Episode 3

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0:00:02 > 0:00:05Hidden away in the Gwendraeth Valley, West Wales

0:00:05 > 0:00:08is a family business like no other.

0:00:08 > 0:00:11In the last count, I'm sure it was 18 family members working here.

0:00:11 > 0:00:14They are the fruit and veg mafia of Gorslas.

0:00:17 > 0:00:19'There's me, I'm Roland.

0:00:19 > 0:00:25'There's Stuart, Reuben, Tom, Davina, Rachel - all who work here.'

0:00:25 > 0:00:28Born a scrubber, always a scrubber!

0:00:28 > 0:00:29'And then there's Moya,

0:00:29 > 0:00:31'Kim,

0:00:31 > 0:00:33'Maria.

0:00:33 > 0:00:34'My son, William.'

0:00:34 > 0:00:37AIR GUSHES

0:00:37 > 0:00:40Down! You'll put a hole in it.

0:00:40 > 0:00:43Stuart's son John is working here.

0:00:43 > 0:00:46Reuben - his son Luke is working here.

0:00:46 > 0:00:49I've got to go and kill it. What d'you expect me to do?

0:00:49 > 0:00:53His daughter Marie-Alice is working here.

0:00:53 > 0:00:54Ashley,

0:00:54 > 0:00:56Nicky...

0:00:56 > 0:01:00Who else is working here? I can't think who's working here.

0:01:00 > 0:01:02Also, I've just forgot, I'd better tell you,

0:01:02 > 0:01:05my wife is working there, Gina. Would I be in trouble?!

0:01:05 > 0:01:08Don't know, I can't think of anybody else off the top of my head.

0:01:08 > 0:01:11I think I've got it all but a few. How many did you count?

0:01:19 > 0:01:22This time on Meet The Watkins...

0:01:22 > 0:01:25Things get busy in the kitchen as the family face

0:01:25 > 0:01:27the busiest Sunday of the year.

0:01:27 > 0:01:32And it's all hands on deck for the May Day Bank Holiday Fun Day!

0:01:39 > 0:01:44Cwmcerrig Farm Shop lies midway between Swansea and Carmarthen

0:01:44 > 0:01:45and is a familiar sight

0:01:45 > 0:01:47for many who travel along

0:01:47 > 0:01:48the A48 near Crosshands.

0:01:51 > 0:01:53Today is Mothering Sunday,

0:01:53 > 0:01:55the busiest day of the year in the restaurant.

0:01:57 > 0:02:01It's 7am and the kitchen is a hive of activity.

0:02:01 > 0:02:05For head cook Gina, it's business as usual.

0:02:05 > 0:02:08I don't think I've ever had a Mother's Day lie-in.

0:02:08 > 0:02:11- INTERVIEWER:- Ever?- Ever, no.

0:02:11 > 0:02:13I've always worked Mother's Day

0:02:13 > 0:02:17cos it was always a Sunday, market day,

0:02:17 > 0:02:22and since being here, no, never had a Mother's Day lie-in.

0:02:22 > 0:02:26'I don't worry too much about it, just as long as I get the thought,

0:02:26 > 0:02:29'"Aw, they still want me!

0:02:29 > 0:02:31- '"You're still Mam!" ' - SHE LAUGHS

0:02:31 > 0:02:33No-one is allowed a day off today

0:02:33 > 0:02:36and Gina's husband Roland doesn't take any prisoners.

0:02:39 > 0:02:42I told the wife this morning,

0:02:42 > 0:02:43I've had a lot on my mind

0:02:43 > 0:02:47so I forgot about Mother's Day for her and she sort of smirked

0:02:47 > 0:02:49and I said, "Yeah, what's new?

0:02:49 > 0:02:51"I've never done anything for you, have I?"

0:02:53 > 0:02:56Quite often we're running with one or two staff missing

0:02:56 > 0:02:58because of all of this.

0:02:58 > 0:03:01I just put on the calendar nobody could have holidays today.

0:03:03 > 0:03:06For the first time ever, Roland has taken a calculated risk

0:03:06 > 0:03:10which could prove to be disastrous.

0:03:10 > 0:03:13We really don't know what today's going to be like,

0:03:13 > 0:03:18cos the three years we've been open, we've done bookings on Mother's Day.

0:03:18 > 0:03:23We've found it quite hard work, a bit affecting,

0:03:23 > 0:03:27so we've gone this year with no bookings, people can just walk in.

0:03:27 > 0:03:29We've had a lot of enquiries.

0:03:29 > 0:03:33We just don't know, we might have done it wrong, we don't know.

0:03:33 > 0:03:35We'll know at the end of the day!

0:03:35 > 0:03:40If we can do 300...which is only a normal Sunday, I'd be quite happy.

0:03:40 > 0:03:42We're not expecting miracles.

