Episode 2 Connie's People

I'm on a very personal journey across Wales in search

of our most valuable resource - the people!

I've met an amazing range of individuals from the men and women

who save lives in their spare time, to the colourful and eccentric!

-SHE SCREAMS

-Hold tight and be prepared to be shocked,

surprised or just plain grateful for their heroic efforts.

Get him out now as soon as possible, people.

As I introduce you to Connie's People.

And today, I join the unsung heroes helping

elderly people across Wales...

Hello, Mr Newman, here's your meals on wheels.

..and go to the lab to experiment with the weirdest Welsh ice cream.

-Chuck the lamb in.

-Chuck the lamb in there.

HUSKIES BARK

But first today, I'm heading north by northwest.

From my surroundings,

you might think I've been transported to the forests of Alaska.

Oh, no, I'm still in the rolling hills of Wales.

In fact, I'm in Pembrey Country Park which is playing host to

an amazing canine event, a husky mushing rally.

And I hear you've got to be barking mad to do this sort of thing.

-SHE HOWLS

-I guess I'm in the right place then!

And it is a bit mad for all of these people and dogs to try

and transport a tradition thousands of miles from the polar wastelands.

Huskies have been worked and raced for hundreds of years, essential

to the survival of people like the Inuit, working and living in subzero temperatures,

they are one of the toughest and hardiest of breeds.

Rather bizarrely, husky racing has taken off across Europe

and in the UK.

HUSKIES BARK

Three, two, one, off you go!

It's not the usual setting for Huskies, I grant you, but there are

people here from all over Wales and England to give their dogs a run,

and for people like Carolyn, it's not just exercise, it's great fun.

Go on, on you go.

-You've just come off a race, how do you feel?

-I have.

I'm exhausted, actually, if I'm honest.

-It's a really long trek, isn't it?

-It is. It's quite hard work.

It's about three miles and quite a lot of it is sandy,

up and down, so the rig doesn't want to go through too readily.

What is it about keeping huskies you love so much?

It just is a passion. I can't explain it. They're real characters.

-I must say, it's quite intimidating, they look like wolves.

-They do.

They're the closest domesticated animal to a wolf.

SHE HOWLS AT THE BARKING HUSKIES

They're excited because they're surrounded by other dogs

that are running and just coming back in from the ring,

-and it's the whole atmosphere, it's very exciting.

-HOWLING AND BARKING

Husky lovers go wild about these dogs. They don't just keep one,

some people here today have as many as 16.

This event is for Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes,

and they have a strength and energy that needs to be harnessed,

and that's why an event like this is second nature to these dogs.

In snow, they use sleds. On days like today, it's a wheeled rig.

So here's the nerve centre of the whole husky mushing event,

-and Mick, you're my main mushing man.

-Well, I do try to be.

I'm not mushing today, but I am trying to organise the race,

trying to get it flowing, keep it going, all nice and smoothly.

How many competitors have you got at the event today?

-There's about 50 adults and 14 children.

-So, kids do this as well?

Oh, yes, kids do this as well.

And that leaves plenty of scope for some sibling rivalry.

So, I've got two hopefuls here, I've got Cian and Bethan,

-how old are you, Cian?

-14.

-And Bethan?

-13.

-14 and 13, so you are competing against each other today?

-Yes.

Who's going to win? I hear you're quite competitive.

-Me.

-I hope me, but it's usually her.

My theory is, because I've got really fast dogs and I'm really light.

-Bethan, your dogs are the same speed as mine.

-Yes, but I'm lighter.

-Yeah.

-So, the jury is out, we will have to wait and see.

Bethan and Cian, head to head in husky mushing for kids. Stay tuned.

With a lot of woofing and howling, Bethan and Cian are ready to race.

Bethan will head off first and a minute later,

it will be Cian's turn.

Fearless! She's only 13.

The youngsters take a shorter course than the adults,

but the terrain is no less gruelling.

We're at the finish line with a nervous mum.

Sam, how are you feeling about your kids being out there?

They should be fine, it's just seeing who comes across the line first.

There will be a few arguments later on.

Good girl!

Yay!

Come on, Cian!

CHEERING

Cian, look at you, you're mud splattered! How did you get on?

-I did all right.

-You did all right. You exhausted?

-Yes. Very.

-Bethan, you look fresh as a daisy, how do you feel?

-Tired.

-Do you think you beat your sister?

-Maybe.

-Do you know whether you beat Cian?

-Hopefully.

