Revisits Episode 2 The Dengineers

-I'm Lauren.

-And I'm Joe.

-And this is the Dengineers.

The show that puts you in charge of building your very own dream den.

Over the past two series,

we've helped children all over the UK

transform their ideas into amazing spaces.

-This is so awesome.

-Epic!

And now we're going back to find out how the dens

have changed the lives of the Dengineers that created them.

It's just more than you could have ever wanted.

Oh, Mum, let's have a hug.

This is The Dengineers Revisit.

Yay!

Amazing!

Joe, so excited that you're joining the team,

but every Dengineer needs to know his or her stuff,

so I've got a little history test for you.

OK, I've done my homework. I'm ready for it.

Question number one, over the past two series,

how many dens have we made?

Give me a minute.

I'm going to say 20 but across two community dens,

there were a total of nine structures so my final answer is 29.

Very clever. That is correct, Joe Tracini!

Well done. Question number two.

Over the past two series,

how many children have become Dengineers?

-36.

-36 is correct. Well done, you!

Can we make it three out of three?

Which of these have the Dengineers never attempted before?

A, to design a den.

B, decorate a den.

Or C, help a den move house?

You don't need it for that, do you?

-No, not that sort of question.

-No.

-Help a den move house.

Is correct! We have never moved a den to a different house.

-Happy with that.

-Until now.

What?!

Dengineer Ben loves trains and boy, does he know his stuff.

This is the Flying Scotsman.

This is the Class 06.

Number three is the Class 31.

Ben needed a den where he could play with his trains and build his tracks

in peace, away from his little sister, Verity.

Sharing a bedroom meant Ben's trains were in constant danger

from total destruction.

It was full steam ahead on the build

as Sege and the team transformed the bottom of Ben's garden

into his very own railway station.

And someone let you have a go on a digger.

Wow, this is the best thing ever!

That was brave!

Ben, out you come!

Oh, my gosh!

This is...

better than I was expecting.

This is brilliant.

You can't stop smiling, I love it!

Wow!

Well, Ben, last time we were here putting up your den,

it was raining and now we're back again and it's raining again.

How's things been, I've heard there's been

-a few changes around here?

-Yes, yes, there has.

For example, I have moved house

and it has been six months without my den.

So, you moved house?

-Yes.

-But the den stayed here at your old house?

-Yes.

-So, you've not been able to use it?

-No.

-What's that been like?

-Dull.

-I bet it has.

Well, don't worry because I've got just the guys for the job.

Here we go, here's the muscle.

-How are you, guys? All right?

-Good, thank you, a bit wet.

It's a bit damp, isn't it?

-A little damp.

-So, we're going to take down a den today.

-Yes.

-Is it going to be all right?

Yes...

HE LAUGHS

That doesn't exactly fill us with confidence.

I'm a little bit nervous about my den coming down,

just in case anything snaps or breaks.

I need someone on here.

Oh!

Whoo, that was heavy!

It's got to go back up now!

The wall's loose.

-Got it?

-Careful with that.

The pieces of Ben's den are so heavy

that straps are needed to help take the weight.

Even then, it takes four full-grown Dengineers to lift one.

Hi, Mum and Dad... LOUD CRACK

Oh!

If anything, there's always positives

to take out of these circumstances.

Now, we can just carry a bit each and let the boys fix it.

-Quick, run!

-You saw nothing!

-Don't let them see!

This moving lark didn't half throw up a few surprises!

You're telling me, Joe, but at least there aren't any scary spiders.

-Oh, my gosh!

-Wowzers, that's a big 'un.

You have to deal with this all the time. Why are you touching it?!

Can someone make him stop? I can't bear this.

I am not volunteering to move the spider

so it'll have to come with us.

-Oh, no.

-Which way are we going?

Yay! Well done!

With Ben's den finally loaded up,

it's time to deliver his station to its new home.

While the Dengineers start rebuilding,

I'm off to catch up with mum to find out more about the new house.

-How's the move been?

-The move has been quite chaotic.

Ben hasn't actually got a bedroom to sleep in.

We've had to do re-plumbing.

We had to put a new water tank in when we moved.

We need new electrics in that room so there's a lot going on.

So, where's he been sleeping?

He's actually sleeping in one of the other upstairs bedrooms which should

actually be an upstairs lounge,

so he's in there and he has a sofa in there and all the pets in there.

It must have been quite tough for him over the last few months.

-Yes.

-Not having his bedroom and also not having a den either?

No, he's been completely without so I think he's going to be so chuffed.

