Tagged: motherbearvideo
New Storytelling Series from Andy Edwards - Episode 01, Mithering, Shenanigans and the Swing
By , 2021-12-02
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY TRUST, Learning from genocide – for a better future
Seimon Pugh Jones video interviews Harold Gouvier Richards of Summerhill in Pembrokeshire. He talks about his father, David George Richards and his role in The Great War as a Royal Engineer in the tunnelling company.This Memorial Day was held in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire on 27th January 2020. Seimon Pugh Jones attended with his camera. The whole event was filmed on the one camera and all sound came from the camera in built microphone. Apologies for the lack of quality in sound and the only one point of view angle.
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2020 marked 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Stand Together.
Don’t be content in your life just to do no wrong,
be prepared every day to try and do some good.
- Sir Nicholas Winton,
who rescued 669 children from Nazi-occupied Europe
DAVID GEORGE RICHARDS
Seimon Pugh Jones video interviews Harold Gouvier Richards of Summerhill in Pembrokeshire. He talks about his father, David George Richards and his role in The Great War as a Royal Engineer in the tunnelling company.
AUNTY MAGS PART 8
Aunty Mags re-appears for her last trip down memory lane, for now, with her reminiscences of family life in Carmarthen.
Ramblings and tales of Priory Street and Carmarthen in general. It’s the last installment for now but she is screaming at me to come up to film more. She has so much more to tell and it would be a crime not to archive her memories..
LOST HOLLOW – OH HEART
Tommy Harden of Lost Hollow shares, "Our 12 year old son, Rowan, found a heart shaped rock on the beach while we were filming. We put it in the anchor hole of the ship because it was too heavy to lug around. As we were wrapping up filming, I looked at the rock and the hole and showed it to our videographer Seimon. I said, 'Look! O Heart' as the anchor hole was literally the "O" and the rock the heart. He got his camera back out and said in his thick Welsh accent, "Now that's art!" It's the opening shot of a truly sensational video.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 28, 2020) -- The 2018 Indie Music Channel’s Americana Artist of the Year and Emerging Band of the Year, Lost Hollow, featuring vocalists Tommy and Lorrie Harden, announces the premiere of its breathtaking new video for “Oh Heart” off its latest album, Looking for Happy . The video can be seen HERE and the album is available on iTunes/Apple Music, Amazon, and Spotify.
The stunning video for “Oh Heart” was shot by photographer/videographer Seimon Pugh-Jones, a Welsh historian, at the childhood home of poet and writer Dylan Thomas, in Swansea, Wales, and at nearby Ferryside Beach. The sweeping landscapes and dramatic skies provide an amazing backdrop, both physically and metaphorically, for this mesmerizing love song, written by Tommy Harden, Lorrie Harden, Kellys Collins, and Jeff Smith.
With achingly beautiful harmonies accompanied by acoustic guitar, the first line of the second verse sums up the song’s powerful message from the protagonist to her broken heart:
“What I could do if tears would turn to glue; I’d fix you up and we could love like new,” anchored by the final line of the chorus, “If you just keep beating, I’ll keep breathing.”
Lorrie said, "For us it was like being in heaven, one of those days where you don't want it to end. Everywhere you rested your eyes, it was just sheer beauty. We're so grateful to our Welsh friends who put so much into this video."
Recorded in Tommy's Dungeon in Nashville, Looking for Happy is a 12-track ode to the pursuit of happiness as told from the perspective of the Hardens. The powerful songwriting duo explores themes ranging from the ups and downs of companionship to the sorrow of heartbreak and the dizzy excitement of living in the moment. Lost Hollow's succinct, candid songwriting is delivered beautifully, with soulful harmonies and masterful instrumental arrangements.
The first single from Looking for Happy , “Shine On,” and its accompanying video HERE have deeply affected thousands by telling the gripping story of Sancy Shaw, an adored wife and mother of four, tragically taken too soon by a drunk driver.
Lost Hollow has been described as an emotional powerhouse with two amazing voices weaving intricate and compelling songs. As songwriters, the Hardens had two cuts on Reba McEntire’s double platinum–selling album Duets . They were inducted into the IMC Hall of Fame in 2019. For more information, visit losthollowband.com
TIA MCGRAFF AND TOMMY PARHAM IN CONVERSATION WITH BB SKONE
Tia McGraff, Americana artist of the year 2019 (IMEA Awards)
Hailing from south of Toronto, Ontario Canada, Tia McGraff is an internationally-renowned, award-winning Americana singer-songwriter and gifted author with Scottish and Transylvanian roots. Tia’s performances, her angelic voice and well-crafted song writing have been described as ‘soul-stirring, thought provoking and providing promises of hope’ in a world full of chaos, broken dreams and uncertainty.
With seven international CD releases, various film/tv placements, and numerous nominations and awards including Americana CD of the Year first round nomination for 2018/2016 Grammy Awards , 2019 multi-nominee for Kingdom Image Awards , and Posi Award finalist, as well multiple Best Of lists, Tia and Tommy have earned a respect in the music industry and a global fan base. The duo have a gift for ‘getting to the heart of the matter’ and writing relatable songs about life, love and this crazy world we live in.
The 2018 release of “Stubborn In My Blood” continues to place well on RMR, Euro, Indie and Folk radio charts globally, earned Best Of 2018 ranking and has been featured on tastemaker and notable radio and TV shows such as Bob Harris Country on BBC Radio 2, CMT Canada and Blue Plate Special.
“Tia McGraff and Tommy Parham continue proving they are one of the best creative duos working today with the release of Stubborn in My Blood and the album’s eleven songs will be invaluable additions to their live act. It’s a deep feeling and thoughtful album full of the heart and tears defining our lives.”
Tia and Tommy, have many friends in Wales and have toured the UK many times.
She has played at the Sessiwn Fawr and headlined at Llangollen Eisteddfod with Joan Baez and Jose Carreres.
Listen to their music and in conversation with Pembrokeshire’s own B.B. Skone. Mother Bear captured their performance in an Americana Festival at the now defunct Tin Shed in Laugharne.
The angelic voice mixed with exquisite song writing gives Tia a powerful presence on stage. https://www.tiamcgraff.com/home
VOICES FROM WALES – FORTY-FOUR OF FIFTY-TWO , Christian Pattemore – Drive
January 31st was the day that Alan McGhee’s label, Creation23 released the single, Drive by Christian Pattemore. McGhee has managed or championed acts such as Oasis, Primal Scream, The Jesus and the Mary Chain and The Libertines.