-THEY LAUGH

-We'll have to wait and see. Let's check the times.

And let's hear it for Bethan, she just pipped her brother to the post.

That's husky girl power.

BARKING

So, huskies, you thought, intelligent, strong, but why race them?

Why not just walk them?

Basically, they need a lot of exercise, you're talking three,

-four miles a day.

-And you do that every day?

Yeah, and it's just easier to put them on something,

and for them to pull you.

Good lad!

They absolutely love it.

-They just go loopy tunes and they want to go.

-So they love running.

-They're the doggy Forest Gump.

-They are, yes.

It's good exercise for the dogs, it's fun for the dogs,

-and it's dangerous for me.

-At first, Tony James gave me

the impression of being a husky racing veteran.

-But appearances can be deceptive.

-You're completely wrong. I haven't got a clue! It's my first time!

-It's your first time?

-Yes.

-Are you nervous?

-Very.

I don't want to look a complete fool in front of everybody, even though it's my first time.

If I were you, I'd just be happy to get out alive. Break a leg!

-Thank you.

-I shouldn't say that, should I?!

Just 10 seconds to go now before Tony's first race.

-The tension is rising and so is the noise level!

-BARKING

Tony has three dogs pulling him, safer for a rookie musher.

The more experienced you get, the more dogs you have

and the faster you go.

The mushing masters run six dogs and can reach speeds of around 20 mph.

It's probably more like five miles an hour for Tony though.

Two days, 20 minutes later! Come on, Tony! What time is it now?

It's roughly 13 minutes.

-13 minutes, so how is he doing in terms of world record?

-Erm, no!

THEY LAUGH

-I hope he gets around!

-I know, I'm like that! I keep looking.

But a few minutes later, Tony came into view.

Come on!

With some final encouragement, he made it!

Only later to be disqualified for going off course.

Oh, it's all very well to scoff,

until I was told that later on, I would be having a go.

That's how I'm feeling right now. I'm going to be doing this later!

That's how I'm feeling.

DOG HOWLS

Yes, later on, I get carried away!

And let me tell you, these huskies don't understand the word stop.

Stop! Stop! Stop! STOP!

But now, I'm heading to Withybush General Hospital in Haverford West

to meet a volunteer army that have been helping us all for 75 years.

Formed in 1938, the Women's Voluntary Service helped those

on the home front survive the dark years of the Blitz in World War II,

supplying food and comfort to those who suffered as a result of the bombing.

Good hot chocolate to steady jangled nerves.

Over the past seven decades,

they've supported and cared for us through difficult situations,

working with elderly people...

Good morning, I have got your dinner for you.

..and running many hospital shops and cafes across Wales.

Whether you're visiting somebody in hospital or in for an appointment yourself,

there's nothing like a cup of tea to raise those spirits.

Most of the time, we don't even notice who it is that's serving us.

Well, it's down to a small army of volunteers,

most of whom are members of the WRVS, and just around the corner

is a troop of ladies that have had that kettle on since 8:30 AM. Wooh!

Coffee anyone?!

-Right, hello, ladies.

-Good morning.

-Oh, and a gentle man as well. Wasn't expecting that from the WRVS!

-If you'd like to hang your coat up and wash your hands.

-Right.

Straight in at the deep end!

I'm rolling my sleeves up, donning my apron

and joining the services for a day.

-Point me in the right direction.

-What would you like? Do the teas?

-Oh, I'd love a cup of tea.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Oh, I've got to DO the teas!

-Well, yes.

Would you like to go on the till? Coffee?

-Hot drinks.

-£1.45.

-£1.45, please.

The WRVS cafe at Withybush General Hospital and its 75 volunteers

last year raised thousands and thousands of pounds for the hospital.

That's gallons and gallons of tea. The average age of volunteers is 70,

but the oldest woman on duty today, and she told me

she didn't mind me telling you a lady's age,

is Dot Summons, who is 83.

So how long have you worked here?

Over 22 years now. Coming up to 23 years.

What spurred you on to kind of work for the WRVS?

Well, my husbands died about 27 years ago, and just after the blues,

I started and I've loved it ever since.

-Have you made many friends along the way?

-Oh, gosh, yes. Millions!

And why do you think it's such an important service here at the hospital?

Well, you're helping people out.

You're making use of your life, rather than sitting at home.

-What can I get you?

-Two of your scones, please.

Two scones. Fabulous.

-Thank you very much. I'll bring it out to you.

-Thank you.

-Is that a pound? It's 80p for the coffee.

-80p for tea.

-80p for a tea.

I've been overcharging people! It's 80p for a cup of tea.

£1.00 for coffee.

A good thing the profits are gifted back to the hospital!

Making refreshments is not all these ladies are good at.

A listening ear and a friendly face is all part of the service.

-No, you're sweet enough!

-Sweet enough!

-Thank you.

-THEY LAUGH

Some of them comes in after their scans and things and they want

a bit of talking to, so we chat to them and things.

So, really, you're a counsellor-cum-coffeemaker.

Oh, yes, we reassure them and everything else,

and give them a giggle and a laugh and they go away quite pleased.

-I bet you do! I hear you tell jokes!

-I do!

-Give us one, go on!

-THEY LAUGH

-Oh, no way! Not fit for camera!

-Oh! After nine o'clock!

What does WRVS bring to the hospital? Apart from tea and coffee.

-I think friendliness and warmth. Oh, hello.

-Hello! Sexy man!

-This is my sexy man!

-I knew you were lurking in the back there!

-So you come here for the ladies!

-For the ladies and the coffee!

And WRVS still take tea and comfort out to emergency situations,

like in December last year, when some of the volunteers went to help

at the scene of a serious accident on a railway line near Carmarthen.

The WRVS weren't going to let treacherous conditions stop them.

Head of the charity in Wales, Sally Rivers, coordinated her team.

It was very bad weather conditions and we called our volunteers

and again some staff responded there, and we went

and we had to climb over fences to get some teas and coffees to the

British Transport Police and also the railway workers there.

It seems to me the community spirit you'd have during the war

-is still very much alive here.

-Oh, absolutely, yes.

Whatever the services we offer, volunteers come forward

because they want to help the people within their community

and the old people to live better lives. And that's what we're about in WRVS.

We're trying to make Wales a better place to grow old,

and that's really what we are trying to achieve with

the help of our wonderful volunteers.

-Does it keep you busy then?

-Yes, yes.

I do the desk as well on every other Friday. I love every minute of it.

-Cheers!

-Cheers!

Finally, time for me to get a cuppa.

My work here may be done,

but I'm off to see another important WRVS service.

I'm off shift!

Meals on Wheels is one of the WRVS's earliest services.

Post-war, they would sometimes use old prams to deliver the food

or felt hats to keep it warm.

As time went by, the trademark Meals on Wheels van took over,

taking the food to the elderly or infirm.

But this is a service that is under threat.

Local council cuts have forced some areas to cut back on their

funding for Meals on Wheels, leaving many elderly people without.

Pembrokeshire still backs the service.

I'm here to see just how important it is

and with help from Michelle Owens,

get the meals packed and out in time for a hot lunch for 40.

So this is the route I've got to follow.

Yes, and everything you need to follow goes in route order.

-And I just follow these addresses.

-Yes, so that gives us

a checklist to make sure that we haven't missed anybody out.

So you've got it right, it's just down to the volunteers now.

To stop me eating the food before it gets to the clients,

I'm working with veteran WRVS volunteers Margaret and Brian Body.

But the cuts are even seen here.

Brian and Margaret now have to use their own car

to transport the meals.

-So we've got an hour and a half to deliver 14 hot meals.

-Yes.

-And you must get to know these people.

-Yes.

You learn to see through them.

You don't see the old person, you see them as they were

when they were younger and they can talk about their past life,

all in the time that it takes to get the meal into them

and then on to the next person.

-An express chat. And a smiley face.

-That's it.

And it's definitely worth it.

For many elderly people across Wales, the WRVS visit will be

their only hot meal, and sadly their only human contact of the day.

-Quite a regular visit, this one. Good morning!

-Hello.

-Brought you lunch.

-Hello, here are your meals on wheels.

-Thank you very much.

-I hear you are in your 90s.

-97, yes.

I need to be eating what you are eating!

That's what I rely on now, a good meal each day.

It's very kind of the volunteers to come along in all weathers,

and always nice to see them.

In fact, there is enough left over for the feral cat.

He waits for it under the chair, he is always ready for it,

the same as I am.

Lovely. It was lovely to meet you, enjoy your meal.

Margaret and Brian are a double act,

designed to get the job done quickly.

Never mind hot meals, Brian has got hot wheels,

and his engine never stops. Vroom vroom.

Keep it running, turn round, Maggie is doing the delivery.

Is it something you enjoy doing as a couple?

