A historian from the vale has appeared in a new BBC show about British folklore.
Graham Loveluck-Edwards, 54, from Rhoose has always been a bit of a history buff.
He has been a practising historian for the last 18 years and recently paired up with BAFTA award-winning Our Country star and writer Charlie Cooper.
Cooper’s new show, called ‘Charlie Cooper's Myth Country’, sees the star trundle around Britain in a yellow campervan accompanied by his dog Jasper to track down ancient stories and chat to history buffs like Graham.So where does his van go? Charlie’s van, stops off at Dinas rock in the Brecon Beacons in pursuit of a myth surrounding ‘The Drover of Craig-Y-Ddinas.’
The story itself dates back to the 15th century and tells the tale of a Welsh herdsman who discovers King Arthur and his knights sleeping in a cavern under Dinas rock.
Amongst Arthur and his men are heaps of treasures, which according to Graham, prove to be fatal. He said: “The Drover ventures into the cavern which eventually seals up.”We asked Graham what it was like taking part in the show.
He said: “I’ve done TV before, but this is a new level, Charlie Cooper is exactly like his character in Our Country and is so funny honestly, he’s hysterical.”
According to Graham, Charlie’s got some local links to the Vale.
He said: “Charlie used to go to fishing on Traeth Mawr beach near Monknash with his dad and they would frequently end up at the Plough and Harrow for a pint on the way home.”
Graham has written several books about legend and folklore from South Wales including one called ‘More Legends and Folklore from Barry, Bridgend and the Vale’ which turns out, to be one of Charlie Cooper’s favourite reads.
Episode three of Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country can be seen this Friday (October 18) at 9pm on BBC Three.
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