Roy Noble Adre

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-Who lives in this huge house?

-He's one of the most famous faces

-in Wales...

-..and he works

-in Welsh and in English.

-He's a local hero.

-Let's find some more clues.

-This radio is definitely a clue.

-This person has been a successful

-radio presenter for years.

-Do you recognise this little man,

-in his shorts?

-This was taken around 70 years ago.

-This person

-broadcasts on Radio Wales.

-He's so famous,

-they've made a Grogg of him.

-He has received an OBE

-for his charity work.

-This man is also a TV star.

-He has presented many series,

-including Heno and Songs Of Praise.

-Yes - Roy Noble lives in this house.

-Here's a clip

-from Roy Yn Y Cymoedd.

-Easter 1974.

-The children at this school

-faced a big test.

-They had a new headmaster - me.

-This is Ysgol Thomas Stephens,

-Pontneathvaughan.

-I had to spell that

-down the phone thousands of times.

-It closed years ago

-and that's really sad...

-..but I remember

-some special days here.

-Days like Pet Day, when we welcomed

-horses, dogs and cats.

-But one boy brought rabbits

-and another boy brought a ferret!

-It's nice to come to Llwydcoed

-to meet Roy Noble.

-You're very welcome here.

-I'm not very familiar

-with this area.

-How long have you lived here?

-Since 1968.

-I got married

-and lived in Aberaman for a while.

-I come from Brynaman

-and Elaine comes from Godreaman.

-They're in the only other

-Amman valley in Wales, I think.

-You can't fight destiny.

-We've lived in this house

-for over 20 years.

-Actually, it's 24 years.

-You come from Brynaman.

-Upper Brynaman, Carmarthenshire.

-Upper Brynaman, Carmarthenshire.

-

-Is that a little bit more posh?

-Everyone knows Roy Noble,

-the broadcaster...

-..but before that,

-you were a teacher and a headmaster.

-I'm well-known

-for landing two headships.

-I got both jobs

-without knowing a single councillor!

-Back then,

-it was on the application form.

-"Canvassing will disqualify you."

-Talk to a committee member

-and you were out.

-To be honest, what I really wanted

-was to join the Royal Air Force.

-I did five days at Biggin Hill,

-which was famous during the war...

-..to see if I was good enough

-to join the aircrew.

-They cut the numbers

-during the week.

-We started out as a group of 40.

-We did about five tests a day.

-You wanted to be a pilot?

-Yes, and we did five tests a day.

-At the end of every day, they told

-some men they weren't good enough.

-A voice came over the tannoy.

-"Mr Davies, go to room 42."

-You came out of that room

-with your tail between your legs.

-You'd been sent home.

-I was still there

-at the end of the fourth day.

-I thought I was in, but I failed

-in the end because I was too honest.

-On the medical form,

-I admitted to having hay fever.

-When they saw that, a voice said,

-"Mr Noble, go to room 42."

-"Hay fever.

-We can't have pilots sneezing."

-No!

-I was sent home

-and I was bitterly disappointed.

-But teaching was good to me.

-I was happy

-in the world of education.

-Leaving it to enter the media

-was a very tough decision.

-Working in the world of education

-was really wonderful in those days.

-You were a headmaster,

-so why become a broadcaster?

-Was it a dream, like the RAF?

-There was an advert

-in the Western Mail.

-"Presenter required. Radio Wales."

-I read it and thought

-there was no job description there.

-I decided not to send in

-an ordinary application.

-I did something daft.

-I sent them a form

-with two words on it - Roy Noble.

-I sent the same thing to them

-every day for a month.

-They received a page with Roy Noble

-written on it every day.

-I included my phone number

-and they called to invite me down.

-They said that, due to BBC cutbacks,

-there was no longer a job there...

-..although 800 had applied.

-They invited me

-to have a look around anyway...

-..and that's how

-I got my foot in the door.

-They've yet to work out

-how to get my foot out!

-How many hours

-of radio broadcasting have you done?

-You had a daily show, at one time.

-You had a daily show, at one time.

-

-Yes - five days a week.

-It was usually a two-hour show.

-I presented that morning show

-for 23 years, five days a week.

-I then moved to a three-hour,

-afternoon slot, five days a week.

-Now that I'm over 49 years old...

