Pennod 1 Cymoedd Roy Noble


Pennod 1

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-The Valleys

-have always been my home.

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-Each valley with its industrial

-scars and colourful characters...

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-..have left

-a lasting impression on me.

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-Over the coming weeks...

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

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-..and meet characters

-who are naturally welcoming.

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-Why not jump on board my ride?

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-I'm shifting gear

-and heading for the horizon!

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-The Rhondda.

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

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-..it was the most famous valley

-in Wales and the world for its coal.

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-The Rhondda Valley transported

-almost ten million tonnes of coal...

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-..to the docks at Barry,

-Cardiff and Swansea...

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-..to be exported across the globe.

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-The work attracted people

-from all over.

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-During the 1920s...

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-..some 120,000 people

-lived in the Rhondda.

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-Today's population

-is a mere 70,000.

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-My journey commences

-above Rhondda Fawr.

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-It's one of the most stunning scenes

-in the Valleys.

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-I travel from Rhigos

-towards Treherbert...

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-..and arrive at Blaencwm

-which is steeped in history.

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-This is historic, Leanne.

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-How far does it go back

-and when was the tunnel built?

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-It was built in 1885.

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-Its purpose was to transport coal

-from Blaengwynfi to Swansea Docks.

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-They met in the middle and

-were inches away from each other.

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-It was just like

-the Eurotunnel and amazing.

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-When we travel through there...

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-..use a prodding stick

-in case of any tracks.

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-I don't want anybody

-getting down in there.

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-Since its closure in 1968,

-nobody has entered this tunnel.

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-The Rhondda Tunnel Society

-and local residents...

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-..are campaigning to reopen it.

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-A company has been commissioned

-to carefully examine its safety.

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-Mine Rescue Service are surveying

-the condition of the tunnel.

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-Once you discover it's safe,

-you'll travel two miles through it.

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-Yes, and two miles back

-to the shaft.

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-This tunnel has been closed

-for almost 50 years.

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-What are you expecting to find?

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-We're aware that water is dripping

-through the roof of the tunnel...

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-..and there are areas where bricks

-have fallen on the track bed.

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-You're searching for any bricks.

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-We'll find any fallen bricks

-and try to make it safe.

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-The project will be funded by the

-Welsh Government and public bodies.

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-The aim is to reopen the tunnel as

-a cycle route to attract tourists.

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-It will create jobs and tourism.

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-It will attract people

-and promote cycling.

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-I can't wait to cycle through

-the tunnel with my own family.

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-It will be fantastic.

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-There's already a track

-on the other side.

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-Yes, and if everything goes to plan

-it will extend towards Pontypridd.

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-You can cycle to Ponty through the

-tunnel without meeting any traffic.

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-If you follow a line

-down from those three trees...

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-..you'll find the opening

-of the tunnel to Blaengwynfi.

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-Tunnels are wondrous places

-with caves and tales.

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-There's a story of a man who missed

-the last train back to Blaengwynfi.

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-He worked in Blaenrhondda and drank

-at the New Inn pub in Treherbert.

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-He was also seeing someone.

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-His only way home was to scale

-the mountain or take a shortcut.

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-He decided to walk

-through the tunnel.

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-Suddenly, he slipped

-and fell over the track.

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-He searched for his keys

-on the ground...

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-..and without realizing,

-he had turned back on himself.

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-When he exited the tunnel,

-he realized what he had done.

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-He decided to sleep there

-and wash in river...

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-..before working the early shift

-at the nearby Fernhill Colliery.

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-Boys will be boys.

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-Once beer and passion takes over,

-it can get a bit messy.

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-We've all been there

-so we can certainly sympathize.

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-The Rhondda remains awash

-with rows of terraced houses...

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-..that once housed workers who moved

-here in the 19th and 20th century.

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-Sera Evans and her family

-live in Ton Pentre.

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-She has strong roots in this area.

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-Traditionally, the groom moves

-to where the bride lives...

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-..but you've done the opposite.

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-You moved here

-as Gareth is from Ton Pentre.

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-It's only a few miles away.

