0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:02 > 0:00:04- The Welsh family is changing.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06- Within the past half a century...
0:00:06 > 0:00:10- ..the traditional model - of Mam, Dad and 2.4 children...
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- ..has all but disappeared.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- It has been replaced by an - altogether more contemporary unit.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21- One that's more complex - and colourful than before.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26- These are the stories - of the modern Welsh family.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- Wales is a nation of exiles.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- Come and get your Welsh cakes!
0:00:39 > 0:00:43- These days, half a million of us - live in England.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- More than 2,000 Welsh speakers - leave Wales every year...
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- ..to raise their families - a long way from home.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01- A lot of people from Wales come - to London to pursue their careers.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06- I'm from Merthyr Tydfil originally.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- I left the town - when I went to university...
0:01:10 > 0:01:17- ..before moving down to London - to be with Carol.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24- When Lynden moved to England, - instead of forgetting his roots...
0:01:25 > 0:01:30- ..he decided to learn Welsh and - persuaded wife Carol to do the same.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- How's your Welsh today?
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- Fine, thanks. I've been practising.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43- I don't know - if it's any good or not good!
0:01:46 > 0:01:50- Lynden and Carol have two very - special reasons for learning Welsh.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56- My name's Angharad - and I'm seven years old.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01- My name's Lowri - and I'm five years old.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- It's very important for me, - in particular, that they grow up...
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- ..being able to speak Welsh.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14- I'm English...
0:02:14 > 0:02:21- ..but I know it's good for - the children to learn two languages.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- I agree. I agreed.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- When it came to choosing a school...
0:02:33 > 0:02:34- ..it was the obvious choice.
0:02:34 > 0:02:35- ..it was the obvious choice.- - Good morning.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- Good morning, - Miss Rawlins and everyone.
0:02:39 > 0:02:45- I use the same word every time. - It's really, really unique.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49- Apart from Patagonia, - Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain...
0:02:49 > 0:02:53- ..is the only Welsh-medium school - outside of Wales.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- It's a village school, - only it's in London.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- It's a small miracle.
0:03:00 > 0:03:06- I'm in Reception, Bronwen's in - Reception and Genova's in Reception.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11- Despite the journey from hell and - the stress of getting to school...
0:03:11 > 0:03:16- ..hearing 'bore da' at the gates - takes a load off, it really does.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23- In order to provide a bilingual - education for the children...
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- ..parents sacrifice a great deal.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- Mami!
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- Carol and Lynden had to agree...
0:03:37 > 0:03:42- ..on who would give up their job - to care for the children.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- I leave the house very early.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- I leave at...
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- ..before seven o'clock.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- Lynden has to...
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- ..see to everything - for the children in the morning.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- It's hard work.
0:04:02 > 0:04:03- Ow!
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- Ow!- - Sorry, am I going too fast?
0:04:06 > 0:04:08- Sorry.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- Ouch!
0:04:11 > 0:04:16- For Lynden, getting to school - is a job in itself.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19- Door to door, it's about 45 minutes.
0:04:23 > 0:04:24- Are you alright?
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- Miss Sullivan, - the school's headteacher...
0:04:33 > 0:04:38- ..is first to acknowledge the effort - made by parents like Lynden.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- People travel a long way to school.
0:04:42 > 0:04:47- Some come from St Albans - while others come from Heathrow...
0:04:48 > 0:04:50- ..or further down from Heathrow.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55- Fair play, their commitment - to the school is incredible.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- The parents who travel furthest...
0:04:59 > 0:05:01- ..are Mark and Carlene.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- So this is the start of our journey.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- It's about an hour and a half...
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- ..we have to allow ourselves - to get out in the mornings.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- Coming back, it's two hours.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- It's an hour and a half - in the mornings, on a good morning.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- The journey to school...
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- ..is quite boring.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29- There are so many cars on the road - because many people live in London.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- It takes ages.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37- The worst thing is the journey.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- The journey, without a doubt.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44- The school I attended in Llanelli - was just around the corner.