I think it's really going to make this new house feel like home.

Well, hopefully they are not far from getting things back on track.

Back on track, did you see what I did there?

Inadvertently. I didn't even mean to make a joke but I just did one!

One thing Ben has managed to salvage from the den

is his table for building his tracks.

It's currently taking over the dining room

and he's created a whole world for his trains.

And now, after six months, it can finally go back into his den,

and his best mate, Harrison, has turned up to help.

OK, that's phase one complete! Well done, everybody.

In just one day, the Dengineers have taken down,

transported and rebuilt Ben's den,

but will he be as impressed this time around?

Guys, are you ready to see the den again?

Out you come! It's back!

-Hoorah!

-The den has returned!

-What do you think?

-It's wonderful.

Really cool, are you glad to have it back?

-Very.

-I can't believe how hard everyone has worked.

Amazing that they've done it in such a short space of time.

Back to normal. What do you think?

Nice, I like it very much.

Thanks to the Dengineers,

Ben has got his den back and he can start building once again,

which means this den is definitely done.

Unless he moves house again.

Right, Joe, our next challenge is to build a house, but don't worry,

because I have drawn the plans.

-Look at that!

-It's shocking, isn't it?

Look at that. Why have you written "nice roof"?

-It needs a nice roof.

-"Quite big" isn't a measurement.

I'd like it to be quite big.

-Right, give it to me.

-You go and get tea.

I'll make you a house, promise.

-OK, good man.

-Bye!

HE WHISTLES CHEERFULLY

Here we go, two nice brews.

Milk, no sugar in that one...

Whoa!

Wow! Joe, this is amazing.

It's not amazing, it's magic.

-ECHOING:

-Magic, magic, magic!

Just like in a fairy tale.

Once upon a time, there was a Dengineer called Eleanor

who loved reading and writing.

Eleanor loves to read and write.

She reads every day.

She longed for a place of her own to read and write in peace,

where she could create imaginary worlds and write fantastic stories.

I would love a magical library den

where I could do all my reading and writing.

Please come, Dengineers, because I really need your help.

And that's exactly what we did.

As well as giving Eleanor a place to read and write,

there was another very good reason for building her dream den.

Eleanor has cerebral palsy.

It only affects her mobility

but it just means that walking is difficult for her.

The Dengineers and Maral worked their socks off and despite rain...

..more rain and Mark stinking out the den...

Mark, I honestly... HE PARPS

..Eleanor's den was delivered on time.

CHEERING

Five, four, three, two, one.

Oh, my gosh!

Look at the little fairy doors.

How are you feeling, Eleanor?

Really happy.

In you go.

Whoa!

Amazing.

How cool is that?

I'm back to catch up with Eleanor

and see how things have been going with her den.

Hello! How are you?

-Great, thanks.

-We had such a good time, didn't we?

What was it like having the Dengineers turn up at your house?

It was super exciting just thinking, how is this happening to me?

And this obviously is when you came and met one of your literary heroes,

Jacqueline Wilson.

I've got the picture over there.

Oh, there she is.

It was just amazing.

Not many people get that experience to meet a professional writer.

What else have you been doing since I saw you last time?

I entered a competition at Cardiff Museum and I came first place.

Well, Eleanor, I know all about the fact that you've won a competition.

Have a watch of this.

Hi, Eleanor, welcome to a very special CBBC Book Club,

with me, Katie, just for you.

Lauren sent me your story, The Falcon's Curse,

and I really, really enjoyed it.

I loved how you wrote a story about an Egyptian queen

who put a curse on her beloved pet falcon's grave so that any building

built on top of it would crumble into dust.

Congratulations for winning the competition.

All of us at CBBC are super proud of you

and there's one more very special person

who wants to congratulate you as well.

Over to you, Dame Jacqueline Wilson.

Hi, Eleanor. I loved meeting you

when the Dengineers decided to make you

your very special magical den.

I'm so happy that you like it

and that it's inspired you to write your own work,

and you won a competition!

Well done, darling.

Do you know, I think we're soul sisters.

We both love books, we both love writing, so good for you!

How lovely is that,

to know that Dame Jacqueline and Katie Thistleton

-both found out about what you've been doing?

-It's just amazing.

Eleanor's magical library den is already helping her fulfil her dream

of becoming an author.

But I want to find out how it has helped her in other ways,

from her mum, Hannah.

What's it given her that she didn't have before?

It's given her independence, definitely.

She's had friends over to play in the den, which has been really nice.

