Episode 3 Tenby 24/7

This time on Tenby 24/7,

the coastguards are called to a cliff-side emergency.

Down there. I can just see him poking his head up, there.

Brothers Jonathan and Matthew make some heavenly chocolate on Caldey Island.

The monks actually made it, but if you go away and pray for an hour

and you come back, the chocolate can be ruined.

And it's all for charity as Dai-The-Boot tries to get the best price for sea bass.

We'll start at £10. Give me £10, anyone? £20?

This is seven days in the life of one of Wales' holiday hotspots.

Seven days with the people who work here to make the holidays a treat.

This is Tenby 24/7.

Nestled within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

is the popular seaside resort of Tenby.

The town's Welsh name is Dinbych-y-Pysgod,

meaning "little fortress of the fishes".

It's an early start for skipper Roger Miles

and his 14-year-old apprentice, Liam Berridge.

Together, they run mackerel fishing trips for holidaymakers.

Over the side with the weight and the feathers,

just be careful with the hooks on the feathers, they are very sharp,

especially if you catch a fish and swing them on board, OK?

Take a rod, spread around the boat, give yourselves plenty of room, and we'll be fine.

The anticipation of waiting for the first fish.

Nervous few moments.

We have the odd occasion where dolphins come into the bay and frighten the fish. They're gone.

We have the odd trip then when we might not see a fish.

Very disappointing for some people

but you can't beat nature all the time.

That's one of the hardest parts of the job.

Seeing disappointed people if they don't catch fish -

the grandfather and the son, you know?

There we are.

It seems the mackerel aren't rising to the bait this morning.

But something is, and crew member Liam has got it hooked.

-It's a gurnard.

-That's a grey gurnard.

-It's a grey gurnard.

Run your finger down its back that way.

Now go the other way.

It's spiky, isn't it?

Do you want to keep him?

But it isn't gurnard, it's mackerel the punters have come to fish for.

And it's worrying.

I've given up.

There's nothing there.

Yeah, it's gone quiet at the moment.

They're going to make us work today - work to do today.

Nah, we'll try a bit harder looking for them today, that's all.

-We'll have to go deep.

-We may have to go deep.

Deep, deep.

The sea is like a magnet to holidaymakers at this time of year.

And Tenby's lifeboat station is kept very busy.

The RNLI volunteer crew respond to those in distress...

24/7.

'This is Milford Haven Coastguard. Standby.'

'No engine action at all

'and my auxiliary is not functioning.

'We're too close to the rocks.

'I have three people on board in total.

'I am too close to the rocks for comfort really. Over.'

'Roger.'

Speed is of the essence.

Coxswain Phil John and his crew must rescue the boat in distress

in time to stop it colliding with the rocks.

With the stricken craft finally secured,

the lifeboat can tow it to safety.

And coxswain Phil can return to base.

We got one of our guys on the boat to help get his anchor up.

His anchor... He couldn't get it up.

So we managed to release the anchor

and then we towed him in to where his trailer was waiting on the beach,

so it was all good in the end.

-A typical day in a Tenby lifeboat?

-A typical day, yeah.

Where were you? On the beach?

Just off the coast of Tenby is the holy island of Caldey,

home to a monastery of Cistercian monks

and a small population of island dwellers.

Caldey is only accessible by boat.

And if you work there, like brothers Jonathan and Matthew Miller,

you may want a fast commute.

Half a century ago, the monks started making chocolate on the island

and today the factory is run by Matthew's family.

No matter how many times you do this, I'm always surprised by how much chocolate you get out.

100 kilograms, this machine can hold.

That's more chocolate than I weigh. It's crazy.

Before my dad, the monks made it,

but the chocolate business got bigger,

visitors wanted more and more and monks pray seven times a day.

So, chocolate, you need to be on top of all the time,

and if you go away and you pray for an hour and you come back,

the chocolate can be ruined, so they employed my dad in the '80s and he's been making it since.

And now me and my brother come back here and help him out whenever we can

when we're not at university.

We get as much summertime cash as we can just to pay for the winter.

On Caldey, they always say winters are long

so we make hay when the sun shines.

And, yeah, it is good. What do we need next, Jon?

Are we going to put some more maple nuts out?

This is probably going out the front now.

-I would say...

-Chocolate orange?

-..chocolate nut and raisin next.

Nut raisin.

There we go. Let's hope we sell all this today.

Happy holidaymakers are important.

Tenby relies on the tourists coming back year on year.

90-year-old Jeff fell in love with the resort over 50 years ago

and has been returning with his family ever since.

I love everything about Tenby, especially these small shops.

I love 'em, don't you?

Yeah. It doesn't change, does it? It's always the same.

-I think that's the beauty of it.

-Exactly.

It's lovely, Tenby.

And every year, the family from Lincoln visit their favourite haunts.

This is the best teashop in Tenby.

Oh, that's who it is! Well, how are you all?

Very good.

-Tea for two?

-Tea for two, please.

Oh, lovely tea, this.

Thank you.

Oh, nice. That's nice.

It's a long way to come down

but it's definitely worth it, isn't it?

Yeah.

And out at night, when all the shops are lit up at night,

and you can go shopping at night.

-And have a beer at night.

-Yes, a beer at night.

-Real ale.

-Not me. I don't drink.

And paddling.

And collecting seashells, which we've got hundreds at home.

Out at sea on their second trip of the day

are mackerel skipper Roger and his shipmate Liam,

both hoping their fishing fortunes are about to change.

I've had a phone call from a local skipper

and there are a lot of birds feeding just over the way.

He said he put his rod out for a few fish,

and he was bringing them in six at a time. He's got a box full.

The phone call was, "Look out, they're on their way."

Got one!

Hey, good boy. I'm glad you came!

Once you start, usually, the rest comes with it then.

Yeah, good. Nice, nice.

There you go. Well done.

What a difference in an hour, isn't it?

Put it down. Put it down.

Good boy.

Everyone can do it - people of all ages.

As soon as you're big enough to hold a rod, you can do it.

It's that simple.

To some people it's a bit of a ritual. They come back every year.

We see the same faces every year.

It's part of their holiday because they enjoy doing it.

The little kids are fascinated by the fish.

They'll drop their rod and just stand by the box. "Wow! What's that?"

-Are you going to be eating that tonight for your tea?

-Probably not.

-Why not?

-I don't like fish.

It's society at the moment.

They'll say, "Yes, I'll eat fish fingers", but that's it.

Hopefully, when they come fishing, they can take home their catch,

cook it and eat it as well. That's what we want kids to do.

The more fish they eat, the better it is for everybody, and us.

Do you like it when the catch is good?

When the catch is good, yes, it's satisfying.

And everybody else is satisfied.

You've done the job you set out to do

when everybody has caught a fish and it is great.

When you achieve that in the first ten minutes of a trip,

you're on a winner.

There's no way they're coming home.

We're in a hotel room. We've got nowhere to put them.

Down the harbour,

the inshore lifeboat is being launched for a rescue.

The RNLI has to respond to every emergency call.

Coxswain Phil John has to mobilise a crew as fast as possible.

It's gone to Monkstone Point which is two miles north of here

for two young kids out in a dinghy.

A kayaker passed and the kayaker was a bit concerned because the wind's picked up

and they're a bit far out.

The kayaker raised the alarm

so the coastguard are going just to make sure they're OK, basically.

-'Two people on board, is it?'

-'Affirmative.'

'Did you copy the last transmission?'

-Where have you come from?

-Pardon?

-Where have you come from?

-Saundersfoot.

-Have you been around Monkstone Point.

-Eh?

-Have you been around the point?

-Yeah.

-Was there only two of you in the dinghy?

-Yeah.

-There was no-one else involved?

-No.

-OK, no worries.

Somebody called the coastguard to say somebody was in difficulty.

-No, we were up on the rock.

-You climbed over the point, was it?

-That's brilliant.

-We were OK.

-There was no-one else involved?

-No.

-Excellent.

-What's the easiest way around to Saundersfoot?

-Come with us.

-You sure?

-No worries.

-Thank you.

-Or you'll end up in more trouble.

You're a star.

This time, these teenage would-be adventurers were found OK

and hitch a lift home in style.

Last year, Tenby lifeboat crews launched 81 times

and rescued 61 people.

Time for volunteer Robert James to report back.

They said it wasn't too bad when they started but it got a bit fruity.

They wanted to go around the end but they wouldn't have done it.

Well, they would have, but they would have been back down here.

-Nicely done.

-Good call.

Boats from Tenby are a lifeline for the residents on Caldey Island.

They bring not only essential supplies,

but also pilgrims and thousands of tourists.

The chocolate factory is an island attraction.

Brothers Jonathan and Matthew keep the monks' original recipe alive.

It's a Belgian recipe. That's about all I know.

He won't tell me much more.

The recipe has been the same since the monks started making it here.

I'm not sure how many people know that.

I'm sure if I knew it, they wouldn't let me leave the island!

On a good day we can make up to 2,000 bars.

As they're all hand wrapped, that will be a long day.

So, erm...

But it all depends. In the winter when you're making chocolate,

if you can't get the materials over here, you'll make nothing,

so it's, erm...so different every single day.

Summer is definitely the most intense time of year.

