Singing deam comes true
Parc caretaker joins hero Dafydd Iwan
IT’S not often you get a chance to sing with your hero.
But that dream came true for Dai Jones, the caretaker at Parc y Scarlets rugby stadium in Llanelli.
Dai was featured on S4C this week as part of the new series called Canu Gyda Fy Arwr (Singing With My Hero).
The series features Rhys Meirion travelling all over Wales to fulfil people’s dreams of singing with their musical heroes.
It’s a programme full of fun that is sure to warm the heart during the cold winter evenings.
The heroes in the series are Elin Fflur, Dafydd Iwan and Shân Cothi, and three different people in each programme have the opportunity to fulfil their dream.
There were many responses to the ‘sing with your hero’ call, some nominating themselves and others nominated by friends or family as a complete surprise.
In the second programme, broadcast on Sunday, Dafydd Iwan fulfilled the dreams of Dai Jones.
Dafydd Iwan is one of the most iconic artists in Wales who has been attracting audiences for decades. And it’s true to say that his songs are now a central part of our identity.
Caretaker Dai is a pillar of the rugby club.
Having represented Llanelli in rugby back in the 1970s, Dai remains a central part of the Scarlets as a member of staff and the stadium is a second home to him.
He was nominated by his daughter, Angharad, because he’s always singing and loves Dafydd Iwan’s songs.
“It’s a natural part of Scarlets rugby to have Dafydd Iwan playing regularly in the stadium. So, it’s only natural that Dafydd Iwan is his hero.”
And the town and rugby club are very close to Dafydd Iwan’s heart, too.
“As a boy from Brynaman, Llanelli was the nearest big rugby town, so I’ve always been a Scarlets fan and later came to know Ray Gravell.
“Ray loved to sing and usually came up from the audience. I had several very memorable experiences singing with him.”
The song that Dai chose was Hawl i Fyw.
The lyrics are very special and Dai said it is a song that describes everything going on in the world today but always manages to lift his spirits.
Dai and Dafydd sang the song at Parc y Scarlets and in the audience were members of Dai’s family.
■ Canu Gyda Fy Arwr is still available on demand via S4C Clic, iPlayer and other platforms.