Mamgu
In order to see this content you need to have both enabled and installed. Visit for full instructions
"As well as looking after me at home, she also cleaned our school." Elsie pays tribute to her wonderful Mamgu.
Transcript
"My Mamgu was there when I fell off my new bike - I can still smell that Germolene.
As well as looking after me at home, she also cleaned our school.
One day, she walked into the classroom just as I was made to stand on a chair for some naughty deed. I watched through the corner of my eye as Sir told her the story. They were both laughing.
I remember going on the Gwalia bus to New Quay with my Mamgu. I was paddling away happily, when she called frantically, 'Elsie, come out of there - it's raining - you'll get wet'. We spent the rest of the day sitting in the shelter, looking at the sea.
When I was eleven, my dad taught me to drive in the middle of a 16 acre field. A few months later, thinking I'd mastered it, I called. 'Mamgu, come and watch me reverse the car'.
She came out of the house. I crashed straight into the gate on one side... wallop into the wall on the other.
She said: 'Is that how you're supposed to do it?'
We laughed until we cried. The poor old mini, it had two new dents.Then, Mamgu had a stroke, she could never speak to me again. Her voice remains for ever in my childhood.
Years later, watching a science programme with my son, Donal, Relativity, Time and space, 'Mam, one day, I'll meet your Mamgu'.
Here she is here's my Mamgu."
An interview with the author
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Lampeter and have done since 1993. Before that I was in London for 15 years. I run a community magazine called The Lamp - this is an extension to my interest in all sorts of community activities.
What's your story about?
It's about my lovely grandmother and how important she was to me in my childhood. Her name was Lisa Derlwyn (Davies) and she came from Capel Dewi, Llandysul.
I've met many characters in my life - but for me - my grandmother is an unsung hero, who helped and looked after countless people in her lifetime.
What did you find most rewarding about the workshop?
The way the team helped us all to focus on our stories and in the process enabled us all to tell our stories to the best of our abilities. The technical support was terrific too.
Your comments
"Hello, I just read and saw your touching story about your Mamgu. I was searching the word "Mamgu" on Google to find out what it means and came across your web page.Peace to you and yours from across the world."
Peter from San Francisco.