Very much, it is really good.

We've a lot of separate occupations, hobbies,

but doing this together is really good.

I hope it's still warm.

-Yes, it feels hot. Thank you very much.

-Nice to meet you, goodbye.

'This is a service rooted in the past, but after my lunchtime delivery,

'I think it is an essential service for the future.'

Two dinners, two puddings.

-Hello!

-Hi.

Later on, I will be paying a host visit with the new WRVS service,

which brought me to tears.

Bravo.

Before that, I am taking a short break with an ice cream.

Wales has a tasty tradition of ice cream manufacturers

and is renowned for its exclusive scoops.

I'm heading to Pembroke Dock,

to the ice cream laboratory taking it to a different stratosphere.

Here I am in the right place, an ice cream factory,

to meet a West Walian Willy Wonka.

-Hello. It's not Willy, is it?

-It is not, it's Charlie.

Even better, Charlie and the ice cream factory.

And it is quite an ice cream factory.

'Charlie Francis grew up in an ice cream family in Pembrokeshire,

'he's taken the tradition a step further

'and has a fetish for fantastical flavours like toast and marmalade,

'roast beef and horseradish,

'and dark port and Stilton.

'His trick is to use liquid nitrogen to freeze

'fresh ingredients in seconds.'

I can use fresh ice cream mix and any number of ingredients,

put it in the pot, make ice cream fresh in about a minute.

'Ice cream in a minute?

'For this, we need something you may not have

'in your kitchen at home, safety glasses.

'Turn on the liquid nitrogen.'

To make ice cream you need two things, agitation, the mixing,

and the second thing we need is cold.

-We will turn the liquid nitrogen on now.

-All the way?

-All the way.

That's the liquid nitrogen coming out there.

I feel like I'm in a science lab, back at school again.

-Should I hold my breath?

-It's fine.

-What is liquid nitrogen?

It's basically nitrogen, which makes 80% of the air we breathe.

It's a common gas. It has been compressed, turns into a liquid.

At that point, it's incredibly cold, so it's -193 degrees.

It's freezing the ice cream almost instantly.

-Fresh ice cream.

-Voila!

Dive into that.

-That is so good.

-It's all right.

I made that! Well, you made that.

Look at you, taking all the credit. You've turned on me.

'Made in a minute, eaten in seconds.

'But Charlie said we can make ice cream from anything, so how

'do you fancy lamb and mint sauce ice cream with a hint of rosemary?

'A good Welsh dish.'

That is nice, lamb and mint ice cream, let's do it!

Chop that up really nice and fine.

We want lamb shards, that would be nice.

Then we can have them as a ripple. Start with the ice cream.

Put about a teaspoon of the mint sauce in there,

mix that round, then your right hand on the liquid nitrogen.

Not that one, the other one. The world will end if you do that one.

-Don't press that!

-The whole thing will take off.

-Okay.

-Let's get lots of liquid nitrogen in there.

-Chuck the lamb in now?

Chuck it in and we will freeze it.

And I think that should be lamb and mint ice cream.

Let's put a bit on there.

-Good with rosemary.

-That's amazing.

That is interesting. It's different.

-It hands-down beats vanilla. The rosemary really works.

-Doesn't it?

-Could you put that on your menu?

-Absolutely.

-Yes!

-Come on! Connie's Lamb & Mint. Done.

-Woo! Love it.

'I'm on a roll. Connie's exclusive Welsh scoops.

'Cawl and daffodil, leek and Caerphilly cheese,

'bara brith and laverbread.

'Makes you proud to be Welsh.'

'I'm spending the day with the WRVS in Pembrokeshire.

'I have been helping out with volunteers in a hospital cafe

'and the meals on wheels run,

'essential support they have been supplying for decades.

'But my final visit is part of a relatively new

'and much-needed initiative.

'More of us are living longer,

'and to help socialise in our own homes, there is befriending.

'I'm joining Margaret Webbley on her regular visits as a befriender.

'It's a bit like a dating agency, but her friends.

'Margaret has been matched with 87-year-old Edwina Peters,

'who lives in Tenby.

'She is losing her sight, and doesn't get out very much.'

-Hello!

-Hello, Margaret.

-Hello.

-Oh, my God.

Hello, Mrs Peters.

'Pembrokeshire has led the way in this scheme,

'and other areas around Wales are following its example.'

-Hope you don't mind, I've come to be your friend as well today.

-Lovely.

-I'm honoured.

