This week Iolo and Shân have come to Bro Cernyw in the county of Conwy. They talk to the people who live and work here.
Bro Cernyw is the name of the area of Llangernyw, Pandy Tudur and Gwytherin. There are three rivers here – Collen, Cledwen and Derfyn.
Iolo goes to Saint Digain’s church, Llangernyw with Heulwen Roberts. Digain lived in the fifth century and he came from Cernyw (Cornwall). There’s an old yew tree outside the church and it is over 4,000 years old.
The old name for Pandy Tudur was Blaenau Llangernyw. When the fulling mill came here, the water in the river was dirty and the name of the place was Pandy Budur (the dirty fulling mill). But people didn’t like the new name, and now the name is Pandy Tudur.
There was an abbey in Gwytherin in the seventh century. A girl called Gwenffrewi (Winifred) came to live in the abbey. Today the name of the church in the village is the Church of Saint Gwenffrewi.
Shân goes to talk to Gwenfai Rees Griffiths; she makes quilts. One of Gwenfai’s quilts has won a competition in Kentucky, America.
Tom Jones likes cars very much. Tom was a policeman and he enjoyed driving the police motor cycles and cars. Today he teaches people how to drive a car safely and he has taught many famous people. It’s Iolo who goes to talk to Tom.
Shân goes to see the young people of Aelwyd Bro Cernyw; they are learning to dance salsa. She talks to Eleri Wynne who runs the class and she dances salsa with Prysor.
Shân also sees the old home of Sir Henry Jones (1852-1922). Today the home is a museum and many people come here to see the house and garden.
Geraint Roberts’ family are undertakers. Geraint makes gravestones. He buys stones from Africa and India and then writes on (engraves) them. Geraint’s hobby is playing the organ. Iolo goes to talk to Geraint.
Dewi Roberts’ hobby is collecting tractors. He has been collecting tractors since 1973 and he has eight tractors. Shân talks to Dewi and goes for a ride on one of the tractors.
Iolo goes to Abergele to see Gaenor Roberts. Gaenor was a teacher but now she runs a jewellery business. She makes three types of jewellery – “Tlysau” is jewellery (made) from beads and stones; “Sglein” is jewellery (made) from new glass; and “Ecotlws” is jewellery (made) from recycled glass.
Shân goes to The Stag public house in Llangernyw to see Bro Cernyw’s women’s choir. The women rehearse on Tuesday evenings and then they go to the pub to have fun. Shân talks to the conductor, Ceri Llwyd and sings with the women.
