Y Rhigos a’r fan hufen iâ

‘Y Rhigos a’r fan hufen iâ’ is a short story about a group of friends who go on a mountain biking trip over the Rhigos mountain in south Wales.

• The story focuses on the themes of friendship, hobbies, and cynefin.
• The key characters in the story are Gary and Y Prif Gymeriad (the Main Character).
• The setting in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) helps develop the theme of locality and belonging.

This guide will show you how to explain your ideas about the story, using evidence from the text and your own experiences.

This short story explores several important themes that are relevant to young people today.

Friendship - Cyfeillgarwch / Ffrindiau

Friendship is one of the most important themes in the story. The characters spend time together, go on adventures and face challenges as a group.

However, the story also shows how friendships can be damaged. For example, Gary stops going on cycling trips with the group after they laugh at him and leave him behind, highlighting the consequences of unkind behaviour.

Although there are moments of conflict, friendship remains central to the story and makes the reader consider what it means to be a good friend and how true friends should treat one another.

Key quotes:

Roedd llawer o ffrindiau gyda fi…

Pwdodd [Gary] eto, ac fe wnaethon ni chwerthin yr holl ffordd adref.
Wnaeth e ddim dod ar daith beics gyda ni ar ôl hynny!

Hobbies - Hobïau

Mountain biking is a key focus of the story. The journey across the Rhigos allows the characters to challenge their abilities, enjoy themselves and share experiences together.

Key quotes:

Ro’n ni’n cwrdd weithiau i reidio beics drwy’r strydoedd ac ar hyd yr afon yn Nhynewydd.

Ro’n ni’n gweithio’n galed drwy’r dydd weithiau yn gwneud ramp ac yn herio ein gilydd…

Area / Sense of place - Cynefin

The story is set around the Rhigos and Bannau Brycheiniog. The landscape plays an important role in creating atmosphere and helping readers connect with the Welsh setting.

The novel also highlights how the area has changed over the years, as the main character reflects on the differences between the place he remembers from his youth and the landscape he sees today. This encourages readers to think about change, memory and the impact of time on both people and places.

Key quotes:

Roedd gan Dynewydd lwybrau beicio da a doedd dim llawer o draffig ar bwys yr hen ffatri.

Heddiw mae melinau gwynt ar ben y Rhigos ac i lawr yng Nghwm Nedd ond pan o’n ni’n ifanc dim ond coedwigoedd oedd yna…

Understanding what the characters do, why they behave in certain ways, and how they affect other characters will help you explain events in the story and give your own opinions.

Try to compare the characters' actions and experiences with your own views and experiences, using examples from the text to support your ideas.

The two key characters in ‘Y Rhigos a’r fan hufen iâ’ are Y Prif Gymeriad (the Main Character) and Gary.

Y Prif Gymeriad

• Enjoys mountain biking and likes challenging himself by performing stunts on his bike.
• Is described as being quite short and admits that riding a bike with short legs is not always easy.
• Is not always a good friend because he laughs at Gary during the trip.

Gary

• Is friends with the Y Prif Gymeriad and often goes mountain biking with him.
• Finds mountain biking difficult and does not think riding up the Rhigos is easy.
• Sulks when things do not go his way, especially when his friends do not buy him an ice cream.

Writers use a range of literary techniques to create effects, develop characters and communicate ideas. It is important to learn what these techniques mean and what they are called in Welsh.

Here are a few examples of literary techniques that appear in ‘Y Rhigos a’r fan hufen iâ’:

Idiomau

An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of the words.

Example:

• wrth gwrs(of course)

Effect:

Strengthening the speaker's certainty or preparing for a contrast.

Ansoddeiriau

Adjectives are descriptive words used to give more information about a person, place or thing.

Examples:

• hwyl(fun)
• braf(nice [weather])
• anodd(difficult)

Effect:

Creates a clearer picture for the reader and helps develop characters and settings.

Deialog

Dialogue is conversation between characters.

Example:

• ‘Dw i angen gwthio’r beic i lawr,’ meddai.
  Edrychon ni ar ein gilydd a gofyn, ‘Beth? Pam?!’

Effect:

Reveals information about characters, relationships and events in the story.

Cymhariaeth

A comparison describes one thing by comparing it to something else.

Example:

• Mae’r Rhigos yn ffordd hir fel neidr ac yn beryglus fel neidr hefyd.

[fel neidr = like a snake]

Effect:

Helps the reader visualise ideas and understand descriptions more clearly.

Synhwyrau

Writers use sensory language to appeal to sight, sound, smell, taste or touch.

Examples:

• Wrth reidio i lawr y ffordd, yr haul ar ein hwynebau a’r gwynt y tu ôl i ni, ro’n ni’n gallu gweld i lawr i Dreherbert, ac mor bell ag Ynyswen a Threorci.

[Teimlo, Gweld = Feel, See]

Effect:

Makes the story more vivid and engaging.

Tafodiaith

Dialect refers to regional words or expressions used by characters.

Examples:

South Walian dialect – Tafodiaith de Cymru:

• cwympais
• Gary oedd e

Effect:

Makes characters sound authentic and realistic and you learn where in the world the characters are from.

Amser y ferf

Verb tenses shows when an action takes place.

Examples:

Past tense – Y gorffennol:

• Roedd llawer…(There were many…)
• Wnaeth e ddim…(He didn't…)

Effect:

Helps the reader understand when events are happening and can influence the pace of the story.

Rhestru

Listing occurs when several words, phrases or ideas are grouped together.

