18 September 2024

"What's the rush, Mark?"

Kath has been summoned to Maes-y-Deri by Mark;  “Come on, then, what’s the rush?” she demands, “I was making breakfast for Brynmor.”   

"It's not junk mail"

He presents her with a letter and she protests, “You didn’t have to drag me all the way here just because of a piece of junk mail!”   Cheryl speaks up to inform her that it is not junk, 

"Everyone in Maes-y-Deri is getting one"

while Mark points out that everyone in Maes-y-Deri is getting one – special delivery.

"Just read it, will you?"

“Just read it, will you?” he tells her and she does so.

"I'd like to meet my solicitor, please"

“I’d like to arrange to meet my solicitor, please – it’s to do with shares between my son and me – I want to know where I stand legally,” says Hywel on the phone, 

"I don't care if he is busy!"

“I don’t care if he’s busy – I want to see him today!   Good, I’ll see you later, then.”

"Why do they want to build a reservoir here?"

“Why do they want to build a reservoir here, of all places?” Cheryl wonders, 

"South Wales and nearby areas"

so Kath reads from the letter that they want to provide water for South Wales and nearby areas.   

"They mean England"

Cheryl assumes that the nearby areas are England.

Mark realises that they want to drown this place – their home, but his mother points out they do not say that exactly;  

"I expect there will be road closures"

she imagines that the work will affect them, with road closures and parking problems.

“But why are they warning us now?” demands Mark, “And why is it only Maes-y-Deri and a few farmhouses up the road?   Nobody else in the village is getting a letter.”   

"We might have lake views before long"

Cheryl takes the letter and studies it while Kath suggests, “You never know, we might have lake views before long!”

"This is the company Dave works for"

Cheryl announces, “This is the company Dave works for – I knew he and his cronies were up to something around this estate.”   

"Have you heard anything on your round?"

“If this company has been around the place for a while, someone is bound to know what’s going on, aren’t they?” says Kath, “Haven’t you heard anything on your round?   

"Go back out there and ask people, Mark"

“Get back out there and ask people – because if this plan it is as big as it looks, someone, somewhere knows something!”

Megan is at the pharmacy

Megan is in the pharmacy, where Maya is pleased to see her;  “I haven’t seen you for ages – is your ankle better.   

"Are we OK now?"

“And are we OK, because we fell out over the headaches?”

"I've come about the flu vaccination"

Megan regards that as water under the bridge and insists that she is not one to hold a grudge;  “I’ve come about the flu vaccination.”   Maya has not yet even started scheduling them yet and they will start in two weeks.

"I'd like to arrange an appointment now"

Megan would like to arrange an appointment now, 

"I am busy at the moment"

but as it is so busy in the pharmacy, Maya asks she could do it later.   

"I'll wait, then"

Megan says that she will wait until the other customers have been served;  

Megan takes a seat

she goes to sit down.

Mark's next stop is Y Felin 

Mark has now gone to Y Felin, where Cai looks at the letter and sees that it involves the rugby club’s land;  “Dai said something about problems with the lease – perhaps this is why.”

"It's a disgrace!"

Siôn regards the whole thing as a disgrace, but Mark explains, “We’re not just talking about rugby fields here – everyone in Maes-y-Deri has had a letter, too.   

"They can't force us out of our homes, can they?"

“They can’t force us out of their homes, can they?”

"It has happened before"

Siôn informs him that it has happened before 

"In Tryweryn!"

and Lleucu, who has been looking at her laptop, speaks up;  “In Tryweryn – they drowned the entire village and forced people to leave their homes!”

"I don't think you can compare it with this"

Cai is doubtful whether they can compare what is in the letter with what happened in Capel Celyn, but Siôn reminds him that this has happened before.   

Siôn recalls a case closer to home

“Llangyndeyrn – that village would be underwater today if the villages had not united to stop it.   

[Llangyndeyrn, also in the Gwendraeth valley – Residents discovered that the Swansea Water Corporation intended to create a new reservoir by flooding their village in a 1960 newspaper article.   About one thousand acres of land would be flooded – affecting forty farmers and destroying homes and chapels.]

"We should get everyone together"

Mark is of the opinion that they should get everyone together, to discuss what they are going to do – and they could invite the councillors – particularly Hywel Llywelyn, the boss of the planning department.

"You can send a statement"

Cai tells him to slow down for a moment;  “Have you read this properly?   It says you can express opposition by sending a statement.”

"They're not really going to listen to ordinary people"

Lleucu dismisses this as simply protocol:  “They’re not really going to listen to ordinary people.”   

Siôn tells Mark to organise the meeting and he will be there;  “And me!” exclaims Lleucu.