Christian Pattemore commented on social media " I’m still buzzing from all the positive responses I've had so far for "Drive". Lots of people commented on the video .
"Filming took place literally one-year ago in Sub-zero temperatures and snow on higher ground in Ferryside, Carmarthenshire .....but what an amazing sunset! Such a fantastic day.
"I'd like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you once again to Seimon Pugh-Jones and Andy Edwards from Mother Bear productions in Carmarthen for their vision, cinematography, editing and the fact they made this happen."
VOICES FROM WALES – FORTY-THREE OF FIFTY-TWO , AUNTY MAGS PART 7
Aunty Mags re-appears for another trip down memory lane with her reminiscences of family life in Carmarthen.
Ramblings and tales of Priory Street and the Printers Arms: hairdressers, horse fairs, tall jockeys, Great War farewells on a Carmarthen railway station, berserk horses and sapper trenches in Gallipoli. It’s all here!
There’s one more instalment! But I have been phoned and asked when am I coming up next as she has got loads more stories to tell!
VOICES FROM WALES – FORTY-ONE OF FIFTY-TWO
Mother Bear has been sick and poorly ill over Christmas and new year so hasn’t been able to get out and film any specific Xmas activity.
The natural storytelling of Margaret Lee is once again the subject. There’s not many left I promise!
Social history is so important, and everyone should archive their own in whatever way they can. In this digital world it’s easy to take photos but it’s just as easy to record testimonies through video or audio recording. I urge people to get out there and press the record button.
VOICES FROM WALES – FORTY OF FIFTY-TWO
Life in Carmarthen Town during WW2 with Aunty Mags. Margaret Lee talks of pub life in The Eagle Inn, Priory Street during the war.
Billeting soldiers and VE Day.
Four of Eight and she threatens to record more!
VOICES FROM WALES – THIRTY EIGHT OF FIFTY-TWO
Americana Gold Interview
It’s a blast from the past with an interview from the now non-operational Tin Shed in Laugharne. It was a wonderful venue for local, national and international music performers that has sadly now closed.
Three Welsh musicians from Swansea have always loved the sound of the West Coast of America and although the three professional musicians play in other bands there’s nothing more than they enjoy but to bring the songs of California to the people of South Wales.
Lorraine King, Peter King and Terry Thomas create a three-part harmony and a range of guitar skills that emanate the laid-back feel of the songs that they have grown up with.
In the interview with local music journalist, radio personality and music guru, Malcolm Cawley aka BB Skone, they talk about their passion for music.
Happy Thanksgiving!
VOICES FROM WALES – THIRTY NINE OF FIFTY-TWO
Life in Carmarthen Town during WW2 with Aunty Mags. Margaret Lee lets her into pub life in The Eagle Inn, Priory Street.
Evacuees: ‘I wanted one!’
Rationing!
German Spies and Darts matches!
Four of Eight and she threatens to record more!
VOICES FROM WALES – THIRTY SEVEN OF FIFTY-TWO
AUNTY MAGS PART THREE – THE EAGLE INN
Here she is once again, ‘Aunty Mags Part Three – The Eagle Inn’ with a collection of stories related to the family pub in Priory Street, Carmarthen.
It’s a little bit different in this video as Mags talks of the involvement of the American forces in Carmarthen who frequented the pub and gives an insight into town life during the Second World War.
Her stories are supplemented with text from the 2nd Bn 112th Infantry History from October 1943, and also Our Kind of Town, by Jim Condon.
VOICES FROM WALES – THIRTY SIX OF FIFTY-TWO, THE RIVER TOWY
Totally off the cuff, I woke up last Saturday and decided to take the dog, Eddy, on an adventure. I got dropped off just outside Carmarthen on the Llansteffan road and followed the Coastal path back to Carmarthen – not an enormous walk. I wanted to get the vibe of the river. I took my mobile phone with me, in case of accident etc and as I’m walking think I’ll take some pics and to a bit of a commentary. I hadn’t done any research regarding history, hence the links below. Maybe I’ll read up a bit and go back and do the walk with the knowledge and take Seimon, the cameraman and Eddy!
Rhyd Y Gors - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyd-y-gors
Buffalo Bill - https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/c5eb1659-9985-368b-9b86-8a35c9834aa7
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/museum-officials-trying-identify-scene-1926131
Ystrad Tywi - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ystrad_Tywi
White Bridge - https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300080709-white-bridge-the-bascule-railway-bridge-carmarthen#.Xb_UrC2caPQ
Busy Carmarthen Port from a hundred plus years ago.
VOICES FROM WALES – THIRTY FIVE OF FIFTY-TWO, ROUTE 66 -TAFFS ON TOUR
Ian Gravell and Robin Bowen, motor bike enthusiasts and friends for years decided at the start of 2019 to plan an adventure of a lifetime.
From May 26th to June 26th they endured the mother road of America -= Route 66. Taking a month out of their busy lives they wanted to fulfil a dream that they had held in their imaginations for maybe thirty years.
Driving west on their motor bikes following a dream of a journey from Chicago to the Californian west. A dream sold to their younger lives by Hollywood and the film Industry of the USA.
Both men have had life threatening accidents in the past but their passion for the motor bike has lasted.
Ian delivers his travelogue with huge zeal of meeting new characters and an honest pleasure in seeing landscapes only seen in books.
I introduce you to:
Bow and Ianto – Taffs on Tour – ‘Making America Great Again’ - 2019
VOICES FROM WALES – THIRTY FOUR OF FIFTY-TWO, AUNTY MAGS - PART TWO
Margaret Lee is 89 years old, lives in Newcastle Emlyn but to her core is a Carmarthen girl, St Peter’s girl born in Priory Street.
Her recall of her young life growing up in Carmarthen and her knowledge of families is legendary and unsurpassable. She is one in a million, as they say.
Here’s part two of the video when she sits with Andy, her first cousin’s son and browses through the Carmarthen Facebook page, giving a glimpse into the social history of the town and her family.
VOICES FROM WALES – THIRTY TWO OF FIFTY-TWO, YELLOW FACED CANARY GIRLS
Pembrey Country Park is a coastland parkland that has Cefn Sidan beach as its main attraction.
During the Great War of 1914-18 the park was used as a base for a munition factory which gave women employment from all over West Wales. The Royal Ordnance Factory was developed on a large scale.