-..and my body's creaking,

-I have a Sunday morning show.

-I've enjoyed

-sitting here chatting...

-..but can we

-have a look around the house?

-Yes. Elaine helped me

-with the cleaning!

-I'll check your work!

-You enter the house

-into a warm, welcoming hall.

-What rooms lead off this hall?

-Straight ahead

-is the breakfast room and kitchen.

-When we have posh dinners,

-we eat there, in the dining room.

-That's my study.

-Elaine never goes in there

-because it's full of my rubbish.

-Over there we have the lounge

-and the conservatory.

-There are four bedrooms upstairs.

-There are four bedrooms upstairs.

-

-Let's start the tour in the kitchen.

-This is the kitchen diner.

-Who does the cooking -

-you or Elaine?

-I'm an expert at opening a tin

-but Elaine does the cooking!

-You can open tins of tuna!

-Yes, that's what happens

-when Elaine's out.

-I either have tomato soup or tuna.

-If we have neither of those,

-I have a problem.

-I have to opt for cheese!

-There's something very homely

-about a kitchen that's full of wood.

-The oven is built into the wall.

-The oven is built into the wall.

-

-Yes. I'm comfortable with it.

-It's been here for 24 years

-and a few things are starting to go.

-We've had a new microwave

-but we have a problem with the hob.

-The problem is, once you start, oh!

-It's like painting a wall -

-once you start, you must carry on.

-There's talk of having

-a modern kitchen fitted.

-Everything will be white.

-But in five years,

-this look will be in again!

-Fashions change.

-Fashions change.

-

-Yes.

-Let's move on to the next room.

-Let's move on to the next room.

-

-I'll lead the way.

-We dine in this room

-every now and then, Nia.

-It really is posh in here.

-Do you host many dinner parties?

-Do you host many dinner parties?

-

-Not as many as we used to.

-Things have become quieter.

-We come in here at Christmas

-and to celebrate birthdays.

-If we welcome visitors we haven't

-seen in a while, we dine in here.

-This is your OBE.

-This is your OBE.

-

-Yes - there it is.

-You don't wear it

-to pop down to the club for a drink?

-No, but when I attend

-official dinners...

-..and I'm requested

-to wear the decorations...

-..I wear a miniature version.

-Tell me about the process.

-Does someone nominate you?

-Yes, someone nominates you

-and it can take two years.

-You receive a note

-saying you're under consideration...

-..and if offered, would you accept?

-I said OK

-and I was sworn to secrecy.

-The next time I heard anything

-was the day it was made public.

-If you mention it to anyone,

-the offer can be withdrawn...

-..so you must be careful.

-Did you go to the Palace

-to receive it?

-Yes, but on that day,

-the Queen was in Cardiff!

-Charles did the honours

-but Charles and I get on alright.

-Where next?

-Where next?

-

-Through the hall to the study.

-Where Elaine doesn't enter!

-Where Elaine doesn't enter!

-

-It looks tidy to me.

-I've spent two days tidying up!

-I've spent two days tidying up!

-

-You knew I was coming.

-It's a busy room.

-A place to work, to relax

-and to sit and think.

-It is, and it's full of memories.

-That aeroplane up there

-is a Cambrian Airways Viscount.

-That's the exact same plane...

-..that's a model, obviously...

-..we flew in on our honeymoon.

-I made a mistake.

-Being a gentleman,

-I let others on before me.

-But there were no seat numbers

-on the tickets.

-When I got on,

-there was no room next to Elaine.

-We went on honeymoon sitting apart.

-I resolved to sit next to her

-on the way back.

-I was at the front of the queue

-coming back from Palma, Mallorca.

-We walked to the plane

-in a tidy line.

-Suddenly, this chap from Bargoed...

-..wearing a sombrero

-and carrying a stuffed donkey...

-..started running

-to get a good seat.

-Someone else started running,

-then someone else.

-Soon, everyone was running

-towards the plane...

-..as if it was the last plane

-out of Saigon.

-It was terrible.

-Did you sit together coming back?

-Did you sit together coming back?

-

-Yes, I fought my way up the steps.

-This is a telescope.

-I'm interested in astronomy.

-The woman across the road

-wonders what I'm doing with that!

-I was once rewarded

-for my interest in astronomy.

-A man once bought a gift.

-A patch of land on Mars.

-I own some land on Mars.

-Once humans go there,

-I'll have something to say!

-Martian Deed.

-Speaking of stars,

-that's Britt Ekland.

-Look how comfortable she is.

-She was safe with me because

-I never make any sudden movements.

-She's leaning in a bit.

-Yes. She tried her best.

-She appeared on Heno

-when it was filmed in Swansea.

-Back then, my beard was black, my

-sinews worked and my blood was hot!

-Things change!

-This is the lounge, Nia.

-This is the lounge, Nia.

-

-Lovely.

-Many things in here

-bring back memories.

-That's a painting of my favourite

-Welsh castle - Carreg Cennen.

-It's one of three castles

-in that area.

-Carreg Cennen

-is built on a ley line.

-Those powerful things

-that lie underground.

-I'll tell you something.

-If you're in a relationship

-with a new woman or a new man...

-..take him or her

-up to Carreg Cennen castle.

-If you don't feel a tingle,

-leave it there!

-It's not meant to be.

-Did you and Elaine feel that tingle?

-Did you and Elaine feel that tingle?

-

-Yes - on six cylinders!

-Let's move through the lounge

-into the conservatory.

-Brace yourself, because we'll

-go through the conservatory...

-..into a decadent room.

-I'm a bit scared!

-Roy!

-I wasn't expecting to see

-a swimming pool!

-Keep it down,

-in case the neighbours hear.

-Sorry for shrieking!

-I got a bit excited.

-How often do you have a dip?

-I've got to go three times a week

-or Elaine will fill it with cement!

-The house was unfinished when we

-bought it and this hole was here.

-Elaine told the builders

-to fill it with cement...

-..but my son and I

-outvoted her two to one.

-But Elaine keeps an eye on the pool

-so I have to go in regularly.

-I do my best,

-but I'm not a physical man.

-None of this overarm stuff

-but a very relaxed breaststroke.

-After twenty minutes in here,

-all my problems have gone.

-It's really nice.

-I now know

-the true meaning of decadent!

-I do feel a bit uneasy about it.

-Join us after the break...

-..when Roy and I

-go for a wander around the area.

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-Welcome back.

-I'm having a fun morning

-with Roy Noble.

-Yes. It's great fun.

-We've left the house

-and we'll go out and about.

-Let's go for a wander...

-..and maybe end up

-by a fire in a hostelry.

-That would be nice.

-Your car or mine?

-Your car or mine?

-

-Neither.

-Let's use something a bit different

-that's in the garage.

-You'll enjoy it.

-It will change your day

-and maybe your life.

-Roy Noble, you're full of surprises.

-Roy Noble, you're full of surprises.

-

-Follow me.

-This is a nice spot to stop,

-in front of a fire.

-I enjoyed being on the bike.

-I enjoyed being on the bike.

-

-Did you?

-It was like sitting on a sofa.

-It was like sitting on a sofa.

-

-Yes, and you're safe with me.

-This is a lovely pub.

-It's been here for many years.

-I've been coming here

-for years myself.

-Your son and daughter-in-law run it?

-Her parents own it.

-Richard married into a pub,

-so there is a God!

-He'd known Natalie for many years

-before he married her.

-They lived in a house down the hill

-but they now live here.

-We're in the village of Penderyn.

-There are three buildings

-on this hill.

-The old church, this pub, which

-dates back almost to Norman times...

-..and the vicarage.

-You drove that bike of yours on TV.

-Do you drive or ride that bike?

-Do you drive or ride that bike?

-

-I'd say you ride it.

-It has three wheels, so you don't

-need a motorbike licence to ride it.

-You don't have to wear a helmet

-but it's better to wear one.

-You rode that bike

-in the series Roy Yn Y Cymoedd.

-Yes.

-I made that series

-to show the Valleys in a new light.

-I wanted to put a new picture

-in the minds of people...

-..who perhaps have a mental image of

-the Valleys but who don't know it.

-This was my chance

-to show them as they really are.

-How much Welsh is spoken here?

-Welsh is spoken among my generation

-and it's growing among youngsters.

-We have a successful

-Welsh medium comprehensive school...

-..and two Welsh medium primaries.

-There's a Welsh unit

-in the primary in Penderyn too.

-It's a boost for the language.

-It's a boost for the language.

-

-So, Welsh is growing here.

-Roy, I could sit here listening

-to your stories all afternoon.

-It's dangerous to sit in a pub.

-We're having coffee today...

-..but if you start drinking

-in the afternoon...

-..you've got to keep going.

-Otherwise, you'll get depressed

-by seven o'clock in the evening.

-It's best to keep going!

-We have a choice -

-stay all day or go home.

-It's up to you, but you should

-go home to your children.

-I meant back home to your house!

-I meant back home to your house!

-

-Oh! To the pool.

-It's good to be back here

-sitting in a chair again.

-Your hair's neat,

-after that bike ride!

-I brushed it and curled it again,

-after that helmet.

-Finally, Roy, I must ask you

-what items you'd rescue...

-..if the house were on fire.

-This house is full of valuable

-and interesting items.

-What would you grab

-if you had to run out of here?

-It was tough.

-I had to choose these scripts.

-I've written hundreds of them,

-longhand.

-This one is called Dowlais Top,

-as you can see.

-The other one

-is called Letters From Aberdare.

-I wrote these weekly for the BBC

-when I was a headmaster.

-I went down there at 7.00am

-and they broadcast it live.

-They then repeated it

-before nine o'clock.

-That was the key

-to the door of broadcasting.

-Those are definite,

-but I wasn't sure about the rest.

-I keep this in the garage.

-It was my father's suitcase.

-He emigrated to Canada.

-You could pay 10 and go out

-to Canada to work, even to live.

-His cousin also went there.

-She stayed in Canada

-but he came home.

-Those were his initials.

-IN - Ivor Noble.

-I'd keep this.

-I could have been born a Canadian.

-How long did he stay there?

-How long did he stay there?

-

-For six years.

-He came home in the 1930s

-and he worked in Ammanford.

-This is a symbol

-of being a referee.

-It's for people

-who are rubbish at playing rugby.

-We were lucky in Brynaman.

-I was hopeless at playing

-but I was keen.

-Brynaman didn't have a strong team

-and it was perilous on a Saturday...

-..when they were short of numbers.

-If they were away, the bus

-snaked around the village...

-..and they snatched boys

-off the street to play for them.

-I'd be on one wing...

-..with the bus driver

-on the other, in his brogues.

-You were a referee.

-You were a referee.

-

-Yes, but I had one weakness.

-I worried

-about the decisions I'd made.

-If I'd been wrong,

-it kept me awake at night.

-You need skin like a rhinoceros

-to be a referee.

-That's also linked

-to my teaching career...

-..but I've chosen this bell.

-I rang the bell to call pupils back

-into class at the end of playtime.

-This bell was a present from my son.

-I remember someone coming out with

-a bell when I was at primary school.

-The bell's a definite.

-This is my final item -

-a bowler hat.

-Well, well!

-It's a symbol of the other things

-I've done in my life.

-I'm a member

-of the Order of St John.

-I was shocked because they put me

-in a cape with a cross on it.

-A black cape?

-I told Elaine no-one in Brynaman

-must find out I wore a cape!

-I'd never live it down.

-But I chose the bowler hat.

-It's a symbol

-of the other things I do in life.

-Things like being

-a Vice Lord Lieutenant.

-When the Lord Lieutenant

-asked me to be her deputy...

-..I declined the offer because

-I couldn't wear a military uniform.

-You can do it in that role.

-You have the right

-to wear a soldier's uniform?

-Yes.

-A lieutenant colonel

-or a colonel's uniform, I think.

-I'd look like something

-out of a Gilbert and Sullivan opera.

-I wouldn't have the credibility

-to stand by the Cenotaph...

-..next to a man who lost his legs

-in Afghanistan or Iraq.

-She told me not to worry, as female

-Lord Lieutenants don't wear uniform.

-That's why we decided

-I'd wear a bowler hat.

-I take the hat off...

-I take the hat off...

-

-You look the part.

-..at the right moment,

-and I have an umbrella.

-I've enjoyed myself.

-It was a joy to have you,

-and make sure you come back soon.

-Roy Noble is a great character.

-I've had a lot of fun

-in his company.

-Thanks for watching,

-and I'll see you next time.

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.

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