A humble livestock trailer has been immortalised in song.<\/p>\n
Folk singing sensation the Welsh Whisperer has been touring Wales for his second television series for S4C.<\/p>\n
As part of the show, he visited eight communities across the length and breadth of the country \u2013 including Ysbyty Ifan in Conwy.<\/p>\n
He carried his equipment in a livestock trailer from Ifor Williams Trailers which was towed by a trusty Landrover Defender.<\/p>\n
The trailer doubled up as part of the set for the final concert in each of the stopovers which also included Castell Newydd Emlyn, Llanllwni, Bryngwran, Cwm Gwaun, Llanfyllin, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Trawsfynydd.<\/p>\n
The new eight part series, which also features the trailer in the title sequence, will be shown on S4C next Spring.<\/p>\n
It was commissioned by the Welsh language television channel within days of the first series being aired after it proved a massive hit with viewers.<\/p>\n
Director Lynne Thomas-Davies said: \u201cThe first series went down really well and S4C saw it as one of the flagship programmes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what made it so popular was the fact that we went to villages and spoke to people that you don\u2019t usually get to see on TV, local stalwarts who keep the communities together.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other major factor of course is that the Welsh Whisperer is such a loveable, likeable character.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has a special charm that gets the best out of people and the nation has taken him to their hearts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe livestock trailer is also an integral part of the show. It serves a dual purpose because we use it to carry the kit and as the set which is part of the show\u2019s branding. It works really, really well.\u201d<\/p>\n
News about the commissioning of the second series, again made by Llanelli-based Tinopolis, was music to the ears of the Welsh Whisperer, aka Andrew Walton, originally from Cwmfelin Mynach in Carmarthenshire and now living in Bethesda in Gwynedd.<\/p>\n
When he arrived in Ysbyty Ifan, he was greeted by a host of young lookalikes after local children dressed in Welsh Whisperer outfits including his trademark flat cap, braces and boots and painted on moustaches.<\/p>\n
Among the other characters he met were hat maker Ela Jones, who is also the robes mistress of the National Eisteddfod\u2019s Gorsedd of Bards, and 91-year-old milkman Gwyn Ellis.<\/p>\n
Along the way he also went to see Welsh rugby international Gwenllian Pyrs and her sister, Elin, a highly successful sheepdog handler.<\/p>\n
The Welsh Whisperer said: \u201cWe\u2019ve had a really special time here in Ysbyty Ifan where we\u2019ve had a very warm welcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe came to the area, not quite sure how many fans we\u2019d have and lots of people of all ages have come \u2013 aged eight to 80 – and I\u2019m looking forward to seeing the show coming together as a programme for S4C.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m singing about the trailer this evening because Ifor Williams Trailers have been very generous, and I think they deserve a mention. I wouldn’t want any other trailer because it’s so iconic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also taking centre stage in Ysbyty Ifan were father and son singing duo, Dylan and Neil Parry.<\/p>\n
Dylan, who rose to prominence as part of the popular country band, Traed Wadin, said: \u201cWe\u2019re singing one of his most popular songs about the A470 but Welsh has changed the words to feature the people he\u2019s met and to pay tribute to the trailer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among those who turned out to listen to the concert in Ysbyty Ifan was Lois Wynne, a Project Coordinator with Ifor Williams Trailers.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cWe were delighted to let the Welsh Whisperer use one of our livestock trailers for the series which celebrates all that is good about our local communities across Wales.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are a community focused business and this is an opportunity for us to give something back.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt came as no surprise that the first series was such a huge success and I am sure the second will prove equally popular with viewers.\u201d<\/p>\n