0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:22 > 0:00:25- Hello and welcome - to a new series of Adre.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28- In the coming weeks, - I'll travel across Wales...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- ..meeting interesting famous people.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34- Today, I start here, in Gwynedd.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- I want to know who owns this house.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46- Look what I've found.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- Do you recognise - this cheeky little boy?
0:00:50 > 0:00:51- Cute!
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- This person is famous - for many different reasons.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- As you can see - from these gold discs...
0:01:03 > 0:01:05- ..he's famous for his singing.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- This man is religious...
0:01:10 > 0:01:14- ..and every Sunday, - he travels across Wales preaching.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19- He's also a politician.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23- He sings protest songs and he's - a former president of Plaid Cymru.
0:01:24 > 0:01:25- He's also a keen reader.
0:01:30 > 0:01:31- Who owns this house?
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- Well, none other than Dafydd Iwan.
0:01:34 > 0:01:35- Here's a clip of him.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39- # Don't ask your stupid questions
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- # Don't give me that surprised look
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- # Only a fool would ask
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- # Why is snow white? #
0:01:54 > 0:01:57- Dafydd, - thank you for inviting us here.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- I don't know where to start.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01- We have so much to discuss.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- Let's go right back - to your childhood.
0:02:04 > 0:02:05- Where did you grow up?
0:02:05 > 0:02:09- Where did you grow up?- - Brynaman, Carmarthenshire.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14- On the border between the old - Carmarthenshire and Glamorganshire.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- It was a coal mining village - at the time.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- That's where I spent - the first 12 years of my life.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26- You left Brynaman and moved - to North Wales when you were 12.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31- My father was the minister - at Gibea Chapel, Brynaman.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38- He accepted a post - in Llanuwchllyn, near Bala.
0:02:39 > 0:02:45- Myself and my three brothers - moved to Llanuwchllyn.
0:02:45 > 0:02:51- During that period - you spent in Llanuwchllyn...
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- ..did you become aware of politics?
0:02:55 > 0:03:00- Were politics and Welshness - important to you, even as a boy?
0:03:01 > 0:03:03- I recently came across an essay...
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- ..that I'd written - as a ten-year-old child.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09- What I Want To Be When I'm A Man.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14- In that essay, - I said I wanted to be an MP.
0:03:14 > 0:03:15- No!
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- No!- - The seed had been sown.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- For me, supporting Plaid Cymru...
0:03:21 > 0:03:25- ..is the same thing - as supporting the Wales rugby team.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- It's as natural as that.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- My paternal grandfather...
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- ..Fred Jones...
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- ..was one of the founders of - Plaid Cymru, so it was in my blood.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44- It's interesting that your political - beliefs crossed into your singing.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49- Did you start to sing protest songs - when you were a student?
0:03:50 > 0:03:51- Yes.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56- Politics, the Welsh Language Society - and singing took over my life.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- The Welsh Language Society - dominated my life for a decade.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08- It was my reason for - getting out of bed every morning.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- The Welsh language - had no official status in the 1960s.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15- Our aim was clear.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20- The singing was part of it, - because I used my songs...
0:04:20 > 0:04:26- ..to outline and promote the - Welsh Language Society's campaigns.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- I used the songs - to get points across...
0:04:29 > 0:04:34- ..and to get slogans across, - such as Paentio'r Byd Yn Wyrdd.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39- That song changed the road signs - campaign into something bigger.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- "Let's go together - and paint the world green".
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- I still sing that song, - not because of road signs...
0:04:47 > 0:04:53- ..but to encourage everyone - to unite and campaign for change.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- I didn't look at it as showbiz.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- I simply sang - about what was important to me.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- I tried to do that in a way - that was classed as entertainment.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09- My songs were sometimes fun - and they sometimes made you laugh...
0:05:10 > 0:05:16- ..and they sometimes - used sentiment and emotion...
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- ..to get people to think.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- Of course, - people didn't always agree with me.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- But at least - it made people discuss the issues.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- Yes, and even - when people disagreed with me...
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- ..they were - at least discussing politics.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- That was the great contribution - of the Welsh Language Society.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- Yes, there were arguments - that tore families apart.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- There was arguing - and there was suffering...
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- ..but we brought the language - into the centre of politics.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- Nobody could sit back and say...
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- .."I'm not worried - about the Welsh language."
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- They had to say where they stood.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- You took up singing during that - period and you're still singing.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- How many songs have you written?
0:06:08 > 0:06:14- I'm not sure, but I think - it's somewhere around 300.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- I've forgotten most of them!
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- It's difficult - for any singer to retire.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- I've announced my retirement - many times, so sorry.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- I've tried, but I can't do it.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37- While someone somewhere wants - to hear me sing, I'll carry on.
0:06:37 > 0:06:42- At the same time, I'm aware - that you can go on for too long.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49- The only sure thing is that - there will be a final concert.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- Can I go and have a snoop - around your home now?
0:06:54 > 0:06:55- Absolutely.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- Luckily, Bethan - takes care of the house.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- All I do is live here!
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- This is what we see when we step in - through the front door.
0:07:13 > 0:07:14- It's lovely and open.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19- There's lots of art on the walls, - so I take it you're a fan of art.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- Our extensive collection - is made up of gifts and purchases.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- We'd give the National Library - a run for its money!
0:07:30 > 0:07:31- There's an equine theme here.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- There's an equine theme here.- - Yes. Bethan is fond of horses.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- How long have you lived here?
0:07:37 > 0:07:38- How long have you lived here?- - Since 1988.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- It was a huge year for me.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- I married Bethan, I had a 25 year - celebration concert in Corwen...
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- ..and we moved in to this house.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- It was a little box - when we bought it.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- We added to our little box - as our family expanded...
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- ..and as our needs changed.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- It's an unusual house, - in terms of its shape.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Let's take a look at the kitchen.
0:08:17 > 0:08:18- This is the kitchen.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- This is the kitchen.- - Nice.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- Its shape - is a bit out of the ordinary.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- It's wrapped around two rooms, - in a way.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32- This black slate worktop came from - Cwt Y Bugail, Blaenau Ffestiniog.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38- This is where Bethan does her work - and I help occasionally!
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- You're a sous-chef? You do help?
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- She's so good, - who am I to interfere?
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- When she's away, - I can take care of myself.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53- When the whole family comes home, - we eat in there.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- Other than that, - we eat in the kitchen.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- Let's take a look over there.
0:09:11 > 0:09:12- The lounge.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- Yes, this is the main living space - in this house.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- That's a relatively small TV.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- It's not like a cinema screen, - so do you watch much TV?
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- It took a long time - for us to accept...
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- ..we needed something bigger - than a small TV.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38- One of the children came home - one Christmas and said, "Oh, Dad!"
0:09:38 > 0:09:40- The colour didn't work either...
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- ..so we had - a small black and white TV!
0:09:44 > 0:09:46- I think that screen is big enough.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- Is that a collection - of family photos?
0:09:52 > 0:09:53- Yes.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- Without family, we're nobody.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- Those are our children, - our friends and our family.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- You have five children, don't you?
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- You have five children, don't you?- - Yes.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- Three from my first marriage - and two from this marriage.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- All five mean the world to me and - they get on like a house on fire.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- You're a grandfather too.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- Yes - I have four grandchildren.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22- We're lucky because we don't - have to babysit them too much.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- Many grandparents - do a lot of childcare these days.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- You pass them back pretty quickly!
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- You pass them back pretty quickly!- - Yes, we have them in small helpings.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47- Oh, nice!
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- These are the bedrooms, Nia.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56- That's Caio's room, that's Celt's - room and that's the master bedroom.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- This is our bedroom.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11- This is our bedroom.- - It's nice.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- This was commissioned by Sain. - It's by Catrin Williams.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24- Catrin included lyrics from my songs - in this piece...