0:03:44 > 0:03:48Even ex-lorry driver and maintenance man Stuart has been called to the kitchen

0:03:48 > 0:03:51to give his sister a helping hand with the veg.

0:03:51 > 0:03:52Top man.

0:03:55 > 0:03:57- He's been well trained! - HE LAUGHS

0:03:58 > 0:04:01I had nobody to boss me about when I was driving a lorry, did I?

0:04:02 > 0:04:05He walks in the kitchen and we give him something to do straight.

0:04:05 > 0:04:08It's dangerous to come in the kitchen.

0:04:09 > 0:04:12- Are we nearly there?- Nearly.

0:04:15 > 0:04:17As the pace quickens in the kitchen,

0:04:17 > 0:04:21Roland makes sure that front of house looks at its best.

0:04:22 > 0:04:26While Will, his son, has a very important task,

0:04:26 > 0:04:30something that's close to Roland's heart.

0:04:30 > 0:04:33- What's the time? - Nearly 8:20am, Will.

0:04:33 > 0:04:36Put it to 4:20pm and then we can all go home then!

0:04:38 > 0:04:40That clock up there is one of...

0:04:40 > 0:04:44I think one of the last things my mother bought before she died.

0:04:44 > 0:04:47Funds were very tight at the time

0:04:47 > 0:04:50and she was paying for it a bit at a time.

0:04:50 > 0:04:53She died before it actually come to the house.

0:04:54 > 0:04:56So that's going to always stay there.

0:04:59 > 0:05:02But time waits for no man or woman

0:05:02 > 0:05:05and as the clock ticks down, everyone has their job to do.

0:05:05 > 0:05:07The pressure's on to get things done

0:05:07 > 0:05:10as efficiently and as quickly as possible!

0:05:11 > 0:05:14We've got three of these tubs of spuds each holding about

0:05:14 > 0:05:19four or five sacks of potatoes and we've got cabbage...

0:05:19 > 0:05:22each holding, like, 20 or 30 cabbages.

0:05:22 > 0:05:28OK? And we've got swedes, we've got four of them, large ones.

0:05:28 > 0:05:31We've got more on standby if we need them.

0:05:31 > 0:05:32We've got carrots.

0:05:32 > 0:05:35We've got five of them, which means, like, six sacks nearly

0:05:35 > 0:05:38and we've got more on standby if we run out.

0:05:38 > 0:05:42Hopefully we'll need them all. Hopefully we'll have a busy day.

0:05:45 > 0:05:48It's a sunny morning and the jobs list gets longer.

0:05:48 > 0:05:51Hidden away in the shed over the winter months,

0:05:51 > 0:05:54it's now time to bring the infamous blimp out of hibernation.

0:05:54 > 0:05:56I think it has lift, yeah?

0:05:56 > 0:06:00And Roland's patience is wearing thin!

0:06:00 > 0:06:04Today, Will(!) Think I could really blow it up quicker.

0:06:04 > 0:06:06AIR GUSHES

0:06:06 > 0:06:08A lot of people come in from the blimp up here,

0:06:08 > 0:06:12and I've been to different places

0:06:12 > 0:06:14and you'll say who you are - "Oh, yeah, I passed that.

0:06:14 > 0:06:16"You're the one with the balloon up there?"

0:06:16 > 0:06:18Yeah, we get told it a lot and...

0:06:18 > 0:06:21The one that's attracted a lot, I reckon is,

0:06:21 > 0:06:24d'you know when the Irish come over and they're going on holiday

0:06:24 > 0:06:26to Cornwall, different places, they pass down,

0:06:26 > 0:06:29the kids have seen the balloon - "Oh, d'you want to call there, then?" And they have.

0:06:29 > 0:06:31So definitely good

0:06:31 > 0:06:34and a one-off payment and you've got it, innit it? You know?

0:06:36 > 0:06:39So, a balloon, some helium...simple.

0:06:39 > 0:06:42- With the balloon, you've got... - AIR GUSHES

0:06:42 > 0:06:44Down! You'll put a hole in it!

0:06:46 > 0:06:48Because it's up so high,

0:06:48 > 0:06:51you've actually got to have airspace permission for it

0:06:51 > 0:06:55so it'll be on the radar for low-flying aircrafts.

0:06:55 > 0:06:59You've got to phone every year to pay for the airspace.

0:06:59 > 0:07:01Airspace granted and ready to go.

0:07:01 > 0:07:03It's heavy.

0:07:05 > 0:07:08I hope the wind stays calm so we can keep it up,

0:07:08 > 0:07:11otherwise it'll have to come back down and...

0:07:11 > 0:07:13it's got to do more good up there than in the shed, doesn't it?

0:07:13 > 0:07:15We hope it will attract a few in.

0:07:23 > 0:07:2720 minutes from first service and things are well under control.

0:07:28 > 0:07:30Everything's basically ready.