0:05:44 > 0:05:50- I grew up with the children - who were in my class at school.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- Our children don't get that...
0:05:53 > 0:05:55- ..at present.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- But the advantages - outweigh the disadvantages.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- I can't fully explain...
0:06:02 > 0:06:07- ..but in my heart...
0:06:07 > 0:06:12- ..I'm really determined - that my children will speak Welsh.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- CHILDREN SING IN WELSH
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- # Everyone, shout out loud
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- # I'm Welsh
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- # Now I'm going to shout it out loud
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- # I love my country, - I love my language #
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- Good morning, Year 1.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- Good morning, Year 1.- - Good morning, Miss Rawlins...
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- ..and everyone.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- Once everyone is present, - the teaching begins...
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- ..not in two but three languages.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- Good morning, William.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54- Good morning, William.- - Good morning, Miss Rawlins. Ca va.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56- Ca va bien?
0:06:57 > 0:06:58- No, just ca va.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59- No, just ca va.- - Comme ci comme ca?
0:07:00 > 0:07:02- Yes? So-so.
0:07:02 > 0:07:08- At school, - we speak Welsh, French and English.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14- Bronwen, will you - help Aneurin with his book?
0:07:14 > 0:07:19- The children play nicely together...
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- ..and with different ages.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- I'm very happy with the school.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- It's really difficult - to explain to a person...
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- ..who isn't familiar - with Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- It's the best Welsh school - in the world, in my opinion.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- But to keep the school open...
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- ..every parent must contribute.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- The school couldn't continue...
0:07:51 > 0:07:54- ..without the support - of the parents...
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- ..and without fundraising and fees.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- The school could never stay open.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- Although Lynden - doesn't work full-time...
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- ..he does - an important job on the schoolyard.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- The school has no caretaker...
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- ..so we have to step in.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- Many parents help out here.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- The school depends on us, really.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29- The lower school's buildings - are quite old.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- I think they're Victorian.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- They require a lot of upkeep.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- I like being here...
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- ..and being part of the school...
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- ..but it'd also be nice - to have a caretaker!
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- I'll go and find a brush.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- Sara-Ellen - is another parent who contributes.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- She uses her writing skills - to market the school.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- The Welsh school is for the family.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- That's the only way - to describe it...
0:09:10 > 0:09:17- ..because there are - 15 families in the school.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23- Everyone works together.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- More help is required during lunch.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- Sean is one of the parents - on duty today.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- Every Friday...
0:09:34 > 0:09:39- ..two parents come to look after the - children during their lunch break.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44- I feel it's very good because you - get the chance to see your child...
0:09:44 > 0:09:49- ..chatting and interacting - with the other children.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- You get to see them at school...
0:09:53 > 0:09:58- ..in an environment - you don't normally see them in.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- Every parent has a reason - for making the effort.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- Oh, Genova-Rose!
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- Right.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- It's very important...
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- ..that she attends - Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain...
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- ..because I didn't get - the opportunity to learn Welsh...
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- ..at school.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32- Welsh culture - is very important to me.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- When we were little...
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- ..my mum, - she wanted us to learn some Welsh.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- Are you helping me?
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- Turn it and turn it.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- We learned bits and pieces...
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- ..so you could speak a little bit.
0:10:52 > 0:10:58- But not many people - speak Welsh in Swansea.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- Crack it. Ah! Oops!
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- Sara-Ellen's husband, Stefano, - is Italian.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- When Genova-Rose was a baby, - the family lived in Italy.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- I always knew - we'd come back from Italy...
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- ..and Genova-Rose - would go to the London Welsh School.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- I wanted to give her - the opportunity that I never had.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22- "Girella E La Regina..."
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- At home, I speak Welsh...
0:11:28 > 0:11:33- ..Italian and English, - all in the same sentence sometimes!
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- We've invented - almost like a hybrid...
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- ..of English, Welsh and Italian now.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- I don't know - what you'd call it in Welsh.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- Cymsaeseg maybe?
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- I don't know. - It's a bit of a mix anyway.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- Do you want to - read the story in Italian now?
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- Dad will read the story. OK?
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- You're happy. OK.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- "Giulio Cornelio...
0:12:03 > 0:12:04- "..e la farfalle."
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- "..e la farfalle."- - Bravissima.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- What's farfalle in Welsh?
0:12:08 > 0:12:09- What's farfalle in Welsh?- - Pili pala.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14- Genova-Rose will have the choice - of three languages for ever...
0:12:14 > 0:12:19- ..but Sara-Ellen hopes she will - favour one more than the others.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- I'm sure Genova-Rose - will speak Welsh in future.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- I'm sure about that.
0:12:25 > 0:12:31- When she's bigger, she might - want to go to university in Wales.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- I don't know. I hope so.
0:12:39 > 0:12:39- .
0:12:42 > 0:12:42- Subtitles
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- Though there's a village-school feel - to the classroom...
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- ..Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain - is an inner-city school...
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- ..which fulfils a special demand.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- It's important - for the children to learn Welsh...
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- ..and to have - a Welsh-medium education.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11- It's a vital resource - for everyone in Wales, potentially.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- Answer me, please, Angharad.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- Lynden and Carol - have sacrificed a lot...
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- ..to provide a Welsh education - for their children.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- What do you say?
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- Thank you, naughty Dadi!
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- We lived in Clapham in south London.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37- We decided - to move to Harrow initially...
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- ..to be near the school.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- It was very important to me - for them to grow up...
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- ..being able to speak Welsh.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57- Before long, they will have to make - yet another sacrifice...
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- ..if they want Lowri and Angharad...
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- ..to have - a Welsh-medium secondary education.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- They finish primary school - at 11 years of age.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12- We have to decide - whether we move to Wales...
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- ..for them to finish - their Welsh-medium education...
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- ..or stay in London.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- We'll see.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- At the moment, - it depends on your career...
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- ..and on your work, really.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- You want to move to Wales.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- I'd like to move back to Wales.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43- But it depends on several factors.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47- I don't know at the moment - but we have to decide soon...
0:14:48 > 0:14:53- ..in the next year or so.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- We have to decide soon, anyway.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57- What's in there?
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- What's in there?- - A snail. Two snails and one slug.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09- For Mark and Carlene's children, - the decision has already been made.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- We've decided - to move back to Wales now.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- Hopefully to Llanelli.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- I wouldn't be happy - returning to Wales...
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- ..if the children - couldn't speak Welsh.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- It's so important - for our children...
0:15:28 > 0:15:33- ..to understand Welsh and to speak - Welsh, especially in modern Wales.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- It's important - for many jobs nowadays.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- My children are of mixed race too.
0:15:39 > 0:15:45- I don't want them to move to Wales - without being able to speak Welsh.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49- Did you know there are - more sheep in Wales than people?
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- While Mark is from Llanelli, Carlene - comes from the Cayman Islands.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- I'll braid it - and put the beads at the end.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03- Aidan, Seren and Saffron - are raised in both cultures.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- We still manage to maintain - our traditional Caribbean values.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13- So I try to raise the children - in that way, to an extent.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17- Surprisingly, - it's very much close to the Welsh...
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- ..because it's - very much family oriented.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- I'm very close to my family, - even though they're in the Caymans.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- Mark is close to his family as well.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- We take the kids to Cayman as well.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- It gets harder - now they're in school.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- We used to take them out - three times a year.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- Cayman's warm.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43- When it rains, you know about it - because it rains so heavily.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- This is mine too. It's Cayman sand.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- What's sand in Welsh, Seren?
0:16:50 > 0:16:51- Tywod.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- It takes 12 hours to reach Cayman.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- Then from Cayman to Cabo beach.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- That's Cabo beach there.
