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0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:31 > 0:00:34- I'm an Aberavon boy, - born and bred...
0:00:34 > 0:00:39- ..though I attended Pontrhydyfen - junior school in the Afan Valley...
0:00:39 > 0:00:42- ..which was four miles from my home.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45- It shaped me as a person.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- Sadly, the school has since closed.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50- It's currently for sale.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58- I have so many happy memories - of this building.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04- I loved coming to junior school - back in the 1950s.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09- School certainly provided me - with a solid foundation...
0:01:09 > 0:01:11- ..during my formative years.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17- This is the nursery. - Mrs Lloyd's class.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21- This would've been - the first class I was in...
0:01:21 > 0:01:23- ..when I was four.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31- My mother and father - hailed from Cwmavon.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- My father'd lost his Welsh.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38- He moved - to the Taibach area as a child.
0:01:38 > 0:01:44- My mother spent - most of her childhood in Aberavon.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49- Though they had that connection with - the valley, we also lived there.
0:01:53 > 0:01:58- My father was a steelworker - at the steelworks in Margam.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04- My mother was a housewife until - she decided she wanted to work.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- She worked for - the Mettoy company in Swansea...
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- ..which produced Corgi cars.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14- I loved it - because I'd get lots of Corgi cars!
0:02:15 > 0:02:20- As I grew, I moved - to the next class, of course.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28- This was - Mrs Gwyneth Lewis' classroom.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31- I have a photograph of me...
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- ..sitting in this corner here.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38- Mrs Lewis was standing - at the back of the class.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46- The school was also located - in a relatively rural area.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- I'd come up here from the town - to play with my friends.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- We'd cycle everywhere - and climb the mountains.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- We'd swim in the river.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- My parents - didn't know I swam in a deep pool.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- We'd dive off the bridges.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- That's what children did back then.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14- The large industrial town was - situated further down the valley.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- It was a completely different world.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- Port Talbot was Las Vegas back then.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22- People earned a good wage there.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24- It was a very prosperous town.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- There's a dualism - belonging to the area.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- This was - the older children's classroom.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- This was - headmaster Mr Samuel's class.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41- Mr Alwyn Samuel...
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- ..who was the father of Aled Sam.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- He was a very creative man. - He was a great musician.
0:03:48 > 0:03:54- What bound the Welsh school - to the local community...
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- ..was Parti Pontrhydyfen, - a cerdd dant party...
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- ..that Alwyn conducted.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05- Because of that, cerdd dant - was very important at school.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- The first album I recorded - was with Parti Pontrhydyfen.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- # Two little dogs returning home
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- # Flour and husks up to their legs #
0:04:16 > 0:04:21- His enthusiasm for music - has obviously stayed with us.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- Three members of Edward H - were pupils here.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- Geraint Griffiths too.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- I appreciated him as a teacher.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- Over here - was the heart of the school.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- It still sounds the same.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- This is where children would gather.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- We stood in rows each morning...
0:04:48 > 0:04:52- ..for the school assembly.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05- Another man associated with - this village whom everyone knows...
0:05:05 > 0:05:07- ..was Richard Burton.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- He would drop in to school.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- I remember him - coming into the classroom...
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- ..and Alwyn introducing him.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- I was close friends...
0:05:19 > 0:05:23- ..with the sons - of his younger brother, Graham.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- They lived in Aberavon too.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- Richard Burton, Uncle Rich...
0:05:29 > 0:05:32- ..would often visit them - when he was home.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37- I remember him turning up - in a convertible Cadillac one time.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- I'd never seen a car - without a roof before.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- We went for a ride - around the Sandfields Estate.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- This is a very familiar street.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- When I was at school...
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- ..Dewi's shop - used to be on this street.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- We regularly came here - to buy sweets after school.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07- This is where Hilda, - Richard Burton's sister, lived.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11- Sian Owen - still lives here to this day.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- My close friend, John Griffiths, - lives here too.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- He's Edward H's bassist.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- On the one hand, - I'm happy there's a rise...
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- ..in the number of children - learning Welsh...
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- ..but I do worry about - the opportunities open to them...
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- ..to speak Welsh in the area.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- We spoke Welsh - at the Urdd Aelwyd in Cwmavon.
0:06:40 > 0:06:46- It was a meeting place, a place - for youths to socialize in Welsh.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48- Unfortunately, that's gone.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54- It's sad seeing a place like this - that was once so Welsh...
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- ..change so much.
0:07:24 > 0:07:31- # Llangrannog Urdd centre, - hip-hip-hooray #
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- The battle - for the Welsh language began...
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- ..and I wanted to be part of it.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- I went to discover - my Welsh identity.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- This place is part of that process.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- # Hip-hip hooray
0:07:50 > 0:07:55- # Hip-hip hooray #
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- I came to the camp as a child - at the beginning of the 1960s.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- My first visit was quite difficult.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- I was homesick at first...
