Ben Evans

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0:00:33 > 0:00:35- My name's Ben Evans.

0:00:35 > 0:00:39- I'm 12 years old and I live - in Pontygwaith in South Wales.

0:00:55 > 0:00:58- Pontygwaith is a small village - in the Rhondda.

0:00:58 > 0:01:02- The Rhondda is a famous place. - There are two narrow valleys here.

0:01:02 > 0:01:04- The Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach.

0:01:05 > 0:01:09- 100 years ago, it was the most - famous place in the world for coal.

0:01:10 > 0:01:13- The villages in the Rhondda - were all built for people...

0:01:13 > 0:01:16- ..who worked in the coal mines.

0:01:16 > 0:01:19- I've lived in Pontygwaith - since I was five.

0:01:19 > 0:01:23- I wasn't born here because - Mam and Dad moved away...

0:01:23 > 0:01:25- ..from the Valleys - for a few years.

0:01:25 > 0:01:30- Mam was born in Pontygwaith and she - always said she'd come back here.

0:01:33 > 0:01:36- Come here. - Forwards, behind the line.

0:01:37 > 0:01:39- Behind this one.

0:01:42 > 0:01:44- My school isn't in Pontygwaith.

0:01:44 > 0:01:46- I go to Ysgol Rhydfelen...

0:01:47 > 0:01:49- ..a few miles down the valley.

0:01:49 > 0:01:53- A few of us travel from the village - on the bus...

0:01:53 > 0:01:56- ..but most of the children - from Pontygwaith...

0:01:56 > 0:01:58- ..go to the English-medium school.

0:02:00 > 0:02:05- When I first came to Pontygwaith, I - was sent to the local Welsh school.

0:02:05 > 0:02:07- That was quite a shock for me.

0:02:07 > 0:02:11- You see, Mam and Dad - can't speak Welsh...

0:02:11 > 0:02:14- ..and I couldn't either - until I went to the Welsh school.

0:02:14 > 0:02:18- But Mam's grandmother - and Dad's parents spoke Welsh...

0:02:19 > 0:02:23- ..and Mam and Dad would like to - be able to speak the language.

0:02:24 > 0:02:27- They feel like they're missing out - on something.

0:02:27 > 0:02:31- A lot of other people - in the Valleys feel the same.

0:02:33 > 0:02:36- There are over a thousand children - in our school...

0:02:36 > 0:02:40- ..and almost all of them come from - non-Welsh-speaking families.

0:02:40 > 0:02:43- Hardly anyone has - Welsh-speaking parents.

0:02:43 > 0:02:47- They learned Welsh at - primary school, like I did.

0:02:49 > 0:02:50- Back we go.

0:03:02 > 0:03:06- My brother Chris is two years - younger than me.

0:03:06 > 0:03:08- He still goes to my old school.

0:03:08 > 0:03:11- It's quite a small school.

0:03:11 > 0:03:15- Are you going to do the writing - at the bottom a different colour?

0:03:15 > 0:03:17- That's red.

0:03:17 > 0:03:20- Do a different colour at - the bottom. Black maybe?

0:03:22 > 0:03:24- I enjoy being in high school.

0:03:24 > 0:03:27- I like going from one class - to another...

0:03:27 > 0:03:30- ..and having lessons like French - and rugby.

0:03:32 > 0:03:36- But sometimes I miss - my old school...

0:03:36 > 0:03:39- ..and I feel jealous of Chris.

0:03:39 > 0:03:41- The bathroom, maybe?

0:03:42 > 0:03:44- Up again.

0:03:45 > 0:03:49- He'll have a shock when he goes - to high school next year.

0:03:49 > 0:03:51- Down. Under the stick here.

0:03:55 > 0:04:00- I usually stay after school to go - to the drama or sports practice...

0:04:00 > 0:04:05- ..but today is Wednesday - so I'm going home early.

0:04:13 > 0:04:18- Today is my favourite day - because I go to the Aikido class.

0:04:20 > 0:04:22- PIANO SCALES

0:04:28 > 0:04:32- Good girl. We had lots of hand - movement. Can we try it again?

0:04:37 > 0:04:39- Hi, Mam. Is my tea ready?

0:04:40 > 0:04:42- Hi, love. Tea's on the table.

0:04:42 > 0:04:43- Hi, love. Tea's on the table.- - OK. Ta.

0:04:44 > 0:04:47- OK, now we'll do your C major - contrary motion.

0:04:52 > 0:04:55- One thing there's a lot of - in our house is music.