0:07:30 > 0:07:34When Roland says, "Right, 11 o'clock, let's get it out,"

0:07:34 > 0:07:36we're nearly ready to go.

0:07:38 > 0:07:4011 o'clock on the dot

0:07:40 > 0:07:42and it's action stations front of house,

0:07:42 > 0:07:45before the first customers begin to arrive

0:07:45 > 0:07:48for their treasured Mothering Sunday lunch.

0:07:49 > 0:07:51Lamb today.

0:07:51 > 0:07:53Over the last six weeks

0:07:53 > 0:07:55we've had lamb for about four out of the six weeks.

0:07:55 > 0:07:57But lamb is quite expensive

0:07:57 > 0:08:00that we thought we'd put a special treat on today.

0:08:02 > 0:08:05So we've got...turkey from this farm,

0:08:05 > 0:08:06lamb from this farm,

0:08:06 > 0:08:12pork from down the road and the beef will be from this farm.

0:08:16 > 0:08:19And on cue, just after 11 o'clock,

0:08:19 > 0:08:22Roland carves his first slice of meat.

0:08:25 > 0:08:30Customers are arriving quicker than they can be served.

0:08:32 > 0:08:34I've got mushroom risotto,

0:08:34 > 0:08:37lentil roast or you can have a cauliflower cheese without meat.

0:08:37 > 0:08:40- Can I have lentil, please? - D'you want vegetarian gravy?

0:08:41 > 0:08:44Mothering Sunday's in full swing

0:08:44 > 0:08:47and things are getting very hot in the kitchen.

0:08:49 > 0:08:53Half way through service and Roland's plan has worked.

0:08:53 > 0:08:58Works much better than taking bookings, this is miles different.

0:08:58 > 0:09:01Nobody can complain, can they?

0:09:01 > 0:09:03Beef, please.

0:09:05 > 0:09:09As mid-afternoon approaches, things finally slow down.

0:09:09 > 0:09:13All the Mothering Sunday customers have been fed and watered.

0:09:14 > 0:09:17We couldn't do any more, could we? We haven't stopped.

0:09:18 > 0:09:21- INTERVIEWER:- Are you happy? - I'm always happy, you know me.

0:09:24 > 0:09:26Mothering Sunday over

0:09:26 > 0:09:29and since 11 o'clock this morning it's been relentless,

0:09:29 > 0:09:32but a very good day for the Watkins' empire.

0:09:33 > 0:09:36Time now for a well-deserved drink!

0:09:36 > 0:09:41Finishes the day off, don't it? It's good. It's team building, yeah.

0:09:42 > 0:09:46Very important in a business. We come down here most Sundays.

0:09:46 > 0:09:48We get quite a good welcome so it's nice to come.

0:09:48 > 0:09:52A small, little old pub, innit? Did you bang your head on the way in?

0:09:52 > 0:09:55You've got to nearly crawl in here, haven't you?!

0:09:55 > 0:09:57It's a good day,

0:09:57 > 0:10:00it's a good working day, so, you know,

0:10:00 > 0:10:02we've got nothing to complain about really.

0:10:02 > 0:10:05- When you're busy the time goes quicker, don't it?- Yeah, it does.

0:10:05 > 0:10:11- And now it's just, have a drink time and chill out.- Have a gossip, innit?

0:10:11 > 0:10:14- Yeah.- When you're in there, you think, "What should I do?"

0:10:22 > 0:10:25Today is meant to be Roland's official day off,

0:10:25 > 0:10:28but the butchery is short on lambs and so he's on his way

0:10:28 > 0:10:31to the local livestock market at Ffairfach, Llandeilo.

0:10:33 > 0:10:36I'll try and get some lambs today.

0:10:36 > 0:10:40We haven't got any of our own left now until the new season,

0:10:40 > 0:10:43which'll be... two months away, I'm afraid.

0:10:43 > 0:10:47I wouldn't mind having between 15 and 20.

0:10:47 > 0:10:49If we had about 20 there'd be enough lambs for two weeks

0:10:49 > 0:10:53cos we're going to take these home and keep them a week,

0:10:53 > 0:10:57cos they go on a Sunday down to the slaughterhouse to be killed for us.

0:10:59 > 0:11:04The shop on average requires a dozen lambs a week to supply the butchery.

0:11:04 > 0:11:05With a bit of luck,

0:11:05 > 0:11:08Roland's trailer will be full on his return trip home.

0:11:08 > 0:11:11But first, some window-shopping.

0:11:13 > 0:11:17I'm looking for meat - lambs with a good cover of meat on.

0:11:17 > 0:11:20A lot of these wouldn't have enough for me.

0:11:20 > 0:11:23They'd suit the supermarket but we want more cover on them

0:11:23 > 0:11:24than what they do.

0:11:24 > 0:11:29When you feel the back bit there, you can feel the bone's up too much.