Her father tells her not to even think about it;  she has not received a letter and it is nothing to do with her.   “This might be a small paddling pool outside Penrhewl for Eileen and nothing more,” he suggests.

"We'll see about that . . ."

Lleucu has returned to her laptop and comments, “We’ll see about that!   

". . . the plan is on the council's website"

“The plan is on the council’s website.”

"The whole place is going to be underwater"

They gather round and Siôn can see with horror that the whole place is going to be underwater – “Maes-y-Deri, the rugby field, farms!”   

The map is difficult for us to see 

It is difficult to see from the map exactly where the reservoir is supposed to be, but it causes them great agitation.

“We can’t let this happen, boys!” Mark rages.

"She waited for an hour and a half"

Maya tells Iolo in the Deri, “She waited for an hour and a half, bless her – I did tell her to come back, but she was insistent.   She just waited there until I served her – and she’s coming back this afternoon – she wants advice on pneumonia vaccination.   

"She's lonely – she wants company"

“She’s lonely – she wants company.”

"I was supposed to go to Bingo with her"

Iolo feels guilty because he was supposed to go to the bingo with her, but he had to cancel.   

"Bingo is brilliant!"

Maya regards bingo as brilliant, but he explains that Greta had too many things going on – 

"And then I started talking to Sam"

and then he started talking to Sam.

"She reminds me of my Nan"

Maya feels sorry for Megan;  “She reminds me of my Nan – I hate to think of her being so desperate that she makes excuses just to find company.   

"Where is her family, Iolo?"

“Where is her family, Iolo?   She can’t just start hanging around the pharmacy all day.”

At that moment none other than Megan walks in and asks Maya what time she will be reopening.   

"I'll be staying for another hour, Megan"

Iolo says he will be staying for another drink, if Megan would fancy one;  “My job this afternoon has been cancelled, so I may as well stay here.”   

"Right, it's just two, then"

Megan is very pleased about this and will go to get a couple of drinks.

"How was your holiday with Glenys?"

Diane is in the deli and is asked by Eileen, “How was your holiday with Glenys?”   She says that it was just what she needed, and enquires about Sioned, as she heard that she had another scan.

"Everything looks fine"

“Yes, everything looks fine,” confirms Eileen.   

"Pity DJ wasn't there"

Diane thinks that it was a pity DJ could not go with her, but is told not to start that again.   

"This dam or reservoir or whatever"

“Anyway, I’m surprised to see you around the village with everything that’s going on in the council.   The letters about this dam or reservoir or whatever it is.”

"What are you talking about?"

Diane has no idea what she is talking about 

Mark has spotted Diane . . .

and at that moment Mark comes in; 

. . . and has some urgent questions

“Hey, why didn’t you say anything?” he demands, “These letters we got this morning are from the council.”

She explains that she has been off work and does not know anything about any letters, 

"You're going to drown our homes!"

but Mark goes on, “You’re going to drown our homes!   That’s what the plan shows online!”

"Hywel did mention something a while ago"

Diane recalls that Hywel did say something a while ago now;  “But he said it was nothing.”

"How long has he known about this, then?"

“How long has he known about this, then?” is Mark’s next question, “And the rugby club is a part of all this, too!   I’m sure Dai has something to say about it.”

"I have to phone Dai"

Diane will have to phone him before he does something stupid, but assures Mark that he has nothing to worry about.    She is sure that Hywel would have said if it was something big.   “Let me have a word with Hywel first to find out what he knows.”

"Yes, I know – calm down, Dai"

“Hello, Dai – yes I know – calm down – they can hear you in China!”

"Meeting at six in the Deri!"

Mark tells her to inform Hywel that he is organising a meeting in the Deri at 6 o’clock – and to make sure he is there, because they want answers.

"Just read out the letter"

Diane resumes her phone call, confirming that she is coming straight home;  “Just read out the letter so I can hear what it says.”

She marches into number 21

She goes straight to number 21;  

"Why didn't you tell me, Hywel?"

“Why didn't you tell me, Hywel?” she demands.   

"I've ben up to here, Diane!"

He says that he has been up to here, doing her duties as well as his own;  he is sorry if he forgot to mention it.

"You said it was nothing to worry about"

“You said a few weeks ago that it was nothing to worry about,” she goes on, “And now letters have gone out, saying they’re going to drown half the valley.”

"That's the normal procedure"

He reminds her that is normal procedure when someone submits an application.   “People are worried they’re going to lose their homes – 

"Dai thinks it's the end of the rugby club"

“Dai is climbing the walls, thinking it’s the end of the rugby club,” rages Diane.