Many of the women who worked there were stained yellow by the toxic chemicals that they were handling. They became known as the ‘canary girls’.
In 2018 a community workshop provided by Lorraine King and Andy Edwards for Pembrey Primary School took place. It was a storytelling session which ended up in the children writing the lyrics and Lorraine adding melody and the guitar parts. By the end of the afternoon the children sang and recording their song.
VOICES FROM WALES – THIRTY-ONE OF FIFTY-TWO, AUNTY MAGS - PART ONE
Margaret Lee is 89 years old, lives in Newcastle Emlyn but to her core is a Carmarthen girl, St Peter’s girl born in Priory Street.
Her recall of her young life growing up in Carmarthen and her knowledge of families is legendary and unsurpassable. She is one in a million, as they say.
In the video she sits with Andy, her first cousin’s son and browses through the Carmarthen Facebook page, giving a glimpse into the social history of the town and her family.
VOICES FROM WALES – THIRTY OF FIFTY-TWO, Introducing The 'Tin Shed' Experience
On June 4th, 2011 after 18 months of hard work by a small team of enthusiasts, an old derelict zinc garage in Laugharne was transformed into The Tin Shed Experience and opened to the Public. In a short space of time the museum became number one attraction in Carmarthenshire and at one point, number two museum in Wales.
Run by Seimon Pugh-Jones and his partner Meinir (Min) Evans, its popularity and reputation grew. It became a much-loved venue for music, the arts and history, with its unique and quirky style.
Its charm was based on the concept of being the opposite of most museums. Recycling and low carbon footprint was a major aspect of its development and also its low-tech approach, with interaction and visitor care a priority.
We concentrated on the period between 1914 to 1945.
The Tin Shed was just not a museum, it was also a venue for music events, its exhibits were used in film and TV and regularly loaned to theatre groups and other historical events/displays, some of which provided funding for the upkeep of the museum.
We achieved the Hall of Fame with trip advisor with amazing reviews. We've appeared in national newspapers. Our exhibits along with myself have appeared in a number of TV shows, TV dramas and radio shows.
In addition to normal daily visitors we worked closely with a number of schools and various groups including:
- Womens Institute
- Charitable Organisation
- Dementia Support
- Alzheimers
- local businesses in bringing over 40,000+ visitors to the area. We helped create a feel-good factor within Laugharne.
Future Plans
Due to the success of the previous museum our aim is to relocate the 1914 - 1945 museum to a new site. To integrate the museum into the community, to work with people with similar historical interests, schools and various charitable organisations.
VOICES FROM WALES – TWENTY NINE OF FIFTY-TWO, CILGERRAN CORACLE RACES
The Coracle Races are part of the Cilgerran Festive Week, an annual celebration bringing together the whole village in a number of activities from children’s sports to fancy dress and carnival. The main event is the traditional coracle racing which took place on Saturday August 24th 2019 on the River Teifi not far from the Castle ruins in Cilgerran.
The coracle is a small, rounded, lightweight boat traditionally used for net fishing of Atlantic salmon and sea trout known locally as sewin in the rivers of Wales. The tradition is kept alive by fisherman on the River Towy and Teifi.
The races give opportunities to novices and experts throughout the day
VOICES FROM WALES – TWENTY EIGHT OF FIFTY-TWO, CARMARTHENSHIRE WATER SAFETY PARTNERSHIP
Within Mother Bear Productions we are finding that we have raced ahead in our challenge of one video a week for Americymru. Prepared videos are being held up from being released for weeks after they are ready to be published. So we now intend to release videos once they are ready. It may be that some weeks we’ll release two videos.
This week we concentrate on the Carmarthenshire Water Safety Partnership and the extremely important work that Adam and other charity workers do towards water safety awareness in the county and all over Wales.
Thanks for watching and please share away.
VOICES FROM WALES – TWENTY SEVEN OF FIFTY-TWO, BOSWORTH DAY AT ST PETER’S CHURCH CARMARTHEN
By , 2019-09-02
VOICES FROM WALES – TWENTY SEVEN OF FIFTY-TWO, BOSWORTH DAY AT ST PETER’S CHURCH CARMARTHEN
The Battle of Bosworth, the last battle of The War of The Roses is celebrated/commemorated in Carmarthen in August annually. The battle took place on 22 August 1485. The House of Lancaster was victorious over Richard and the House of York. Henry Tudor was crowned King, it was the beginning of the Tudor dynasty.
What’s Carmarthen got to do with Bosworth?
Sir Rhys ap Thomas was a Welsh soldier and supported Henry at Bosworth. It is believed that Rhys was the man who delivered the fatal blow to Richard III. The warrior poet of the time, Guto’r Glyn described the death of Richard as a vicious blow to the head with a battle axe, "killed the boar, shaved his head."
He was supposedly knighted on the battlefield and in return for his loyalty to Henry VII he was rewarded with titles that made him one of the most influential men in Wales.
Sir Rhys’s tomb is now situated in St Peter’s Church Carmarthen.
VOICES FROM WALES – TWENTY SIX OF FIFTY-TWO, WALK FOOTBALL IN WALES
Sport is loved all over Wales and football is a game that I was brought up on. There was no rugby for my generation in Carmarthen until you were Under 11 and then it was 15 a side District game on a full size pitch! The rugby clubs of town only offered the sport to Youth and Senior teams. All primary schools had the tradition of playing football on a Friday afternoon , eleven a side on specially prepared smaller pitches.
Rugby enthused us as youngsters, world class Gareth Edwards, Barry John , icons of the sport displayed their skills in the Five Nations Championship. But football lived alongside rugby and offered us other Welsh sporting heroes: John Charles , Leighton James, Gary Sprake, Terry Hennesey, Brian Flynn.
As we get older, joints creak, muscle get sore and sometimes the heart beats to an irregular pace but the older generation can still feel the buzz of the team ethic and the thrill of competition in walk football sessions at the same pitch that I would have played those primary school cup finals : Richmond Park, Carmarthen.
Josh Edwards, is coach at Carmarthen Town AFC – ‘ The Old Golds ’.
Check the video out and find a club near you and start enjoying sport again.
VOICES FROM WALES – TWENTY FIVE OF FIFTY-TWO, SPOKEN WORD SATURDAY
Spoken Word Saturday is held on the second Saturday of the month at the Zion Chapel in Llanelli. It is organised by Eleanor Shaw of People Speak Up . It attracts young and old and is open to all. It gives people an opportunity to perform prose and poetry in front of a knowledgeable and caring audience.
The afternoon has invited guests who headline the afternoon: a musical performer and a professional story teller. The afternoon is held as part of Theatr Ffwrnes.
This week Ioan Hefin led the professional performers with excerpts from a new venture, Play and a Pint, that he was taking on tour around pubs and venues in Carmarthenshire. Ioan is a university lecturer in Carmarthen and is an accomplished actor, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955942/
Last week a good friend and board member of People Speak Up , Mark Montinaro, died. He had been a supporter of Spoken Word Saturdays since the very beginning and was a regular performer. Although not known by all the performers on this day he was remembered with recitals of his poetry, personal stories and poetry written in his memory.
This video is dedicated to his memory.
VOICES FROM WALES – TWENTY FOUR OF FIFTY-TWO, RON LEWIS PART THREE
It’s the final part of the Ron Lewis interview and once again he reveals stories from his career as a T.V.reporter.
Thanks for sharing, Ron, it was a real insight.
You can read Ron's memoir here for more: Confessions of a TV Newsman: Broadcasters behaving really badly in the Golden Age of ITV
VOICES FROM WALES – TWENTY THREE OF FIFTY-TWO, RON LEWIS PART TWO
Ron Lewis, retired T.V. journalist and reporter, reveals more about working in Pontcanna, Cardiff as part of the news team on the newly founded Harlech Television, H.T.V.
When I first heard Ron’s voice, I giggled to myself, as in its soothing warmth I heard a voice from the past, from my childhood. It brought memories of sitting with my family in front of the telly and having to sit through the news every night, whilst all I wanted to do was watch cartoons.
Ron is a natural storyteller and has a rich vein of experiences during his lifetime to call on. The morning we spent with him was both relaxing and illuminating.
Please take 10-15 minutes of your day to enjoy his reminiscences.
VOICES FROM WALES – TWENTY TWO OF FIFTY-TWO, RON LEWIS.
Ron now lives with his family in the subtly stunning countryside of west Carmarthenshire in the parish of Merthyr where the River Cywin cuts through a rolling landscape of fertile tree-covered hillsides.
Earlier this year Ron gained a First Class Honours Master’s Degree at Lampeter University in Creative Writing.
VOICES FROM WALES – TWENTY ONE OF FIFTY-TWO, HUGH REES D.F.C.
A Professor at Aberystwyth University, a Fellow of The Royal Society a peson, like so many others, who never talked about the war. He did, however, leave a diary, which hopefully we will look at a later date. Hugh’s family lived in Llansteffan and his father was the local policeman, P.C. Owen Rees.
I hope the film reflects the respect and gratitude that we always will have for those who fought during the Great War and especially those at Mametz Wood 103 years ago.
In the video his son, Hubert Rees, is interviewed following a lecture on his father’s diary of the war.
Hugh’s plane was shot down during a daylight raid on a synthetic oil plant near Homberg in the Ruhr Valley. All were RAF crew, except the bomb aimer F/O Westwood, who was a New Zealander. He became a good friend of Hugh’s, and was a visitor to Llansteffan in 1945, as reported in the local press at the time.
After capture, Hugh was taken to Oberursel, near Frankfurt. This was an interrogation centre for captured aircrew. He was later moved to Stalag Luft 1. The camp housed about 9,000 allied air force officers by the end of the war, mostly US aircrew (about 7,500).
His diary gives an awareness into life at the camp: food shortages, communication with home, his hobbies while held captive and the general living conditions that they endured. He also gives an insight into the relationship with his fellow American captives.
Many thanks to the following websites that have helped Hubert collect images and facts about his father’s wartime experiences.
75nzsquadron
Stalag Luft
Footnote: Colonel Hub Zemke
Zemke was a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. He established his leadership of the POWs at Stalag Luft 1, developing working relations with the German commandant and staff. He achieved some improvements in living conditions. Toward the end of the war, Zemke suspected the Germans might try to kill the POWs rather than allow them to be liberated by the advancing Russian armies. In preparation, Zemke prepared a force of commandos and stockpiled weapons, (mostly home–made grenades), in order to resist any such attempt.
As it became apparent that war was lost, the Germans became more cooperative, especially as Soviet armies approached from the east. When the prisoners of Stalag Luft I were ordered to leave the camp by the camp commandant, Zemke refused the order. Zemke and his staff negotiated an arrangement for the Germans to depart quietly at night, bearing only small arms, and turn the camp over to the Allied POW wing. To avoid conflict between POWs and guards who had been particularly brutal, Zemke's staff kept the arrangement secret until the morning after the German departure. Zemke then cultivated friendly relations with the arriving Soviets, using his fluent German and some Russian language picked up during his time with the Soviet Air Force. Ultimately, in Operation Revival, Zemke arranged for the POWs to be flown to American-held territory by U.S. B-17 bombers shortly after VE day.
VOICES OF THE GREAT WAR JULY 2016
A video from the archives - in July 2016 Seimon and myself organised a day of commemoration. It was 100 years since the Battle of Mametz Wood took place on the Somme during the Great War of 1914-18.
We invited local people and musicians to come along and tell their stories and sing their songs of the war. We videod and recorded their oral history and their musical performance. The Open Day at the Tin Shed Museum in Laugharne was an amazing emotional day and thanks again to all those who cointributed!
I hope the film reflects the respect and gratitude that we always will have for those who fought during the Great War and especially those at Mametz Wood 103 years ago.
VOICES FROM WALES - NINETEEN OF FIFTY-TWO, CARMARTHEN VELODROME
For years Carmarthen Park was my rugby home. Privileged to play in an amphitheatre of sport, surrounded by a disused cycle track. Century-old photos showed the park as the sporting hub of the town and county.
As a supplement to my rugby training I always loved cycling and would occasionally find myself pedalling around the rugby ground, making sure I missed the surface cracks and the increased number of potholes that appeared as the years passed.
A £580,000 project to redevelop the site and make it a cycling hub for West Wales started in 2017. At 405 metres long track consists of more than 200 concrete panels. It was officially reopened two years ago, 117 years after it hosted its first ever cycle race
The track is located in the heart of Carmarthen Park. It has a history that goes beyond just cycling having been the scene of two National Eisteddfods and continues to be the home playing field of Carmarthen RFC.