I think being on the Dengineers has given her confidence.

When we're out, people will say to her,

"Oh, you were on the Dengineers."

Before, I think sometimes because she's in a chair, people look.

Whereas now because she's been on Dengineers,

people look and they will come over and it sort of opens up a chat.

That's so nice, it must make such a difference,

to be sat there and going,

"People aren't looking at me because I'm in a wheelchair,

"it's because they recognise me off the TV."

I'm so glad to hear that she's made such good use of it.

I genuinely feel like I'm going to be buying her book one day.

I've just got this feeling about it.

Not only is Eleanor's den giving her the space to read and write,

it's also become a favourite place for her and her friends to hang out.

There's no doubt that this budding author is already creating

a little bit of magic in her very own garden.

The thing about building dens

is that you need someone in charge, Joe.

You need somebody who can pull everything together

and get things on track.

I can do that. Hey, you, lady.

Lady with the bricks, yeah. I need a sandwich, I need it to be white,

no crusts, cheese.

That's it, stop looking, go and get it now.

Crisps, lots of crisps.

No, no, no, no, I wasn't talking about that, was I?

I mean, take the community dens for example.

There's only one man for the job.

Some say he learned woodwork in a mountain cave in Tibet

and is in fact one of Father Christmas's elves.

Others say he taught the Next Steppers to do the splits.

Youch! He is of course Sege, the ledge!

It's uncanny, that.

This was our very first super-sized den

and it's safe to say there were a few nerves on the day

that we surprised the pupils and teachers at the Lancasterian School.

-This is our scariest one yet.

-I know, I'm actually really nervous.

It's scary with a couple of children,

-let alone this many.

-Hello!

CHEERING

We are going to be building you guys

your very own massive dream den

-just for the school.

-CHEERING

-JOE:

-The school needed a den where everyone could hang out and have fun

as parts of the playground weren't suitable for wheelchair users.

This den had to be access all areas.

Sege and the Dengineers faced a massive task

to transform a quiet area of the school

into an all-singing, all-dancing den.

And that meant bringing in the big boys.

We thought one den wasn't going to be big enough, not at all.

-No, no, no.

-So we've gone for five dens.

-Five dens! How about that?

-Yeah!

Having this den meant a lot to the pupils,

as we found out from Mrs Upton.

I think there are so many things

that as children we take for granted.

We take it for granted that we can go to our mate's house for tea

or go swimming together but I think

if you've got four friends and they're all in a wheelchair,

it's really hard to find the space to do that.

After five days of hard graft,

it was a race to the finish to deliver the biggest den

ever attempted on the Dengineers.

A magical transport-themed town.

-Come on!

-Hurry up!

Yeah! Yeah!

Our very own den!

-Have a look at this!

-We did it!

How good is this, guys?

Oh, brilliant, yes!

-Yeah!

-They absolutely love it.

Nyaaoooow, nyaaaoowwww...

Beep, beep!

Today I thought I'd arrive in style.

-Check out the wheels!

-What are you doing, Lauren?

Our bus, not your bus.

We have the wheels.

So, sling your hook and get out!

Our den, our den!

There's nothing like a nice, warm welcome!

Well, it is no grown-ups allowed but I thought they'd let ME back in.

Since we were last here, there have been big changes at the school.

Mrs Cass has moved on and there's a new head teacher in charge.

Mr Critchlow, last time we were here,

-you were the assistant head then, weren't you?

-That's right, yeah.

And your office actually overlooked where we made the den.

I had front row seats because you blocked off a lot of the windows

but my office window, I could get sneaky peeks!

-Oh, cheat!

-It was incredible to see how much you guys got achieved

in the time you were there,

but also seeing the pupils being involved as well

in that process was fantastic.

And that space for wheelchair users, it was just totally inaccessible,

-wasn't it?

-Yes, it was.

It looked very nice.

However, the pupils couldn't go on there because it was often muddy,

wheelchairs would get stuck,

so it was an area really that was out of bounds for the pupils.

-How have they been using the den since?

-They use it every day.

We've been doing some exploration of science.

We have been looking at transport, different modes of transport

and also we've had some drama and music sessions out there as well.

That's brilliant, so it's given them a place

where they can all just hang out together?

Absolutely. Some of our pupils might not get the chance to hang out

at each other's houses

and transport for wheelchairs can be quite difficult.

The den gives them that opportunity to go and just hang out together.

Also what the den has allowed is for the pupils to be able to develop

their skills with wheelchairs as well

so it not only helps in social situations

but also helps from an access point of view as well.