-I'll grab a seat.

-Lovely.

-What prompted you to get involved with the WRVS?

Nobody was coming here much, and they were going to find me

someone, I said I liked music, watching telly, backing horses!

So I thought somebody with similar interests

and a sense of humour would be fine.

So they found Margaret for me, she has made herself quite happy here.

It is nice and pleasant to see her, she is always smiling.

They've done a good job.

You're lucky to have found friendship through

a voluntary service.

Yes, it is lovely.

I'd written myself off, got into a very low state.

I'd have been glad of the doctor had given me an injection

and put me to sleep.

That's how low I felt!

-Feel much better now.

-Margaret, you must get as much from this.

Absolutely.

It's a pleasure to come here, I've been here just a year,

and I didn't know anybody either.

-We sort of become quite good friends, yes.

-This is the thing.

A lot of people are alone, and it seems a shame.

They needn't be alone.

It's a really simple thing, sitting down and having a chat

with someone, but I can see how much both ladies get out of it.

Mrs Peters has such a sociable spirit,

and despite her arthritis, still has a passion for the piano.

Serenade me, Mrs Peters.

I fiddle round sometimes, tunes, you know.

There is only one key I can do well in, but I only play for myself.

I don't go out entertaining.

SHE PLAYS A BALLAD

Bravo!

Mrs Peters, I think everyone should be your friend

so they can come and hear you play.

That is unbelievable. I'm a little bit emotional.

-Don't call me Mrs Peters, I'm Eddie to my friends.

-Eddie!

Eddie the piano legend.

'There is one final message I have taken away from my day

'with the amazing men and women of the WRVS.

'I've seen just how vital their work is,

'but I've also been told that the number of volunteers is declining.'

'So if you have got a few spare hours, why don't you sign up?'

SHE LAUGHS

'Oh yes, and have a real laugh at the same time.'

Earlier in the programme,

I watched the high-speed husky racing in Pembrey Country Park.

It was a day of fierce competition,

but now the dogs are going to be under my direction.

Yes, it is my turn

and I am in need of husky advice from race organiser Mick Clarke.

-Have you got any tips for me?

-Yes, hold on.

-Top tip number one, hold on.

-You don't say "mush".

-Where does the mushing part come into it?

-TV films.

You're leading the dogs, until you get to corners,

when you have to shout "haw" or "gee", which is left or right.

Which means I need to know my left from my right.

-You have to, if not, your dogs will carry straight on.

-Into a tree.

They will find a way through.

Here's the map for the race.

Looks like I take a right then left then right then a left.

Then a left, probably. I'm a bit curious about this.

"Slow down (lots)."

How do you slow down with a group of dogs?

Are there brakes on these things? I really hope so.

What is this big fish thing doing here? I am a little bit worried.

I hope I do not get lost in this region.

Lucky for me, and very lucky for the dogs,

I will not be heading into the woods on my own.

Mick has found me a co-pilot, Robbie, and a bicycle made for two.

-This is the contraption I will be steering?

-Yes, you sit there.

-Okay.

-In the front. Robbie will be standing on the back.

-What about steering?

-What's the best technique?

-Steer when you see something going wrong.

If you see a tree, Steer the other way.

-We've both got brakes, so is it an efficient braking system?

-Yep.

That's the strongest one, use that to stop.

-Stopping four dogs must be quite difficult.

-Depends.

DOGS BARK

-Very relaxing. Lovely.

-It will be, until they go.

-Oh!

Hike on!

SHE SCREAMS

'Heading off into the woods with four huskies and a 14-year-old boy racer

'makes me feel like Little Red Riding Hood gone rogue.

'It was all going so well,

'Robbie looking like Davy Crockett on a day trip, me looking like Hiawatha

'In a tumble dryer. Then it all went wrong.

'These huskies weren't being told where to go, and needed direct intervention

'from Robbie to get them back on the straight and narrow.

'It is a dog's life.'

'I was enjoying it, honest. But I was still glad to get back to the pits.

I'm alive. Thank the husky heaven. I'm alive!

They work so hard, and it was really fun. But really scary.

I don't think I'll be husky mushing for much longer.

I'm mushing out of here!

And with an elegant dismount, that is my end.

Next week, I join an all-night ghost hunt in historic Monmouth.

-If you'd like to maybe touch one of us.

-Don't say that!

I go deep into the bowels of the earth on a rescue mission.

And I'm on emergency duty with medical volunteers on match day.