Bro Trefdraeth
Pigion Bro
- Pigion Bro
This week, Iolo Williams and Shân Cothi travel to the north Pembrokeshire coastline, and to Newport or Tudra'th as it is locally called. The town lies on the mouth of the river Nevern within the boundaries of the National Park, and Newport is one of Pembrokeshire's prettiest towns.
Historical remains are everywhere - from the ruins of the Norman Castle, which saw a violent battle in the time of Llywelyn Fawr and Owain Glyndwr, to the ancient Celtic stones in Bedd Morys, Pentre Ifan and Carreg Coetan - and everything under the shadow of the legendary Carn Ingli mountain.
One of the main attractions of the area today is its golden beaches, and thousands flock here every year to experience what this area has to offer them. Shân and Iolo also visit Newport to meet some of its most interesting characters.
Nigel and Nerys Richards - Richards Brothers bus company
Shân calls in at the Richards Brothers bus depot to meet Nigel Richards, one of the company's owners. She also meets Nigel's daughter, Nerys. Nerys passed her bus driving test when she was 18 years old so she could help out with the family business, and she still finds time to come back home to help out on the buses now and again.
Nerys now lives in Cardiff where she works as a professional musician. She keeps herself very busy - working on The Lion King show in London's West End, as an accompanist to Dennis O'Neill's Academy and she also works for the Welsh National Opera.
Shân travels on a bus with Nerys as she takes the local schoolchildren from Ysgol Bro Ingli on a trip to Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber to learn more about the history of the Newport area with the local historian, Alun Davies.
Aeres James - Corn Dolls
Aeres James has been busy creating corn dolls for over thirty years now - ever since she was taught by one of Newport's other inhabitants. Aeres frequently travels to various Merched y Wawr clubs in the area to share her craft with other members in the movement.
She used to collect some corn on her brother's farm, but today she has to rely on the kindness of her farming neighbours for corn to create the dolls.
Shân calls to see Aeres at home to see her at work, and also to have a go at creating a corn gift of her own.
James Evans - Rally car driver
James Evans is a 26-year-old local boy. In his spare time, James is interested in the rally world and is responsible for the repair and upkeep of his own Mazda car.
He works as a full-time plumber, but works on his car every chance he gets. He first showed an interest in rallying when he was 13-years-old, as his aunt was the Secretary of the Teifi Valley Motor Club. When James turned 18, he began rallying himself, and has since had many successes in local rallies - for example, the Preseli Rally, when he became the 1st in his class, and third in the whole championship.
Lowri Evans - Singer
Lowri Evans was raised in Newport, and after six years of studying, living and performing with several bands in Newcastle Upon Tyne, she decided to return to her hometown. During the time she spent in Newcastle, she recorded two albums with the band Stella, and played in numerous gigs, including the Leeds Festival.
When she returned to Wales, she picked up the guitar and started to write some songs. After deciding to perform as an individual artist with her piano and guitar, Lowri has performed in venues throughout Wales. She won the second prize for performing and composing a song in the Cân i Gymru competition in 2008, with her partner Lee.
Today, Lowri works four days a week at the Eco Centre in Newport as a Sustainable Energy Adviser, advising people on the many ways of saving energy and money. Iolo calls at the Eco Centre for a chat with Lowri.
Nica Pritchard MBE - Fisherman
Nica Prichard is 71, and lived in Newport when she was a child before leaving the area to live in many parts of England. But she inevitably returned to her roots, and has now been living in Newport for 22 years with her husband. They have 10 grandchildren who enjoy visiting their grandparents in Wales as often as they can.
Nica began fishing when she was just 3-years-old. She wasn't too keen on worms, so when she was 7, she decided to focus on fly fishing. Her husband was already representing Wales as a rower, and then Nica decided that she also would like to represent Wales in some way. She was part of the Welsh team for 18 years.
Nica has also been greatly involved in the Casting for Recovery scheme - an open air programme aimed at women who have or are suffering from breast cancer. Shân joins her for a fishing lesson on the banks of the river Nevern near Newport.
Alun Evans and Haydon Mathias - Golfers
Iolo ventures over to Newport Links Golf Club to meet Alun Evans and Haydon Mathias - two keen Newport golfers. Alun is a professional golfer from Newport, who teaches at the golf club. He was raised in Newport, but moved from the area for a while to work in the Radyr area of Cardiff, before moving back to teach at the Newport Links Golf Club in 2001.
One of Alun's star pupils is Haydon Mathias, a 14-year-old local schoolboy from Crymych. Haydon is already a keen player, and a member of the under-16 Welsh golf squad - and he's got very high hopes for the future.
Newport Surf Life Saving Club
Also in the programme, Iolo gets the chance to join in the hustle and bustle of one of Newport Surf Life Saving Club's training sessions. The club was established in 1970, and it has a successful record of service to the community.
During that time, they have saved around 300 people. They teach a lot of skills to the area's youth, which includes swimming and first aid. It is a voluntary service which has produced many a lifeguard on the beach and in the local swimming pool. They now have a permanent home in a purpose-made building on Newport beach.
Iolo chats to Gareth and Elin Jones, two of the club's trainers, as they hold one of the weekly training sessions on the beach.