Bro - Bro Cernyw
Pigion Bro
- Pigion Bro
In the last of the present series of Bro, Iolo and Shân visit the Bro Cernyw area of north Wales. The name Bro Cernyw was formed in 1969 with the opening of the new school in Llangernyw. The area consists of the villages of Llangernyw, Pandy Tudur and Gwytherin. There are three rivers flowing through the area – Collen (Llangernyw), Derfyn (Pandy Tudur) and Cledwen (Gwytherin). They join each other in Llangernyw, and Shân and Iolo meet some of this area’s most interesting characters.
Gaenor Roberts - Tlws
Iolo will have an opportunity to learn more about how to create all sorts of jewellery using different materials with Gaenor Roberts in her shop Tlws, which is located in Abergele. Tlws was established in August 2005 at the owner’s farm at Llanfair Talhaearn. Tlws is currently working on a new challenge by creating their own jewellery. There is a vast variety of jewellery, but they mainly fall into three particular categories. First of all – Tlysau – which is jewellery made by using natural materials like gemstones, wood and shells or other interesting materials like Swarovski crystals, ceramic and so on. The second collection will be Sglein, which is unique glass jewellery, and thirdly Eco Tlws which is jewellery made from glass and other recycled materials.
Tom Jones - Auto Risk Solutions
Iolo will be travelling in the car with Tom Jones and having a chance to listen to his interesting driving experiences over the years. Following working for the police including working in a helicopter, Tom went on to be a driving instructor for a while.
Then, two and a half years ago, Tom started his own business concentrating on Health and Safety on the road, called Auto Risk Solutions. Tom has been responsible for instructing the police vehicles which transport important people, like the Royal family and he’s also had the opportunity in the past to test drive a car on behalf of Top Gear.
Tom was also assisting during Prince Charles and Diana’s wedding. Tom has also been teaching a blind man to ride a motorbike and a racing car. Iolo will receive a tip or two from Tom on how to drive carefully.
Heulwen Ann Roberts - Local historian
Farming is Heulwen’s daily work, but it’s history that she likes during her spare time and Iolo has a chance to learn more about Bro Cernyw’ s history in her company. Llangernyw is the site of an ancient yew tree, the tree can be found in the churchyard of St Digain's Church. Botanists believe that this tree is over 3,000 years old.
A tale that is connected with Gwytherin is the tale of Gwenffrewi because the church in the village has been named after her and Iolo has a chance to learn more about the history of Gwenffrewi too. Pandy Tudur is a rural, agricultural area situated on the bank of Derfyn river. Over the years the village has had many different names and Heulwen tells Iolo more about the history.
Geraint Roberts - Gravestone mason
Iolo comes across Geraint Roberts in his workshop in Llangernyw as he practices playing the organ ready for performing in the local pub in Llanfair Talhaearn. Geraint is a gravestone mason and Iolo has a chance to learn more about the family’s craft.
He gets the opportunity to learn about the process of creating various gravestones and he finds out what changes Geraint has seen in his work over the years with the arrival of the modern machines and how creating the engraving on the gravestone is easier and much faster today.
Gwenfai Rees Griffiths - Patchwork and Quilting
Shân has the experience of assisting to create a special quilt in the company of Gwenfai Rees Griffiths and the members of Llangernyw's patchwork and quilting class. The craft of quilting and creating patchwork nearly disappeared in the nineteenth century but there are now classes across the country. Gwenfai runs the patchwork and quilting classes in Llangernyw and the surrounding area.
The ladies work on individual projects and Gwenfai will assist them to do this. By now, all of the members are working to a high standard and have produced many items. They will also be competing successfully in local competitions. Gwenfai herself is an international winner and Shân has the opportunity to learn more about the craft of quilting and discusses one of Gwenfai's successful quilts.
Genod y Gân with their conductor Ceri Llwyd
Ceri Llwyd is a very busy lady in Bro Cernyw's community. Ceri is the enthusiastic and vibrant conductor of Genod y Gân, who are a group of girls who enjoy singing. Shân joins the gang to have a chat in the local pub, The Old Stag, following their rehearsal.
Genod y Gân were established about six years ago and they had success in the National Eisteddfod in the Bala this year when the choir received the second prize. The members come from the neighbouring villages, Llanfair Talhaearn, Llansannan, Llanefydd, Betws yn Rhos, Llanrwst, Pandy Tudur and Gwytherin.
The girls sing often in local concerts and enjoy singing on the Noson Lawen stage too. Shân proves that the girls are a bunch who really know how to enjoy themselves and have fun!
Dewi Roberts - Vintage Tractors
Shân has the opportunity to learn more about vintage tractors on Dolfadyn Farm with Dewi Roberts who owns a collection of eight tractors. These are in their original condition and are used as working machines today.
Shân hears why these tractors are so special and what is the story behind a few of Dewi's favourites. Dewi likes to keep the tractors in their original condition rather than painting and treating them, but Shân finds one very special tractor, a red, shiny tractor and has a chance to go on a tour of the area with Dewi on the tractor.
Eleri Wynne and Aelwyd Bro Cernyw’s gang - Salsa dancing
Eleri Wynne is Genod y Gân’s Secretary and she enjoys singing, but she also likes salsa dancing very much and she attends lessons frequently. As an ex member of the aelwyd, Eleri returns to give a salsa dance lesson to the present members and Shân has a chance to learn some of the steps and moves with the youth. Aelwyd Bro Cernyw meets in Llangernyw Education Centre on a weekly basis where between 40 and 50 of members has a chance to have a taste of different activities.
- Wednesday 23 December 20:25
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