Wales and British Lions legend Scott Quinnell heads to Aberystwyth for the third episode of S4C’s award-winning four-part series Cyfrinachau’r Llyfrgell (Best Kept Secrets).
The series has already seen former first Minister Mark Drakeford and Dame Siân Phillips on a deeply personal and emotional journey through the vaults of the National Library of Wales, and now it’s Scott’s turn.
Scott explains to host BBC Radio Wales presenter Dot Davies that his motivation for taking part in the programme is to learn more about his Grandpa Stan, a Second World War veteran who rarely spoke about his experiences during that time. He’s keen to find out what life is like for young Welsh soldiers during the war.
A never-before-seen video of the memories of an 80-year-old former Welsh prisoner of war In Germany, is played to Scott and paints a vivid picture of what Grandpa Stan may have experienced.
Scott also reveals that libraries aren’t familiar territory and that for him taking part in this programme was a great leap out of his comfort zone.
“I don’t read I’m dyslexic,” explained Scott, adding, “So why would I go to a library?”
As Scott starts to relax into his journey around the Library, Beryl Evans, NLWs Family Archivist, unveils the Quinnell family tree. Scott is overcome with emotion reading a report from the Llanelli Star in 1945, about his grandparents’ wedding.
A devoted dog owner, with four Terriers and a Labrador he’s astonished to encounter the Library’s largest single-subject collection – Doggie Hubbard’s 12,600 volumes purely on dogs.
Scott soon discovers that there is a lot more to the National Library of Wales than just books, as he gets a private viewing of an unseen portrait of his late uncle, Welsh and British and Irish Lion Barry John. On seeing the portrait for the first time, Scott exclaimed: “I’ve never seen this before of Barry John… My God, he looks amazing!”
In the Library’s grand Reading Room, Scott is shown a book from 1917 documenting the condition of dyslexia for the very first time. Scott is deeply moved by a variety of examples of other people who have triumphed against the odds and admits seeing the National Library in a completely new light, concluding, “I’m coming back with the family.”
Blending storytelling, genealogy, and archival discoveries, Cyfrinachau’r Llyfrgell tells the stories of some of Wales’ best-known faces through the tales and troubles of their family history.
Each one-hour episode takes viewers on a journey filled with personal experiences, emotions, and discoveries. Manuscript Curator Dr Maredudd ap Huw and team lead the celebrities through new and revelatory information, with many surprises along the way.
Geraint Rhys Lewis, Executive Producer at Slam Media said, “Scott is a wonderfully warm, engaging and inspirational character – a bear of a man who was visibly vulnerable as he crossed the threshold of the Library for the very first time. However, the Welsh learner who didn’t really read, put his faith in our team and what ensued over the course of the next two days’ filming was truly breathtaking.
“By the end Scott was a complete Library convert and self-proclaimed spokesperson making this episode not only the biggest emotional rollercoaster so far but also the most important and insightful, proving that there really is something for everyone at the National Library of Wales.”
Llinos Wynne, S4C’s Head of Docs and Specialist Factual said: “It’s a privilege to witness rugby star Scott Quinnell’s journey through the archives of the National Library of Wales. We’re used to seeing Scott tackling his opponents on the rugby pitch throughout his distinguished career, but in this episode of Cyfrinachau’r Llyfrgell he tackles another subject close to his heart, as he finds out more about the history of dyslexia.”
Cyfrinachau’r Llyfrgell (Best Kept Secrets) is on Tuesdays, 9pm on S4C until October 7th. Also available on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer