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-My heart is in Cwmparc

-which is only two miles away.

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-We lived in Treorchy for a while...

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-..but we wanted a larger property.

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-Treorchy is a popular area

-so larger properties are expensive.

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-Therefore,

-we moved to Ton Pentre.

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-Treorchy isn't as far as Madeira.

-It's only around the corner.

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-It was natural for you to stay

-in this area when you got married.

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-I felt I had to come back

-and live here.

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-I moved away to university

-in Oxford...

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-..and I just had to come back.

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-I'm the sort of character...

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-..who likes to feel

-part of a community.

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-When I go shopping in Treorchy...

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-..it takes me an hour

-to walk down the street.

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-I bump into so many people

-that I know.

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-I'm also a local councillor...

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-..so people ask if I can fix

-the pavement outside their house!

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

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-I'm from the Amman Valley

-and it differs to the Cynon Valley.

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-It's also in the Valleys

-and a neighbourly place.

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-Are the Valleys

-still sociable today?

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-I think times have changed

-following an influx of outsiders.

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-I disagree with you.

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-I think people...

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-I'll go out to the back garden

-to play with my children...

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-..and chat to my neighbour, Alison

-about what we did at the weekend.

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-She asks me when are they

-collecting the garden waste.

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-We discuss the other residents

-and any local events.

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-Having a sense of community

-is important...

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-..and I think

-it's still very much alive.

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-What about the next generation?

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-Gruff and Caio

-are sitting over there.

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-Would you like them to study

-elsewhere but come back here?

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-Hopefully, they'll return here.

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-Unfortunately, when I speak to

-other school children in the area...

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-..many of them

-are eager to move away.

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-But hopefully if they move away...

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-..they'll long for the community or

-the place where they were born...

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-..and they might want to return

-just like I did.

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-You can't force them to do it but

-it would be great if they came back.

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-The town of Treorchy

-lies at the heart of the Rhondda.

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-The Park and Dare Hall

-is a local iconic building.

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-It remains a hive of activity

-throughout the year.

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-They opened it back in 1913.

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-The miners funded the building.

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-They worked at the nearby

-Park and Dare Colliery.

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-All the miners donated a penny

-from each pound of their wages.

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-The Park and Dare Hall

-is recognized as a theatre today.

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-It's similar to buildings

-in other places...

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-..that were also funded by miners.

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-Yes, they included institutes

-and similar buildings.

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-One part of the theatre

-had a billiard hall...

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-..and there was a library.

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-It entertained the community.

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-It was more than just a theatre

-and acted like a mini university.

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-Some of the miners

-missed out on an education...

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-..but they were able

-to study at the library.

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-Yes, some miners didn't

-have a chance to learn.

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-They left school at a young age

-to work underground.

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-But some of them were aware

-of Sophocles and Freud...

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-..having learnt about them

-at the library here.

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-I know a miner who worked

-underground for 25 years.

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-He returned to education

-and eventually became a lecturer.

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-There was a chance to leave

-the coal mines behind.

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-This theatre is a wonderful place.

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-You can also imagine the type of

-vibrancy in the town of Treorchy.

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-It was a focal point with shops,

-chapels, schools and also a theatre.

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-It was an important place

-for local people.

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-The charming theatre

-continues to attract audiences.

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-The place is packed

-when the entire community is here.

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-Without the community,

-we wouldn't be here.

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-They always enjoy our musicals

-and support our cinema.

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-It's a famous and iconic building.

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-Do you sense the history

-of this place when you work here?

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-Yes, I always sense it.

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-I love this job and the building

-as I'm a local lad from Treherbert.

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-But the building's history is unique

-and that's why I enjoy working here.

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-The building is home to one

-of the finest choirs in Wales...

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-..namely

-the Treorchy Male Voice Choir.

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-The choir also flies the flag

-for the Valleys.

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-One and...

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-# A little saucepan

-is boiling on the fire

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-# A big saucepan

-is boiling on the floor

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-# And the cat

-has scratched little Johnny #

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-Are you a tenor?

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-Are you a tenor?