"I have to go and meet my solicitor"

Hywel has a good excuse to leave as he is meeting his solicitor, and says that they can discuss that another time.   

"They want you at the meeting"

“As it happens, a group from Maes-y-Deri are meeting in the Deri at 6 o’clock and they want you to be present!”

He can understand that they are angry, but insists that no good will come from the meeting them today;  “People want answers and I’ve got nothing to tell them,” she moans.

"They can go through the right channels"

Hywel suggests that they can go through the right channels and if there is opposition they can arrange a public meeting.

“Come on, Hywel, people want peace of mind – they want us to see we’re on their side.”   

"No, Hywel – you will be there!"

Hywel says that he will try to be back in time, but Diane is having none of that;  “No – you will be there!” she instructs him as she leaves.

Get out of that, Hywel Llywelyn!

Hywel is now in more than a little trouble.

"It doesn't affect us"

Eileen tells Cheryl, “It doesn’t affect us – we haven’t had a letter anyway.”   

"Well, Ffion has had a letter"

She is told that Ffion has had one at Deri Fawr which is the next farm to Penrhewl;  “This is going to affect everyone in the village,” stresses Cheryl.   

"I'll try and come over after closing"

Eileen maintains that she will try to come over after closing, but cannot promise.

"The more people that are there, the better"

“The more people that are there today to support, the better, OK?” snarls Cheryl as she leaves the deli.   

Dr Dan is around again

Eileen becomes aware of Dr Dan standing outside, carrying a bunch of flowers. 

"Maya said you were in the pharmacy all morning"

In the Deri, Iolo tells Megan, “Maya says you were in the pharmacy all morning.”  

"The flu vaccination is very important!"

Megan agrees that it was about the flu vaccination, which is very important.   

"You're very close, aren't you?"

“You’re very close, aren’t you?” he adds.

Megan admits that she is very fond of the girl;  

"She tried so hard to speak Welsh"

“And she tries so hard to speak Welsh – she’s a very nice girl.”

"Have you been in touch with your family?"

“Have you been in touch with any of your family over the summer holidays?” Iolo enquires.   

"They're so far away"

He is told that they are so far away;  “Rhian Haf, my daughter, is in Australia with her young family – I have no idea where Gareth Wyn is.”   

"You must miss them"

Iolo is sure that she must miss them.

"I'm about to celebrate quite a big birthday . . ."

“Well, the older you get, the more you want to see your family around you – especially as . . .”   Here she pauses and is prompted by Iolo to continue, “I’m about to celebrate quite a big birthday.”

". . . my 80th"

He hopes that she does not mind him asking which one, and she replies that it is her 80th, 

"We'll have to organise something"

so he suggests that they have to organise something.

"No – I don't want any fuss!"

Megan is totally opposed to this and insists that she does not want any fuss. 

"I see the doctor next week"

Ffion arrives at the bar, clutching her envelope, and says that she is feeling about the same;  her doctor’s appointment is next week.   She wants to know if Kath has seen Hywel today.   

"You got one as well, did you?"

“Oh, you got one as well, did you?” says Kath.

"Are they really going to drown the place?"

“Are they really going to drown the place?” demands Ffion;  Kath does not know the answer that, 

"They say that Hywel will be there"

but Mark has organised a meeting there at 6:00 to discuss it.   They say that Hywel will be there and Ffion is adamant that everyone deserves an explanation.

"They're for someone else . . ."

Dan has come into the deli and has ordered a cake to go with the flowers;  “Treating yourself are you?” Eileen enquires.   

He replies that they are for someone else;  

". . . before you ask, not Sioned"

“And before you ask, they're not for Sioned.”   

"Sorry ~I was so heavy-handed"

Eileen is glad to hear that, but wants to apologise for being so heavy-handed with him.   

"You were right – I crossed the line"

He concedes that she was right to be, and that he crossed the line when he should not have.

"Why did you risk your career?"

“If you don’t mind me asking, why did you risk your career by getting close to Sioned?” wonders Eileen, “If you weren’t interested in her?”

"Remember what your father said"

Lleucu is begging Siôn to accompany him to the meeting;  “You remember what your father said?” he replies.   

"The whole community should be inn that meeting!"

She cannot understand why he is so chilled about it;  “The whole community should be in that meeting – everyone, old and young, standing together – before it’s too late!”

"It's passion like that we need"

Siôn appreciates, “It’s passion like that we need at a time like this.”   She will hurry to get changed, and is warned not take very long.   

"I'm taking Lleucu to Deri Fawr"

When her father comes downstairs, Siôn informs him, “I’ve offered to take Lleucu over to Deri Fawr.”

