0:00:02 > 0:00:05'I'm on a very personal journey across Wales in search
0:00:05 > 0:00:09'of our most valuable resource, the people.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12'I've met an amazing range of individuals,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15'from the men and women who save lives in their spare time
0:00:15 > 0:00:19'to the colourful and eccentric.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23'Hold tight and be prepared to be shocked, surprised...'
0:00:23 > 0:00:26That's the liquid nitrogen coming out, there.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28'..or just plain grateful for their heroic effort.'
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Keep going, keep going.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34As I introduce you to Connie's People.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40And today I'm a meeting people who just love going back to Roman times
0:00:40 > 0:00:43to race and to revel.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45# I predict a riot
0:00:45 > 0:00:47# I predict a riot. #
0:00:47 > 0:00:50And meet the Welsh statue who springs to life.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59But first-time heading to Snowdonia in North Wales to meet
0:00:59 > 0:01:03a group of men and their dogs who have saved countless lives in Wales and across the globe.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08The International Rescue Training Centre Wales, near Bangor,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11is one of very few in the world doing this inspirational work.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15The rescue team are mainly made up of volunteers and their own dogs.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20They are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week
0:01:20 > 0:01:23to respond to emergencies such as a missing person
0:01:23 > 0:01:27on the mountains of Wales or large scale disasters overseas.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30When we hear on the news that an earthquake or tsunami
0:01:30 > 0:01:33has struck a country thousands of miles away,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36the north Wales rescue dogs pack their bags
0:01:36 > 0:01:38and head straight into the thick of it.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42What they can do is identify where people are trapped
0:01:42 > 0:01:47and pull them to safety or locate bodies among the debris.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53'I'm spending the day with these heroic dogs and their handlers
0:01:53 > 0:01:57'to learn more about their astonishing work.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01'I went to meet Brian Jones and his dog, Alfie, as they were working.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04'Brian is one of the longest-serving volunteers and has been
0:02:04 > 0:02:09'part of the International Emergency Rescue Team for around 15 years.'
0:02:09 > 0:02:12What was your most dramatic experience?
0:02:12 > 0:02:14I should imagine Pakistan.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20We were searching. We'd found a lot of people but a lot of people were dead.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23It was early morning so all the children were in school.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26The roofs had collapsed on the school
0:02:26 > 0:02:29so they were still sat at their desks and we broke through the roof.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31All the children, even the school master,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33would still be sat at his desk,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36even with pens in their hands and so forth.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39We got to this area and I started looking around
0:02:39 > 0:02:43and I discovered a body lying under some brickwork.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46But I could faintly hear verbal talk
0:02:46 > 0:02:51so I asked this Pakistani chap to shout down the hole.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54He shouted down and we got an answer.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59There was a young lad in there of 18 so we had to dig through the top and it took quite a while,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02five or six hours just to dig down to him.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05His legs were bent under his back and he had been like that
0:03:05 > 0:03:07for four days so when we got him out,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09his legs were still in that position.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12We gave him a drink and then he disappears like everything else.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16The local people took him to the hospital and so forth.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24Brian has taken his dogs to many international disaster areas.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Quarantine rules have led to emotional separations.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32If you ever seen grown men cry, including myself,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34just watch the aeroplane when it lands back in this country
0:03:34 > 0:03:37and they come and snatch your dog off you and you don't see it
0:03:37 > 0:03:40for about a week before you get to actually know where it is.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44Luckily, our quarantine kennels are only about 50 miles down the road.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46We can go and see them regular.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54There's a constant need for more recruits.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58'Today, there's another new intake.'
0:03:58 > 0:04:02- Here you go.- Oh! Are they the cutest thing you've ever seen?
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Director David Jones is introducing me
0:04:04 > 0:04:07to a new litter of potential superdogs.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11- How old are they, Dave? - Five weeks.- Five weeks old?
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Their mother was Jo Jo, the search dog.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19Their father is a retriever who has just yesterday gone off to Afghanistan.
0:04:19 > 0:04:25- So they come from good working stock. - What's the future for these puppies?
0:04:25 > 0:04:27What we'll probably do is to assess them over nine months
0:04:27 > 0:04:29and then we'll start training them.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32They'll probably be a mixture, these.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34We'll probably have them for water search
0:04:34 > 0:04:38and a couple of disaster search dogs.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41There's not many of these dogs around the world
0:04:41 > 0:04:45so for this line of work, they do get asked to go to a lot of countries.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Training these puppies will take 12 months
0:04:48 > 0:04:50and even fully skilled adult dogs
0:04:50 > 0:04:52are constantly put through their paces.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57I'm joining a training exercise to see just how it's done.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Today they are going to take you on board
0:04:59 > 0:05:01and show you how to work a search dog.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06- The idea is, trust the dog. - Where do I begin?
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- You begin bodying. - What's bodying?
0:05:10 > 0:05:13We are going to hide you and then the dog has to find you.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- Doggy hide and seek. I love it! - Doggy hide and seek. OK.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19I'll leave that with you.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24'This may look like an assault course but it is a specifically designed training centre'
0:05:24 > 0:05:27with built in hiding holes where dogs are given their first steps
0:05:27 > 0:05:31'in following a scent and finding a missing person.'
0:05:31 > 0:05:35The first part of bodying, I must give you a ball. OK.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39The dog is looking for you but he is looking for a scent
0:05:39 > 0:05:41and his goal is that ball.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45As a handler, this is how I start. I am a body and I hide.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- So don't talk.- Always hard for me. - Completely silent.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50The dog will find you.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Probably the dog will find you through that small hole.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Maybe four or five barks and then throw the ball through the hole.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- And that's his report for finding me?- That's his reward.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01He's found your scent.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05(I've got to be quiet now, OK.)
0:06:05 > 0:06:07(Are you going to find her?)
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Go and find.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Find. Find.
0:06:13 > 0:06:14Find. Good boy.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18The dogs rely virtually entirely on their sense of smell.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22Dogs noses are up to 10,000 times more sensitive than ours.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- Where is she? - DOG BARKS
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- (I think he found me.) - BARKING CONTINUES
0:06:34 > 0:06:35SHE SHRIEKS
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- OK! - SHE GIGGLES
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- Clever boy!- Are you going to let me out now?- No!
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Anyone? Thank you, Brian.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- The next stage is you can have a go at working the dog.- Brilliant.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50OK, fine.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52This man is going to be your body.
0:06:52 > 0:06:58- He's going to hide and then from there, it's up to you.- Good boy.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00So, while Josh finds a cubbyhole to hide in,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03I get the low-down on how to handle Billy.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06If he's too far in front, call him back. Just his name, Billy.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Hand movements left, right.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11One word, just find.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Go! Find!
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Find, not go!
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- Find.- Push him on.- Find, Billy. Find, Billy.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21Good start. Find. Good boy, Billy.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- If you want him to go like here, just pat it.- Find!
0:07:25 > 0:07:26That's it.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31Where's he gone? There he is. Find, Billy. Billy!
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- OK, his tail is up. He is working.- Billy, find!
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Is he here, Billy? Not there. Find!
0:07:41 > 0:07:43'Getting warmer.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47'Oh, it's hot now!'
0:07:47 > 0:07:49HE BARKS
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Good boy, Billy! Good boy!
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- But is Josh still alive? Josh? - SHE LAUGHS
0:07:59 > 0:08:03'And even with my hindrance, Billy proved he's still top dog.'
0:08:03 > 0:08:06I'm not getting in there, Dave. I'm not getting in there.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09You don't have to, don't worry.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13'Later in the programme, I go out on a real exercise on the mountains of Snowdonia.'
0:08:13 > 0:08:15He's quick when he gets going.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18'As I join a team searching for a trapped victim.'
0:08:22 > 0:08:24But now I'm heading 100 miles south
0:08:24 > 0:08:28and just under 2,000 years back in time.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Everyone likes dressing up now and again, don't they?
