0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:02 > 0:00:03- Shwmae!
0:00:04 > 0:00:06- I'm Sion Tomos Owen, a Rhondda boy.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11- I was born here, - and I still live in Treorchy.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18- Can I have - six thick cuts of bacon, please?
0:00:19 > 0:00:20- Where are we on the map?
0:00:21 > 0:00:22- Here!
0:00:22 > 0:00:26- The Rhondda is about 14 miles long - from Rhigos to Trehafod...
0:00:26 > 0:00:30- ..and three miles wide - from Cwmclydach to Blaenllechau.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34- At the moment, - it's home to about 70,000 people.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40- Everyone is familiar - with the usual images.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43- But there's a lot more - to the Rhondda.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44- LAUGHTER
0:00:45 > 0:00:49- That's class. I'm bonkers - about the place. Drinks on me!
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- I love going round to sing, laugh...
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- ..and draw cartoons.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56- Sion!
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- This time, - Lindsey and the salon girls.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- I love the salon. - The perfect job for me.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06- Dilys and the bingo ladies.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08- 13, 39, 42, 68 and 85.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10- 13, 39, 42, 68 and 85.- - You've got that.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- I share the stage with Tom Jones.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16- You were the voice.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19- You were the voice.- - I am the voice. I'm still the voice.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- I want to put the Rhondda - on the map.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27- No, I'm creating a new map - of the Rhondda and the people.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42- Down, Jeeves.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- It's a big day. I'm moving house.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- Becky and I moved to Gelli in 2011.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54- Gelli is in the Rhondda. - But it isn't home.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57- A year after getting married...
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- ..we're moving two miles - up the valley back to Treorchy.
0:02:04 > 0:02:05- Come on, let's do it.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- Come on, let's do it.- - The family have come to help.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- Everyone but Becky!
0:02:11 > 0:02:14- Up in the air, drop down and out.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18- Look what's here.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- Wow!
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- Sion! - Guess what I found in the fireplace.
0:02:24 > 0:02:29- The dragon you carved on - work experience in Builth Wells.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31- Do you want it?
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- Do you want it?- - It can keep company to Geraint.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35- This is Geraint.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- It won't go out like that. - Dan in the middle doesn't help!
0:02:51 > 0:02:53- I'm never doing this again.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57- Why are you cleaning?
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- Why are you cleaning?- - So you don't take dust with you!
0:02:59 > 0:03:03- We're not taking it. - What's the point of cleaning?
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- Dust and dirt, everywhere. - And he blames me for cleaning.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18- I want a cuppa.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- All the Rhondda villages - are different.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31- It's good that so many - successful, small businesses...
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- ..are owned by local people.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- It's so different - from large cities.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- They all look the same.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- Ton Pentre's main street is busy.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44- Alright?
0:03:44 > 0:03:45- Alright?- - Hello!
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- Lindsey Eynon, an old school friend - of mine, owns Vous salon.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- Did you always - want to be a hairdresser?
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- Yes.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57- When did you leave school?
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- When did you leave school?- - When I was sixteen.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- I started in a Treorchy salon - after Llwynypia College.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- I worked in a lot - of salons in the Rhondda...
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- ..in about ten.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- Flippin' heck!
0:04:14 > 0:04:16- Flippin' heck!- - Experience!
0:04:16 > 0:04:21- I always wanted to open a salon here - because I love the Rhondda.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- I was in Llantrisant for a while.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31- I like Llantrisant, - but I'm not from there.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- I was out of my comfort zone.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- I'm happy to be back in the Rhondda.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- Lindsey has loyal, and familiar, - customers.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- I've been Lindsey's customer - for ten years.
0:04:45 > 0:04:51- She worked somewhere else in - the village before opening here.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- Lindsey moved to Llantrisant...
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- ..and I followed her there.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- I was thrilled to hear - she was coming back.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- I've been coming ever since.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- Lindsey employs six local girls.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- Clients travel miles to come here.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- Her Llantrisant clients - followed her.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- The customer comes first. - Everyone leaves happy.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- I wouldn't go anywhere else.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24- You're from the Rhondda.
0:05:24 > 0:05:25- You're from the Rhondda.- - Yes.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- Where were you brought up?
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- Where were you brought up?- - Ton Pentre.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33- I live in the street - behind where I grew up.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- I love it here.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37- I tried to leave once.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- It was 1996, I think.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- I'd planned to rent a room - in a friend's house.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- We were working on Pobol Y Cwm.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- I moved to Cardiff - and lasted ten days...
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- ..then I was back!
0:05:53 > 0:05:55- ..then I was back!- - In the dark depths of Cardiff!
0:05:55 > 0:05:57- I didn't know anyone.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- I didn't know who lived next door.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- I missed the sense of community. - So I came back.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- I love my job. - It doesn't feel like work.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- I'm completely myself here. - I love the salon.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20- It's the perfect job for me.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- You've always been chatty. - It's perfect.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- It helps.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28- Wow, nice.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- If it's good enough - for our Stacey... sorry, Shelley...