0:11:24 > 0:11:29- ..which was presented to me - as a birthday present.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- Bethan commissioned that picture - to celebrate another birthday.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- It's by Stephen Jones, - a local artist.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44- That's Bethan, Caio and Celt - on Dinas Dinlle beach.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50- We see the three from the back - but it's extremely lifelike.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- It's a very special painting to us.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- That's where - you make yourself beautiful!
0:11:59 > 0:12:01- I don't have to try too hard!
0:12:01 > 0:12:02- I don't have to try too hard!- - Well said.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- Can we take a look - at the other side of the house?
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- This is your second lounge.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- Do you escape in here - for some peace and quiet?
0:12:19 > 0:12:24- Yes, it's a room where I escape - to watch TV or to contemplate.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31- We called it the Wooden Room - because that wall was clad in wood.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36- This was the first room - to be added to the original box.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- It's been a really useful room.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- The library?
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- Yes - my library, study and office.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- You can tell from the mess that - I spend most of my time in there!
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- Bethan told me that - she's not responsible for this room!
0:12:57 > 0:12:59- After you, if I'm brave enough!
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- After you, if I'm brave enough!- - Give it a go.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- A piano tucked away there - and this is your library.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- This looks like a busy room.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- Well, I've always worked like this.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- It's organized chaos.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- I know where everything is, says he!
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- I come here to laze around...
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- ..write a few songs and think.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27- It's good to have a room like this, - where I can watch the birds outside.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- I enjoy the time I spend in here.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- It's good that a man...
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- ..can have an untidy cave - like this in his life.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- Join me after the break...
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- ..when Dafydd and I will - cross the bridge to Anglesey...
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- ..and entertain - a group of people there.
0:13:59 > 0:14:04- Well, Dafydd will do the singing - and I'll sit there and watch.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05- .
0:14:10 > 0:14:10- Subtitles
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- Welcome back.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22- Dafydd Iwan and I have travelled to - Benllech for a chat and a song...
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- ..with Bodffordd Pensioners' Club.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34- Catherine, - you're the club president.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- Tell me a bit about the club.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- I've been a member for ten years...
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- ..but the club was founded - around 40 years ago.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- As Dafydd Iwan would say, - we're still here.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- It's a warm, friendly club.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58- Everyone enjoys - coming together once a month.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00- Are they a wild crew?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- Are they a wild crew?- - It depends where you take them!
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- This is a special day. - Dafydd Iwan is here to sing to you.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09- Do you know him?
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- Do you know him?- - Yes, through his preaching.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- His father adjudicated - at eisteddfodau.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- # Mam made a coat for me - From a piece of the sky above
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- # In the middle of the summer #
0:15:22 > 0:15:23- Try the chorus.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27- # Lah-lah, lah-lah-lah. - Lah-lah, lah-lah-lah... #
0:15:27 > 0:15:32- I love doing - this type of informal stuff...
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- ..especially with the elderly.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- They're about the same age as me!
0:15:40 > 0:15:43- I'm thrilled to be able to do this - up north or down south.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48- # Mam made a coat for me - From a piece of the sky above
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- # When it was raining #
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- I remember - back to my college years...
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- ..when Dafydd - was a student in Cardiff.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- He'd come up to Bangor.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- Students were thrilled to see him.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- # I asked the robin, - "Where did you get that red coat?" #
0:16:09 > 0:16:14- He champions the Welsh language - and it's a pleasure to be with him.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23- These songs have been - part of their lives and my life too.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- This is my way of giving back - to the people who've supported me.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- Dafydd is an icon and Wales - would be poorer without him.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- He's passionate about Wales.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43- He's passionate about Wales.- - That hasn't changed.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- No, and we're proud of him.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- This is the chapel and centre - at Caeathro.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- A group of people - came together a few years ago...
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- ..to renovate this chapel.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29- We received grants - to turn it into a chapel...
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- ..and a community centre.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- There's a garage and a shop here...
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- ..but this is the focal point - of the village.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43- I preach here once a year but - I don't attend many services here...
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- ..because I'm usually - away preaching.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- But I do enjoy coming here.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- As you mentioned, you're a preacher.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- Where do you do your preaching?
