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The Story of Wales - The full show, the full history of Wales ?

Welsh History

This show, introduced and narrated by Huw Edwards got very mixed reviews, and although there is plenty to debate, it must be said it was a pretty good effort to put something resembling the development and birth of Wales on film. One criticism was that it often descended into 'landscape porn', by overly showcasing the Welsh landscape, not a bad thing in my eyes.

Occasionally it does seem to jumble up historical theories and insert them alongside facts, personally my main irritation is that the theme music can well up out of nowhere and burst into life at annoying moments, and there seems to be a need to paint everything as 'epic',that said, it is quite a watchable show for Welsh history buffs :



The Story of Wales Episode 1 - The Makings of Wales



The Story of Wales Episode 2 - Power Struggles



The Story of Wales Episode 3 - England and Wales



The Story of Wales Episode 4 - Furnace of Change



The Story of Wales Episode 5 - A New Beginning




The Story of Wales Episode 6 - Wales and Britain

updated by @lawrence-davies2: 11/11/15 10:38:57PM

Best and Worst of the Welsh National Anthem ?

Welsh Music

Yep, agreed, bad day at the office for Tom, but far beneath the bar set by Redwood.

Best and Worst of the Welsh National Anthem ?

Welsh Music

The Vulcan does bring an otherworldly quality to the tune it must be said

Best and Worst of the Welsh National Anthem ?

Welsh Music

The Welsh National Anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, "Land of My Fathers" was written by Evan James and his son, James James, who came from the town of Pontypridd, and was written at the start of 1856. So, in the last century and a half, plenty of people have sung it, played it, and even murdered it. Thinking about the best and worst versions I have ever heard, I can come up with a few renditions at either end of the spectrum.

One of the best version would be Titch Gwilym, whose cover on electric guitar was so well done that many believed the rumour that Jimi Hendrix had actually been the one to play it. I'm still waiting on a version from guitar maestro Phil Campbell, Motorhead's legendary guitarist to give us a version, (Campbell also hails from Pontypridd where the anthem was written) :


Phil Campbell, legendary Motorhead guitarist from Pontypridd
Only he knows what he could do with the Welsh national anthem



Phi Campbell plays Pink Floyd

Still, in the meantime there are plenty of guitarists demonstrating their skills and showcasing their versions on youtube. This is one of the most beautifully arranged acoustic ones that I have heard :

A Youtube beauty on acoustic guitar

And now to the vault of shame. The all-time worst effort that has ever been seen. It has to go to John Redwood. If you saw it you can't forget. Redwood ended up as Welsh Secretary in '93. It was a weird choice, but then Welsh Conservative MPs were thin on the ground. I would love to know the back story on his ill-fated attempt to sing the anthem, was there a memo that went missing ?, did he have any coaching prior to the event, or just decide to 'give it a go'.

It seems odd, given that if you don't know a anthem in a foreign language, you can always respectfully listen, maybe even nod your head at particularly stirring moments, what nobody was expecting, least of all Redwood himself, judging by the confused look on his face at the end, is the weird birdlike twitching that accompanies his efforts.

Since then the 'Vulcan' as he was known, has been unable to completely escape this magical moment, and even the BBC was pulled up and had its knuckles slapped for remembering this classic slice of comedy a number of years later :

BBC remember Redwood's Welsh Anthem

Iissue a challenge, can anyone top my best and worst ?

BRING IT ON !

updated by @lawrence-davies2: 11/11/15 10:38:57PM

The Best Statue in Wales ?

Welsh History

Travelling through Llandovery in Camarthenshire years ago I saw a statue which I think has to be amongst the most striking and beautiful representations of a Welsh 'hero' that I have ever seen, it commemorates Llewelyn ap Gruffyd, a local supporter of the Welsh rebellion led by Owain Glyndwr. Llewelyn was a local landowner, who was forced to assist Henry IV in his search for Glyndwr. One story has it that Llewelyn led Henry into the wilderness for many miles before the King questioned whether Llewelyn was going in the right direction. Llewelyn then revealed himself as a man who would never ever lead the King to his Prince. Infuriated, King Henry had him drawn, hung and then beheaded in front of Llandovery Castle.

What is most striking about the statue is that it sits somewhere between Darth Vader and traditional representations of Death, with an empty space where a face would be. Haunting and elegant, the statue is made from stainless steel, and is beautifully worked.

updated by @lawrence-davies2: 11/11/15 10:38:56PM