You can't really survive on Caldey without the support of the community

and it is quite a tight community.

There's only 50 islanders so everyone knows everyone

and even though some of the people have changed,

Caldey still feels like Caldey,

it hasn't really changed in the way that it feels here.

Hidden away in the town centre is the old market hall.

WHISTLING

Home to Dai-The-Boot, who has been repairing the shoes

of locals and tourists in Tenby all of his working life.

Here you go, my love.

All right? I remade the toes for you and the heels.

-It's the right ones, isn't it?

-Yes, it's the right shoes.

I don't want to go back to Tenerife to get another pair yet.

Dai never forgets a face... or a shoe.

A holidaymaker came in once and the market had closed before they went home

and they couldn't pick the shoes up.

They came in two years later and I... "They're all ready."

They were. Honestly.

One of the highlights of the summer for Dai is the Tenby sea bass fishing competition,

of which he has become the reluctant auctioneer.

What happened, I may have had three pints instead of two.

And we were there just, it just... for a joke, sort of thing,

and it, you know... amassed from there, sort of thing.

It was unbelievable.

Then somebody said, "We'll have to have another one next year."

And it's gone, it's gone bigger and bigger every year, it really has.

It's the early bird that catches the sea bass

and Dai is running late for his shipmates.

Come on! The royal wedding was yesterday!

LAUGHTER

Where have you been, then? 9:30am we were going.

90-year-old Jeff and his family are also taking to the sea.

Thanks.

Yeah, lovely. Thanks.

It's time for their annual pilgrimage to Caldey Island.

It's lovely scenery.

You know, when you look back now.

-As nice as Skeg.

-Oh, gosh, yes.

When you come through here and you just see that monastery,

you could be in Italy or Venice or somewhere,

-it's so beautiful.

-It is beautiful.

It could be in a film set, couldn't it?

Yes, it certainly looks Italian, doesn't it?

It's so beautiful.

You seem to be in another world.

And the other thing is the impressive monastery.

It's, you know, uplifting, I think.

But, erm...

..the girls like the walk round to see the lighthouse,

but at my age you just want to sit down and enjoy it.

All the peacefulness,

that's what I like about it.

It's not a holiday without visiting Caldey Island.

I don't think, anyway.

And it's an opportunity for Jeff's daughter Michelle to indulge her sweet tooth.

You wouldn't think they make Caldey chocolate here, would you?

-Are you ever tempted just to put your mouth under like that?

-Not really.

I think I would be. Or stick a straw in or something.

-Just under 100 grams.

-That's fine.

And an extra dark chocolate, please.

-That's it.

-And this is part of your tradition, is it?

-It is, certainly.

We always come here and get some chocolate and fudge.

You can get it in the shop but it's nice to get it on the island where it's actually made.

Jonathan and Matthew are only helping out for the summer

and their future plans are not in chocolate heaven.

I'm training to be a dentist, and my brother...

-what are you doing, Jon?

-I'm studying medicine at the moment.

Erm, at the moment, hopefully, orthopaedic surgery, but we'll see where that goes.

Ironic that you work in a chocolate factory

and you're training to be a dentist.

Well, I always say it's to fix my dad...the things he's caused,

the decay he's caused.

I'll go and fix his wrongs, but he doesn't enjoy me saying that.

-So chocolate orange?

-Let's be honest, he's just happy it'll keep him in business longer.

Well, I think we'll have a chocolate factory and a dental surgery opposite each other.

That's the plan.

For the last nine years, a gathering of close-knit Tenby locals

have taken to the water to fish for sea bass.

A dogfish. Common...whatever it's called.

-Lesser spotted...

-Lesser spotted, there we are.

No prizes for those.

A little gurnard. This is going to go back. It's not quite big enough.

Dai and his shipmates are catching everything but sea bass today.

-Rock fish.

-Good eating, that.

-Yeah.

It's realistic. It looks like a real rock.

And they go back really well.

This competition is to commemorate the memory of a good friend

and raise money for a cancer charity.

The idea, sort of, bloomed in the pub, like.

The boys all got together and we...

we'd all went out fishing, after the year that Terry died

and went back to the pub and started auctioning the fish,

I think, for a bit of fun, but it just excelled from there.

And...

fair play, we've done well ever since.

People have donated different things for auctioning.

Really lovely.

Andy, what was last year's total?

-Around £6,000, something like that.

-Yeah, six.

If they're going to make any money at auction this year,

someone's going to have to catch some sea bass.

I let the other boys catch the bass.

It's not fair to keep catching all the bass.

And the biggest catch of the day ends up being a small shark.

Put him back.

'Coastguard rescue.'

'I wonder if you can help. I noticed a couple of young kids on the rocks.