0:04:55 > 0:04:58- The Valleys are a musical place...

0:04:58 > 0:05:01- ..and that's certainly true - of our house.

0:05:02 > 0:05:06- Mam's always playing the piano and - teaches children in the evenings.

0:05:06 > 0:05:10- It's very important. We want our - fingers to work and not our hands.

0:05:10 > 0:05:13- Hi, Ben. Are you ready to go?

0:05:13 > 0:05:15- Hi, Ben. Are you ready to go?- - Yeah. I'm coming.

0:05:16 > 0:05:21- Dad takes me to the Aikido class - after coming home from work.

0:05:22 > 0:05:26- He was unemployed for a long time - when we first came to Pontygwaith.

0:05:26 > 0:05:29- Now he has a job and that's great.

0:05:58 > 0:06:00- Aikido is my favourite hobby.

0:06:00 > 0:06:04- I've been going to the class - for three years now...

0:06:04 > 0:06:06- ..and I have an orange belt.

0:06:06 > 0:06:09- I'm hoping to get the next one - - the green one.

0:06:09 > 0:06:12- There isn't much for children - in Pontygwaith.

0:06:12 > 0:06:15- You have to go to other parts - of the Rhondda.

0:06:15 > 0:06:18- You can't hold too tightly - or you won't be able to throw.

0:06:18 > 0:06:21- Give a good, strong hold - and drive in.

0:06:23 > 0:06:24- You try now, Ben.

0:06:24 > 0:06:27- This is a very good club.

0:06:27 > 0:06:32- Mind you, Aikido's very tough - and I go home covered in bruises.

0:06:34 > 0:06:37- The club is held in an old chapel - which closed.

0:06:37 > 0:06:40- There are many of these - in the Rhondda.

0:06:43 > 0:06:48- # It is the blood of Thy cross - which lifts me up

0:06:48 > 0:06:53- # The feeble into a great conqueror

0:06:53 > 0:06:58- # The blood of Thy cross - does subdue

0:06:58 > 0:07:03- # A myriad strong giants down

0:07:04 > 0:07:06- # Let me feel

0:07:06 > 0:07:08- # Let me feel

0:07:08 > 0:07:10- # Let me feel

0:07:10 > 0:07:15- # The breeze from the hill - of Calvary

0:07:16 > 0:07:20- # The breeze from the hill - of Calvary... #

0:07:22 > 0:07:26- Mam is the accompanist - for Cor Meibion Morlais.

0:07:26 > 0:07:29- There's a long tradition of male - voice choirs in the Rhondda...

0:07:29 > 0:07:32- ..and their sound is very special.

0:07:32 > 0:07:37- # Never can I be better

0:07:37 > 0:07:40- # It is Thou who... #

0:07:40 > 0:07:42- It's a prettier Rhondda.

0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Obviously, the tips were, - sort of, dirty places...

0:07:45 > 0:07:49- ..although I didn't look at them - as being dirty as a youngster.

0:07:49 > 0:07:53- But after having been away - to a place like Harrow...

0:07:53 > 0:07:55- ..which was very clean, - very flat...

0:07:55 > 0:07:59- ..on coming back for visits - one could see...

0:07:59 > 0:08:02- ..a little bit of grime on - the hills because of the tips.

0:08:03 > 0:08:05- But now they're greened over...

0:08:05 > 0:08:08- ..and it does look a prettier, - fresher place.

0:08:11 > 0:08:14- Jeff and I, - not being fluent in Welsh...

0:08:15 > 0:08:17- ..has a terrific amount - of drawbacks...

0:08:17 > 0:08:21- ..living in Wales - and living in the Rhondda.

0:08:21 > 0:08:25- And we felt that we wanted both our - children to have the advantage...

0:08:25 > 0:08:29- ..of being bilingual and learning - about their Welsh heritage.

0:08:31 > 0:08:35- And, as I say, we both feel - this is very, very important.

0:08:38 > 0:08:42- I would like to see both Ben - and Chris hopefully go on...

0:08:42 > 0:08:45- ..and continue higher education - at university.

0:08:45 > 0:08:51- I hope that they'll be - a little bit broader than I was.

0:08:51 > 0:08:54- I think they will be because - already we've tried to ensure...

0:08:54 > 0:08:58- ..that they know that life - goes on outside the Rhondda...

0:08:58 > 0:09:02- ..and there's a big world out there - that I hope they'll discover.

0:09:02 > 0:09:04- I'd like them to travel.

0:09:04 > 0:09:07- I just hope they'll be - very happy people.

0:09:07 > 0:09:10- # Never leave

0:09:10 > 0:09:15- # My memory. #

0:09:24 > 0:09:28- Gran. Hiya. - I've got your shopping.

0:09:28 > 0:09:30- Thank you, love.

0:09:30 > 0:09:32- Tomatoes as well?

0:09:32 > 0:09:34- Tomatoes as well?- - Yes, here they are.

0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Thank you.

0:09:37 > 0:09:39- 'Tadcu was a miner all his life.

0:09:39 > 0:09:42- 'He went down the pit - when he was 16.

0:09:42 > 0:09:45- 'Now, like many ex-miners - in the Rhondda...

0:09:45 > 0:09:48- '..he suffers from pneumoconiosis.

0:09:49 > 0:09:51- 'You get it from inhaling - coal dust.

0:09:51 > 0:09:54- 'It leaves you crippled.'

0:09:54 > 0:09:55- I scored.

0:09:55 > 0:09:57- I scored.- - That makes up for all the dirt.

0:09:58 > 0:10:00- How is Bamps today, Gran?

0:10:00 > 0:10:01- How is Bamps today, Gran?- - Not too bad.

0:10:01 > 0:10:05- 'He was very young when he first - got sick and now he's very ill.

0:10:05 > 0:10:10- 'He has to stay in his bed and - it's very difficult for Mamgu.'

0:10:10 > 0:10:14- I just took Bamps in the wheelchair - out up the church.

0:10:14 > 0:10:17- Well, it's better than staying - in the house.

0:10:17 > 0:10:19- He could see the new carpet, then.

0:10:20 > 0:10:21- It looks nice.

0:10:21 > 0:10:25- 'Tadcu worked at - the Lewis Merthyr Colliery.

0:10:25 > 0:10:29- 'The mine has closed now, like all - the other mines in the Rhondda.'

0:10:35 > 0:10:39- In the past, life in the Rhondda - revolved around coal.

0:10:39 > 0:10:43- People across the world wanted - Rhondda coal in their factories...

0:10:43 > 0:10:45- ..ships and trains.

0:10:45 > 0:10:49- It was very good coal - which burned quickly.

0:10:51 > 0:10:55- Everything was fine - until about 60 years ago.

0:10:55 > 0:11:00- Then factories started to close - and ships used oil instead of coal.

0:11:00 > 0:11:03- There was too much coal - and no-one wanted it.

0:11:03 > 0:11:07- The mines started to close - and one of them was Tadcu's.

0:11:29 > 0:11:33- But Lewis Merthyr will be used - for something else before long.

0:11:33 > 0:11:35- It's being turned into a museum...

0:11:35 > 0:11:39- ..to tell the story of the Rhondda - and its people...

0:11:39 > 0:11:42- ..and Dad is one of the people - helping to set up the museum.

0:11:43 > 0:11:46- When was this photo - of Cory Band taken?

0:11:46 > 0:11:48- The end of 1970.

0:11:50 > 0:11:54- And these... The shield, - is that the shield?

0:11:54 > 0:11:56- Yeah.

0:11:56 > 0:11:58- BBC Band of the Year.

0:11:58 > 0:12:00- ITV Band of the Year.

0:12:00 > 0:12:04- And I think the band holds - almost the record...

0:12:04 > 0:12:07- ..for winning - 15 consecutive contests.

0:12:07 > 0:12:11- And this is before you did the... - before you won the British Open?

0:12:11 > 0:12:13- That's right, yeah.

0:12:13 > 0:12:17- We won the British Open in 1974 - - September 1974 in the Albert Hall.

0:12:17 > 0:12:20- Dad has an interest in music too.

0:12:20 > 0:12:24- People in the Rhondda can play - instruments as well as sing.

0:12:24 > 0:12:28- There are many brass bands in the - valley and Dad's a member of one.

0:12:28 > 0:12:31- The trombone is his instrument.

0:12:32 > 0:12:35- There are some old faces there, - aren't there?

0:12:35 > 0:12:37- One, two, three, four.

0:12:51 > 0:12:55- I started playing the trombone - when I was 12, in school.

0:12:55 > 0:12:58- And when we moved down here - it was a little outlet.

0:12:58 > 0:13:02- There are quite a few bands in the - Rhondda. There are at the moment...

0:13:02 > 0:13:04- ..four, five...

