0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:08 > 0:00:11- A warm welcome - to Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15- Come along with us - on a pilgrimage to Pembrokeshire.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:28 > 0:00:33- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- In the programme, Shan Cothi - performs at St David's Cathedral.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- We're joined by Hefin Wyn, - Pembrokeshire born and bred...
0:01:02 > 0:01:07- ..to follow in the footsteps - of pilgrims down the centuries.
0:01:09 > 0:01:15- Our singing tonight - comes from a variety of locations.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- Christian pilgrims - have come to Pembrokeshire...
0:01:26 > 0:01:28- ..since St David's days.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31- In the Middle Ages, - the Slebech area...
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- ..was home to the local HQ - of the Knights of St John.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- They offered pilgrims - care and recuperation...
0:01:38 > 0:01:40- ..on their long, arduous journeys.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44- Our first hymn comes - from St David's Cathedral...
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- ..the site of a very early - pilgrimage destination.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- The words are an ideal way to begin.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55- Arglwydd, Dangos Imi Heddiw - Sut I Gychwyn Ar Fy Nhaith.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- I'm not at the hospital - of the Knights of St John...
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- ..but at the old Millin chapel.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- I'm not joined by a knight either...
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- ..but by a man on his bike, - author and broadcaster Hefin Wyn.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06- Good morning.
0:05:07 > 0:05:08- Have you had a safe journey?
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- Have you had a safe journey?- - Yes, all the way from Maenclochog.
0:05:12 > 0:05:13- Excellent.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- We'll go into Millin chapel.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- Tell me about the chapel's history.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37- Millin is near Slebech - and Picton Castle...
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- ..not far from the spot - where the two Cleddau rivers meet.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- It's a Presbyterian chapel.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- It's an English chapel...
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- ..in the Anglicized part - of Pembrokeshire, the Down Below.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- I'm here on a pilgrimage of sorts...
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- ..following in the tyre tracks - of Waldo Williams.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- Waldo the poet.
0:06:02 > 0:06:03- The Quaker.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04- The Welshman.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- The patriot.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- More than anything, the pacifist.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- The bike, your chosen method - of transport today, is a clue.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- I come here from time to time...
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- ..remembering that Waldo - used to come here on his bike...
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- ..late at night, usually, - in summer perhaps.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30- When darkness fell, - he went into the chapel...
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- ..and lay there in the pitch black - until dawn broke.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- He'd get up from the hard pew...
0:06:38 > 0:06:39- ..go to his bike...
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- ..and head for the river, - which is where we'll go next.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- We stand here by the crooked oak...
0:06:59 > 0:07:03- ..looking at where the Western - and Eastern Cleddau meet.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- Imagine being here - at the crack of dawn.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- The mist rising, - the wading birds nearby.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13- I'm sure he often yearned - to be here by himself...
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- ..to contemplate the world - and matters that worried him.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22- Lines of poetry - would come in time, I'm sure.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- It was heavenly here.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- It was tranquil here.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- The creative imagination - was at work here.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26- We've travelled from the south - up to the Preseli area.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- This is a lovely spot.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33- Certainly, on a summer's day, - there's no more romantic spot.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- The Rhydwilym area.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- The chapel is also called Rhydwilym.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- They've kept to the area's name...
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- ..rather than opting for Pergamus - or Bethel or Tabernacle.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- I'm looking forward - to hearing more inside.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- To the elders' pew.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12- Why come here on a pilgrimage?
0:11:13 > 0:11:14- Well...
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- ..because early Christians met here, - strong in their faith.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25- They had broken away from the church - in the 17th century...
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- ..after the 1689 Act of Toleration.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- Within a year, - it seems that 118 people...
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- ..were members at this chapel.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- They came from afar - to take communion...
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- ..from as many as 40 parishes - across West Wales, apparently.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45- Why come here then?
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- The river.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- The river formed the boundary - between two counties.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- These early communicants - suffered persecution.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- Spies kept an eye on them.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- If a spy - came from Carmarthenshire...
0:12:00 > 0:12:04- ..they avoided him by crossing - the river into Pembrokeshire.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09- There's even talk that they met - in a cave around here somewhere.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- That they met secretly - in private houses.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16- William Jones, - one of their leaders...
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- ..was among 2,000 clerics - who were cast out.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26- ..because they fervently believed - that Jesus Christ was the only King.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31- William Jones spent most of his time - in the jail in Haverfordwest.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- But Sir John Perrot was willing...
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- ..to let him out - to administer communion.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- There's talk of him - coming to this area one day...
0:12:41 > 0:12:46- ..after administering communion - in Narberth and Rushacre earlier on.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- He was caught - and led away to jail...
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- ..but he insisted - on coming to Rhydwilym.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- He was allowed to do so - as long as he came back to jail.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01- He administered communion - on a level stone here somewhere.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- I don't know where, - but it'd be interesting to find out.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- Later, William and Mary George...
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- ..came up from Tresinwen farm - in Pen-caer.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- They came on horseback, - despite being in their seventies.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- Who were William and Mary George?
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- The great-grandparents - of Lloyd George.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26- Thank you, Hefin.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- There's one more destination - on our little pilgrimage.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36- First, let's enjoy Shan Cothi - at St David's Cathedral...
0:13:36 > 0:13:40- ..performing - The Lord Bless You And Keep You.
0:13:40 > 0:13:47- # The Lord bless you and keep you
0:13:47 > 0:13:53- # The Lord make his face - to shine upon you
0:13:54 > 0:13:59- # To shine upon you and be gracious
0:14:00 > 0:14:06- # And be gracious unto you
0:14:07 > 0:14:13- # The Lord bless you and keep you
0:14:13 > 0:14:20- # The Lord make his face - to shine upon you
0:14:20 > 0:14:26- # To shine upon you and be gracious
0:14:26 > 0:14:33- # And be gracious unto you
0:14:34 > 0:14:40- # The Lord lift up the light
0:14:40 > 0:14:47- # Of his countenance upon you
0:14:47 > 0:14:53- # The Lord lift up the light
0:14:53 > 0:15:01- # Of his countenance upon you
0:15:01 > 0:15:07- # And give you peace
0:15:08 > 0:15:14- # And give you peace
0:15:15 > 0:15:22- # And give you peace
0:15:22 > 0:15:30- # And give you peace
0:15:30 > 0:15:37- # Amen
0:15:38 > 0:15:44- # Amen
0:15:44 > 0:15:49- # Amen
0:15:50 > 0:15:58- # Amen, amen
0:15:58 > 0:16:14- # Amen, amen #
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- We've had a proper tour - of Pembrokeshire today.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- You've brought me to an unexpected - and very secluded spot now.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34- Well, pilgrims - have to face all kinds of weather...
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- ..but the urge to reach - the destination drives them on.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42- I've brought you to Crugiau Dwy - above Pentregalar...
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- ..in the foothills of the Preseli.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- ..in the foothills of the Preseli.- - Crugiau Dwy is an unusual name.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- What's the story behind it?
0:16:51 > 0:16:57- Crug suggests a burial ground - going back thousands of years.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01- We know that Foel Dyrch nearby...
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- ..and Foel Drygarn over there...
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- ..were the sites - of ancient Brythonic settlements.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- They obviously had burial sites - around here.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16- Names like Crug yr Hwch, - tyrch as in Foel Dyrch.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- Tyrch is the plural of twrch.
0:17:20 > 0:17:21- The Twrch Trwyth.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- The name must originate...
0:17:24 > 0:17:29- ..from the Twrch Trwyth - in the Mabinogion, on these slopes.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- There isn't even a chapel here, - so why come here on a pilgrimage?
0:17:34 > 0:17:38- I often go on a pilgrimage - along this lane myself.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- Not to see a building per se...
0:17:41 > 0:17:46- ..but to recall words I read - in a letter from Niclas y Glais...
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- ..or Twm Llety, to us locals...
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- ..to Evan Roberts, Llandderfel.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- We all know him as a communist, - a Welsh expounder of communism.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- But he was a true Christian as well.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- As I see it, - he wasn't far wrong as a Christian.
0:18:02 > 0:18:07- He recalls, in his early teens, - coming up from Llety...
0:18:08 > 0:18:14- ..to visit a woman who lived alone - in a remote cottage up here.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- He happened to pass one night - when there was a full moon...
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- ..and heard a voice - inside the cottage.
0:18:21 > 0:18:26- He went closer to eavesdrop - but could only hear her voice.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31- It became clear - that she was talking to Christ.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- He thought about that...
0:18:34 > 0:18:39- ..and realized that Jesus - hadn't been killed by the Jews.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- He hadn't been buried.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- He's alive, here in the Preseli...
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- ..visiting an ordinary woman.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- That stayed with him - throughout his career.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- So, you don't need - a specific place for a pilgrimage...
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- ..especially a personal pilgrimage.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58- ..especially a personal pilgrimage.- - Exactly.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- Memory, information, - a little imagination...
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- ..and you can live the past.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15- "You, who once provided - the miraculous manna
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- "To sustain pilgrims - on their way through barren lands
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- "You continue to give - your blessed compassion
0:19:25 > 0:19:30- "And we repay our debt to you by - worshipping you, heavenly Father."
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- Hefin, we've reached - the end of our journey.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- Thank you for your time.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41- The information you've shared - has been so interesting.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43- My pleasure. Come again soon.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45- My pleasure. Come again soon.- - We certainly will.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- When pilgrims - reach their destination...
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- ..it's a glorious feeling - of a challenge fulfilled.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55- They can then can sing with zeal...
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- "The Hallelujah - has possessed my soul.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- "To You, O! Christ, - I give my praises all."
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- I hope that you - have enjoyed our journey.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06- Until next time, goodbye.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:54 > 0:23:54- .