Bro Llanrwst
Pigion Bro
- Pigion Bro
This week, Iolo and Shân travel to the little town of Llanrwst, which is nestled in the beautiful Conwy valley.
In 1276 the Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, seized the town and declared its independence. Despite several attempts by the Pope himself to overrule the declaration, the town drew up its own coat of arms and flag, and started using the motto 'Wales, England and Llanrwst.
Today, Llanrwst is a hive for tourists who come to enjoy its fascinating history, make the most of its beautiful scenery and take part in the wealth of outdoor activities that are on offer.
Alun Tan Lan - Singer-songwriter
Born in Pandy Tudur, on the outskirts of Llanrwst, Alun spent six years living in Ireland but has returned to settle down in Llanrwst with his partner and their daughter, Nel.
A Welsh language singer and musician, Alun produced his first album, Aderyn Papur (Paper Bird), alongside Toni Schiavone and Mark Roberts who was a member of Catatonia. The album came out in 2004. He has contributed to the solo album of Euros Childs, formerly of Gorky's Zygotic Monkey, and is a member of his touring band.
When he was 14, Alun created the punk rock band Dail Te Paw and also played bass guitar for Boff Frank Bough.
Shân talks to Alun about the area's influence on his music.
Bryn Davies - Auctioneer
Bryn Davies has been an auctioneer for several years. He started out working for the company Bob Parry up until 2001 and now works for J. Bradburne Price & Co as an auctioneer in the Llanrwst and Mold livestock markets. Shân visits the livestock market in Llanrwst to chat with Bryn and the local farmers before trying her hand at selling a Texel ram on her own!
Dewi Jones and Wmffra Huws - Bragdy'r Nant Brewery
Dewi Jones is a mechanic by day but a couple of years ago, he, Wmffra and a few of their friends decided to set up their own brewery. Ten of them are closely involved with the overall business and four of them help with the actual brewing process.
The brewery is based in an old farm building on land belonging to one of the group of friends. It's an old building with lime walls so it's ideal for keeping the beer at the perfect temperature.
To date they have three different beers - Cwrw Corryn (Spider Beer); Cwrw Chwaden Aur (Golden Duck Beer) and Mwnci Nel Beer, which are sold in shows and festivals throughout Wales.
Shân meets them at the brewery, and after hearing about stories behind the interesting names for some of their beers, she gets the chance to sample some beer for herself.
Mary a Nelson Haerr - Owners of the Meadowsweet Hotel
A Llanrwst local, Mary went out to New York with her sister on a shopping trip, only to return to Wales four years later with a husband and child!
She married Nelson Haerr, a native New Yorker, and they have a little girl, Morgan. The family moved back to Llanrwst five years ago and bought the Meadowsweet Hotel.
Shân calls in at the hotel to see Mary at work and also chats with Nelson about his experiences working as a fire-fighter in New York during the 9/11 attacks on the city.
Elystan Metcalfe - Butcher
Elystan Metcalfe has been working in Llanrwst as a butcher for many years and has been running his own company for the past twenty. As well as working out of his shop, he also supplies meat to many local hotels.
He buys the animals in the local mart in Llanrwst from where they are then sent on to a local slaughterhouse so the whole process happens in the town. Sausages are Elystan's speciality and Iolo gets the chance to make sausages in the back of his shop.
Pierino Algieri - Photographer
Local nature and landscape photographer Pierino Algieri lives in Llanddoged. His Italian father was a Prisoner of War in Llanrwst during the Second World War and then decided to settle in the area.
Pierino's interest in photography has developed from a hobby into a successful career and his pictures are used in cards, calendars and local tourist pamphlets.
His work has been exhibited in many galleries including the local Tu Hwnt i'r Bont café. Iolo joins Pierino as he sets out to take an autumnal photograph of Tu Hwnt i'r Bont.
Rhys Evans - Tree Top Adventure Centre
Iolo calls in at the Tree Top Adventure Centre to see what exactly goes on in the woodland on the outskirts of Llanrwst. Rhys Evans has worked at the centre for three years takes Iolo on a tour of the centre's courses, before inviting him to venture way up above the trees!
Rhian Owen a Rhian Williams - Siwgwr a Sbeis
The two Rhian were only twenty four years old when they decided to set up their own bakery business - Siwgwr a Sbeis. The two farmers' wives have come a long way from their humble beginnings in a bake house on a local farm.
They went on to set up shop in the centre of Llanrwst and then spotting the opportunity to develop further, they moved into their current factory in Llanrwst Business Park. Today, they supply goods to Spar, Londis and Cadwalader's Ice Cream Parlours and recently won two honorary awards from Richard Branson's to expand the business.
James Berry - Local Historian
Iolo will be taken on a historic journey around Llanrwst by local historian James Berry. Their first visit will be to Gwydir Castle - a Tudor mansion which was the historical home of the distinguished Wynn family and has been standing for well over 600 years. Descended from the Princes of Gwynedd, the Wynn family were powerful members of the Tudor court.
They'll also walk past the Llanrwst Almshouse which was set up by Sir John Wynn of Gwydir with the aim of providing shelter and aid for local people.
Iolo and James' journey ends at the Church of Saint Crwst, a beautiful 15th century church which is the final resting place of several Welsh princes, including Llywelyn the Great.