VOICES FROM WALES - EIGHTEEN OF FIFTY-TWO, THOMAS SKEEL – A NAPOLEONIC SOLDIER FROM LAUGHARNE, CARMARTHENSHIRE, PART 2
In the second part of Thomas Skeel the 15 minute video showcases John Bradshaw recollecting the diaries of the landlord of The Ship Inn, Laugharne, Thomas Skeel. Skeel enlists into the 40 th Regiment of Foot and talks about his part in the fight against Napoleon in the Peninsular Wars of the early 19 th Century.
BB Skone
I first met Malcolm Cawley aka BB Skone over 25 years as a music journalist at a gig in the Officer’s Mess in Pembroke Dock. His writing was erudite, educated and entertainingly witty.
He has become a legend in West Wales for promoting and encouraging musical projects of aspiring performers. His Comprehensive Gig Guide column and gig reviews in local newspapers are always the place to find out what is going on in the music scene. For so many years he broadcast from Radio Pembrokeshire and was an innovator within the music scene: live performances from the smallest studios and always championing local music. He has now moved to Pure West Radio in Haverfordwest and has a two hour show on Sundays.
BB SKONE'S PEMBROKESHIRE MUSIC SHOW
https://www.facebook.com/groups/49393023806/
BB Skone's Pembrokeshire Music Show Page features all you need to know about the Pembrokeshire music scene. BB broadcasts his local music show at 7 p.m. every Sunday on www.purewestradio.com BB also writes for the Western Telegraph.
THOMAS SKEEL – A NAPOLEONIC SOLDIER FROM LAUGHARNE, CARMARTHENSHIRE PART 1
I’ve only ever heard it within the township of Laugharne.
Mother Bear is an exclamation of surprise, similar to the phrase Gordon Bennett! or Cor Blimey!
It began with the chance discovery of a memorial stone in churchyard, which led to finding the diary of Thomas Skeel, born 1781, a farm labourer from Hangman Street, Laugharne. The diary told the story of an ordinary man caught up in extraordinary events. His story deserved to be retold. So came the birth of Mother Bear Community Theatre Group , mixing storytelling with music to relive the history of those that have lived in the unique township on the banks of the River Taf. War, love, lust, murder and more are recalled in the tales from Agincourt to The Second World War. The treatments are presented as pop up theatre.
In this video John tells the story behind his research into the life of Thomas Skeel , landlord of the Ship Inn in Laugharne and relates some of the stories of his young life.
In Part 2, we find out about his adventures in Spain and Portugal, fighting the armies of Napoleon and being wounded at the Battle of Tallavera.
Mother Bear still performs regularly. They are looking to perform a 19th century arsenic murder mystery very soon! In the meantime Mother Bear produces these videos for Americymru – we got a few to go!!!
The Big Spring Beach Clean, Surfers Against Sewage
Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire
April 7th 2019
It’s World Oceans Day, June 8th, and people around our world celebrate and honour the ocean, which connects us all.
https://www.worldoceansday.org
To celebrate we would like to release a video of the Big Spring Beach Clean . It is the UK’s biggest coordinated beach clean activity, which has brought together over 150,000 volunteers over the last five years, contributing an incredible two million hours of volunteer time to protecting and conserving our beaches for everyone to enjoy. These vital community events not only remove dangerous plastics from our unique and precious coastal environment, but also indicate where action needs to be taken further upstream to reduce the leakage into and impact of plastics on our ocean and beaches.
Jaz Strelecki has been a representative for Surfers Against Sewage since she was nine years old. Jaz also helps mum, Anna, run her iSea Surfwear clothing business in Amroth. Jaz is the surfer of the family and has always had a passion for spreading the word about environmental issues and especially beach cleaning.
As lots of groups help to clean Freshwater West already Jaz and Anna decided to focus on the teeny tiny micro plastics and nurdles/mermaids tears, to see how bad it really is on this lovely beach.
Mermaids’ tears, also known as resin pellets or nurdles, are used in the manufacturing of plastic products. S.A.S. identify these plastic pellets as a major source of pollution on Welsh beaches, and their undercover work in plastic factories have identified a route from plastic factories to the beach, via the storm drains.
VOICES FROM WALES - SIXTEEN OF FIFTY-TWO, THOMAS SKEEL – A NAPOLEONIC SOLDIER FROM LAUGHARNE, CARMARTHENSHIRE PART 1
I’ve only ever heard it within the township of Laugharne.
Mother Bear is an exclamation of surprise, similar to the phrase Gordon Bennett! or Cor Blimey!
It began with the chance discovery of a memorial stone in churchyard, which led to finding the diary of Thomas Skeel, born 1781, a farm labourer from Hangman Street, Laugharne. The diary told the story of an ordinary man caught up in extraordinary events. His story deserved to be retold. So came the birth of Mother Bear Community Theatre Group , mixing storytelling with music to relive the history of those that have lived in the unique township on the banks of the River Taf. War, love, lust, murder and more are recalled in the tales from Agincourt to The Second World War. The treatments are presented as pop up theatre.
In this video John tells the story behind his research into the life of Thomas Skeel , landlord of the Ship Inn in Laugharne and relates some of the stories of his young life.
In Part 2, we find out about his adventures in Spain and Portugal, fighting the armies of Napoleon and being wounded at the Battle of Tallavera.
Mother Bear still performs regularly. They are looking to perform a 19th century arsenic murder mystery very soon! In the meantime Mother Bear produces these videos for Americymru – we got a few to go!!!
The Big Spring Beach Clean, Surfers Against Sewage
Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire
April 7th 2019
It’s World Oceans Day, June 8th, and people around our world celebrate and honour the ocean, which connects us all.
https://www.worldoceansday.org
To celebrate we would like to release a video of the Big Spring Beach Clean . It is the UK’s biggest coordinated beach clean activity, which has brought together over 150,000 volunteers over the last five years, contributing an incredible two million hours of volunteer time to protecting and conserving our beaches for everyone to enjoy. These vital community events not only remove dangerous plastics from our unique and precious coastal environment, but also indicate where action needs to be taken further upstream to reduce the leakage into and impact of plastics on our ocean and beaches.
Jaz Strelecki has been a representative for Surfers Against Sewage since she was nine years old. Jaz also helps mum, Anna, run her iSea Surfwear clothing business in Amroth. Jaz is the surfer of the family and has always had a passion for spreading the word about environmental issues and especially beach cleaning.
As lots of groups help to clean Freshwater West already Jaz and Anna decided to focus on the teeny tiny micro plastics and nurdles/mermaids tears, to see how bad it really is on this lovely beach.
Mermaids’ tears, also known as resin pellets or nurdles, are used in the manufacturing of plastic products. S.A.S. identify these plastic pellets as a major source of pollution on Welsh beaches, and their undercover work in plastic factories have identified a route from plastic factories to the beach, via the storm drains.
THE FORGOTTEN CONSCRIPTS
These young men could well be described as having served in the secret underground movement during the Second World War, but not in the sense that most people would imagine, for even today many have not heard of the term Bevin Boy.
Sixty-eight years ago on the 2nd December 1943, Ernest Bevin the wartime Minister of Labour and National Service announced in the House of Commons a scheme that was to change the lives of many young men, by being directed to serve their National Service working underground in the coalmines of Britain.
When war was declared against Germany in September 1939, a large number of experienced miners were called up into the Forces, with others leaving to take up work in other higher paid industries. In the years leading up to 1943 various schemes were set up to recruit labour and thus increase coal production vital to the needs of the nation.
The release of ex miners in the Home Forces, the recall of retired miners, unemployed and young boys of school leaving age to make a career in coal mining were all tried, proving to be unsuccessful.
The only way of overcoming this serious situation was to conscript an additional 50,000 men to work underground in the coal mines over a period of eighteen months.
By Warwick H Taylor, MBE,
Former Vice President of The Bevin Boys Association
I first met writer, Jaye when she needed to use The Great War trench system in Pendine to be a location for her screenplay Letters Home .
Letters Home started life as a short play in 2012 at Pontardawe Script Slam and went on to win the audience award. Jaye adapted it to a screenplay, which reached the semi-finals of the London Underwire Festival, and was chosen for a rehearsed reading at the London Screenwriters Festival.
After the success of Letters Home , her next project is Forgotten Conscripts . Jaye has a passion to get the story over and is now in the middle of postproduction of The Forgotten Conscript Trailer, which will act as a proof of concept and hopefully her skill, effort, and energy in remembering The Bevin Boys will be noticed by someone out there in the media world.
VOICES FROM WALES - THIRTEEN OF FIFTY-TWO
The ABC of Opera is the brainchild of Mark Llewelyn Evans. Mark has visited over 250 schools in South Wales and has now published a book to go with the workshops that is sold online worldwide. It is a fantastic piece of work that has been collated with the help of creatives across Wales.
Five Hundred years of opera to captivate, inspire, enlighten and empower children of all ages and abilities.
I feel so passionate that every child should have the chance to experience the performing arts
whilst using their imagination to their full potential. It's about inspiring our next generation….
No art form should be elitist or unobtainable.
Mark Llewelyn Evans
Purpose of the project:
- To make opera accessible to all children, non-pretentious and without elitism.
- Offer the means to introduce opera to a much wider audience.
- Educate about opera through the current curriculum.
- Bring the power of classical music to young people.
- Nurture imagination and personal creative expression through interactive elements of the project.
- Offer the thought-provoking morals within each of the stories within a modern context.
- Give some insight into the historical and cultural significance of the stories.
- Make learning fun, build personal skills, build confidence, nurture imagination and creativity
VOICES FROM WALES - TWELVE OF FIFTY-TWO
The Eclectic Shed Experience are Ron Savory and Liz Crippin. Both solo singer-songwriters who have now combined to inspire fresh arrangements of their most popular self-penned material.
They hope to record their first album soon. You can find them on the web at: theese.co.uk
They have just performed at the World famous Tredegar House Folk Festival in Gwent.
Last week they recorded an interview with Malcolm Cawley for B.B.Skone’s Pembrokeshire Music Show for Pure West Radio.
If you want to listen to one of the the tracks in full that are played on the documentary:
This was filmed a few weeks back when we were in the middle of a cold snap and the rain was driving down the valley.
Hope you can feel the warmth of the people, the music and the bwythyn.
VOICES FROM WALES - 11 of 52 James Page, Columbus Campervans
An enthusiast from Swansea who over the years has learnt how to restore old VW vans and from a hobby has turned the projects into a small business.
I first heard about Jimmy nearly 30 years ago when a guitar tutor friend came to a band rehearsal and said:
"You wont believe this but I am teaching guitar to Jimmy Page! Hang on!" he said, "I’m also teaching bass to his mate, Steve Miller!"
As the boys grew older and learnt their respective guitars to a high standard, they formed a band. Another friend called Paul Young came on board, he was the singer and on drums they had the magical drummer, Paul Daniels – a super group was formed!
Voices from Wales - Week 10 of 52 - isea surfwear
In March 2012 I cycled with my brother in law from Chicago to New York as The Two Fat Cyclists and played in bars as we went. A supportive business woman sponsored us by making us some promotional hoodies and tee shirts in support of a Children’s Ward in Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen.
Anna Strzelecki has set up her buisness i sea surfwear in the coastal village of Amroth. In the video Anna discusses how she started and developed her business from virtually nothing, whilst bringing up her daughter. It’s a story of a young woman having a dream of a lifestyle and having a work ethic that drives her towards the vision.
This week Anna posted on her Facebook page:
"Very proud of our little business to be awarded PLASTIC FREE APPROVED STATUS by Surfers Against Sewage."
"We've always made an effort to be as environmentally friendly as possible and we have made lots of small changes over time and there's still more to do but every little bit helps!"
"If you'd like to know more about becoming a Plastic Free Approved business go to www.plasticfree.org.uk or feel free to get in touch with me or your plastic free communities leader in your area."
Congratulations Anna
Week 9 of 52 - yr Ysgwrn
This week, from Mother Bear Productions, we have a visit to the poet Hedd Wyn's home, Yr Ysgwrn, in Snowdonia National Park in Wales.
After a breakfast stop in Aberystwyth and the sharing of a black coffee thermos, we arrived at Trawsfynydd early morning. The sun had risen early on a daffodil March morning.
Turning right we followed the signs for Yr Ysgwrn, a fascinating magical place especially in the blush of a strong spring breeze. The farmhouse welcomes all visitors with an open door and an ethereal warmth that not only comes from the kitchen hearth but from the natural beauty of the landscape.
The peacefulness is absorbed and as clouds float in from the Irish Sea, across the lake and over the Moelwynion Mountains, a tranquillity settles and we breathe in.
Why did men leave this place to fight in the mud of Passchendaele?