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- ..it's good enough for me.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- I feel like Lola the caterpillar...
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- ..about to turn into a butterfly.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- That's the campest thing - I've ever said.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- Washing my beard.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- It's not only the business - that's on Lindsey's mind.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13- She's marrying Steve, - her childhood sweetheart.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- Tonight is an important night.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- There are things to prepare.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- Oh, god. I'm nervous!
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- What's happening?
0:07:23 > 0:07:28- Thirty of us are starting - in The Lion in Treorchy.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31- Then we're going to Cardiff.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- Do you know - what they have planned for you?
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- I don't know what to expect.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- You've had no hints?
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- No. I'm just going. - Go with the flow.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- # Don't leave
0:07:54 > 0:07:55- # Don't leave
0:07:56 > 0:07:57- # Don't leave
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- # Feathers on the chick
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- # Chick from an egg, - egg from a nest
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- # Nest on a branch, - branch on a hill
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- # Hill on earth, earth on nothing #
0:08:08 > 0:08:09- Ta-ra!
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- Have a good night. - Make sure they look after you.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- Thanks, Sion. Have you had fun?
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Yes! - What goes on tour, stays on tour.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- # Fairer than the lilies white
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- # The pure heart alone can render
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- # Songs of joy both day and night #
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- Oh. God help Cardiff.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51- I can't lock the house.
0:08:51 > 0:08:52- I can't lock the house.- - Why?
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- 'Cause I haven't got a key!
0:08:54 > 0:08:55- 'Cause I haven't got a key!- - Get in ya!
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- They've all driven to the house.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- I only have the lorry key.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- The house is still open.
0:09:06 > 0:09:07- Hiya.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- Yes.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- Is Beck with you? - We can't lock the house.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23- We'll come up. - The house is empty, anyway.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- Dad and I head off.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- We're leaving Gelli.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- Stop! Thanks.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- We're going to Treorchy, - back to my Treorchy.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- Thank you.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- Can you get Sat Nav in Welsh?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- Stop.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- We're moving two miles...
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- ..up to the head of the valley.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- Gelli, Ton Pentre, Pentre, Treorchy.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- This is Treorchy town centre.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- It's much busier here.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- I usually see someone I know.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- Dai! Get up!
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- One of my best friends lives there.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30- That's where my best friend's - in-laws live.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31- Who?
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- Keith. Bob lives there, - and Natalie's parents.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- This is my new street.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- We've got to get out.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- I open the curtains...
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- ..and stand there, - singing songs from Les Mis!
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- I don't get - the chance to perform now.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- All the fives, 55.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- All the fives, 55.- - I'm utterly terrified.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- I'm scared stiff.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- House!
0:11:17 > 0:11:17- .
0:11:21 > 0:11:21- Subtitles
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- Ferndale is halfway up - the Rhondda Fach.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- Morlais Chapel - is now a community hall.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- Tuesdays and Thursdays - are for bingo and not religion.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43- Eight and six, 86.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- I've come to play - for the first time in my life.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- Seven O, 70.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- Mrs Dilys Evans from Blaenllechau - plays bingo here.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- Bingo plays an important part - in her busy weekly schedule.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04- Monday, cafe.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- Tuesday, bingo.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- Wednesday, bingo. Thursday, bingo.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13- Friday, cafe.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- That's how I know - the week's schedule.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- House!
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- I'm exhausted.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- Have you always - lived in Blaenllechau?
0:12:30 > 0:12:31- Yes.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35- Since when have you been here?
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- Ninety years.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- I was born in Wind Street.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- You had one brother.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- And nine sisters.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55- Mam buried two children - the same day.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- One was seven...
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- ..the other seven months.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- That was before I was born.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- I was the youngest of nine.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- All the sevens, 77.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- House.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- Like all Rhondda villages, - Blaenllechau grew around coal.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25- There were two pits. Dilys's - father worked in one of them.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- He was in the pit for years.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- He started when he was twelve.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- Twelve.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38- That's young.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- That's young.- - He finished at 72.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43- Sixty years in the pit.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- Sixty years in the pit.- - He was never on the dole.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- Was he a latchboy to start?
0:13:53 > 0:13:54- Bound to be.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02- He looked after horses.
0:14:03 > 0:14:09- He was a haulier.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- My husband was only in the pit - for ten years.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20- He had to leave...
0:14:21 > 0:14:26- ..when he was 24.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31- He had pneumoconiosis.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- Like my grandfather.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40- When my husband worked there, - he said...
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- "..We're nothing but slaves."
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- My eldest son went to the mine.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- I said to him...
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- "..Haven't you seen - how your father suffered?"
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- "It's not the same now," he said.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- Thirty two. Four and one.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- You wanted 73.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- They're not used to it, - these youngsters!
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- Is there a lot of opportunity - to speak Welsh?
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- No, only on Sunday.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- Marian takes me to chapel.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- Her Welsh is different to mine.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- Her daughter and granddaughter...
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- They speak Welsh.
