Fri, 21 Oct 2016 Heno

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-Hello and welcome to Heno

-live from Llanelli...

-..on the day that Wales marks

-50 years since the Aberfan Disaster.

-A minute's silence

-was held at 9.15am...

-..which was the exact time of

-the disaster on 21 October 1966...

-..when a spoil tip collapsed

-and buried the school and 18 homes.

-It killed 144 people

-- 116 children and 28 adults.

-There are many dates in history

-when we remember where we were.

-The 21 October 1966

-is one of those dates.

-Losing a child is the worst things

-that could ever happen to a parent.

-It's something that

-stays with you for life.

-We're joined by one of the survivors

-of the Aberfan Disaster.

-Bernard Thomas,

-welcome to the programme.

-Thank you for joining us tonight.

-How have you been observing

-this very emotional day?

-It's been a long day.

-It was very emotional day.

-I met Prince Charles.

-I've also had an array

-of interviews.

-The memories come flooding back.

-It's very emotional.

-We also welcome the young singer

-from Aberfan, Kizzy Crawford.

-Kizzy's penned a song

-that pays tribute to the event.

-Yes, that's right.

-I wanted something

-to take to the community.

-I decided to do something

-that I'm good at!

-I wanted to honour Aberfan

-and her people.

-She's also got a special project

-that she'll tell us about later.

-Also on tonight's programme...

-..Rhodri Gomer is at Parc y Scarlets

-with Wales' first rugby superstar...

-..the 1950s full-back, Terry Davies.

-Owain Gwynedd is at Aberystwyth in

-an event hosted by Mudiad Meithrin.

-Welcome to Aberystwyth for the

-Mudiad Meithrin awards ceremony.

-It's a chance to honour the staff

-and volunteers across the country.

-Join me later for the full story.

-We also open the covers of a book

-of poetry that remembers Aberfan.

-We start with Rhodri Davies who

-traces the story of that awful day.

-One of the darkest days

-in the history of Wales.

-Aberfan is a word that halts any

-conversation and silences a room...

-..but it's also a word

-that encourages you to talk...

-..to share your memories

-and emotions.

-These are seven letters

-that speak volumes.

-Fifty years

-after that horrific day...

-..and the world unites

-with a small community...

-..to mourn, remember and honour.

-There are certain dates where people

-remember where they were...

-..and 21 October 1966

-is one of those dates.

-I remember the miners finishing

-their shift and jumping on lorries.

-They had shovels and

-lamps on their helmets...

-..and threw themselves into

-searching through the rubble.

-There's also a feeling of guilt

-that has grown over the years...

-..because I was there

-and could do nothing of any value.

-I can't go to the memorial garden in

-Aberfan and neither can a neighbour.

-It's too close to the heart

-as the wounds are still fresh.

-I always think about it and

-it's had a tremendous effect on me.

-I don't think a day goes by where

-we don't think about what happened.

-But what happened?

-It was an unnecessary disaster.

-The carelessness of the Coal Board

-meant the natural springs...

-..turned spoil heap No. 7

-into a river of mining waste.

-It was early in the morning of

-21 October and the mountain moved.

-It cascaded down in seconds

-as coal moves so quickly.

-Those raised in mining communities

-accept the dangers in the colliery.

-Dad was a miner and he always faced

-either injury or death.

-You live with it and that's

-the choice you make as an adult.

-The children and teachers

-were buried under this heap.

-They drowned, choked or were crushed

-under the sheer weight of the coal.

-The worst thing was choking to death

-on this revolting black sludge.

-Almost an entire generation

-was lost.

-The list of names and surnames

-shows signs of a family disaster.

-The number of names is astounding

-but when you put them in order...

-..it shows all the brothers and

-sisters involved in the disaster.

-Losing a child is the worst thing

-any parent can experience.

-It's something

-that stays with you for life.

-Some children were brought out alive

-and Jeff Edwards was the last.

-The next thing I remember was waking

-up and covered in this material.

-My right foot

-was stuck in a radiator.

-On my left shoulder

-was a young girl who had died.

-The screams and shouts progressively

-got less as time went on.

-Most who died in that classroom

-died of asphyxiation.

-I was fortunate as there was

-a pocket of air around me.

-It lasted until the fire service

-saw my white hair and dug me out.

-The survivors

-have to live with this grief...

-..and the guilt of surviving

-such a disaster.

-That stays with you for life.

-You also had the treatment

-of the village afterwards...

-..by establishments,

-such as the National Coal Board...

-..and MPs who hadn't done

-their bit to help the community.

-I won't name names but some should

-have been far more compassionate.