"Hedd Wyn," blessed peace, is the bardic name given to Welsh language poet Ellis Humphrey Evans. Yr Ysgwrn was his family's farm and is now a museum. A Christian pacifist, he was conscripted and went to war in his younger brother's place. He was killed approximately a month after submitting his poem, "Yr Awr" (The Hero), to the 1917 National Eisteddfod, on the first day of the WWI Battle of Passchendaele, on 31 July 1917. He won the 1917 National Eisteddfod bardic chair in September 1917, under the pseudonym "Fleur de Lys" and on the news that the winner had been killed in the war, the chair was draped in black and given to his family.
Week 8 of 52 - Operation Bolero
From the archives: this week we have a change in subject matter and style and introduce a commemorative piece in honour of the friendly invasion of 1943 by American troops.
With the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings on the horizon Operation Bolero was to see the American troops arrive in Britain and to spend over six months training for the invasion of Europe.
Back in early 2002, Seimon Pugh Jones decided to record the experiences of local Welsh people and their memories of the occupation. The sound and picture quality isn’t great but it’s been ripped from video and has a slightly lower quality
Week 6 of 52 - Hut Number 9, Island Farm
This week, Hut Number 9, Island Farm in Bridgend takes centre stage. Enthusiastic volunteers curate the World War Two German prisoner of war camp, organising Open Days at regular intervals. On 10th March 1945, 70 German POW’s attempted to escape digging a tunnel out of their wartime imprisonment. It became known as The Great Escape in Wales.
The Tommy Jenkins video has had some great comments. He’s had to postpone a few gigs lately through ill health but is up and running again for his summer engagements and has a new album out soon. Here’s a link to a video about Tom Paine, an American patriot. He wrote the political pamphlet Common Sense . It is credited as playing a crucial role in convincing colonists to take up arms against Britain.
“Without the pen of the author of Common Sense , the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”
John Adams
Click here for the video: Tom Paine's Bones,
There’s another link below to a sea song, Codi Angor (Raising The Anchor), where Tommy mixes Codi Angor in Welsh with the English, Leave Her, Johnny, Leave Her.
Click her for the video: Codi Angor,
The sun has been shining all week we did a video shoot down Oxwich on Gower. What a beautiful place, first visit to the beach this season. We had a small road trip around Gower taking in the sights and smells of the wild horses of Cefn Bryn. What a wonderful day but we should have taken a few sandwiches! Man cannot survive on ice cream alone!
The mantra is as Warren Zevon said, Enjoy Every Sandwich! Oh there’s another one, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead.
Week 7 of 52 - Emlyn Schiavone
This week we introduce you to a face of Carmarthen, Emlyn Schiavone, Mayor 2018-19. The Mayor also has the title of Admiral of the Port of Carmarthen, granted by a Charter of Henry VIII in 1546. Henry granted a 'Charter of Admiral to the Mayor and Burgesses and Commonalty to the town of Carmarthen and to their successors forever upon the River Towy from the bridge of Carmarthen to the bar of the said river’. Emlyn is a charismatic figure around the town who works hard to serve as best he can.
Trenchfoot provides the music on the video, a track called Lead Hurts. Some of the supplementary photos have also been donated by T.S. Thomas photography, Carmarthen.
Last week we viewed the Open Day at Island Farm. Richard is such an enthusiast and is just one of a large group of volunteers that work so hard to offer these days throughout the year – great stuff, long may it last.
Last weekend we got to Freshwater West nice and early Sunday morning. I got the time wrong. Four coffees later and a lot of landscape shots of the spectacular beach, the volunteers arrive. The Beach Clean organised by Surfers against Sewage: great event as part of a Beach Clean Week in Wales – looking forward to editing that one.
Next week we’ll take you to the home of poet Ellis Evans, known as Hedd Wynn. Yr Ysgwrn, just outside Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd, has become a memorial to the Welsh language poet who was killed July 31st 1917 on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele during World War I. He was posthumously awarded the bard's chair at the 1917 National Eisteddfod. The video will also include some footage of the multi-media performance of the National Poet of Wales, Ifor Ap Glyn.
We are going to visit the town of Kidwelly very soon and hope to get some great video interviews from local characters and a special visit to the castle. At the moment, Seimon and myself think we got enough video footage and subject matter covered now for the next couple of months and need to start editing what we got. Big job but slowly, slowly!
Week 5 of 52 - Tommy Jenkins
This week Tommy Jenkins allows us an insight into the musical life story of one of Wales’ most unique folk singers. His work in the folk scene in South Wales is unparalleled as a solo artist and in various bands including Cromlech. I have an album of theirs in my collection, Igam Ogam on the Sain record label.
A self-taught Welsh speaker, he gives us an in depth view into his career. I wanted to edit the video down to ten minutes so that more viewers in this digital age would watch. It’s well known that the short attention span of the You Tube generations want an experience that is quick and short. Tommy comes in at nearly thirty minutes, I urge you sit, relax and listen to Tommy’s story.
Tommy has released several albums over the years including Songs of Swansea and Gower. By the end of April he is hopefully releasing a new album
I’m off tonight to watch coracle fishing on the River Towy in Carmarthen, a 9.30 p.m. start. We will be filming them soon and putting together a documentary on the history and folklore of the unique fishing craft through the ages.
Next week Mother Bear are off to film in a recording studio in Gorslas, Carmarthenhshire and capture the unique sound of Ron Savory and Liz Crippin before they set out an extensive tour of post-Brexit Europe.
Here’s a link to a performance at the Laugharne Festival in 2017 -
Here’s a few we hope to bring to you soon:
- Kidwelly Castle
- Boss Brewing, Cardiff
- embrokeshire Beach Food
- Rhondda Heritage Centre
- Surfers against Sewage
- Tin Churches of Pembrokeshire
It’s a wonderful hobby travelling around Wales getting to know people from different walks of life and Americymru gives us the focus to continue.
Week 4 of 52, Trudi Petersen
This week we introduce you to Trudi Petersen who is running an independent shop, Found and Seek in the county town of Carmarthen.
I first met Trudi in a Cross Hands Working Men’s Club at a Spoken Word Open Mic. As a performance poet she is a very able artist with a great stage presence and a cultured use of language. She made me smile and she made me laugh. I’ll let her tell you her story in her own inimitable way.
Last Friday Mother Bear travelled to Trawsfynydd. What a day! A 5.30 a.m. start meant we were up in Yr Ysgwrn in time for breakfast. The last productions of The Empty Chair were extremely powerful and the one-man multimedia show of Hedd Wynn’s life was performed by the national poet of Wales, Ifor Ap Glyn.
The croeso at the bwythyn was warm and welcoming. The bara brith and panedd o de very much appreciated. It wasn’t for the first time in my life that I was sorry for the lack of a fluent Welsh tongue in my repertoire. I urge you if you visit Wales you must go to the home of the poet. http://www.yrysgwrn.com/home .
We’re off this week to meet up with Anna of isea surfwear. An independent bespoke print and design business being run out of a barn in Llanteg, Amroth and if we can fit it in Columbus Campers in Swansea run by the illustrious Jimmy Page. Although not the Led Zeppelin guitarist, James does play a guitar beautifully. Coincidentally, I bought tickets for a Robert Plant show in the Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen in April. It’s not the usual show they put on in the Lyric. We’ll have to try and get an interview and ask him about Led Zep’s impromptu performance at the Silverdales Caravan Club in Pendine in the 80’s!
Well, we beat the Irish and the nation partied. They are an outstanding group of athletes dedicated to their professional sport. For me it is very gratifying to see local players coming through the system and to have coached them at a younger age, Kenneth Owens and Jonathan Davies dedicated their lives to rugby from a young age and they deserve all they get. Llongyfarchiadau.
Perhaps it’s wrong to say it at this time of celebration and optimism but Welsh Rugby isn’t in a good place. I haven’t got statistics at my fingertips but from what I observe amateur grass roots rugby is dying fast. Second team rugby, social rugby is nearly dead and Youth rugby not far behind it. We live in a different world of professional sport and the emphasis of sport for all in rugby has now switched to providing the National team with the highest quality but it is at the detriment of social rugby. Sad to say but rugby isn’t what it used to be. Rugby clubs are fighting for their survival. Could be a video on the subject?
Week 3 of 52, Iannis Ireland
Into our third week already. We had a few hiccups last week and had to delay release but hopefully we’re back to the Friday release day from this week on. Monday was a big editing morning. There’s a need to be on top of it if we are going to get things out on time.
This week we introduce you to Iannis Ireland, self-publishing, self-financing author of the recently released, The Educator. Brought up on Bond Avenue , Penyfan overlooking The Morfa in Llanelli and educated at Bigyn Primary School and Coedcae Comp. Now living in Devon with his family, Iannis is a head teacher of a Primary School. He returns to Llanelli regularly to visit mum and dad and also to perform in The Spoken Word at Y Ffwrnes Theatre.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community/Spoken-Word-Saturday-471245999697311/
In his first novel Iannis uses his experience as a teacher to delve into the lives of the people around him:
The Educator - A Matt Greaves Investigation
Control And Dominance? Can He Survive? Self-Control Is Not An Option? Grisly murders! Targets carefully chosen!
Enter Year 3 teacher Matt Greaves, divorced, slightly jaded, thirty-something. Greaves will see his life changed forever in a battle where there can only ever be one winner, and where the lives of many others hang in the balance. Greaves will be the only one who can teach his opponent the hardest of lessons.
Mother Bear is hard at work this week, hoping to visit Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd later in the week for the final show of The Empty Chair – a multimedia poetry show, revisiting the life of the Great War poet, Hedd Wyn and exploring the nature of loss and identity. A video for the future with Americymru.
https://www.literaturewales.org/lw-news/literature-wales-presents-y-gadair-wag-the-empty-chair/
Oh yes and if you’re in Tenby for the Grand Slam weekend you will find Iannis educating friends on how to play obscure self-penned drinking games in The Lifeboat, singing karaoke in The Three Mariners and throwing some shapes in assorted nightclubs and bars all across the town!
Drink and be merry! - Cymru Am Byth!!!
Week 1 of 52, 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Alun Gibbard
For Saint David's Day, and Mother Bear Productions' inaugural video with us, Alun Gibbard , author of Cardiff Before Cardiff (Y Llofa) and many other titles, introduces us all to Number 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Swansea, the birthplace of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
We hope you all enjoy it as much as we did.
Want to visit Swansea for yourself?
VisitWales.com can help you plan a trip to Wales.
You can find out about visiting No. 5 Cwmdonkin Drive at dylanthomasbirthplace.com , schedule a guided tour, have a meal or tea, and even book a stay in the house itself.
Week 2 of 52, Nora Evans and Penrhiwbeili
This week we introduce you to Nora Evans, who reminisces about life on her grandparent’s farm, Penrhiwbeili in the village of Talog. We were asked by Carmarthen Museum to put this small video together as the contents is now in situ at the Museum in Abergwili, and the video will form part of the exhibition.
I’ll let her tell you her story in her own inimitable way – enjoy.
We hope you all enjoy it as much as we did.
Hope you enjoyed Alun Gibbard at Number 5 Cwmdonkin Drive?
We had some great feedback. Thank you. We hope to re-visit the house later in the year for an update.
This week I’ve been editing our video on the town mayor of Carmarthen. When you know the person pretty well it’s hard to keep to set questions in an interview! I threw my questions away in the end and let him talk. Reacting to what he was discussing made everything far more natural. Hopefully we’re learning all the time!
I got to mention this link. Last Thursday on BBC 2 Wales there was an It’s My Shout short film, The Wall and The Mirror. I love the detail in the documentary. Clare Potter has directed it with a passion and care for the community of Cefn Forest. Do a search on BBC iplayer and you’ll find it.
Please take fifteen minutes out of your day and enjoy. We’re learning all the time!
ISLAND FARM, GERMAN POW CAMP OPEN WEEKEND
Seimon and myself are off on a big adventure on Sunday morning. We’re taking our camera, tripod and zoom recorder to Bridgend. The last time we ventured east we got lost up Blaenavon looking for Trehafod. We had to stop on the way back to Ponty, in a Tredegar petrol station. We needed Jelly Babies, our sugar levels were low. We were out of our comfort zone for sure.
We’ve got some friends who curate Hut 9, Island Farm in Bridgend, willing to share the secrets of this World War Two German Prisoner of War camp.
In the afternoon we return to Pete King’s Sycamore Studios - Swansea's longest running professional studio. Pete will be a subject of a forthcoming video. The Welsh Cakes have a rehearsal, the first in three weeks. We think we’ll be ready to perform by September with an opening gig planned for Pontardawe Arts Centre. You’ll have heard one of the lead singers, Lorraine King singing in the last video, No 5 Cwmdonkin Drive. The music on Penrhiwbeili is by Welsh folk singer Tommy Jenkins.
If you would like to visit Carmarthen Museum, you can find out more about it here and find the museum at