Well, Mr Critchlow, thank you so much

and we're so glad to hear that it's being put to such good use.

You're more than welcome. Thank you so much for everything you've done.

So, you guys, it's wicked seeing the dens. They all look amazing!

I've come up with a really good idea to find out what's been going on

since we last saw you.

We're going to update your memory board today.

So this floor we put in was a special type of floor for you guys.

Has it made it easier for you all to play on it?

-Yeah.

-In what way? How is it easier?

It's easier to move around.

You all joined in and did some hard work as well, didn't you?

What did you guys do?

-The painting.

-I remember you doing the painting.

-You did, didn't you?

-We painted the wheels.

You painted the wheels?

-Yes.

-Was it hard work getting involved?

-No.

-Did you find it easy?

-Wait, yeah, it was.

Yes, it was, mate. Yes, it was!

How about this picture?

Who is this? Can you see?

Oh, it's us!

Sege and you guys.

I loved it when this lot got on Sege's case

to make sure everything was perfect.

How do we get in the den?

That's all revealed tomorrow, that is.

How big is the den inside?

All of you can fit in there comfortably.

Why has it got a telephone box on it?

Did you not want a telephone box then?

What's that blue one going to be?

It's another form of transport.

-Sege, Sege, Sege!

-No, I can't tell you...

That's some serious Dengineer stick.

What was it like to see it for the very first time?

I think it was amazing and it brings the whole school and everyone that

uses the den a lot more closer together

so it creates a special connection between everyone

so we are so lucky to have that den.

Who's ready to get messy?

THEY ALL CHEER

Check your nail varnish out as well!

This den was our first big build.

It was a huge challenge

and there was definitely some nerves along the way.

But thanks to the Dengineers,

these guys have got the space they needed.

I think it's a job well done.

WOOD you believe it? I'm sweating.

They're working us far too hard.

Come on, Joe, how many times do I need to DRILL this into you?

We're not having a break yet.

Right, well, BRACE yourself, Loz,

because I am PLANING to show you some skills.

There we go. Speaking of planing,

you should meet Phillip who's a real plane expert.

Dengineer Phillip impressed us with his knowledge from the start.

I like Spitfires.

So, you like World War II planes?

Yeah, I love them. I also quite like the Lancaster Bomber.

Does that still fly now?

-It's pretty old.

-There's only two left flying.

-Left in the entire world?

-Yeah.

He wanted to transform his passion for World War II planes

into the den of his dreams.

What would be on your wish list?

A Spitfire seat so you could see out

and it would be like you were flying the plane.

And with a little help from Sege and the team,

that's exactly what happened.

Having the den was all the more special for Phillip

because he suffers from a condition called EGID.

It's a condition called eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease.

He has problems absorbing and eating food and it means

he doesn't put on weight very well and doesn't grow very well

and can be in a lot of pain at times.

But that didn't stop him getting really hands-on with the build

and he picked up some skills straightaway.

-We don't need to be here, really.

-Finish my tea and go home!

He's doing very, very well.

It was a race to the finish but the runway was laid

just in time for the big reveal.

Five, four, three, two, one!

Oh, wow!

Wow!

Wow!

My goodness me!

-It's incredible.

-Phillip, talk to us.

That is so cool.

It's just absolutely brilliant, more than he could ever have wanted.

-The whole family's gone.

-Oh, Mum, let's have a hug!

And now I've come back to the place where Phillip's Dengineer journey

began, to see how the den has transformed his life.

So, Phillip, we're back to where it all started,

where we surprised you

before you even knew you were going to have a den.

What does it feel like to be back?

It feels weird that I was just in there

and then you came through the door.

Phillip? How are you doing?

We're here to tell you that you're going to get to build your very own

dream plane den.

-Really?

-Yeah.

Because I just think it would never happen.

And it did happen and you got your dream den.

What do you think the experience

of being on the Dengineers has done for you?

It's really good because lots of people have understood my condition

and also what I like, so, my hobbies.

What do you think the den has given you to help with that?

I think the den has given me a space

just where I can go down and rest

and then I can come back and be happy again.

And your den day out was obviously brilliant.

What did you think of the day?

It was really fun how I got to help fix a Spitfire.

It's given you some aspirations for the future, hasn't it?

Yeah, because I really want to work there when I'm older.

And then I also got to go up in the Chipmunk

and that was the best bit of the day.

He's off! It's unbelievable.

So cool. It's like we're floating in the air.

