Cancer-hit Welsh rock icon Rhys Mwyn finds solace in garden – growing Sex Pistols designer’s seeds

A Welsh rock icon battling stage three prostate cancer is growing wildflower seeds given to him by the Sex Pistols’ sleeve designer as part of his recovery.

Rhys Mwyn, former bassist with the 1980s Welsh punk band Yr Anhrefn, is set to discuss the healing power of gardening during a new TV appearance.

The 63-year-old will feature on S4C’s popular gardening show, Garddio a Mwy, speaking from his allotment about how tending plants is supporting his well-being and mental health.

The musician, originally from Llanfair Caereinion in Powys and now living in Caernarfon, was diagnosed last year and now faces two years of hospital visits and treatment, including radiotherapy.

In the interview with fellow musician Meinir Gwilym, who’s one of the programme’s three main presenters, Rhys describes the allotment as a “sanctuary of peace”.

Made by Caernarfon-based production company Cwmni Da, the new series of Garddio a Mwy is being shown at 8.25pm on Mondays over the summer until the Autumn, starting on April 6.

The programme featuring Rhys will be the fourth in the series on Monday, April 27, and he will use the interview to appeal to men over 50 to make sure they get themselves tested for prostate cancer.

Rhys said: “I was diagnosed last autumn after undergoing a variety of tests. It is Stage 3, a serious but treatable cancer.

“I had the PSA ( Prostate-Specific Antigen) test first which returned a higher than normal score which suggested there needed to be further investigation and I had an MRI scan and a biopsy which showed cancer was present.

“I was lucky in that it was found before it had spread. If I had left the test until later I might not have been so lucky.

“Looking back I now realise there were clues and hints that cancer was present but I didn’t know too much about prostate cancer then.

“There’s a long road ahead, it may be a couple of years before I get the all-clear, but I’m staying positive.

“I’m undergoing hormone therapy at the moment and this will be followed by a course of radiotherapy in the summer. It means I’ll have to travel to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd every day for a month and the allotment will be my sanctuary.

“Somewhere I can go to for some peace and quiet. Being on the allotment is very beneficial to my mental health and wellbeing and given the cancer I appreciate more of what I have. I’m definitely an advocate of the benefits of gardening.”

Rhys added he can understand the need for everyone to get tested and is keen to help in any way he can to spread that message.

“I’m being drafted in to help promote the PSA testing at Copa in Caernarfon on the 11th June and feel privileged to have been asked but in the meantime get your PSA tests done all men of a certain age,” he said.

Rhys, who presents a weekly programme on BBC Radio Cymru as well as leading tours to historical sites, has grown vegetables and flowers on the allotment in Groeslon for several years.

“I love growing things, getting closer to nature and eating the things I have planted, nurtured and raised on the allotment. I have no problem getting soil under my fingernails at the allotment. It’s no different really when I’m on an archaeological dig,” he said.

As a member of Yr Anhrefn, Rhys toured Europe playing venues big and small with their high energy brand of rock and roll. He met countless other musicians and later managed bands and promoted gigs and albums.

“Gardening is much more rock and roll than you’d imagine and there are several well-known musicians who are green fingered.

“On the allotment I have a pot of flowers grown from seed which were given to me by Jamie Reid who designed the album covers for the Sex Pistols.

“The allotment at Groeslon is a wonderful community. I can go there and sit and chat all afternoon and get nothing done. On other occasions I might help someone else and if I just want to get on with things I can do that too. It’s a good balance,” he said.

The new series of Garddio a Mwy will again be co-presented by Sioned Edwards and Adam Jones.

According to series producer Euros Wyn, Garddio a Mwy is a gardening series first and foremost, whilst at the same time striving to promote sustainability and enhance biodiversity in our gardens.

“In programme two, airing on 13th April, the presenters will talk about how they got into gardening in the first place, which gives a lovely insight into their personal horticultural journey.

“Meinir will also be visiting the National Botanic Garden of Wales at Llanarthne near Carmarthen to learn about the project to expand conservation of threatened plants by increasing collections in the National Seed Bank of Wales.

“At present, the National Seed Bank holds just 11% of Welsh flora and a huge £800,000 grant will enable the Garden to expand collections.

“We’ll also feature Ruth Bramley, a young gardener from Llandysul, Ceredigion, who will be designing a garden to be shown at the RHS show at Badminton later this year.

“And a special programme is being prepared about Cardiff when we’ll visit the city’s parks and gardens and various initiatives to increase its green credentials,” he said.

Garddio a Mwy is broadcast on S4C on Monday evenings at 8.25pm. The programme will be available on demand on S4C Clic and BBCiplayer and other platforms. English subtitles are also available