Bro Arberth
Pigion Bro
- Pigion Bro
Described by some as the Cowbridge of the West, the ancient market town of Narberth is more than just a pretty shopping haunt.
Mentioned in the Mabinogi as the seat of Pwyll, prince of Dyfed, Narberth has its own ancient castle, enchanting woodlands and an intriguing history. Shân and Iolo delve behind the gorgeous boutiques and antiques to meet some of the people that give Narberth its warm and welcoming character.
Aled Davies - Policeman
Narberth Police Sergeant Aled Davies heads a team of six officers by day, but by night, he is a karaoke King and wows his friends with his Welsh-language version of Elvis Presley's 'Hound Dog' and the sing-along favourite 'Lawr Ar Lan y Môr'. The local hotel, Plas Hyfryd, have organised a charity gala night where Aled will have plenty of opportunity to show that Narberth's got talent!
Eira Jones - Prince's Gate Water
Eira Jones lives on a farm like few others. As well as producing milk and beef, her farm in Prince's Gate also produces water - twenty five thousand bottles of it an hour. What started off as a small family farm has grown over four generations into a thriving business which supplies bottled water across the UK. From field to factory, Eira takes Iolo on a behind the scenes tour of the family business.
'Heb Enw' Morris Dancers
The Heb Enw dancers meet weekly to practice their particular brand of Border Morris Dancing. A mixture of English Morris Dancing and Welsh Country Dancing, the group wears outfits of coloured ribbons and bells and black their faces. Heb Enw believe this tradition goes back to the mid nineteenth century when the poor laws forbade begging. People would busk in the streets, wearing old rags and blacking their faces to disguise themselves from the magistrate who could arrest them. Shân becomes an honourary member for the night and tries her hand at some traditional dancing.
Meredydd Barker - Historian
Playwright Meredydd Barker was born and bred in Pembrokeshire and is currently working on 'Longshanks' - a play about Edward I. In the course of researching the play he has been studying some local history particularly in relation to the Marcher Barons. He sheds an interesting slant on the history of Narberth Castle and shows Iolo some of the darker side of Narberth with a trip to Narberth's nineteenth workhouse.
Rhydian Williams - Carpenter
Nineteen year old Rhydian Williams recently completed his carpentry apprenticeship at Bugol's of Narberth and he's already a shining star in his field. He won CITB's Apprentice of the Year 2008 as well as the Livery Guild's 'Joiner of the Year prize which included a grand prize ceremony at Celtic Manor. He won the 'Best Joiner in Wales' competition and went on to represent Wales in the UK competition where he ranked in the top six in the country. Much of Rhydian's work involves large-scale projects such as shop fronts and windows but he spends his spare time making smaller items such as love spoons and wooden bowls which he sells in the gift shop at Picton Castle.
Narberth Classic Motorcycle Club
Roy Thomas has been riding motorbikes since he was fourteen and 58 years later, he is still in the saddle. A founder member of the Narberth Classic Motorcycle Club, Roy set up the group in 1995 and with four classic motorbikes to his name, he has plenty to keep him occupied in his retirement. There are six classic motorcycle clubs in Wales and between them they organise a classic motorcycling championship. Races are often held up at West Atheston Track - a mile long track weaving across fields and through woodlands. Shân braves the weather to join the motor club in the mud.
Glesni Williams - The Embroiderer's Guild
Narberth's Bloomfield Centre is home to many clubs and societies including the Pembrokeshire branch of the Embroiderers' Guild. Ex-teacher and Pobol y Cwm extra, Glesni Williams is one of the group that meet weekly to practice their craft and share their ideas with each other. The most recent project undertaken by the group was The Pembrokeshire Banner - an embroidered banner to accompany the annual Saint David's Day Parade in Cardiff. The renowned designer and Narberth local Eirian Short was at the helm of the initial design and Glesni Williams led the team of Pembrokeshire embroiderers to turn that vision into a reality.
Ian Gravell - Local Businessman
Originally from Kidwelly, Ian Gravell moved to Narberth when he married his wife, Wendy. Between them, they run several business in the area including The Carreg restaurant, a garage and several shops in the high street. A keen environmentalist, Ian tends a garden behind the restaurant, where he keeps ducks, chickens, pigs, goats and quails. He uses his home-grown produce in the restaurant and treats Shân to the restaurant's house speciality - steak cooked on a hot stone - the 'carreg' from where the restaurant takes its name.