Today, in episode 5 I’m joined by Jon Pountney. Jon is a photographer….although, as you’ll hear in this episode, he hates the term Photographer. Jon captures striking landscapes and powerful portraits in the South Wales Valleys and I’ve been captivated by his incredible work for years. 

He’s recently worked as the Series Photographer on Michael Sheen’s new drama series The Way and also been developing a mammoth industrial photography project which I’ve loved following called ‘Allure of Ruins’.

But before we start, this episode is dedicated to my late-grandfather, Eirwyn Walters. My Grampy Walters was an amateur photographer from Llanelli who after contracting TB in the early 50s found himself being sent up to a specialist hospital in a sleepy Mid-Walien Village called Bronllys. 

In Bronllys hospital whilst being treated for tuberculosis he met my grandmother, Gwyneth, where they fell in love and he never went home. By Day my Grampy was and X-Ray technician, by night and by weekend- the village photographer, that captured everything from village fates and weddings to the breathtaking landscapes of the Black Mountains- but more than anything, his huge collection of images documented over a 65 year period depicts a romantic and happy life, in one of the most beautiful villages in mid wales. The term ‘The Good Old Days’ gets used so much now, but there’s so much joy and happiness and peace in his work, his work and his influence on me will stay with me for the rest of my life. 

I’ve made a video on my Youtube channel that I’d really really love for you to go and watch after listening to this episode called ‘My Grandfathers Secret Gift’ where I talk about a really special moment I shared with him in the last weeks of his life and an incredible secret he left behind after he passed away in 2016. If you head to YouTube and search CaiDMorgan, My grandfathers secret gift, it should come up.

But anyway, conversations like todays are really important to me, and I know this is one he would have absolutely relished listening to and being apart of.

Without further ado- this is Jon Pountney, on Welsh Waves.

WELSH WAVES

Hey, Shwmae.

My name’s Cai Morgan and this is Welsh Waves.

I’ve always been curious as to where Wales fits in, in the world and in this podcast I hope to find out the answer. I’ll be doing this by exploring our culture, sport and language with some special guests- folk who I believe are shaping our future on the global stage. 

I’ll also offer the odd essay episode which you might enjoy, something a little different where I’m going to do some solo-deep dives into some Cymry history and culture. 

Please do join me, ymunwch a fi on this journey of discovery. Subscribe and listen on your major podcasting platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.