-

-No, I'm a baritone.

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-You've got connections

-with this area.

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-Yes, my family live in Llwynypia.

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-Did you attend Cymmer School?

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-Did you attend Cymmer School?

-

-Yes, I did.

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-You've got a slight

-Northwalian accent.

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-At school, we had a lesson

-that taught us to roll our 'Rs.'

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-This has stuck with me

-since I left school.

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-Do you enjoy the singing

-or is it more than that?

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-It's a lot more than that.

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-You get to sing to strangers.

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

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-..stand up and applaud

-at the end of the concert.

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-It's quite moving.

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-I hope you continue singing

-and never catch a cold!

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-Hopefully, I won't.

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-# A big saucepan

-is boiling on the floor

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-# And the cat

-has scratched little Johnny #

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-.

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-Subtitles

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-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

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-# Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau #

-Tich Gwilym

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-"Wales forever.

-Welcome to the Valleys."

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-This is Y Bwlch

-and it boasts some amazing views.

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-Pen Y Fan is over there

-and England is beyond it.

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-On a clear day, you can see

-The Channel, Somerset and Africa!

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-Cwmparc is below us

-and Treorchy is further on.

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-You turn left for Treherbert

-and Blaenrhondda...

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-..and then south

-for Tonypandy and Llwynypia.

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-# Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau #

-Tich Gwilym

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-Tich Gwilym or Robert Gwilliam

-was born in Llwynypia...

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-..on 10 September 1950.

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-He was an acclaimed guitarist.

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-He was known as

-the Hendrix of the Valleys...

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-..due to his version

-of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau...

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-..with Geraint Jarman

-and The Cynghaneddwyr.

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-My next stop is 73 Bailey Street

-in Ton Pentre.

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-It was the home of the first heroine

-in the Valleys in the 20th century.

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-It's Elizabeth Andrews.

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-Bailey Street, Ton Pentre

-is a significant place...

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-..in the history of the Valleys.

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-There's also a Blue Plaque

-that commemorates Elizabeth Andrews.

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-Yes, that's right.

-It's at number 73.

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-Elizabeth Andrews moved to the house

-after marrying Thomas Andrews...

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-..who was a founder

-of the Labour Party in the Rhondda.

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-They moved here

-before the outbreak of World War I.

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-She was obviously intelligent,

-an academic and quite special.

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-Elizabeth joined the Labour Party

-at a young age...

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-..and was a socialist campaigner.

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-She helped struggling women

-in the Valleys...

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-..and sympathized

-with their situation.

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-Coal miners appointed her to present

-evidence to the Sankey Commission...

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-..after the First World War.

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-This was the Royal Commission

-on the Coal Industry.

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-She represented women...

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-..by highlighting

-the housing situation...

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-..the lack of facilities...

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-..and the need for baths

-or showers in collieries.

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-Elizabeth also spearheaded

-a campaign...

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-..to establish nursery schools.

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-She wanted to shape a better world

-for the younger generation.

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-She was classed as a heroine...

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-..as she was among the first

-to champion women's rights...

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-..and became a prominent

-political figure in the Valleys.

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-There are two roads in life

-and the same applies to the Rhondda.

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-This bustling gateway

-leads to the Rhondda Valley.

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-The village of Porth is busy

-due to the fork in the road.

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-You take a right for Tylorstown,

-Ferndale and Maerdy...

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-..or turn left for Treorchy,

-Tonypandy, Treherbert...

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-..and Blaenrhondda.

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-Rhondda Fawr is to my right

-and Rhondda Fach is on the left.

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-The Penrhys Estate sits on a hilltop

-between both valleys.

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-Over the years,

-it's gained a poor reputation...

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-..for being one of the most

-deprived areas in the valley.

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-But the situation is improving

-thanks to the Penrhys Partnership.

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-Sharon Rees has lived

-and worked here for 23 years...

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-..and witnessed

-massive changes on the estate.

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-What is the essence

-of the partnership...

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-..and who are its members?

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-It's an ecumenical church

-supported by eight denominations.

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-This is quite unusual.

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-The Partnership has made an impact

-on this close-knit community.

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-It's a challenge

-but we do our utmost...

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-..to demonstrate to people that

-Penrhys is a great place to live.

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-Last year,

-we needed to raise funds...

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-..to replace a rusty

-church roof that leaked.

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

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-..but the community

-were set against it...

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-..so we started to fund-raise.

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-Penrhys Partnership

-liaises with local schools.

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-The children attend a weekly

-prayer service at St Mary's Church.

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-Many of them take advantage of

-the Partnership's Homework Club.

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-Good afternoon, children.

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-Good afternoon, children.

-

-Good afternoon, Sharon.

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-Good afternoon, Arfon.

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-Good afternoon, friends.

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-Our evening Homework Club

-is held twice a week.

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-We liaise with teachers

-for suitable work for the children.

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-School was different in my day.

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-They're all working hard here.

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-It reminds me of my time

-as a headmaster.

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-We taught in small, intimate groups

-on tables that resemble cafe tables.

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-Everyone's very quiet but

-it might be because of our presence.

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-He's answered each one correctly.

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-Penrhys boasts

-a successful football club.

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-The local lads

-are fierce competitors.

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-The boys train on the 3G pitch

-on the outskirts of Tylorstown.

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

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-..and play every Monday night.

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-The boys play football...

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-..whilst Michael and I

-act as their chauffeurs.

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-Thanks for the invite and welcome.

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-We all have a perception

-of certain places...

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-..be it in Wales or the Valleys.

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-I'm concerned that residents

-to the south of Tongwynlais...

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-..don't know their neighbours

-further north.

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-You're just a gap.

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-The people and weather both change.

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-The residents up here

-are unique and friendly.

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-Yes, they're special.

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-My trip to the Rhondda wouldn't be

-complete without a visit to Maerdy.

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-It's also known as Little Moscow.

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-Maerdy is unique due to its title.

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-Yes, definitely

-as it's known as Little Moscow.

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-This place

-was a political powerhouse...

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-..following the 1926 General Strike.

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-It's was quite a volatile place.

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-The coal miners who worked here

-and many from the local lodge...

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-..belonged to

-Britain's Communist Party.

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-Maerdy was given a Marxist brand.

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-A century later, people still

-refer to Maerdy as Little Moscow.

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-I think the authorities in London

-were slightly perturbed.

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-People revolted against

-the way they were treated...

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-..as we witnessed

-in France and Russia.

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-This logic started

-to make its way to Wales.

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-Yes, definitely.

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-During the Strike, the miners in

-Maerdy didn't cross the picket line.

0:21:270:21:32

-They didn't return to work

-before the end of the Strike.

0:21:320:21:36

-It signified the power of the lodge

-and general consensus among locals.

0:21:360:21:41

-The South Wales Valleys...

0:21:410:21:43

-..were more than just towns

-built for the coal industry.

0:21:440:21:47

-It boasted a rich culture

-of brass brands and male choirs.

0:21:480:21:52

-I think the people who live here

-are extraordinary.

0:21:520:21:56

-I don't think I'll ever

-meet anyone else like them.

0:21:560:22:02

-This is highest point

-of the Valleys.

0:22:120:22:15

-They claim the Urals of Russia

-is the next highest peak from here!

0:22:150:22:20

-I visit here once a year

-between Christmas and New Year...

0:22:210:22:26

-..and drink whisky with my friend.

0:22:260:22:29

-We enjoyed a tipple together and

-now his ashes are scattered here.

0:22:290:22:34

-I pour a glass for myself

-and Rhydwen Williams.

0:22:350:22:39

-He was a writer, poet

-and Baptist minister.

0:22:390:22:42

-His voice was like hot chocolate

-that charmed both men and women.

0:22:430:22:48

-He would call my wife

-on her birthday...

0:22:490:22:52

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

-to a special lady...

0:22:520:22:56

-"..on her special day."

0:22:570:22:59

-He left Elaine feeling like

-she was on cloud nine.

0:22:590:23:03

-Cheers to him and to you.

0:23:040:23:06

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