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- ..but by the end of the week, - I'd come round...
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- ..and I came back - several times after that.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- In 1971 I returned as a prefect.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24- It was during that time - I met John Japheth...
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- ..who ran the camp.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- He asked me if I'd be interested...
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- ..in working here during the summer.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- I had a place at Trinity College...
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- ..though I hadn't planned - on going to college...
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- ..but because of what was happening - in Wales at the time...
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- ..I wanted to reconnect - with my Welshness.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- I wanted to see more of Wales - and know more about it...
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- ..so I went to Trinity College.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- During the summer holidays I - worked here as a seasonal worker...
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- ..and did all kinds of things.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- I ran the shop.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- I was a night watchman.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- I peeled potatoes - as well as lots of other things.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- This photo gallery....
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- ..is very interesting.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- They encapsulate different eras.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36- The one person I remember very well - is Winnie Young.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41- She was the cook. - She was very kind to me.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- When I was a night watchman here, - I'd sit in the kitchen.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51- She'd always leave me a sandwich - or soup in the evening.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- As I was working nights, - I had to sleep during the day.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- Unfortunately, - there were noisy children here...
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- ..and if I couldn't get to sleep...
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- ..she let me sleep - in her little bungalow nearby.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- I have many great memories - of Winnie...
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- ..and the other kitchen ladies.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22- This is a photograph - taken back in 1972 or 1973.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- I'm wearing a lovely straw hat.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- What the Urdd offered here...
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- ..was a representation - of Wales in its entirety.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- The Urdd had created somewhere here - where everyone could come...
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- ..to recharge the batteries - so that when people left...
0:10:43 > 0:10:48- ..they knew the language was alive - and that it thrived all over Wales.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- This is - what the Urdd camp stood for here.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- It's still here, of course.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- It was here that I met Sbardun...
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- ..while I was a prefect.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- He said, - "Come to a few gigs with us."
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- I got to know - Y Tebot Piws guys early on.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17- That sparked the desire in me - to do something for myself.
0:11:17 > 0:11:23- When I went to college - in 1971, 1972...
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- ..I met this group of lads...
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- ..one of whom was Iestyn Garlick, - a fellow student...
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- ..Phil Bach, a friend of his, - and Tecs.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- They'd been at school together - in Carmarthen.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- They said, "You can sing.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- "Do you want to be part of a group - we're forming called Ac Eraill?"
0:11:43 > 0:11:48- # Come and be with me
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- # We'll go back to your locality #
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- Ac Eraill were involved - in the Adfer movement.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04- Songs like Tua'r Gorllewin became - anthems for the Adfer campaign.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- "Come on, we'll go back down west."
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- My time with Ac Eraill - came to an end in 1973...
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- ..at the Clwyd Eisteddfod...
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- ..after the Tafodau Tan concert.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- It was there - that I first heard Edward H.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- Some of them - were school friends of mine.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32- Hefin and John from junior school, - Charlie from secondary school...
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- ..and I knew Pws - from his time with Y Tebot Piws.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- I knew all these lads...
0:12:38 > 0:12:43- ..and they persuaded me - to ditch folk...
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- ..for rock'n'roll.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- # Hot thing, hot thing, - where are you going? #
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- I sang with both groups for a while.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02- It was a very busy time in my life. - I didn't see much of college.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- I was in other colleges - more than I was in my own!
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- # Hot thing, hot thing, - what about me? #
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- I've very fond memories - of being with those lads.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- It was quite an introverted - experience, to be honest...
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- ..because we had in jokes, - we lived together...
0:13:22 > 0:13:24- ..and travelled together.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- That camaraderie and fun bound us.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- We were very privileged.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- In 1973 we went to London...
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- ..to record - Hen Ffordd Gymreig O Fyw.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- Much of my contribution - to that album...
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- ..belonged to this era too.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- Songs like Derwen-Gam, Pishyn...
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- ..and Mr Duw...
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- ..were part of this era at the camp.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- # "Ysbryd Y Nos" by Edward H Dafis #
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- # When night-time voices - keep me awake
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- # And the empty whispers... #
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- I spent - long periods of time alone...
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- ..especially - when I worked during the night.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- I'd go for walks - to get away from it all.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33- It was like something - from another world up here.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- # Come, spirit of the night #
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- Ysbryd Y Nos - is inspired by the island.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- "Waves crash over the silver shells, - rustling in its silk livery."
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- I imagined a beautiful spirit.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52- # Rustling in its silk livery #
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- This is where...
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- ..that spirit exists, - on Ynys Lochtyn.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- The origins of that song are here.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- # Spirit of the night
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- # Come to me now
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- # Allay the fears
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- # Before the dawn
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- # Extinguish the darkness
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- # Bring me day
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- # Set me free from the night #
0:15:34 > 0:15:34- .
