31 March 2014

 An S4C film documentary about a 75-year-old man's courage in tackling a hugely challenging peak has won the prestigious Silver medal in the Best Climbing Film category in the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, ShAFF 2014.

The documentary 75: Byth Rhy Hen – 75: Never Too Old, produced by Slam Media film company, follows Jeremy Trumper of Gwynedd, North Wales, as he fulfils his ambition of climbing The Devil's Tower in the state of Wyoming in the USA.

Jeremy of Cwm Pennant near Porthmadog, tackles the challenge in the best of company - his friend, the world-renowned climber and adventurer from Tremadog, Eric Jones.

The programme, broadcast on S4C 12 months ago, follows them from Eifionydd to the USA where they take on the strikingly steep rock that rises over 1,200 feet from its surrounding flat landscape.

The Sheffield Adventure Film festival - ShAFF 2014 – is one of the UK’s leading adventure and climbing festivals.

Content Commissioner Llion Iwan says, “This is a documentary that celebrates life, the strength of spirit and realising dreams. It’s inspirational to follow Jeremy and Eric, two talented and charming people. Congratulations to everyone involved in this memorable, uplifting production.”

This award follows a raft of major awards for other S4C documentaries in climbing festivals.

Jeremy Trumper started climbing when he was fourteen, as a Scout on climbing trips led by famous climber Showell Styles.

Jeremy has been climbing ever since, as well as running a caravan park, farming a small holding in Cwm Pennant and bringing up four children.

It was his wife, Margaret who was responsible for igniting Jeremy's obsession with the Devil's Tower in the first place.

Jeremy explains, "One Christmas she bought me a book which was full of amazing climbs all around the world, and that's when I first came across the Devil's Tower. And since then I've been obsessed with the idea, and determined to climb to the summit. It was such a great feeling, and I was so glad to have Eric Jones by my side. I couldn't have found a better friend to come along on the adventure."

Producer Aled Llŷr from Slam Media, who led the filming team that followed them there in autumn 2012, adds. “What delighted me most about this story was their friendship. They are both fine men - their values and friendship are something special. I hope the programme inspires the viewers, however old they are."

ENDS