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Some people take it that little bit further.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40When in Llanwrtyd Wells, do as the Romans did, I say.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44And the locals here have made this town a Rome from home.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48So on a very cold Welsh weekend, I am joining around 100 Welsh Romans
0:08:48 > 0:08:52as they are preparing for the traditional Saturnalia celebration.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55It's going to involve chariot racing and feasting
0:08:55 > 0:09:00but I am assured no sacrifices and not even a minor orgy.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04The Romans are famed for their chariot races.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Horses raced at huge speeds around the Coliseums.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10There were injuries and even sometimes fatalities.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13This was the Formula 1 of its day.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18In Llanwrtyd 2012, we are not expecting a serious injury
0:09:18 > 0:09:20but this is serious competition.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23'This is the Mountain Bike Chariot Racing World Championship
0:09:23 > 0:09:26'and I am going to compete.'
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Do you know what, it's minus four in Llanwrtyd Wells.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33My feet are like ice but I'm still going to race in a chariot.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- What is it about this event that you love?- Erm, it's really silly.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- How are you feeling about the whole race?- Excited.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- We are going to win this. - Are you particularly competitive?
0:09:44 > 0:09:49- I'm really competitive. - It's my first time here racing.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51How mad do you have to be to do this chariot race?
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- FRENCH ACCENT: - Completely crazy.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- It seems that you are.- Yes.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- How confident are you? - We win. Of course.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- FRENCH ACCENT: - Of course you do.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Why is she French? I don't know.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Feet on pedals. Ready, steady, go!
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Despite the arctic conditions, there are 16 teams competing.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15The race is run in heats. Two chariots and their horses at a time.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17It's all about lap time.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20The fastest four make it to the final race.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Centurion Tony Bain is a regular.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26We get fitness freaks who want to blast around here
0:10:26 > 0:10:28and be, you know, top dog.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31The locals come just to say they've done it.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Most of all we get people
0:10:34 > 0:10:37who just want to have a good quality day out and a laugh.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43It's supposed to be fun but it's all about the winning for these guys.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45'I can smell competition in the air.'
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- I've got to grab you. How was it? - We crashed.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- CHEERING AND APPLAUSE - How scary was it?
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- Very scary.- Very muddy over that bit.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- I hear there are lakes, not puddles. - Definitely.- A bit of a lake.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01It's hotting up now and it's all about getting around that course
0:11:01 > 0:11:05as fast as your cyclists' little legs can paddle.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Timing is everything.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12We came in under five minutes. I'm pleased with that. That's good.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15I think that's throwing down the gauntlet.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20Is that Roman? Anyway, I've chosen the fittest cyclists on offer.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25I just need some last-minute chariot cycling trips.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Survival tips. Hang on tight and bend ze knees. Up and down.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- Take the bumps with your knees.- OK.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Up for the challenge.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39O-M-G. I'm going to be riding a Roman chariot.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42You know me, I am pretty competitive. I'm in it to win it!
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Riders, feet on pedals!
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Ready, steady, go!
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- SHE SCREAMS - Tally ho.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Come on, boys.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Why are we doing this?
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- There's a big puddle coming up. No! - SHE SCREAMS
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- SHE LAUGHS - I'm really wet!
0:12:04 > 0:12:07SHE SCREAMS
0:12:07 > 0:12:09I thought this was chariot racing.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12It feels more like bog snorkelling!
0:12:13 > 0:12:15A bit of a hairpin bend.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Come on, boys. Into the speed bump straight.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22No hands.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Come on, guys! We can do this.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26'Four minutes eight seconds.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29'A Roman result. Eat my mud!
0:12:29 > 0:12:30'Not quite.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35'Although we were fast, we weren't fast enough to make the final,'
0:12:35 > 0:12:38and neither have these other Roman ladies.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- We missed it by two seconds. - How disappointed are you?
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Gutted, aren't we?- Extremely. - We are, very.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- Our team name was macrocarpa. - Which means?
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Bush bearing large fruits.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52How have you stayed so glamorous through all that mud?
