Geraint Jones' Diary
I'm a camera man from Pontiets in Carmarthenshire, and I've worked in the industry for over ten years. I work as a freelance for different companies including Telesgop. I work often on the Ffermio programme, and here is an idea of my work over a period of a fortnight.
Thursday, 11th September – Sunday, 14th September
I was a member of the crew who filmed in the World Sheepdog Trials in Llandeilo.There was a large crew filming the event for Ffermio, some focusing specifically on the competing, and others, including myself, filming links with Dai, Alun, Iola and Mererid and general shots from around the site.
Tuesday, 16th September
It’s been a very busy and interesting day again today. I had to travel to Dolgellau and then to Machynlleth by lunch time to film an item for the ‘Bwletin Ffermio’ with Terwyn Davies.
Our attention turned to an important story for farmers in Mid Wales, namely the fact that Machynlleth’s livestock mart’s site is being sold to Tesco supermarket. Various interviews were filmed and we had an opportunity to hear the views of John Parsons, Machynlleth Town Council’s Clark since 1974, Dyfrig Siencyn, on behalf of Machynlleth’s mart and Wil Lloyd Williams, the local butcher, on the matter. Following an amusing afternoon of filming, it was time to cross the Severn Bridge ready for the Dairy Event tomorrow.
Wednesday, 17th September
I’ve had a pleasant day in the Dairy Event in Stoneleigh today. The Dairy Event has been re-launched this year and includes beef, sheep, goats and pigs as well as the usual dairy, of course. It was a very successful day for the Holstein breed today with Riverdane Astro Romance of Wills brothers from Cornwall winning the Champion of Champions by gaining the possible 50 points from the judges.
We had an opportunity to question the Holstein breed judge, Mr Elwyn Thomas from Kidwelly and the breed’s steward Mr Meurig James from Whitland. It was interesting to hear their opinion on this year’s event and why there was only one competitor from Wales present. Obviously TB and bluetongue were reasons that were heard often as the visitors were asked about the number of competitors. I had the opportunity to see how the electronic tagging system worked and had a taste of 2008’s new machinery of course. There was a wide variety of exhibitions to be seen this year, so there was something for everyone’s taste.
Friday, 19th September
Today, I've been filming with Mererid, one of the Ffermio presenters, and Robert Thomas, the sound man, in Pembrokeshire. We were filming links and interviews for the first programme of the 2008 Autumn series. We interviewed Anona Gray from St David's Tourist Information Centre, before moving on to Mount farm near Solva, where the coastal path goes through the land. It was a very sunny day and it was lovely to have such a day after all the rain we've had over the summer. It makes life so much easier for a camera man! The farmers' in the area were also making the most of the weather, and were working hard on the harvest.
Saturday, 20th September
Today I've been filming with Terwyn Davies and Dafydd Pierce, the sound man, in the NSA ramb sale that was held on the Showground in Builth Wells. We were filming a report for the ‘Bwletin Ffermio’.
We asked a couple of farmers for their opinion on vaccinating against Blue Tongue, and also interviewed a vet and members of the NSA. It was very interesting to hear the different opinions that people had on the subject. The highest price ram, a blue faced Leicester, was sold for 17,000 guineas.
Tuesday, 23rd September
One of the best thing about working on ‘Ffermio’ is the beautiful and different views we get to see, and today was no exception as we walked parts of the Ceredigion Coastal Path. Today’s crew were Robert, the soundman, Sioned, the director, and Alun, the presenter. Our first location was in a new part of the path near the Llangrannog Urdd Centre. The weather was glorious and was perfect for using the jib, a piece of equipment that elevates the camera higher than normal!
Alun interviewed Nigel Nicholas of Ceredigion Council who was the project manager. We then travelled to Llangrannog beach where we filmed the spectacular surroundings. Then we filmed at nearby Cwmtydu, where history leads us to believe that there was active smuggling happening centuries ago. In the afternoon, we travelled to Llansantffraed Church, near Llanon, Aberystwyth, and had a history lesson on the area by local historian, Gerald Morgan. West Wales is traditionally connected to mining and agricultural industries, but at this graveyard, you learn that a lot of youth from this area were fishermen or sea captains
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