0:17:03 > 0:17:09- The children spend school holidays - in Wales too with Mam-gu and Tad-cu.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11- Wales is fun.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- There's the same amount of things - to do as there is in London...
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- ..but you don't have to - queue up for everything.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- When they go to Wales...
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- ..it makes me feel very emotional.
0:17:26 > 0:17:32- They don't expect - to see mixed-race children...
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- ..speaking Welsh.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- It's nice because they start - asking them questions after that.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- "What school do you go to?"
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- "Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain." - "Llundain?"
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- It's nice to hear that.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- It makes me feel 10-feet tall.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02- I speak Welsh because - Welsh is the language of heaven.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- Genova-Rose is also growing up...
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- ..influenced by many cultures.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- THEY CHANT
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- Sara-Ellen became a Buddhist..
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- ..when she was 17 years old.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- The whole point of chanting - Nam-myoho-renge-kyo...
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- ..is to transform - the negativity in your life...
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- ..and to develop your courage, - compassion and wisdom...
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- ..which are your Buddhahood.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46- THEY CHANT
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- Dad's Catholic - and my mother's Protestant.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53- So, for my mum, Mum said...
0:18:54 > 0:18:59- "If you want to be a Catholic, - Protestant, Jew or Buddhist...
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- "..that's completely up to you.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- "No problem. Don't worry."
0:19:14 > 0:19:19- At school, the children get a chance - to escape the hustle and bustle...
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- ..and write a story in silence - to end the day.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- "As we leave and head for home
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- "Please look after us
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- "Keep us from hurt and harm
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- "Make us refrain - from doing foolish things. Amen."
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- Let's fetch our coats and bags.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- Are you going to say goodbye?
0:19:50 > 0:19:51- Homework.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- The journey home from school - is a long one for everybody.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- It doesn't always end - on a Friday afternoon either.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- In order to keep - the school's doors open...
0:20:09 > 0:20:14- ..parents and teachers must work - in their leisure time too.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- Here's the school staff.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22- The headteacher, teachers - and support staff too.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- They're all amazing.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- In a normal school...
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- ..you'd go at Christmas - to watch the show...
0:20:33 > 0:20:38- ..and you'd go to the parent-teacher - day, and that's about it...
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- ..bar the odd raffle ticket - or fundraiser.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- For us, it's a guerra, - as they say in Italian.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- It's a war, - it's a battle, battaglia...
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- ..to constantly keep - the school going.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- Who's winning?
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- It'd be nice - if it received funding from Wales...
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- ..one day in the future.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06- The school really needs - more support from Wales.
0:21:07 > 0:21:13- Until that happens, they must - do their best to raise money...
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- ..in a joint effort.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- Come and get your Welsh cakes!
0:21:20 > 0:21:25- In Queen's Park, they're trying - to fill the school's coffers...
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- ..with a taste of Wales.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- I look forward - to the Queen's Park Day every year.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34- The children get excited.
0:21:34 > 0:21:40- The first thing they say in the - morning is, "Can we have cakes?"
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- It raises a lot of money - for the school too...
0:21:44 > 0:21:48- ..so it's important - to support the cause.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- Do you like it?
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- Among the Welsh cakes - and bara brith...
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- ..friends get together.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- Are you alright? - I like the shirt.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- Thanks. Fancy seeing you here!
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- Welsh cakes! Welsh cakes!
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- Lots of people - are buying things from the stand.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- That was the plan.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25- You can see - the children are having fun too.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- This is Idris, this is Sion...
0:22:30 > 0:22:32- ..this is Seren.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- There's a great team spirit here.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42- With every penny...
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- ..and every effort...
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- ..they're winning the battle - to retain their Welshness.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- Everyone's helping out.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54- Everyone's been doing their bit.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- A bit before, a bit now...
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- ..and the cleaning up afterwards!
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:19 > 0:23:20- .