0:12:52 > 0:12:56Glitter's actually very practical and very waterproof, we find.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- Perhaps next year I should go with the glitter.- Go with glitter.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Rather than the white toga which got trashed.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05And there are four teams through to the final
0:13:05 > 0:13:08and word is that local veteran charioteer
0:13:08 > 0:13:10John Lloyd is hot favourite.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12He's the reigning champion of this race
0:13:12 > 0:13:15and has won it since time immemorial.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Well, the five years it has been running.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- How are you feeling, John, but the final?- Excited.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25You hold the world title so to lose it would be really devastating.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28We've got competition.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Four teams in the final. One big prize.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Bring on the chariot race, 2012.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- Ready, steady, go! - CHEERING
0:13:43 > 0:13:46They're almost neck and neck, hurtling down the straight.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50It looks like one team is breaking away from the rest of the pack.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52It's so exciting.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55The current world record holders are currently in second place.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58I don't believe it! Another chariot is overtaking.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01John Lloyd could be knocked off his plinth.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04But through the mist, it is becoming clear that John has kept
0:14:04 > 0:14:09a bit up his toga and with a final lash of the whip, he triumphs!
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- Here they come, the winners! - CHEERING
0:14:14 > 0:14:17John, you held on to the title. How do you feel?
0:14:17 > 0:14:21You are the Roman Emperor. How do you feel?
0:14:21 > 0:14:25You had a very scary race. You were second at one point.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Yeah, they overtook us but the tactics came through.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Not bad for a pensioner, hey?
0:14:32 > 0:14:36In Roman days, chariot winners got massive cash prizes, palaces and even hordes of slaves.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40In Llanwrtyd Wells, the prizes are a little less lavish
0:14:40 > 0:14:43but the excitement still just as great.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Congratulations, John. Well done.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Well, that was the most fun I think I've had in a long time.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Now, keeping in tradition with the festival,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58it's time for me to reverse roles, going from master to sleeve.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01I don't like the sound of that.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05After the excesses of the chariot racing earlier, it's a different sort of Roman excess,
0:15:05 > 0:15:12the evening feast, and the togas are out in force.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16It's time for the Roman centurions to kick back and enjoy a beer or two.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20You've come to the Saturnalia Festival. How was it for you today?
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- Did you go to the chariot race? - We did. It was fantastic.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27There were a few lions slayed and we had some fun.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32'Just to make it clear, no lions were harmed in the making of this film.'
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- I'm loving your outfit tonight. - I think I've overdone it by wearing the T-shirt.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39A proper Roman would be bare-chested.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44Can I ask you a personal question? What do you wear under your toga?
0:15:45 > 0:15:50Lindsay, you are the ruler of this land. You're the festival organiser.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55- I am.- So what is the Saturnalia Festival?- It is the origin of the Christian Christmas.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59It was a Roman festival, originally, to their god, Saturn,
0:15:59 > 0:16:03in the winter months when they were trying to jolly up the pretty dark times.
0:16:03 > 0:16:09Decorating their houses, exchanging presents, in much the same way as we do for Christmas these days.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13The other thing they did was exchange rolls.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Slaves became masters for a day.
0:16:15 > 0:16:21And therefore, I'm becoming a slave this evening, at your every command.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24So I'm going to be serving.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30'Not wishing to offend any of my masters, the first thing
0:16:30 > 0:16:33'I need to do is to take some lessons in how to be a servant.'
0:16:33 > 0:16:37- Put the plate down and sort of bow your way back.- Yes, master.
0:16:37 > 0:16:43- No, master.- That's it. - Don't look at them. Madonna, don't look her in the eye.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- That's it.- Yes, master. Don't hit me, master.- Don't spill the gravy. - Oh.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49The pressure.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Kind sirs, forgive me.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57'I think my accent might be a bit more Baldrick from Blackadder than Roman.'
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Mistress, I bow to thee.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02'OK, I'll use my Latin. I knew that would come in useful.'
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Who haveth the limporum?
0:17:05 > 0:17:09'Hmm, not really working, is it? I've got one last accent in my repertoire.'
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- All right then, who's for lasagne? - LAUGHTER
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Thanks.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26And it's traditional Roman rock into the wee small hours. Toga on down!
0:17:33 > 0:17:39Well, who would have thought that a dark mid January day would turn out so bright, fun and sparkly!
0:17:39 > 0:17:43Much merriment was had at this Roman festival in Llanwrtyd Wells.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47What concerns me though is that at the original Saturnalia Festival,
0:17:47 > 0:17:49there was always a sacrifice.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53I'm getting out of here before this lot get carried away.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57# I predict a riot, I predict a riot... #
0:18:04 > 0:18:07But now, Cardiff Civic Centre.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Full of historic buildings
0:18:10 > 0:18:14and statues of people I can't quite recognise.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19It's also home to Ben Spruce's artistic work.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Ben is preparing for another day on the street.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Nearly 15 years since I first did this.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29I thought it would be something that I did as a one-off.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32And it went really well and I made loads of money.
0:18:32 > 0:18:38Frantic preparations to be followed by hours of... well, just being very still.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40And that has its own challenges.
0:18:40 > 0:18:47I've never found that I've had to itch or go to the loo, or anything.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50I guess once you kind of get into that sort of level of focus,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54all those sort of things switch off.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59Ben is one of Wales's most experienced statues.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03He's been keeping still on the streets of Cardiff for well over a decade.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07He still gets a few strange looks and comments on his way to work,
0:19:07 > 0:19:12but then it's ready, steady...stop!
0:19:12 > 0:19:17Ben can remain statuesque for up to eight hours in one session.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22Paradoxically, the skill of being one of the country's leading living statues
0:19:22 > 0:19:25doesn't all lie in just standing still.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Ben is mostly self-taught.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30He uses his talent to bring his statue to life.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36After a number of years, basically, I sort of kept the most successful
0:19:36 > 0:19:41reactions and gestures that had come from improv and stuck to those.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45The characters developed really, I suppose, through that process.
0:19:49 > 0:19:54I got loads and loads of really positive comments,
0:19:54 > 0:19:58saying how wonderful they thought it was
0:19:58 > 0:20:01and how much sort of joy it brought.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07And that really affected me. I was quite amazed.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10So overall, I've enjoyed it.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18But there's one thing that has changed in recent years.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Ben has been abused verbally and physically
0:20:21 > 0:20:24and even on a few occasions, attacked and injured.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29It's becoming a little bit dangerous.
0:20:29 > 0:20:35I'm tending to get kind of attacked sometimes,
0:20:35 > 0:20:39which is very sad. I'm starting to get a bit anxious about that.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45There seems to be some people to who I'm not interesting or entertaining
0:20:45 > 0:20:49and they feel that is something that needs to be sort of challenged.
0:20:49 > 0:20:55And I'm constantly amazed about how long someone will spend doing that.
0:20:55 > 0:21:01Hanging around for anything up to an hour with the sole purpose of trying
0:21:01 > 0:21:06to stop me doing what I'm doing or injure me in some kind of way.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11If there's one message that's written in stone, it's come on, everyone,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15pay respect to the statue, or it'll disappear for ever.
0:21:19 > 0:21:25Earlier, I visited the world renowned International Rescue Training Centre Wales, near Bangor.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30The team and their dogs have been rescuing victims of accidents and natural disasters in Wales
0:21:30 > 0:21:33and around the world for over 25 years.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40And today, I'm on a real exercise on a disused granite quarry in Snowdonia
0:21:40 > 0:21:44where the tumbledown buildings are used to simulate an earthquake scenario.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Straight in, feet first, if you can.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Most of the team members on this exercise are dedicated volunteers
0:21:52 > 0:21:56who fit in their weekly training around their working lives.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Today, they're creating a challenging life or death situation.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Josh is being hidden away, out of sight of any of the dogs.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07In disaster zones, finding victims quickly saves lives.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Brian is going to go ahead with his dog, Billy,
0:22:12 > 0:22:17give us a demonstration on how to search the collapsed buildings which you see over here
0:22:17 > 0:22:24and after that, we want you to take one of the other dogs and work that one.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- So watch carefully.- Watch this carefully, off the old master.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- Best of luck.- No pressure(!)
0:22:34 > 0:22:39He's got to try and guide the dog around the area he's been given
0:22:39 > 0:22:43and if the dogs hits a scent, it'll take Brian in.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46He's like the driver of the partnership.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50So he's now... The dog's going off round the buildings.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52He's gone completely the wrong direction.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- Is that because of the wind? - Brian's been given this area.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00With these dogs, you do tend to work into the wind. It helps them.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- Now he's directing him.- Right. - Left, right.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08He just looks like he's going for a nice walk. He's actually sniffing, is he?
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Mountain rescue dogs tend to do a big area.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15These dogs are more to confined spaces and collapsed buildings.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17These people will not be lying on the top.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- More than often, they're underneath. - In a quake situation.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25Actually, these dogs kind of fearless. Jumping over this rubble.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- They're not afraid to get stuck in. - No.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32When they're pups, we bring them on to this type of ground
0:23:32 > 0:23:34just to get them used to this environment.
0:23:34 > 0:23:39If you go on to the real when they're qualified and they're not happy on that type of ground,
0:23:39 > 0:23:44then it affects their working. He's covering over that collapsed building now.
0:23:44 > 0:23:50He's on to it, isn't he? He's not barking. He's wagging his tail.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Look at him.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54DOG BARKS
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Good boy.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58I thought he was really good.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01It took him about a minute to find him in this massive expanse.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- It's my turn, is it? - It's your turn now.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08'I'm going to be given the chance to work with one of the dogs.'
0:24:08 > 0:24:12- This is Max.- Hello, Maxy. Who's a good boy!
0:24:12 > 0:24:17Mark is going to take you through some of the commands, so you know how to work the dog.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Hopefully, when you find the casualty, the dog will indicate
0:24:21 > 0:24:25by a bark and when he does that, cos I'm assessing you,
0:24:25 > 0:24:30I need you to put your hand up to say, "I'm confident there is a body here."
0:24:30 > 0:24:32OK.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Just before you start the search, get the dog sat,
0:24:35 > 0:24:40gee him up a little bit and then simply send him off with away find.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44- You're the boss.- Right, let's do it.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Ready, Max? Ready, Max? Away find!
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Good start. Away find! Away find!
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Away! Max!
0:24:52 > 0:24:53Find!
0:24:53 > 0:24:57If you let him get ahead of you... Go on.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00'It seemed so easy in the hands of the experts.'
0:25:02 > 0:25:06I feel stiff! Good boy! Find now!
0:25:08 > 0:25:12- He's having a wee! He's having a wee.- Give him a sec.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Here, go on. Find.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18He's a bit quick when he gets going.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Right, Max. Find!
0:25:21 > 0:25:26Where is he, Max? Good boy. Oh, he's excited about something. Up. Up.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31- Good boy! Find!- Just walk along slowly now. He'll come with you.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- Good boy, Max! Yes! - He's picking it up now.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38See how his whole body is telling you before he's even got to the casualty.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Oh, he's found him! He's found him! What, Max?
0:25:41 > 0:25:43MAX BARKS
0:25:43 > 0:25:47I think I've found him! There we go! Woo!
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Good boy, Max! Good boy!
0:25:51 > 0:25:56It gives you an insight into how much work goes in to training these search dogs.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00It's voluntary work, but it's full on, it takes over your life
0:26:00 > 0:26:03and you have to be so in tune with your dog.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Spending a day in the North Wales countryside
0:26:06 > 0:26:10with a bunch of cute dogs is a pretty ideal day for me.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13But I take my hat off to this lot.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17They give up their own time and work hard to make sure these dogs
0:26:17 > 0:26:22know exactly what to do in a real life or death situation.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Congratulations, John. Well done.
0:26:25 > 0:26:31'In the past four weeks, I've met hundreds of people from around Wales. From the funny...'
0:26:31 > 0:26:35- How mad do you have to be to do this chariot race?- Completely crazy!
0:26:37 > 0:26:40'..To the slightly eccentric.' Hello, knitters!
0:26:40 > 0:26:44- '..To the truly heroic.' - There was a young lad in there of 18,
0:26:44 > 0:26:46we dug him out on the fourth day he'd been in there.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51'It's been a total pleasure and has definitely proved to me
0:26:51 > 0:26:54'that Wales' most valuable resource is you.'
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd