like putty in his hands.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- He really was a true storyteller. - He had mastered the art.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29- Competitors pay a fee - how silly!
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- Ceredigion poets - don't compete nowadays!
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- He was also skilful - in the fields of chess and cricket.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49- Like his son, Iolo, he was - an international-level chess player.
0:17:49 > 0:17:54- He even managed - the Wales ladies team at one time.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- Only T Llew - could have landed that honour.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05- The Pentrecwrt cricket pitch - used to be in Cwm Alltcafan.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- There was one problem, however.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- The team had to share the field - with cows.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18- The cows would leave dung - on the wicket.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23- The fielders would have to dive - into the cowpats.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- Such was the unfortunate lot - of the Pentrecwrt cricket team.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- But the comic and serious sides - exist together.
0:18:35 > 0:18:41- In his poem Meddyliau, - he recalls his fellow cricketers.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- He asks what use it is...
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- ..to be captain - of a ship without a crew?
0:18:47 > 0:18:52- He explains that one - has to accept the inevitable fact.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57- The innings has closed - and the batting is over.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- And the batting is over.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- One feature in many of his poems - is fear.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- A fear of the night.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18- A fear of a strange noise.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20- A fear of things, a fear of people.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- In general too, a fear of death.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- A sort of shadow - hangs over his work regularly.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- He had a serious side - to his character.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- Perhaps people aren't aware of that.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- It's seen in poems like Tir Na Nog.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43- He could be profound - and at times he'd feel quite low.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- This is evident - in some of his poems.
0:19:47 > 0:19:53- I too will soon be locked - In that great strangeness.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- He would puzzle occasionally - about the end of life.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- One poem in particular - encapsulates those thoughts.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06- It's a poem so evocative - of T Llew from its very start.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- He tells us about Pont-dwr-bach.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14- It was a bridge between his house - and his grandmother's at Pentrecwrt.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- As a child, he looked forward - to crossing this bridge.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- He'd be spoilt by Nain, no doubt.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- As he ages, reaching - the far end of the bridge...
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- ..starts to mean something more - than a trip from home to home.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- But he looks forward to it, - all the same.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- Do you know of Pont-dwr-bach?
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- You don't, I'd bet a pound!
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- As a child I ran across it
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- Many times - and back around.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- Since I crossed it - for the first time
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- From my Mam's house to my Nain's
0:21:10 > 0:21:12- Many years have fast gone by
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- Lost among life's shifting sands.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- Lots of water has flowed beneath it
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- Whispering as it seeks the sea
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- Many feet have walked across it
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- Since my childhood days so free.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- Past the bridge, a land enchanted
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- Apples that were always sweet
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Through the chimney - of Nain's cottage
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- I'd count the stars, - which was some feat!
0:21:57 > 0:21:59- When at last my time is up
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- To leave the living, - and say goodbye
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- I should like to go to heaven
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- 'Cross the bridge at Pont-dwr-bach.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- It's a typical T Llew poem.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- It's clearly expressed, - with a profound message.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- It speaks to the heart.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- When you write, - I think it comes from two places.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- It can come from here...
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- ..and from here, - and it comes best from here.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56- For me, his chief contribution - was his children's poetry.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- His poems are so sweet - to the ear, and so memorable.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- Children will always remember them.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- I hope that schools - will continue to teach them.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- That was perhaps - his principal contribution.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13- But his poetry for adults, - if you like, also prevails.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- I think the children's poetry - will be here forever...
0:23:18 > 0:23:20- ..and so will the poetry for adults.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30- And thus began their dancing
0:23:30 > 0:23:32- Oh! A pretty dance once more
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- And I heard some shuffling feet
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- On locking and bolting the door.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43- But when I awoke this morning
0:23:44 > 0:23:46- The pipes of the wind were mute
0:23:46 > 0:23:48- The dancers in their colours fair
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- Lay dead upon the street.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:24:25 > 0:24:25- .