0:13:04 > 0:13:09- ..seven bands in the two valleys, - which isn't bad.

0:13:09 > 0:13:12- They've always been a part - of the Rhondda...

0:13:12 > 0:13:15- ..even though the majority - of them started...

0:13:15 > 0:13:18- ..as temperance bands, virtually.

0:13:18 > 0:13:23- Something to keep the men occupied - other than the demon drink.

0:13:23 > 0:13:26- But they've always been - supported by...

0:13:27 > 0:13:32- ..collieries, when there were - collieries open in the Valleys.

0:13:32 > 0:13:36- And they've become, I don't know, - intertwined, I suppose...

0:13:36 > 0:13:40- ..with the history of coal.

0:13:40 > 0:13:42- They're virtually synonimous.

0:13:42 > 0:13:45- Park and Dare, Cory, et cetera.

0:13:45 > 0:13:48- I mean, Tylerstown Band, - the one I'm a member of...

0:13:48 > 0:13:52- ..is the only surviving - colliery band...

0:13:52 > 0:13:55- ..being affiliated to - Mardy Colliery...

0:13:55 > 0:13:57- ..which in itself is...

0:13:58 > 0:14:00- ..only half open now.

0:14:00 > 0:14:03- They still go down in Mardy - but no coal comes out.

0:14:03 > 0:14:07- So it's the last surviving - colliery band in the Rhondda.

0:14:08 > 0:14:10- And for that they gained...

0:14:10 > 0:14:13- ..something of a reputation - during the last strike.

0:14:13 > 0:14:17- Being very supportive of the miners - during the strike.

0:14:17 > 0:14:21- Brass bands, again, are almost - a community of their own.

0:14:21 > 0:14:23- They're very set in their ways.

0:14:23 > 0:14:27- There's a regular round - of competitions.

0:14:27 > 0:14:31- A rivalry between bands, - but a friendly rivalry...

0:14:31 > 0:14:34- ..unless it comes to - poaching players.

0:14:34 > 0:14:37- But it's a very relaxed atmosphere.

0:14:37 > 0:14:41- Completely different to what - I was used to working in London...

0:14:41 > 0:14:46- ..when actually playing was a means - to... Well, it was my living.

0:14:53 > 0:14:56- We go to church every Sunday.

0:14:56 > 0:15:00- Some people in Pontygwaith go - to church, others to chapel.

0:15:00 > 0:15:02- It depends on your family.

0:15:02 > 0:15:05- Mam plays the organ every Sunday.

0:15:14 > 0:15:17- Dad sometimes comes to church...

0:15:17 > 0:15:20- ..but he usually makes lunch.

0:15:23 > 0:15:26- I help the vicar in church - on the altar.

0:15:26 > 0:15:30- I prepare the bread and wine - for the communion.

0:16:22 > 0:16:24- Good morning, vicar.

0:16:24 > 0:16:26- Good morning, vicar.- - Good morning, vicar.

0:16:26 > 0:16:27- Good morning.

0:16:28 > 0:16:31- I think the church - is very important.

0:16:31 > 0:16:34- We see our neighbours there - and keep in touch.

0:16:34 > 0:16:38- It helps to give you an appetitie - before lunch as well.

0:16:48 > 0:16:51- 'The home has always been - very important to me.

0:16:51 > 0:16:55- 'We were a very, very close family. - Still are.

0:16:55 > 0:16:58- 'I had a very, very happy - childhood.

0:16:58 > 0:17:00- 'Everything we did, - we did as a family.

0:17:00 > 0:17:04- 'But I think because of - the close ties made then...

0:17:04 > 0:17:08- '..this is why I've always felt - the draw to come back.'

0:17:11 > 0:17:14- I think I'm very fortunate to live - in a friendly place...

0:17:14 > 0:17:16- ..like Pontygwaith.

0:17:16 > 0:17:20- And I'm glad Mam and Dad - decided to come back here to live.

0:17:20 > 0:17:23- I wouldn't want to live - anywhere else.

0:17:27 > 0:17:33- # Bless my mother and father

0:17:33 > 0:17:37- # Who look after me

0:17:37 > 0:17:40- # Step by step

0:17:40 > 0:17:44- # To forever keep me

0:17:44 > 0:17:48- # Safe from harm

0:17:48 > 0:17:55- # Oh, Jesus, protect them

0:17:56 > 0:18:03- # Oh, Jesus, protect them #

0:18:12 > 0:18:14- S4C subtitles by Ericsson

0:18:14 > 0:18:15- .