Pennod 1 Cymoedd Roy Noble

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-The Valleys

-have always been my home.

-Each valley with its industrial

-scars and colourful characters...

-..have left

-a lasting impression on me.

-Over the coming weeks...

-..I'll revisit the Valleys...

-..and meet characters

-who are naturally welcoming.

-Why not jump on board my ride?

-I'm shifting gear

-and heading for the horizon!

-The Rhondda.

-During the 19th and 20th century...

-..it was the most famous valley

-in Wales and the world for its coal.

-The Rhondda Valley transported

-almost ten million tonnes of coal...

-..to the docks at Barry,

-Cardiff and Swansea...

-..to be exported across the globe.

-The work attracted people

-from all over.

-During the 1920s...

-..some 120,000 people

-lived in the Rhondda.

-Today's population

-is a mere 70,000.

-My journey commences

-above Rhondda Fawr.

-It's one of the most stunning scenes

-in the Valleys.

-I travel from Rhigos

-towards Treherbert...

-..and arrive at Blaencwm

-which is steeped in history.

-This is historic, Leanne.

-How far does it go back

-and when was the tunnel built?

-It was built in 1885.

-Its purpose was to transport coal

-from Blaengwynfi to Swansea Docks.

-They met in the middle and

-were inches away from each other.

-It was just like

-the Eurotunnel and amazing.

-When we travel through there...

-..use a prodding stick

-in case of any tracks.

-I don't want anybody

-getting down in there.

-Since its closure in 1968,

-nobody has entered this tunnel.

-The Rhondda Tunnel Society

-and local residents...

-..are campaigning to reopen it.

-A company has been commissioned

-to carefully examine its safety.

-Mine Rescue Service are surveying

-the condition of the tunnel.

-Once you discover it's safe,

-you'll travel two miles through it.

-Yes, and two miles back

-to the shaft.

-This tunnel has been closed

-for almost 50 years.

-What are you expecting to find?

-We're aware that water is dripping

-through the roof of the tunnel...

-..and there are areas where bricks

-have fallen on the track bed.

-You're searching for any bricks.

-We'll find any fallen bricks

-and try to make it safe.

-The project will be funded by the

-Welsh Government and public bodies.

-The aim is to reopen the tunnel as

-a cycle route to attract tourists.

-It will create jobs and tourism.

-It will attract people

-and promote cycling.

-I can't wait to cycle through

-the tunnel with my own family.

-It will be fantastic.

-There's already a track

-on the other side.

-Yes, and if everything goes to plan

-it will extend towards Pontypridd.

-You can cycle to Ponty through the

-tunnel without meeting any traffic.

-If you follow a line

-down from those three trees...

-..you'll find the opening

-of the tunnel to Blaengwynfi.

-Tunnels are wondrous places

-with caves and tales.

-There's a story of a man who missed

-the last train back to Blaengwynfi.

-He worked in Blaenrhondda and drank

-at the New Inn pub in Treherbert.

-He was also seeing someone.

-His only way home was to scale

-the mountain or take a shortcut.

-He decided to walk

-through the tunnel.

-Suddenly, he slipped

-and fell over the track.

-He searched for his keys

-on the ground...

-..and without realizing,

-he had turned back on himself.

-When he exited the tunnel,

-he realized what he had done.

-He decided to sleep there

-and wash in river...

-..before working the early shift

-at the nearby Fernhill Colliery.

-Boys will be boys.

-Once beer and passion takes over,

-it can get a bit messy.

-We've all been there

-so we can certainly sympathize.

-The Rhondda remains awash

-with rows of terraced houses...

-..that once housed workers who moved

-here in the 19th and 20th century.

-Sera Evans and her family

-live in Ton Pentre.

-She has strong roots in this area.

-Traditionally, the groom moves

-to where the bride lives...

-..but you've done the opposite.

-You moved here

-as Gareth is from Ton Pentre.

-It's only a few miles away.

-My heart is in Cwmparc

-which is only two miles away.

-We lived in Treorchy for a while...

-..but we wanted a larger property.

-Treorchy is a popular area

-so larger properties are expensive.

-Therefore,

-we moved to Ton Pentre.

-Treorchy isn't as far as Madeira.

-It's only around the corner.

-It was natural for you to stay

-in this area when you got married.

-I felt I had to come back

-and live here.

-I moved away to university

-in Oxford...

-..and I just had to come back.

-I'm the sort of character...

-..who likes to feel

-part of a community.

-When I go shopping in Treorchy...

-..it takes me an hour

-to walk down the street.

-I bump into so many people

-that I know.

-I'm also a local councillor...

-..so people ask if I can fix

-the pavement outside their house!

-I think it's great and I love it.

-I'm from the Amman Valley

-and it differs to the Cynon Valley.

-It's also in the Valleys

-and a neighbourly place.

-Are the Valleys

-still sociable today?

-I think times have changed

-following an influx of outsiders.

-I disagree with you.

-I think people...

-I'll go out to the back garden

-to play with my children...

-..and chat to my neighbour, Alison

-about what we did at the weekend.

-She asks me when are they

-collecting the garden waste.

-We discuss the other residents

-and any local events.

-Having a sense of community

-is important...

-..and I think

-it's still very much alive.

-What about the next generation?

-Gruff and Caio

-are sitting over there.

-Would you like them to study

-elsewhere but come back here?

-Hopefully, they'll return here.

-Unfortunately, when I speak to

-other school children in the area...

-..many of them

-are eager to move away.

-But hopefully if they move away...

-..they'll long for the community or

-the place where they were born...

-..and they might want to return

-just like I did.

-You can't force them to do it but

-it would be great if they came back.

-The town of Treorchy

-lies at the heart of the Rhondda.

-The Park and Dare Hall

-is a local iconic building.

-It remains a hive of activity

-throughout the year.

-They opened it back in 1913.

-The miners funded the building.

-They worked at the nearby

-Park and Dare Colliery.

-All the miners donated a penny

-from each pound of their wages.

-The Park and Dare Hall

-is recognized as a theatre today.

-It's similar to buildings

-in other places...

-..that were also funded by miners.

-Yes, they included institutes

-and similar buildings.

-One part of the theatre

-had a billiard hall...

-..and there was a library.

-It entertained the community.

-It was more than just a theatre

-and acted like a mini university.

-Some of the miners

-missed out on an education...

-..but they were able

-to study at the library.

-Yes, some miners didn't

-have a chance to learn.

-They left school at a young age

-to work underground.

-But some of them were aware

-of Sophocles and Freud...

-..having learnt about them

-at the library here.

-I know a miner who worked

-underground for 25 years.

-He returned to education

-and eventually became a lecturer.

-There was a chance to leave

-the coal mines behind.

-This theatre is a wonderful place.

-You can also imagine the type of

-vibrancy in the town of Treorchy.

-It was a focal point with shops,

-chapels, schools and also a theatre.

-It was an important place

-for local people.

-The charming theatre

-continues to attract audiences.

-The place is packed

-when the entire community is here.

-Without the community,

-we wouldn't be here.

-They always enjoy our musicals

-and support our cinema.

-It's a famous and iconic building.

-Do you sense the history

-of this place when you work here?

-Yes, I always sense it.

-I love this job and the building

-as I'm a local lad from Treherbert.

-But the building's history is unique

-and that's why I enjoy working here.

-The building is home to one

-of the finest choirs in Wales...

-..namely

-the Treorchy Male Voice Choir.

-The choir also flies the flag

-for the Valleys.

-One and...

-# A little saucepan

-is boiling on the fire

-# A big saucepan

-is boiling on the floor

-# And the cat

-has scratched little Johnny #

-Are you a tenor?

-Are you a tenor?

-

-No, I'm a baritone.

-You've got connections

-with this area.

-Yes, my family live in Llwynypia.

-Did you attend Cymmer School?

-Did you attend Cymmer School?

-

-Yes, I did.

-You've got a slight

-Northwalian accent.

-At school, we had a lesson

-that taught us to roll our 'Rs.'

-This has stuck with me

-since I left school.

-Do you enjoy the singing

-or is it more than that?

-It's a lot more than that.

-You get to sing to strangers.

-It's a delight to see them...

-..stand up and applaud

-at the end of the concert.

-It's quite moving.

-I hope you continue singing

-and never catch a cold!

-Hopefully, I won't.

-# A big saucepan

-is boiling on the floor

-# And the cat

-has scratched little Johnny #

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-# Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau #

-Tich Gwilym

-"Wales forever.

-Welcome to the Valleys."

-This is Y Bwlch

-and it boasts some amazing views.

-Pen Y Fan is over there

-and England is beyond it.

-On a clear day, you can see

-The Channel, Somerset and Africa!

-Cwmparc is below us

-and Treorchy is further on.

-You turn left for Treherbert

-and Blaenrhondda...

-..and then south

-for Tonypandy and Llwynypia.

-# Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau #

-Tich Gwilym

-Tich Gwilym or Robert Gwilliam

-was born in Llwynypia...

-..on 10 September 1950.

-He was an acclaimed guitarist.

-He was known as

-the Hendrix of the Valleys...

-..due to his version

-of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau...

-..with Geraint Jarman

-and The Cynghaneddwyr.

-My next stop is 73 Bailey Street

-in Ton Pentre.

-It was the home of the first heroine

-in the Valleys in the 20th century.

-It's Elizabeth Andrews.

-Bailey Street, Ton Pentre

-is a significant place...

-..in the history of the Valleys.

-There's also a Blue Plaque

-that commemorates Elizabeth Andrews.

-Yes, that's right.

-It's at number 73.

-Elizabeth Andrews moved to the house

-after marrying Thomas Andrews...

-..who was a founder

-of the Labour Party in the Rhondda.

-They moved here

-before the outbreak of World War I.

-She was obviously intelligent,

-an academic and quite special.

-Elizabeth joined the Labour Party

-at a young age...

-..and was a socialist campaigner.

-She helped struggling women

-in the Valleys...

-..and sympathized

-with their situation.

-Coal miners appointed her to present

-evidence to the Sankey Commission...

-..after the First World War.

-This was the Royal Commission

-on the Coal Industry.

-She represented women...

-..by highlighting

-the housing situation...

-..the lack of facilities...

-..and the need for baths

-or showers in collieries.

-Elizabeth also spearheaded

-a campaign...

-..to establish nursery schools.

-She wanted to shape a better world

-for the younger generation.

-She was classed as a heroine...

-..as she was among the first

-to champion women's rights...

-..and became a prominent

-political figure in the Valleys.

-There are two roads in life

-and the same applies to the Rhondda.

-This bustling gateway

-leads to the Rhondda Valley.

-The village of Porth is busy

-due to the fork in the road.

-You take a right for Tylorstown,

-Ferndale and Maerdy...

-..or turn left for Treorchy,

-Tonypandy, Treherbert...

-..and Blaenrhondda.

-Rhondda Fawr is to my right

-and Rhondda Fach is on the left.

-The Penrhys Estate sits on a hilltop

-between both valleys.

-Over the years,

-it's gained a poor reputation...

-..for being one of the most

-deprived areas in the valley.

-But the situation is improving

-thanks to the Penrhys Partnership.

-Sharon Rees has lived

-and worked here for 23 years...

-..and witnessed

-massive changes on the estate.

-What is the essence

-of the partnership...

-..and who are its members?

-It's an ecumenical church

-supported by eight denominations.

-This is quite unusual.

-The Partnership has made an impact

-on this close-knit community.

-It's a challenge

-but we do our utmost...

-..to demonstrate to people that

-Penrhys is a great place to live.

-Last year,

-we needed to raise funds...

-..to replace a rusty

-church roof that leaked.

-I thought we'd have to close it...

-..but the community

-were set against it...

-..so we started to fund-raise.

-Penrhys Partnership

-liaises with local schools.

-The children attend a weekly

-prayer service at St Mary's Church.

-Many of them take advantage of

-the Partnership's Homework Club.

-Good afternoon, children.

-Good afternoon, children.

-

-Good afternoon, Sharon.

-Good afternoon, Arfon.

-Good afternoon, friends.

-Our evening Homework Club

-is held twice a week.

-We liaise with teachers

-for suitable work for the children.

-School was different in my day.

-They're all working hard here.

-It reminds me of my time

-as a headmaster.

-We taught in small, intimate groups

-on tables that resemble cafe tables.

-Everyone's very quiet but

-it might be because of our presence.

-He's answered each one correctly.

-Penrhys boasts

-a successful football club.

-The local lads

-are fierce competitors.

-The boys train on the 3G pitch

-on the outskirts of Tylorstown.

-We're part of the Glan Ely League...

-..and play every Monday night.

-The boys play football...

-..whilst Michael and I

-act as their chauffeurs.

-Thanks for the invite and welcome.

-We all have a perception

-of certain places...

-..be it in Wales or the Valleys.

-I'm concerned that residents

-to the south of Tongwynlais...

-..don't know their neighbours

-further north.

-You're just a gap.

-The people and weather both change.

-The residents up here

-are unique and friendly.

-Yes, they're special.

-My trip to the Rhondda wouldn't be

-complete without a visit to Maerdy.

-It's also known as Little Moscow.

-Maerdy is unique due to its title.

-Yes, definitely

-as it's known as Little Moscow.

-This place

-was a political powerhouse...

-..following the 1926 General Strike.

-It's was quite a volatile place.

-The coal miners who worked here

-and many from the local lodge...

-..belonged to

-Britain's Communist Party.

-Maerdy was given a Marxist brand.

-A century later, people still

-refer to Maerdy as Little Moscow.

-I think the authorities in London

-were slightly perturbed.

-People revolted against

-the way they were treated...

-..as we witnessed

-in France and Russia.

-This logic started

-to make its way to Wales.

-Yes, definitely.

-During the Strike, the miners in

-Maerdy didn't cross the picket line.

-They didn't return to work

-before the end of the Strike.

-It signified the power of the lodge

-and general consensus among locals.

-The South Wales Valleys...

-..were more than just towns

-built for the coal industry.

-It boasted a rich culture

-of brass brands and male choirs.

-I think the people who live here

-are extraordinary.

-I don't think I'll ever

-meet anyone else like them.

-This is highest point

-of the Valleys.

-They claim the Urals of Russia

-is the next highest peak from here!

-I visit here once a year

-between Christmas and New Year...

-..and drink whisky with my friend.

-We enjoyed a tipple together and

-now his ashes are scattered here.

-I pour a glass for myself

-and Rhydwen Williams.

-He was a writer, poet

-and Baptist minister.

-His voice was like hot chocolate

-that charmed both men and women.

-He would call my wife

-on her birthday...

-..and say, "I'll raise my glass

-to a special lady...

-"..on her special day."

-He left Elaine feeling like

-she was on cloud nine.

-Cheers to him and to you.

-S4C Subtitles by Tinopolis

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