-Yeah, it's real flying, this is.

-Yeah.

And you loved it so much that you've done some flying since then?

Yeah, so I've been doing flying lessons here.

-This was me flying.

-SHE GASPS

Oh, my goodness!

You are so high.

-Yeah.

-The fields look like tiny, tiny little postage stamps.

-And are you fully in control right now?

-Yeah.

So you've got your instructor sitting next door in case anything

goes wrong and he needs to swoop in and take control?

-Yeah.

-But otherwise, you're on it.

-What's the aim then?

-To become a pilot and fly by myself.

This is so exciting.

This is so good.

There have been a few new additions to the den since I was last here.

So, I've hung more planes up.

Oh, they look brilliant.

Oh, they look so much better in here as well, don't they?

They just look perfectly at home.

What's this photo over here?

This is a picture of my great Auntie Betty

and that's when she was in Bomber Command.

Oh, this is amazing.

"I was a teenager during the Second World War

"and after leaving school at 18,

"I was called up to do my bit for King and Country."

That's amazing that you've got relatives

that were around in that period.

-It feels so fitting to have a bit of family history in here.

-Yeah.

Becoming a Dengineer has had a real impact on Phillip's life

and I want to find out more from his family.

How have things changed since we saw you last?

I think the programme gave him an amazing boost

and fed his passion for anything and everything that's plane-related.

We used to have a dining room

but now it's become his model-making room.

What does the den mean to Phillip?

He's been much more confident

and I think that confidence has come from the den.

I think it means a lot to him.

He's down here all the time so it's really nice.

It legitimises his plane obsession, I think, is a way of putting it.

What was it like for the Dengineers to come take over your house

and your garden for that whole week?

It was the most incredible experience.

It was such a lovely family time

and something we'll always look back on really fondly.

When we saw the programme,

we hadn't seen what was behind the blue screens

and actually quite how much he did and up ladders, and...

Of course, that's a good point. You never actually saw.

Every time we turned round, he was there with a power tool or a hammer

or putting glue down or painting.

It was fantastic to see.

And he also had that time on the digger which, I think,

if there's anything that's almost up there with planes, it's diggers.

-So...

-Any excuse to get on a digger. That is one of life's joys!

Now, a little bird told me that Phillip loves to set you challenges.

Too right, Joe. I am still not over my attempt

at model plane building.

Why have you almost finished?

I haven't even... The man has almost fallen out of his chair!

So, if I told you that Phillip has taken up remote-controlled flying...

Oh, let me guess. He's really, really good at it

and now it's my go, is it?

Got it in one.

How am I feeling about this?

Well, if I show you this complicated machine,

that should give you a good indication of how worried I am.

There is a lot of knobs on there that I don't know how to use.

Don't worry, James has got you on dual control, just in case.

-Ah, OK.

-There you go.

When do I have control?

-You're got it now.

-OK, I'm going to go right.

Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh.

Why am I upside down? Wow, did you see what I did? It was a trick!

It was nearly an aerial trick that I definitely did.

OK, why is it going slow? Why is it going behind?

SHE SCREAMS WITH LAUGHTER

No! It's terrifying!

Agh!

Whoa... Argh!

There's no doubt about it, I am not born to fly planes.

There's no chance I'm going to be able to land this.

-Will you land it for me?

-OK.

But Phillip is and I have no doubt he will be taking to the skies

in the future whilst I keep my feet firmly on the ground.

Yeah, in one!

Joe, it's time for our final challenge of Boot Camp

and it's a big 'un.

-What is it?

-We're climbing up that.

What?

That's right, Joe. To prove we are true Dengineers,

we are going up 30 metres to the top.

What could possibly go wrong?

Oh, my gosh!

Am I going to blow away?

Oooh-hoo-hoo! Oh, it's high!

It's so high right now.

Are you OK, Joe?

I can't feel my face.

Thank goodness for John who is leading us up here right now because

without him, I would be a wreck.

Tell me when I'm in the tunnel.

Go on, Layfield, come on.

Yes! Oh, don't look down.

It's not even a full floor.

I can't believe we've made it to the top

and I couldn't have done it without you, Joe.

SHE SHRIEKS

You know what? I think we make a great team.

Bring on series three!

Joe, I cannot believe that we are

30 metres in the air

on a tower crane.

-Shall we take it for a little spin?

-Please don't...

-Here we go, hold on.

-Oh...

You're actually driving a crane.

Who is trusting me with this?

Don't press any of the other buttons.

What does that one do? I don't know, don't!