Example:

• Roedd yn rhaid reidio heibio’r cwt, pasio nant Saerbren, sef dechrau afon Rhondda, wedyn mynd heibio ‘Route 47’

Effect:

Emphasises important information and can create pace or intensity.

Here are some useful key words to help you respond to questions about the text.

• stori fer – short story

• awdur – author

• cymeriad(au) – character(s)

• technegau – techniques

• effaith – effect

• cymhariaeth – comparison

• idiomau – idioms

• ansoddeiriau – adjectives

• synhwyrau – senses

• deialog – dialogue

• amser y ferf – verb tense

• tafodiaith – dialect

• rhestru – listing

• thema – theme

• themâu – themes

• bwlio – bullying

• cyfeillgarwch – friendship

• hobïau – hobbies

• cynefin – area / sense of place

• dyfyniad – quotation / quote

• ydy / nac ydy – yes / no

• oes / nac oes – yes / no

• cywir / anghywir – correct / incorrect

• beicio mynydd – mountain biking

• llwybrau beicio – cycling tracks

• coedwigoedd – forests

• melinau gwynt – windmills / wind turbines

• ffrindiau – friends

• antur – adventure

• pwdu – sulk

• chwerthin – laugh

• cwrdd – meet

• herio – (to) challenge [verb]

• heriol – challenging [adjective]

• hawdd – easy

• cas – nasty

• annifyr – unpleasant

• ond – but

• hefyd – also/too

The sentence patterns below are examples of language that can be used when discussing the story. You could use other sentence patterns and vocabulary as well.

Remember to draw on the wider range of sentence patterns and vocabulary you have learned when responding or offering your analysis of the text.

In the film about ‘Y Rhigos a’r fan hufen iâ’ above, there are two questions at the end that are linked to the themes of the story:

1. Sut mae’r stori’n disgrifio’r ardal?

2. Beth sy’n wahanol neu’n debyg i’r ardal lle rwyt ti’n byw?

As the film explains, strong personal responses should be based on what happens in the story.

Start by referring to the ‘manylion’ (details), ‘digwyddiadau’ (events), ‘cymeriadau’ (characters) and ‘disgrifiadau’ (descriptions) in the story.

Then, explain your own thoughts and opinions, making links to your own experiences or observations where appropriate.

Let's look at how to plan and write an effective response to the first question:

Sut mae’r stori’n disgrifio’r ardal?

Here are the area / geographical features mentioned in the story:

• strydoedd – streets
• llwybrau beicio – cycle tracks / paths
• hen ffatri – old factory
• mynyddoedd – mountains
• siop (hufen iâ) – (ice cream) shop
• cae rygbi – rugby field
• cwt y gwarchodwr – watchman’s hut
• nant – stream
• melinau gwynt – windmills / wind turbines
• coedwigoedd – forests

When discussing or describing an area, you could consider using the following sentence pattern:

The question asks you to give a description of the area. You could do this by referencing the places mentioned in the story.

Here's an example of a good answer:

✓ This is a good answer as it proves you have a good knowledge of the story by noting three features from the story.

You could then add your opinion here, using ‘Hoffwn i…’ (I would like…) or ‘Hoffwn i ddim…’ (I wouldn't like…):

Let’s review this answer so far:

✓ You've proved a good knowledge of the story.
✓ You’ve expressed your opinion and given a reason.
✓ You've used a variety of sentence patterns.

How about expanding on your response, by adding further details? Look at this quote from the story, for instance:

Heddiw mae melinau gwynt ar ben y Rhigos ac i lawr yng Nghwm Nedd ond pan o’n ni’n ifanc dim ond coedwigoedd oedd yna, mor bell ag y gallech chi weld.

This description notes how the area has changed over the years. Referencing this in your response would form a great answer.

To do this, you could use the following sentence patterns:

For example:

✓ This response shows you understand how the area has changed.

In a really good answer, you could say something like:

In terms of the language you should use, it’s always good to use different sentence patterns and a range of suitable words. Look back at the vocabulary and sentence pattern sections if there were any used in these examples that you didn’t recognise.

Now, let’s turn our attention to the second question from the film:

Beth sy’n wahanol neu’n debyg i’r ardal lle rwyt ti’n byw?

Again, you need to prove your knowledge of the story by referencing the features mentioned by the author:

• strydoedd – streets
• llwybrau beicio – cycle tracks / paths
• hen ffatri – old factory
• mynyddoedd – mountains
• siop (hufen iâ) – (ice cream) shop
• cae rygbi – rugby field
• cwt y gwarchodwr – watchman’s hut
• nant – stream
• melinau gwynt – windmills / wind turbines
• coedwigoedd – forests

Consider using these sentence patterns:

Here's an example of a good answer:

✓ This answer compares the two areas clearly, showing the differences. The use of ‘ond’ (but) works well to do this.

Here’s how you can use ‘hefyd’ (also / too) to discuss similarities between two areas:

Why not combine both to make a great response showing your ability to discuss differences and similarities and use a wider range of sentence patterns:

It’s now a great opportunity for you to add your opinion using ‘Hoffwn i…’ or ‘Hoffwn i ddim…’.

For example:

or

Let’s put it all together to see how the full, detailed response would look:

✓ The examples above look at differences, similarities, and opinions – nice and detailed!

Test your knowledge of the short story ‘Y Rhigos a’r fan hufen iâ’ with these flashcards.

Remember that you will need to answer all the questions in your assessment in Welsh.

Think about how you would answer these questions in Welsh before you flip each card to reveal the answers: