Sir Anthony with a Welsh Dragon, presented to him by the young men of the Hostel.Sir Anthony with a Welsh Dragon, presented to him by the young men of the Hostel.
"I started here 53 years ago , Easter 1955 and this was my whole life of acting started. I wasn't here that long, I went to Cardiff College Music and Drama and then on, life unfolded itself and here I am 53 years later. I often dream of Port Talbot quite a lot so obviously it has a significant meaning for me, Wales and Port Talbot. Richard Burton was born here, I met Richard once and asked him for his autograph . He was quite an inspiration, I wanted to become an actor, although I had no dreams there i could become one, then one night in Easter 1955, I wondered in here and I Mr Cyril Jenkins who was the Director or the Producer , he ran the company YMCA players I worked with. I had some small parts, nothing too much and within a few months I got a scholarship, much to my surprise and maybe I take it up as a serious profession. It's important to remember your past otherwise you keep on making mistakes. I'm just drawn to my own past, I don't think I'm obsessed with it, but I think about my parents, my mother and father had a Bakers down in Taibach and they were very instrumental in pushing me on. My father had given up on me, he thought I was a hopeless case, no, he was very proud of me when I become successful and all that. What's extraordinary about this place nothing has architecturally but the interior has changed, but I notice the same floor, same tarater and the same steps, it's 53 years ago. The same houses across the street, I used walk from here down to Taibach, it seemed a long way in those days, now I can do it in five minutes. I was talking to them (young men of the Hostel), about the importance of dreaming big dreams. They gave me a wonderful plaque which says, to quote Einstein, Imagination is everything. It's the preview of life's coming attractions. Albert Einstein, It's a beautiful plaque. They just gave me this, I was quite moved by that, Imagination is every thing. It's the preview of life's coming attractions. That's the story of my life."
If you want to hear Sir Anthony Hopkins in the above interview clink on BBC Wales
Much has been written about Sir Anthony's career and life, but what is important to us here at Port Talbot YMCA, is that he believes and supports the work we do. On his visits to us, he makes time to speak to the young people as equals and is a keen listener to their issues and future. He has provided our young people with advice and encourages them to 'go for it', taking every opportunity that comes their ways. 'Dream Big Dreams' Sir Anthony says, encouraging words for our young people at Port Talbot YMCA.
Photo's of Sir Anthony's visit to Port Talbot YMCA 5th May 2008.
our Treasurer Judith Miller with Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Sir Anthony talking to the young men at the hostel
Sir Anthony with his wife Stella, his good friend Eve, Des Chairperson of the Board and Andy the Centre Manager.
Copyright Port Talbot YMCA 2009