'The tide's coming in. They've got a little dog with them

'and there's nowhere for them to go because the tide is very much all the way in.'

SIREN BLARES

The coastguards have been called urgently to the Esplanade cliffs.

There they are. You can see him poking his head up there.

The emergency also needs the assistance of the inshore lifeboat.

'Milford Haven Coastguard, Milford Haven Coastguard.

'We have left and are now proceeding to where we believe there are people cut off.'

Look back and see if you can spot them. They should be about here.

Mike Day, Tenby Coastguard Station Officer,

is in charge of organising this team for the clifftop rescue.

I'm down here with the two children and their father and the dog and they are all safe and well.

So they can exit without any danger? Over.

Yes. Affirmative. They are in no danger at all.

They are standing with their father fishing quite happily on the Esplanade steps.

It looks like a false alarm with good intent, probably.

But there's two kids and a dad and a dog there.

Somebody has reported them as cut off or trapped on the rocks.

So, job done, I think. I hope.

It's nice to know that people are looking out for you.

-I didn't think there was a problem.

-We'd always rather be called than not.

Job done for volunteer coastguard, Sam Radion.

With a lot of tourists about, people see people on the rocks,

they don't know how far the tide comes in.

These people are local and they know the water.

Unfortunately, with tourists about, they tend to panic a bit quickly.

But, as you can see, they are safe and well so a happy ending for everybody.

On Caldey, holidaymaker Jeff is taking some reflective time

to remember the purpose of today's visit to the holy island.

I lost my sister on Thursday

so I definitely want to go in and say a few prayers for my sister.

I'm just going to put Auntie Lou's near Our Lady

because she loved Our Lady, didn't she?

No doubt my sister will be looking down and laughing her socks off.

She was a big, big Catholic.

It's making me think about it now.

Good old Lou.

Goodbye to Caldey, then, until next year.

Bye, Caldey.

The Caldey boats ferry thousands of visitors a year,

helping make holiday memories that last a lifetime.

I think you come to Tenby and you take a little bit of it back with you in your heart

and then you come again.

Lovely.

You sound like a bloomin' advert!

Yeah, well...

It's the last mackerel trip of the day for Roger and Liam

and they're still reeling them in.

That's a meal on its own, that one, isn't it?

This is a summer job for 14-year-old Liam

and seaman's etiquette has been a bit of a steep learning curve.

I'll tell you a story about Liam's wellies.

He turned up one morning in front of everybody with bright, white wellies.

I didn't know that white wellies were butchers' wellies

and everyone took the mick out of me so I sprayed them yellow.

LAUGHTER

They were better. They were perfect.

But they've seen some action and they have faded a bit.

The paint's coming off. The paint's coming off.

Never mind, if he does well this season,

we might, erm... he might earn his stripes.

And a good season with holidaymakers is what Roger is hoping for.

We've got to try and make as much money as we can this summer

to last us through the winter.

Just to pay the bills, basically.

Struggle by, pay the bills and do it all again next year.

But we're so dependent on the weather as well -

the weather and tourists are the main factors in living in a coastal town, really.

That's right. It's enormous.

The sea bass fishermen are back on dry land.

We have got two lovely bass, folks.

We'd like to start off at a fiver. Show me your hand for five.

And Dai has got a lot of fish to sell.

Of course, none of it caught by his team's boat.

£16. We've got £16 with the hoody. £16 with the hoody.

£20. Plenty of bass.

£23.

£25, going once, £25, going twice,

£25, down! Thank you very much, Dave.

Now this one has been donated by Bob Dowson

but these people have donated the fish for a very good cause.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is our youngest competitor.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

20 quid.

20 quid down the front. 20 quid? All for a good cause.

You know, they all join in. It's wonderful.

Tenby people are generous. Really generous.

Really good. You can't beat Tenby.

And Dai is a Tenby man of many talents.

Join in with me if you know this one, right?

# I've been a wild rover for many a year

# I spent all my money on whiskey and beer

# And... #

This year, the fishermen raised over £10,000

in memory of their friend Terry.

# ..the wild rover no more

# And it's no, nay, never

# Right up, your kilt! No, nay, never, no more

# Will I play that wild rover

# No never, no more. #

Thanks, folks.

Thank you for everything.

Next time on Tenby 24/7,

pest-controller Lee Richards tries to keep the resort rat free.

It'll be a rodent paradise when everybody has gone home for dinner.

The Feccis dish up some fish and chips for the holidaymakers.

Right, the curry sauce is very hot. It will burn and it will stain.

Would you like salt and vinegar?

And have vandals ruined the town's chances to win

the Britain in Bloom competition?

I suppose we've just got to hope that the judge takes things into consideration.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd