This Foul Earth

December 25th, 2018 - Prior to the extended commission received by the Welsh Life Institute in 2019, a small number of test interviews were conducted in South Wales in the winter of 2018. On Christmas night of that year, Rhys Morris (65, Wenvoe) was interviewed about his role in a centuries-old local tradition.  Introduction by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker.

The interview subjects were encouraged to speak freely about their life experiences, so that the country's contemporary voice could be preserved for future generations. However, at the end of each interview, the hundreds of contributors were all asked a series of standard questions. Whereas last series' questionnaire responses focused on the future, in this episode we focus on the past, as we hear from a selection of participants about their biggest regret. This episode concludes series two of This Foul Earth. Thank you for listening. Title introduction by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker.

August 23rd, 2019 - Natalie, a university lecturer and museum worker currently living in Newport, speaks about her arrival in Wales. Title announcement by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker. The Welsh Life Institute would like to thank Samantha Alice Jones for her work on this recording.

June 1st, 2019 - Peter Powell (39, Tonyrefail), a fourth generation horse trainer, speaks about his visionary mother's new approach to showjumping, and the tragic downfall of horse sports in Wales in the mid-90s. Title announcement by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker.

September 2nd, 2019 - The Welsh Life Institute interviews warehouse supervisor and gymnasium proprietor Colin Jones (53, Pentyrch). A former fixer in South Wales' illegal rave scene, Jones tells the story of his once-in-a-lifetime epiphany, and how his life has changed as a result. Title announcement by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker.

May 1st, 2019 - Independent electrician Lloyd Barton (36, Prestatyn) recalls his most memorable callout; a plug installation at a shipping container on a hillside in North Wales. Title announcement by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker.

June 6th, 2019 - Veteran car dealer Stewart Cleary (54, Abergavenny) details the little-known challenges of operating a used car business. Title introduction by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker.

Over the course of the project, the interview subjects were given free reign to speak about whatever they wished. However, all subjects were asked - at the end of their interviews - the same question; what are your hopes, fears, or ideas for the future of Wales? This episode is the last in the current series, This Foul Earth will return later this year. Thank you for listening. Title introduction by Cliff Cumber. Music written/performed by John Tucker. 

July 3rd, 2019 - Gravedigger Owen Morgan (58, Hendy) gives a brief history of grave digging in west Wales, and recounts the unusual case of Bryn Johnston.   Title introduction by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker.

August 15th, 2019 - Pub regular “Trevor” (location withheld at subject request) shares the story of how he came by his peculiar career.  Title introduction by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker. 

June 24th, 2019 - Unemployed former mail sorter Jim Morton (50, location withheld by request) shows the Welsh Life Institute around his formerly vibrant town, which was gutted in 1995 due to a well-meaning but ill-fated rejuvenation effort. Title introduction by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker.

September 5th, 2019 - Account manager Rhys Valence (29, Cwmbran) recounts his near death experience on the roads of Manchester.  Title introduction by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker.

August 18th, 2019 - Retired bin loader Clive Collins (78, Llanelli) tells the story of his time as one of Wales' most popular entertainers, and the newspaper that changed his life. Title introduction by Cliff Cumber. Music written and performed by John Tucker. 

In the summer of 2019, the Welsh Life Institute went out into Wales and interviewed hundreds of the nation's residents about their lives, in an attempt to capture the country's contemporary voice and preserve it for future generations. After the project was scrapped in 2020, the interviews were interred in the National Archives, however a Freedom Of Information request led to the recovery of two hours of audio. This Foul Earth begins February 1st. Title introduction by Cliff Cumber.