Lleucu explains that it is to see Arwen;  

"We're friends again, Dad"

“We’re friends again now – we’re going to watch a film.”   As she hurries upstairs to get changed, 

"I didn't realise they were friends again"

Cai had not realised that they were friends again, 

"That's what teenage girls are like"

but Siôn reminds him that is what teenage girls are like – falling out and making up all the time.

“Just like their mothers,” sighs Cai.

"Can I have your attention?"

Mark calls for attention in the Deri, but with no success,

"SHUT UP!"

 so Cheryl bawls at the top of her voice, “SHUT UP!”

"Thanks, Cher"

which has the desired effect.

"I know we're all worried about these letters"

“Thank you all for coming – I know we’re all worried about these letters.”   

Diane receives a message

Diane hears a text tone on her phone, as he continues, “I’m sure that you’ve all seen the plans to create a dam in Maes-y-Deri.”   

"And Deri Fawr!"

Ffion interrupts to add that Deri Fawr is also included.

“What we want to know is what it means for our homes – Diane, is Hywel on his way or what?”

"Hywel is not coming!"

The text she has just received says that he is not coming, as he had to go and pick up Esther;  

"I'm here to listen to you"

“But I’m here to listen to anything that’s worrying you – and to try and find answers to your questions.”

"What the hell is going on?"

Cheryl does not mince her words, “There’s only one question – what the hell is going on?”   Diane has to admit that she does not know much more than anyone else there.

“As you’ve read in the letter this Quantum Hydro Works company is looking into the possibility of building a dam on land in Cwmderi.”

"Which is home to several people here tonight "

Ffion exclaims, “Yes, land which is home to several people here tonight!”

"Are they going to kick us out?"

“I think I speak for everyone when I ask are they going to kick us out of our homes?” demands Cheryl.   Mark adds that Siôn mentioned Compulsory Purchase Orders.

"You have 21 days to express your opposition"

Diane explains that it is important to note the plan has not been approved yet and that people have 21 days to respond and express their opposition.   

"When would they start work?"

Ffion wants to know, if it is approved, when will they start work, but Diane does not know the answer to that.

"Is there anything you do know?"

“Is there anything you do know?” growls Cheryl, but Kath maintains that it has taken a lot for Diane to come there after everything she has been through.   “Sorry, Diane – I don’t want to take it out on you, but surely there’s something you can tell us,” Cheryl adds.

"Members of my family have lived here"

Dan tells Eileen over a cup of coffee, “You’re not the only ones who have lived in Cwmderi – this little village has been home to several members of my family as well.   

"It was a coincidence Sioned saw me"

“It was a coincidence that Sioned saw me in the hospital that first day.   

"I wanted to learn about Mam"

“But knowing that she was from here ignited an enthusiasm in me to come back here, to learn about the place and the people – and about Mam.   

"It's time to come home"

“I’ve been avoiding the place for too long – and it’s time to come home.”

"How logn has this been in the pipeline?""

Cheryl tells the meeting, “Men from Quantum Hydro Works have been hanging around Maes-y-Deri for weeks – how long has this been in the pipeline?”   Mark replies that Hywel has known about it for weeks – that is what Diane told him.

“And he let me buy the place, knowing this was on the cards?” snarls Ffion.   

"Only Hywel can answer these questions . . ."

Diane is forced to admit that only Hywel can answer these questions and Mark is convinced that he must know, because he knows people who work for the company.

". . . we's got some explaining to do!"

Diane is going next door to see if Hywel is home;  “He’s got some explaining to do – to you and to me!”   Cheryl hopes that she is not trying to escape.

Hywel looks a bit fearful

Meanwhile, next door at number 21, Hywel is in a very anxious state when there is a knock at the door.   

"Why didn't you come next door?"

“So you are back!” Diane sneers, “Why didn’t you come next door?”

"I've only just got back"

He makes the excuse that he has only just got back, 

"Well, come back with me now"

so she invites him to return to the Deri with her.   

"There's no need for both of us"

“There’s no need for both of us to go to the meeting, is there?” he replies.

"You sent me, like a lamb to the slaughter!"

“I didn’t need to be there – but you sent me, like a lamb to the slaughter!” she shouts, “You have been talking to people from Quantum Hydro Works, haven’t you?   You’ve been keeping information from everyone – why?   

"What are you hiding, Hywel?"

“What are you hiding, Hywel?   And don’t say you’re going to send it all in an e-mail again – 

"I'm not going anywhere!"

“because I’m not going anywhere, unless you tell me exactly what you know about this dam!”

He cannot see his way out of this

Hywel is once again speechless.