0:15:37 > 0:15:37- Subtitles
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- Despite - its plain and simple exterior...
0:15:55 > 0:16:00- ..it's an incredibly important venue - in Wales' cultural history.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- I came to Theatr Felinfach in 1977.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- I'd been teaching - nearby in Aberaeron...
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- ..for some years as a drama teacher.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23- The ticket booth's moved.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- I fulfilled the role of manager, - in actual fact...
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- ..though that wasn't - my official job title.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33- I was a lecturer - and a theatre supervisor.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- It was my role to oversee - the educational provisions here...
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- ..to organize the timetable...
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- ..and run the theatre - from day to day.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57- When I came here for the first time, - I didn't realize its importance.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- I saw things differently, at first.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- I hoped to attract - a variety of big companies here...
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- ..and give people - a theatrical experience.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- But I soon realized - that wasn't the theatre's purpose.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- It was an educational facility.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- It provided - an education through theatre.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- It also - maintained the tradition...
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- ..that had existed for decades.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- The theatrical tradition - in the Aeron Valley.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- In addition to that, - it was a social centre.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- People liked coming here...
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- ..to discuss things.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- People are important here.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- There's not much room in here...
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- ..for a sizable cast.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- This was the dressing room...
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- ..where people applied their make-up - and got dressed.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02- This room was crammed with people.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- As you can see, - it's not a big room, by a long way.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- I remember it being - a hive of activity.
0:18:17 > 0:18:18- Hello. How are you?
0:18:19 > 0:18:21- This place hasn't changed.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- Still feels exactly the same.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- I can still see the performances - through the glass...
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- ..and see the actors - running through here...
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- .from one side of the theatre - to the other.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- I can see them - climbing the ladder into the roof.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- The place was so popular.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- Families would come here.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57- You'd worry yourself silly - during some performances...
0:18:57 > 0:19:00- ..because - we never turned anyone away.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- Three or four people - would be sitting on the steps...
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- ..in addition to the seats - on both sides.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- It was irresponsible, in a way...
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- ..but what could you do?
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- This special room...
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- ..brings back memories for me.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- A pretty awful photograph - was taken of me in here...
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- ..in front of a brand new desk...
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- ..that I'd somehow - found the funds for!
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- You have to change the technology - from time to time.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44- But I'm pleased to say...
0:19:45 > 0:19:50- ..they haven't changed the paint, - the shelves and a few other things.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- I still recognize a few bits...
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- ..40 years on!
0:20:03 > 0:20:06- While I worked here at Felinfach...
0:20:06 > 0:20:11- ..I bought the Ffostrasol Arms.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- I was running that business too...
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- ..which was difficult.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- Some nights, I'd leave here at - 11.00pm, drive back to Ffostrasol...
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- ..and I remember the corner - in Ffostrasol.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28- I'd pray - that the car park was empty...
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- ..and that the lights - were turned off in the pub.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- However, nine times out of 10 - the place was heaving.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- After my shift here, - I'd work a late shift in the pub...
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- ..but don't tell the police!
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- If we want - the Welsh language to survive...
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- ..then communities - such as rural communities...
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- ..are important to maintain.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02- Without a community - there's no continuation.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- That's one of the reasons - I moved to Ceredigion...
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- ..in the first place.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- I was inspired to come here.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- As someone who'd seen a decline - in the Welsh language...
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- ..in my own locality...
0:21:17 > 0:21:21- ..I had the chance to live in - a Welsh-speaking community here.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- Edward H, Ac Eraill...
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- ..all my musical work...
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- ..in addition to the pub...
0:21:30 > 0:21:35- ..as well as this place, - to all intents and purposes...
0:21:35 > 0:21:39- ..were all part - of this philosophy I upheld.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- A very practical philosophy...
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- ..of promoting the Welsh language - through business, music...
0:21:46 > 0:21:51- ..and leading an enterprise - within a community.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- # Oh, it's so difficult
0:21:55 > 0:22:01- # To say farewell
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- # Farewell #
0:22:05 > 0:22:10- I regret leaving here at times...
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- ..because - I really miss the community...
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- ..and living - in a Welsh-speaking community.
0:22:18 > 0:22:19- Living in Derwen-Gam...
0:22:20 > 0:22:24- ..and running the Ffostrasol Arms - meant that I led a full life.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- I very much cherish the time - I spent at Felinfach.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- # Farewell
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- # Farewell #
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- After leaving Felinfach - I moved to Cardiff...
0:22:54 > 0:22:59- ..then Pontypridd - before moving to Talley.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- It's funny how life turns out.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- A man often returns to his roots.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- I'm back in my locality...
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- ..in Baglan Bay near Port Talbot.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- I've returned - because the place is part of me.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19- It's hard to turn your back...
0:23:20 > 0:23:22- ..on your roots.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:56 > 0:23:56- .