From the Industrial Revolution to Modern Wales Making the Story of Wales

The story of Wales is an epic journey through centuries of Welsh

history. Using the most up-to-date historical information, the latest

computer graphics, and dramatic reconstructions, this landmark

series brings our nation's story to life. Making the story of Wales

takes a closer look at just how we did that.

We also dig deeper into the history itself. What we know, how we know

it and how new discoveries turn the For the BBC landmark history series,

the Story of Wales, scale was the name of the game. To produce six

hours of programming, the production team travelled 6,000

miles filming over 100 hours of footage using hundreds of extras

and consulting with dozens of expert academics. In the first

episode of making the story of Wales, we looked at how the team

turned down history from the Stone Age to the Tudor age into

compelling TV. In this episode, we look at the last 300 years of Welsh

history. When the pace of change propels us from the basic

agricultural society to the cutting At the start of the 18th century

Wales was a poor society, living off the land. Within 100 years all

that would change. The rediscovery of copper eo rerks e would help

propel Wales into a new age, the industrial age.

In the story of Wales we see how the first truly global industry,

copper, spear heads Wales' Industrial Revolution.

The series focuses on the land scale of the copper mines, but if

you dig into local history and the restore images, you find out much

more about the entrepreneur of Anglesey's copper, Thomas Williams.

And about the scale of the copper port.

Archive shows as many as 40 copper car goes and inbound ships could be

anchored at one time. And we know that by 1793 this port became so

busy an act of parliament had to be passed to regulate it.

But it was another small village in Wales that would become the copper

smelting capital of the world. Swan sigh. Known as copperopolis, it was

the beating heart of the industrial Wales. Overgrown and derelict today,

the banks of the river was once the biggest copper works in the world.

How did the story of Wales' animation team bring it back to

life. Earlier in the process we produced a concept sketch, so from

there we can stop to block out in broad strokes, the shots and

atmosphere that we are looking for. The next phase involved populating

footage with the graphic models. this stage it is still fluid so we

can move buildings without having too much of an impact. We have the

original plate which bears very little resemblance to the finished

chart. This was a very challenging shot to work on because we had to

replace so much of the footage. transformation scene in swancy is

only the beginning of a change that will define the next century of our

history. We showed how industry started to flourish in all kinds of

places. Slate in north-west Wales. Coal from flincher, textiles in

Balach. But there are surprising industrial stories that often lie

hidden deep in Welsh countryside. In west Wales this was the centre

of its own thriving woolen industry. What began as a cottage industry in

the 18th century would grow into a major centre of highly mechanised

production. First part to be meck anised was carding, making the wool

into yarn. Then it goes to spinning to be made into knitting yarn.

Carding mill started in the 17 hundreds and were just the

beginning of a process that would see the whole industry meck anised.

All the spinning couldn't keep up with the amount of wool they had.

Meck anisation of the spinning came in with large spinning wheels and

then into the machines we see today. Cumbrian mills had two spinning

wheels with 400 spindles each. Although it increased productivity

four the mill owners it came as a high cost to local people. It would

have been a big input into the industry. You had one woman

spinning on a great wheel, you would have had 400 people at one

time, so 400 jobs was being done by one person on a spinning wheel.

Throughout the 19th century the textile output continued to grow.

By 1,900 there were 52 mills in full production and that created

work alongside the machines. Even local children were employed in the

mill after school hours. There were three factors driving the success

story. Swift flowing water to power the mills. Flentiful supply of wool.

And most importantly, the development of the railway system.

In the story of Wales we see how the evolution of our transport

network was vital to the growth of industry. The development of the

steam engine in 1804 becomes a turning point in moving goods

across the country. But even before the engine, the Industrial

Revolution was demanding an economic and reliable way to

transport mass goods. Canal boats were one answer, they could carry

cargo with one horse pulling. Over 200 miles of canals were

constructed connecting towns and villages across the country. And

the engineering was revolutionary for its time. To cross the valleys

of Wales, aqueducts were created. This Aqueduct is still the highest

canal ever built and a World Heritage Site. But it wasn't just

the movement of goods that was essential for feeding the growth of

the Industrial Revolution in Wales. Throughout the 19th century there

was also a huge movement of people from rural areas into the South

Wales Valleys. In the story of Wales, we learn it was the honey

pot of Merthyr Tydfil that attracted the greatest number of

migrants. Home to the fourth biggest iron works in the world,

The population went from 700 roughly in 1750 to nearly 60,000 by

1850. It is probably the first time people moved on this scale in Wales,

but the 19th century saw populations which unprecedented in

the history of Britain. Why would people have left their homes, their

communities and often their families to come to Merthyr Tydfil.

Word got around you could earn earn four times the amount working in

industry and the people who came here were go getters, people who

wanted to better themselves, wanted a better standard of living,

prepared to make sacrifices and leave their homes. The migrants

weren't just Welsh. If you go to the merl kept in the local library

or look at the records you find the evidence for the diverse ar gins of

Merthyr Tydfil's population. Irish moved from Ireland because of

the potato famine. The Jews were prompted to come from Eastern

Europe to better themselves. They were economic migrants. The Spanish

came as skilled steelworkers. They worked at a time when the dowellers

works was frantically short of workmen. By the end of the 19th

century, the population was a rich mix, but each of the my graneds had

a position in Merthyr Tydfil. of the Jewish people sold luxury

goods, so did the Scots actually. But although the opportunities were

attractive, the story of Wales reveals that working and living

conditions were often appalling. Especially in the early days of

Merthyr's industrial story. Just emergency living in a room -- -

just imagine living in a room this size. Husband, wife, children,

cooking, eating, sleeping all kins of other things, in a room as small

as this and then next door, another family, and then another family and

then another family. In 1841 there are 1500 people living in stone

huts this size. It is one of the biggest slums in Wales and the

conditions are unimaginable. A striking CGI sequence from the

story of Wales reveals why this network of Hoghels was nicknamed

little little hell. It is filthy, crime ridden and dangerous. But for

the few at the top Merthyr is a gold mine. Eventually, the

disparity leads to discontent. And the rebellious mood isn't confined

to the towns. Rebellion is also brewing in vels. Poverty stricken

farmers are angry about being challenged to use their local roads.

The protests became known as the Rebecca Riots.

Men with blackened faces disguised in women's clothing mounted

guerrilla attacks. How much do we really know about these secretive

rioters? Archive held at the national

library of Wales can give us some clues. We know the names of two

characters,ed bad boys of the rioters, John Jones and David

Davies. They were probably paid to riot. But also involved with quite

a lot of inciting riot as well and threatening letters. But John Jones

and David Davies are unusual. Actually identifying capturing and

then convicting the rioters was not easy. Jurors didn't want to condemn

their fellow citizens and the Rebecca rioters were scene as

defenders of the people. The Government offered huge amounts of

money for information leading to the conviction. It would have been

extremely tempting because a labourer would have earned

something Reich �6 a year with his board in a farm house. One couple

who took the bait were Griffith and Ann Jones. The money would have set

them up for life, but it came at a high cost to the rioters themselves.

The punishments were very heavy for what they did. But it was that time

when there was a lot of rioting at this time and punishments were

meant to fit the crime. Transportation was a very, very

serious funishment. Ultimately the Rebecca Riots are victorious. Roads

are improved and tolls reduced. It is a triumph for the working man.

The coal boom of the 1850s onwards is our next significant chapter in

the story of Wales. The series focused en masseive impact on world

trade of South Wales coal, but coal is found all over Wales and the

north-east is crucially important. There are two separate bits, east

flincher and also in the area around Wrexham. Coal has been mined

there since the Middle Ages. You do see some similar trends of what is

happening in the South Wales coal field in the way it boosts urban

developments and creates new communities. At its peek over

19,000 men were employed in nearly 4 million tonnes of coal produced.

The economy of North Wales soared at a result. Towns like clan did

know grew into thriving centres. It was a very different industry,

unlike South Wales its coal wasn't geared towards exporting for use to

steel raising power, it was more used for industrial purposes and

domestic use. The other difference between north and south was the

sheer size of the coal fleet. The shipping companies and traders of

the Cardiff coal exchange turned South Wales coal into big money.

Into this money making world comes a remarkable Welshman. David Davies

was the first Welsh millionaire. He made a fortune out of railways and

then opened up coal pits in the Rhondda valley from the 1860s

onwards. He is also remembered for another spectacular achievement. By

driving the development of Barry Docks, he was responsible for one

of the greatest construction projects in late 19th century Wales.

But why was it so important for David Davies to take on this huge

challenge? Coal was being produced in South

Wales much more quickly than it can be exported from Cardiff docks. It

was a frustrating cap on the amount of coal being sold and money being

made. According to some, he was charging higher rates than should

have been. Many argued it was the refusal to improve facilities at

Cardiff. Landowners, including David Davies get involved in this

scheme to build a whole Newport with railway connections up to the

coal field. It was a risky venture that cost around �2 million. And

Davis personally invested the lion's share. Even in its first

year Barry exported one million tonnes of coal and it was then

exporting more coal than Cardiff. Trade increases to 9 million tonnes

and by 1913 they are handling over 4,000 ships a year. Barry box

quickly becomes regarded as one of the best ports in the world. And

David Davies cements his place as one of the crucial figures of 19th

century Welsh history. The pace of change in Wales is now

rocketed along. We live through times of great turmoil and hardship.

From poor working conditions to violent rioting and painfully long

strikes. But we also see huge triumph, from the rise of Lloyd

George to the first foundations of the welfare state and the expansion

of Edwardian entertainment. It is those good times as well as

the bad that create much of the inspiration for the rich popular

culture we see in post-industrial Wales. Sporting heroes,

entertainers and of course brass bands. It is a cultural legacy we

But with the story of Wales covering 30,000 years of our

history, reflecting that legacy was a particular challenge. Tasked with

writing the series was world renowned composer Karl Jenkins.

I suppose it is like writing a fictional film score in that the

music has to convey emotion and has drama and movement, of whatever is

occurred in any scene. It was important the music not only

reflected the drama of our history but also its cultural references.

The main Welsh references, one where we use a harp, it features

quite a lot. The other would be brass bands to certain extent and

also the male voice choir has been brought in as well. That is a

crucial part of Welsh tradition. For one piece in particular Karl

has very personal ties. The original team for this hymn was

written by Karl's father David Jenkins. It is very moving and

related the story of Wales as well. It is about heritage and traditions.

My family is part of the story. story of Wales is now coming into

the familiar territory of the 20th century. A period of the great war,

the decline of coal and the depression of the 1930s. In the

series, we see how those events changed our landscape and our

people. Then into this world came the bombers of the Second World War.

I can remember it like yesterday. Something I will never forget.

second world war brought wholesale destruction to many towns in

Britain. In swancy it was the heavy and sustained bombing by the

Luftwaffe across three nights in February 1941 that's remained

etched in Brian's memory. This is where I lived in the blitz. I used

to stand here with my dad, during the nights of the blitz, all you

could see was all fields and it was just lit up like fairy land. You

would never forget it if you experienced it, it was terrible.

Tens of thousands of high explosives rained down on the city.

The town centre was engulfed in flames. All of swancy was - Swansea

was flattened. I remember the market which was glassed over which

was destroyed during the blitz. More than 850 properties were

destroyed and 11,000 buildings were damaged. But for a young boy, the

war also brought a sense of excitement We used to collect

shrapnel and incendiary bombs. I remember I was in school and the

sirens went and the teachers rushed us into the cellars. I remember one

of the teachers with the low ceilings hitting his head on the

low girders and knocking himself out and us laughing!

It's personal testimony like Brian's that really connects us

In the story of Wales, we establish the huge post-war changes seen in

Wales. A developing economy and firm establishment of the welfare

state and the the shifting relationship between Wales and

Britain. But another key relationship was

also changing. The one between men and women evolves dramatically and

and nowhere more significantly than in the workplace. There's almost a

feeling which becomes clearer when the war ends that the world is

being turned upside-down. Women now suddenly were everywhere, taking

over all the jobs vacated by men. World War II was the trigger for

this sea-change in employment opportunities. Not just in terms of

the women's war organisations but also jobs in munitions, aircraft

factories, as well as the civilian jobs left empty by men. The post-

war years, women into the workforce, really brought about a sea-change

in the whole of the Welsh economy. There were lovely newspaper

newspaper accounts that every morning these young women with

their make-up on, carrying their cases, wearing turbans and slacks,

were going off to work, laughing and joking as they went. For Diedre

it is these social changes she wants to make sure we all remember.

By the end of the war, the percentage of women in ensured work

had risen by over 130%. That's pretty dramatic. But not everyone

was happy about the new opportunities available to women.

Older men, miners weren't happy their daughters were coming home

saying I have ernt so much this week. There were all sorts of

threats embodied in these young women, threats to the existing

social order. Society didn't change overnight, but the war had given

women an experience of work, freedom and having their own money.

The scene was set for a revolutionary shift in attitudes

over the next two decades. The story of Wales took us on a roller

coaster ride through centuries of Welsh history. In the earliest

human burial found in Western Europe, the largest mine in the

ancient world, the riches of monastic Wales. The cutting edge of

technology in the Industrial Revolution. Welsh giants who shaped