-In no time at all,

-a fund was set up...

-..and the government and Coal Board

-stole 10% of the capital..

-..to fund the moving

-of the Pantglas heaps.

-Yes, the money

-was eventually paid back...

-..but the scars still run deep

-some 50 years later.

-The nation remembers this year.

-There's an emotional exhibition

-at the National Library...

-..and Karl Jenkins

-has composed an incredible cantata.

-But how can you do justice to the

-people and community of Aberfan...

-..where the grief

-lives on to this day?

-Ask the people of Aberfan for the

-best way to remember the disaster.

-It's their disaster

-and they have lived with it.

-In a century, the generation

-effected directly will have gone.

-That is the time when we should

-look at Aberfan more objectively.

-At the moment, we can only share

-the grief of the village.

-We can never share the feelings

-in the hearts of those in Aberfan...

-..but we can sympathize

-and respect those emotions...

-..by letting the people of Aberfan

-to tell us how we should remember...

-..and that's how

-we should remember it.

-# Holy angels guard your rest #

-Bernard is a survivor

-of the disaster.

-Do you agree with

-the words of Dr Elin?

-Should the nation

-consult the people of Aberfan...

-..on how this disaster

-should be remembered?

-Yes, I agree with her.

-In another 50 or 100 years...

-..I will not be here

-to tell people about it.

-You will have to be

-more objective about it.

-The same is true of the way

-we look at the World Wars.

-We have to look at the way

-the establishment...

-..treated the people in the village.

-Tell us what happened to you on

-that morning of 21 October 1966.

-I was a nine-year-old.

-I remember getting up in the morning

-with my brother.

-We had breakfast.

-We left the house...

-..and started walking to school.

-There was a lot of mist and fog.

-You could have cut the silence

-with a knife.

-I went into the school...

-..took off my coat...

-..and had a service in the school.

-I went into the classroom

-to read one of my books.

-I was looking through my book...

-..and it got louder and louder.

-Our teacher could see something

-cascading through the fog.

-He told us to run!

-This black stuff came flowing

-through the window...

-..and took the walls with it.

-It was like skittles!

-It was like a tidal wave.

-I was carried like a rag doll.

-I remember waking next to

-one of the walls of the school.

-I just remember the screams

-of the other children.

-I didn't know what had happened.

-I knew it was terrible.

-I was able to move.

-I only had a few cuts and bruises.

-I knew that I had to get out.

-I managed to find my teacher,

-Mr Williams...

-..and I went to help him.

-I managed to get up

-and scrambled over this stuff...

-..that had started

-to solidify by this point.

-I got to Mr Williams.

-Someone had smashed

-the small windows...

-..at the top of the building.

-One of the girls was pinned down

-by the mud.

-Mr Williams, myself

-and another girl...

-..managed to get out of the window.

-I'm lucky to be here!

-The memories are so vivid.

-I was diagnosed with PTSD.

-I wasn't surprised by this.

-It's time for a break,

-but join us in a couple of minutes.

-"The joyous laughter of the children

-as they played was hushed

-"Every toy lay idle

-"And each footstep was silent."

-.

-Subtitles

-Welcome back.

-Our next stop is Aberystwyth

-with Owain Gwynedd.

-He's joined by Mudiad Meithrin at

-an award ceremony and birthday bash.

-Good evening and welcome

-to The Marine Hotel in Aberystwyth.

-It's a momentous evening

-for the Mudiad Meithrin.

-Mudiad Meithrin is 45 years old.

-It nurtures the next generation

-of Welsh speakers, here in Wales.

-I'm joined by Gwenllian

-who is the chief executive.

-Today, 22,000 children attend Mudiad

-Meithrin groups on a weekly basis.

-Did you expect this from the onset?

-Who would've thought back in 1971

-that so many children...

-..would receive child care

-via the Welsh language...

-..and continue their education

-in the Welsh language.

-It's crucial that we recognize past

-efforts, but must also look ahead.

-Parents need to opt for child care

-and education in the Welsh language.

-And Mudiad Meithrin plays

-an integral a role in this.

-We'll chat again shortly and to

-some of the winners of the night.

-Let's hear about Mudiad Meithrin

-and its development in Pontypool.

-When Mudiad Meithrin

-was established in 1971...

-..it aimed to create a regional,

-district and national structure.

-They adopted a policy in the 1970s

-that it would be open to everyone.

-Prior to this, many thought that you

-needed a Welsh-speaking parent...

-..but it was open to all and

-the children were immersed in Welsh.

-Both policies have been important

-to this institution.

-Some 37 years ago,

-people thought we were crazy...

-..to have a Welsh nursery in such

-an Anglicized area as Pontypool.

-We found this hall

-and have a lot of fun.

-Most are from a non-Welsh speaking

-background...

-..but learn to sing and speak Welsh

-with us and take it further.

-It is great to see this hall today.

-In Pontypool, there aren't many

-places that offer a Welsh education.

-This Mudiad Meithrin is a starting

-point for future education.

-I was educated in Welsh

-and want the same for my children.

-The children love coming here

-and you see an obvious improvement.

-These days, we speak Welsh at home.

-I came here when the site opened

-many years ago.

-All three of my children

-also came here.

-The Welsh language is incredibly

-important for the children.

-These groups are important

-as children learn through play...

-..and can move into Welsh schools

-where they grow bilingually.

-It can be difficult

-for non-Welsh speaking parents...

-..to send their children

-through Welsh education.

-Our role is to support them.

-All our staff are former parents.

-They can chat to new parents about

-the benefits of being bilingual.

-We couldn't have done this without

-being a part of Mudiad Meithrin.

-Its support is priceless.

-Happy birthday!

-Happy birthday to Mudiad Meithrin.

-The ceremony has come to an end.

-Helen from Pontypool

-featured in that item.

-Congratulations -

-what exactly has the group won?

-We've won the first award

-for working in partnership...

-..with the community and more

-importantly with staff and children.

-You've also received

-a personal surprise.

-Yes, I've also won an award

-with another group of people...

-..for working at a Cylch Meithrin

-group for over 20 years.

-I appreciate this accolade,

-but it makes me feel very old!

-Congratulations on this award

-and everyone wants to thank you.

-Teleri has picked up

-one of the main awards.

-It isn't just me

-that's been given this award.

-It's been awarded to the entire

-Cylch Meithrin in Talgarreg...

-..for the best provision and for

-being Wales' best Cylch Meithrin.

-This is remarkable considering

-that we are a small rural group.

-The staff and community deserve

-this recognition for their support.

-Our thanks to Mudiad Meithrin.

-What does an evening like this

-mean for you, Gwenllian?

-It's incredibly important that

-we thank and recognize efforts...

-..at the Cylch Meithrin

-and Ti a Fi groups.

-It's crucial in our 45th year that

-we recognize their contributions.

-We hope to plan

-for the next 45 years.

-With millions of Welsh speakers.

-Without Mudiad Meithrin,

-this wouldn't be possible.

-Thank you for your company

-and congratulations, ladies.

-Happy birthday

-to the Mudiad Meithrin!

-We're joined by Kizzy Crawford...

-..and Daniel Jenkins Jones

-from RSPB Cymru.

-Welcome to you both.

-It's an unusual pairing

-some would say.

-Tell us about this special project.

-It's totally different

-to anything I've done before.

-I've always loved nature.

-I'm working on a concert...

-..about a rainforest in Wales.

-The project is called

-Birdsong / Can Yr Adar.

-Birdsong tells the story through

-music inspired by Carnagafallt...

-..home to a complex eco-system

-of rainforests found near Powys.

-I want to show people that there

-is a rainforest in Wales.

-I've been there with Daniel.

-It was an amazing place.

-I'm sure you're happy

-with this partnership.

-Yes, and it's very unusual.

-We wanted to try

-and reach a new audience.

-We've had this rainforest

-in Wales...

-..for many centuries.

-It has stood since

-the reign of Henry VIII!

-It has some wonderful trees

-and a bed of moss.

-There's also some great birds

-that come from Africa...

-..to spend their summers

-in our rainforest.

-You are spreading the message

-with a series of gigs.

-We're touring with the gigs.

-We're going to travel

-around Wales...

-..and there's a few gigs

-in England too.

-What sort of music

-will you be performing?

-It's a mixture of jazz and folk.

-Sinfonia Cymru

-will be recreating the sounds...

-..that you get from the birds.

-Gwilym and I will be keeping

-the rhythm.

-What response has the RSPB had?

-We've had a great response.

-We've had emails and people

-are quite shocked...

-..that the RSPB would be involved

-in such a project.

-I want to go to that rainforest.

-We're taking a quick break

-but join us in a few minutes.

-.

-Subtitles

-Welcome back.

-For the past 50 years,

-poets of all ages across Wales...

-..and each generation have recorded

-the history of Aberfan in poems.

-All of the 80 poems are available

-in a the new book, Dagrau Tost.

-"Behind the curtain of fog that hid

-the spoil tips from the villagers...

-"..gushed from the depths

-of spoil heap No. 7...

-"..the shiny, black

-and slimy water."