0:15:38 > 0:15:39- They speak Welsh.- - Yes.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- Right. Back to the bingo. - I'm determined to crack this.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44- House!
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- 13, 39, 42, 68 and 85.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- I had 39.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- I didn't hear it. When was 39?
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- I didn't hear it. When was 39?- - You've got a line.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- Well done, Sion.
0:16:01 > 0:16:02- Well done, Sion.- - Have I won?!
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- You've lived in Wind St...
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- ..and Blaenllechau all your life.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- If you had the choice, - would you live somewhere else?
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- No.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17- You're happy where you are.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19- You're happy where you are.- - Yes.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- 68 and 85. I've got to change this. - You've got 1.25.
0:16:26 > 0:16:27- Drinks on me!
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- It felt like I'd won the World Cup!
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- I won 1.25!
0:16:38 > 0:16:39- Sorry!
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- From one hall to another.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54- Treorchy's Park And Dare Theatre - is famous throughout the Rhondda.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- There have been thousands - of performances here...
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- ..from school concerts - to pantomimes.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- Max Boyce, Rhod Gilbert, - Joan Armatrading...
0:17:07 > 0:17:11- ..and Sion Tomos Owen - have trodden the boards.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- I've come for a tour - with Thomas Jones.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19- I'm the deputy assistant manager.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21- That's a mouthful!
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- The job involves everything - you'd imagine it takes...
0:17:28 > 0:17:30- ..to run a building like this.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35- I live up the road in Treherbert, - where I grew up.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36- It's that way.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- I get up at 8.30am - and I'm in work by 8.55am.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- It's two train stops.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51- I worked front of house, - in the bar and auditorium.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- I used to work backstage - in the technical department.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- The job was advertised - and I applied.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04- It was my first job - after university. I'm still here!
0:18:05 > 0:18:06- You were the voice.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- You were the voice.- - I am still the voice.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14- When you come - to the Park And Dare Theatre...
0:18:14 > 0:18:19- ..you'll hear an announcement.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21- Can you do a run through?
0:18:21 > 0:18:26- Ladies and gentlemen, welcome - to the Park And Dare Theatre.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- Please ensure your mobile phones - are switched off.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- The use of recording devices - is strictly prohibited.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37- Thanks for your cooperation.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39- Just as I remember it.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- The building is in two parts.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- The Institute was built in 1895.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- In 1913, the theatre...
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- ..or the second half, was built.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01- There's a great story - about how it was built.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- Parc Colliery miners...
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- ..and miners from South Wales...
0:19:08 > 0:19:13- ..donated a penny - for every pound they earned...
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- ..towards the build.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- In those days, - there was seating for 700 to 750.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25- We've put in new seats, - and there's more legroom.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27- I'm grateful for that!
0:19:27 > 0:19:29- I'm grateful for that!- - And me!
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- The capacity is presently 650.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- It's full of history - and personal memories.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- I used to sit back there.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- I was the only person here - when I came to see...
0:19:46 > 0:19:48- ..Blues Brothers 2000.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- I sat there. A lady that end left.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- Another sat the opposite end, - knitting.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- Nobody could see me.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03- I boogied while the music played, - and went bananas.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06- It was cracking.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- I owned the Park And Dare - for the night.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- Another tick off my bucket list.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- That's fab.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- The stagehands don't know this...
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- ..but when I lock up at night...
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- ..if I'm the only one left...
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- ..or the others are downstairs - in reception waiting for me...
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- ..I sing in the corridors.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- Sometimes, - and nobody knows this...
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- ..I open the curtains - and sing Les Mis songs.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- I don't get the chance - to perform now.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- That's my time.
0:20:49 > 0:20:50- What's happening tonight?
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- What's happening tonight?- - We have a lot to do.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- It's the annual Treorchy male voice - choir and Park & Dare Band concert.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Shwmae, everybody.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07- It's a full house.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12- It's nice when the community - celebrates singing and the band.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- Thank you.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- I love working here, - and being part of the theatre.
0:21:19 > 0:21:25- The building belongs - to the community.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- People keep coming back - over the years.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- # Pure heart
0:21:33 > 0:21:34- # So true and tender
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- # Fairer than the lilies white
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- # The pure heart
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- # Alone can render
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- # Songs of joy both day and night
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- # Pure heart so true and tender
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- # Fairer than the lilies white
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- # The pure heart alone can render
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- # Songs of joy
0:22:08 > 0:22:14- # Both day and night #
0:22:23 > 0:22:28- It's great our new home is so - close to such a brilliant theatre.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- Everything is open.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- It's not so narrow as in Gelli.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46- I feel I can breathe.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- Maybe it's because I've come back.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- Thanks, Sion. - Is that what you think of me?
0:23:01 > 0:23:03- I love the eyebrows.
0:23:03 > 0:23:04- And the flicks.
0:23:04 > 0:23:05- And the flicks.- - Yes.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- Oh!
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- I'll take that. Thank you. Not bad!
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- Not bad!
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- That's three more on the map.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- The valley is filling up.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- We'll meet more next time.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:56 > 0:23:56- .