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- Well, it all started in Waunfawr.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03- The Independent Chapel had no-one - to give a sermon one Sunday...
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- ..and they asked me to do it.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- I was scared.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- I'd never considered it.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14- But I did it, - with some help from my father.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- I didn't enjoy preaching - for a while...
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- ..because I didn't feel worthy.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27- Once I'd conquered those feelings - of being unworthy...
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- ..I started to warm to the task.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- I found myself being called - to various chapels in the area.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- Word soon gets around.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- As the number of ministers - we have dwindles...
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- ..the demand for preachers like me - have steadily grown.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- I even have preaching bookings - for 2019!
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- I've said that will by my final year - as a preacher.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- I have a five-year diary - for preaching...
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- ..and it ends in 2019.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- I'll retire from preaching - when I'm 80.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- We've heard it all before, Dafydd!
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- We've heard it all before, Dafydd!- - If I'm alive, I'll retire then.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24- What three things would you rescue - from your home if you had to flee?
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- It's no surprise - that you'd save a picture.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- It's hard to choose three, - but this is the first one.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- It's a photo of the family - who lived on Cilie farm.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37- The original Cilie family.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- My great-grandfather, - my great-grandmother...
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- ..carrying Alun Cilie, - one of their 12 children.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- That's Fred, my grandfather, - who was the eldest.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- The Cilie boys were famous poets.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- Yes, that's the main thing - - most were some sort of poets.
0:19:58 > 0:20:04- They wrote poetry - to mark local events.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09- One or two of them - were pretty special poets.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11- I won't praise my family too much...
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- ..but I'm proud of this lot.
0:20:15 > 0:20:20- In order to get a photograph - of the members of the family only...
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- ..the maid who was standing there - was deleted from the picture.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- You can almost see her shadow there.
0:20:30 > 0:20:36- Yes, she's like a ghost, but she was - deleted to make it a family photo.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41- I don't see it - as a slight on the maid.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50- The second item is also in a frame.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- I hope I'm not guilty - of a bit of name-dropping here...
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- ..but I don't mind - if I face that accusation.
0:20:59 > 0:21:05- This reflects the fact I had the - honour of meeting Saunders Lewis...
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- ..on more than one occasion.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11- I first met him in 1969.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17- The road signs campaign and - the anti-investiture campaigns...
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- ..were raging at that time.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- I went to his house - and he gave this to me.
0:21:23 > 0:21:28- It's a print of the work - of David Jones, the poet and artist.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- He was famous for his calligraphy...
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- ..and he used a combination - of Latin, English and Welsh.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- On this photograph - of the original work...
0:21:43 > 0:21:49- ..he wrote Ante Luciferum Genuite.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54- On the back, he wrote a letter - to his friend, Saunders Lewis.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59- "Christmas 1958. To Saunders, - with fond regards, from Dafydd".
0:22:00 > 0:22:01- Saunders rededicated it.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- "And to Dafydd Iwan, - Saunders Lewis, 16 June 1969."
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- Given the links - with Saunders and David Jones...
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- ..this is a treasure - I'd rescue from any fire.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- It's absolutely fine to name-drop - the great hero, Saunders Lewis!
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- Thank you very much.
0:22:26 > 0:22:27- And finally?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- And finally?- - I'd have to rescue this little book.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- I rely on this diary.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- If you want to know where I'll be - next week or a year from today...
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- ..I'll tell you - because it's in here.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- Without this, I have no memory!
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- You don't know where you've been - or where you're going!
0:22:49 > 0:22:50- It's all in here.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- Yes, but the tragedy is, - I lose this on a regular basis!
0:22:54 > 0:22:56- That's why I'm lost.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58- That's why I'm lost.- - There we are. Thank you very much.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- I'll leave you in peace - to go and hide in your office.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04- I've enjoyed your company.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- You're a national treasure.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- Thank you, Nia.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11- Thank you, Nia.- - Dafydd Iwan!
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- I've been in his bedroom!
0:23:31 > 0:23:33- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:34 > 0:23:34- .