-We're both from

-the South Wales Valleys.

-I'm from the Rhondda Valley

-and Wyn is from Merthyr...

-..so we're aware of the history.

-I remember that day as I was a girl

-of 12 and in school at the time.

-A teacher entered the classroom...

-..and told us that something

-horrific had happened in Aberfan.

-I was going to secondary school

-a few miles south of Aberfan.

-I passed the site of the disaster

-only hours before it had happened.

-After reaching school...

-..there was a request for the Fifth

-and Sixth Form boys to go and help.

-I was on the site within the hour

-of the disaster.

-"In front, Ysgol Pantglas

-stood as a living dam.

-"The mud crashed through the fence.

-"It darkened the windows

-and moved walls.

-"At one side,

-it climbed as high as the roof.

-"Falling onto the children

-and the teachers."

-Reading and studying these poems

-in detail was very distressing.

-You read one after the other and

-it hit you like a series of waves.

-It wasn't an easy experience but

-we're both glad to have done it...

-..as these poems are a reminder

-of the national response.

-This year, it is more important

-than ever to remember the disaster.

-One way to keep the memory alive

-is to release a book.

-"Only moments, one fragile dream.

-"Every mouth open,

-every book closed."

-It's an incredible honour that my

-poem has been chosen for the book.

-Aberfan is something

-that we share as a nation.

-I'm honoured to represent

-a younger generation of poets.

-I consider it a privilege,

-to give others the opportunity...

-..not only to read the poems,

-but to hear the words...

-..as poems can be more compelling

-when you hear them read out loud.

-"No bird was heard singing,

-nor child crying.

-"We heard nothing,

-but the stench of death."

-This book will be treasured

-by our nation.

-It's should be an important part

-of our national remembrance.

-A disaster such as Aberfan

-unites communities.

-Tonight is proof that it brings us

-together in our grief.

-The book pays tribute to the people

-who suffered in Aberfan.

-This is a record of the disaster

-that changed Wales.

-Wales has never been the same

-since Aberfan.

-"This suffering,

-more than anything else...

-"..has given dexterity

-to close-knit communities."

-If you would like a copy

-of the book...

-..you can get it

-from Barddas publishers.

-Bernard Thomas is one of the

-survivors of the Aberfan Disaster.

-You also enjoy reading poetry.

-It's important that

-we record these events.

-Yes, and it's important for us

-to remember these events.

-The book will be a record

-for the next generation.

-Kizzy is from a new generation.

-I also agree with that.

-I love poetry.

-It's a real inspiration.

-It's important for us all to

-remember and learn about the event.

-Aberfan remains an important subject

-of discussion among our poets today.

-At 9.00pm tonight on BBC Wales...

-..actors including Michael Sheen,

-Sian Phillips, Jonathan Pryce...

-..Iwan Rheon and Sharon Morgan star

-in a new film by poet, Owen Shears.

-It's called The Green Hallow.

-Owen Sheers wanted to pay tribute

-to the community of Aberfan.

-It's so difficult to find the words

-to express something like this.

-It's a poem with a rhythm

-and a rhyme.

-It focuses on the day

-of the disaster...

-..the rescue and the modern world.

-I felt that it was

-a massive responsibility.

-It terrified me...

-..and yet, I'm grateful to have been

-able to do something...

-..and I hope the community

-enjoys The Green Hollow.

-Aberfan: Yr Ymchwiliad

-gyda Huw Edwards...

-..will also be shown again

-on S4C at 10.30pm tonight.

-Don't forget to tune in.

-In the final part

-of the programme...

-..Rhodri Gomer meets Wales' first

-rugby superstar, Terry Davies.

-Kizzy Crawford also performs a song

-that she wrote to remember Aberfan.

-But we head to the break

-with your events in our Calendar.

-I'm Anni Llyn, the Welsh-language

-Children's Poet Laureate.

-The Revolting Rhymers competition

-closes at midnight.

-Make sure you compete

-as the prizes are fantastic.

-Full details are

-on the Literature Wales website.

-Join the Cyw characters

-for breakfast on Saturday...

-..at the Felinheli Memorial Hall

-between 10.00am and 12.00pm.

-Saturday sees the Snowdonia

-YFC's Eisteddfod in Porthmadog.

-It starts at 1.30pm.

-All are welcome to join us

-to see the YFC at its best.

-On Saturday 22 October, Ballet Cymru

-performs Romeo and Juliet...

-..at the Bryn Terfel Theatre

-in the Pontio Arts Centre at 7.30pm.

-.

-Subtitles

-Welcome back.

-Rhodri Gomer was back

-in Parc y Scarlets last night...

-..at The Phil Bennett Lounge to meet

-the former full-back, Terry Davies..

-..Wales' first rugby superstar

-from the 1950s.

-He also spoke to Sir Gareth Edwards.

-It was certainly

-a night to remember.

-Last night, people spent the evening

-reminiscing at Parc y Scarlets...

-..for the launch of a book by

-a legendary player from the 1950s.

-The autobiography is called

-Wales's First Superstar Fullback...

-..and I'm joined

-by that superstar now.

-The turn-out proves that

-you're as popular as ever, Terry.

-I've got a lot of friends

-and they are all here tonight.

-Some couldn't make it but let's hear

-from two of Terry's biggest fans.

-Terry Davies would have been a hero

-no matter when he played the sport.

-His stance showed that he was an

-excellent player and he stood out.

-He was one of the first to play

-in a style that JPR replicated...

-..when the game changed and you

-couldn't kick the ball into touch.

-He was ahead of his time.

-When I was a boy, we'd go

-from Trimsaran to Stradey Park...

-..to watch Carwyn James,

-Ray Williams and Terry Davies.

-These were true legends.

-I remember the October after

-Terry had been on a Lions tour.

-It was 3 - 3

-in the game against Aberavon.

-Terry got the ball, scored

-a drop goal and won the match.

-He was such a multi-talented player

-and truly incredible.

-I remember him clearly.

-He could have played at any time

-and still been one of the best.

-He was friendly, had the looks of a

-film star but was also talented.

-He's enjoyed his life

-and hasn't changed one bit.

-He always has a smile

-and makes you feel very important.

-It's a pleasure to spend any time

-in his company.

-Thank you for letting us

-be here tonight.

-Why have you waited so long

-to write an autobiography?

-I've been very busy

-and was recently awarded the MBE.

-It's taken four years to write

-but I'm glad it's finished.

-It's a great book and worth a read.

-Thank you for letting us be here and

-I can't wait to read your stories.

-Will you sign it for me?

-Will you sign it for me?

-

-Yes, of course.

-Thank you very much.

-Kizzy Crawford and Bernard Thomas

-have been our studio guests tonight.

-Kizzy is performing a song

-that she has composed about Aberfan.

-I wanted to do something

-for Aberfan.

-I've only lived there

-for two years...

-..but the people of Aberfan

-have welcomed me with open arms.

-The people are wonderful.

-It's also a beautiful place.

-I spent a few hours

-with my mother...

-..at one of the graveyards

-in Aberfan.

-It was my way of sympathising

-with them.

-Kizzy will take her place

-for tonight's performance.

-We've got pictures

-of Ysgol Rhydywaun.

-We can see the number 144.

-That's the number of people

-who lost their lives in Aberfan.

-Bernard was born

-and raised in Aberfan.

-He still lives there.

-Aberfan is a close-knit community.

-We all share in the grief.

-I speak to the people

-who lost a child.

-Some 50 years ago, I was the

-same age as their children.

-You also visit the memorial gardens.

-I do back to the gardens to remember

-my friends and cousins...

-..who were in my class.

-I was so close to death.

-If I had another desk

-in the classroom

-..I wouldn't be here today.

-That's it from us tonight,

-but we return on Monday at 7.00pm.

-Thank you for your company.

-Here's Kizzy Crawford

-performing Hedfan i'r Nefoedd.

-Goodnight.

-# Each little bird sings

-of all things bright and beautiful

-# All creatures great and small

-# Of all things

-wise and wonderful

-# The Lord God made them all

-# Feeling joyful about life

-# The darkness

-rushed down the mountain

-# To silence their song for ever

-# The valley fell quiet

-# Tears of mothers and the world

-washed down the mountain

-# Flowing forever

-as tiny wings flew to heaven

-# Each little bird sings

-in harmony with the angels

-# On their silvery wings

-in the clouds above the valley

-# Washing salt from the eyes

-that brightens up the sky

-# The darkness

-rushed down the mountain

-# To silence their song for ever

-# The valley fell quiet

-# Tears of mothers and the world

-washed down the mountain

-# Flowing forever

-as tiny wings flew to heaven

-# All things bright and beautiful

-# The birds and angels fly

-# The tears flowing

-down the mountain is water

-# An entire generation

-has been lost to heaven

-# Don't forget them

-# They're forever in God's love

-# The darkness

-rushed down the mountain

-# To silence their song for ever

-# The valley fell silent

-# Tears of mothers and the world

-washed down the mountain

-# Flowing forever

-as tiny wings flew to heaven #

-.