0:11:29 > 0:11:33I want extra cover. I'd rather have bigger lambs, preferably.

0:11:34 > 0:11:37I've had a quick look up here,

0:11:37 > 0:11:39I haven't seen anything really suitable.

0:11:39 > 0:11:42If I've got to, I'll find something out of 'em, but let's hope

0:11:42 > 0:11:45there's a lot that will come in with something better on there.

0:11:45 > 0:11:48That's what I'm hoping, anyway. More texture-type.

0:11:48 > 0:11:51Another lorry load of lambs has arrived.

0:11:55 > 0:11:59Out of 700 sheep on sale today, will there be something in this batch

0:11:59 > 0:12:01to catch Roland's eye?

0:12:02 > 0:12:07This is a pen I think would suit us. It's the one I picked out today.

0:12:07 > 0:12:10I think they've got more cover on, what we'd want.

0:12:10 > 0:12:13A lot of the lambs here would be a bit too lean for us,

0:12:13 > 0:12:14these would be more what we'd want.

0:12:14 > 0:12:17I think they would look well hanging up in the shop.

0:12:17 > 0:12:20I'll wait till the sale and see if I can afford them.

0:12:20 > 0:12:22I'll have to try and buy them...

0:12:22 > 0:12:25against all the others.

0:12:29 > 0:12:32The Watkins family have had to learn a lot of new skills

0:12:32 > 0:12:35since opening up the shop.

0:12:35 > 0:12:38Will and Luke are the next generation to join the business

0:12:38 > 0:12:41and are training to become full-time butchers.

0:12:41 > 0:12:44Today, they're being assessed to see how their meat-handling skills

0:12:44 > 0:12:46are coming along.

0:12:46 > 0:12:48- WILL:- 'We've got Trevor down to see us today.

0:12:48 > 0:12:51'You know, assessing us doing our apprenticeship.

0:12:51 > 0:12:54'We're on the NVQ Level 2 now.

0:12:54 > 0:12:57'Hopefully if we manage to get it all done,

0:12:57 > 0:13:01'a couple of months now, then we should hopefully finish it all...

0:13:01 > 0:13:05'if it all goes to plan! And we pass everything!'

0:13:05 > 0:13:10At just 18 years old, Luke has less experience than his cousin Will.

0:13:13 > 0:13:16He started the year before me so I try to see what he's doing

0:13:16 > 0:13:20and try to get a bit more off Will as well.

0:13:20 > 0:13:22So basically, you want to be just like me?

0:13:22 > 0:13:24THEY LAUGH

0:13:25 > 0:13:28As well as their assessor, head butcher Justin

0:13:28 > 0:13:32is also keeping a watchful eye on his young apprentices.

0:13:32 > 0:13:35They know to a point what they're doing, but I like to keep just...

0:13:35 > 0:13:38just that little extra so that they know then that something's wrong.

0:13:38 > 0:13:41They only ask me anyway and I just correct them

0:13:41 > 0:13:43and leave them to carry on then.

0:13:43 > 0:13:46They do learn by mistakes, it's the only way you can learn.

0:13:46 > 0:13:47When you're trimming the fat off,

0:13:47 > 0:13:49how do you know how much fat to take off it?

0:13:49 > 0:13:52By following company specification

0:13:52 > 0:13:54to carry on and have it how they want it.

0:13:55 > 0:13:56OK.

0:13:56 > 0:13:59Will, what are you actually doing there?

0:13:59 > 0:14:01Taking the spinal cord out.

0:14:01 > 0:14:07Right, and you've got two parts to a loin - what do you call the parts?

0:14:07 > 0:14:11- The best end and the loin end.- And what would you actually do with it?

0:14:11 > 0:14:14You prep the loin end, cutting it into chops

0:14:14 > 0:14:16and then prep the best end,

0:14:16 > 0:14:19we use it for rack of lamb.

0:14:19 > 0:14:21Yeah, right.

0:14:21 > 0:14:25Cutting and preparing the meat is one part of being a butcher,

0:14:25 > 0:14:28their knowledge about the meat they sell to their customers is crucial

0:14:28 > 0:14:31and cooking and tasting their products

0:14:31 > 0:14:32is part and parcel of the job.

0:14:32 > 0:14:36Every day someone will ask us, "How do you cook this?

0:14:36 > 0:14:39"What temperature do you want to cook it at? Is it a slow cook?

0:14:39 > 0:14:43"How do you want it cooked?" and we will give 'em feedback on it.

0:14:43 > 0:14:46It's nice that they know that we know how we do the job.

0:14:46 > 0:14:49When you see a nice cut coming through, it's nice to be able...

0:14:49 > 0:14:51"Ooh, I'll have that for food tonight."

0:14:53 > 0:14:54You get to taste what you're doing

0:14:54 > 0:14:56so you can feed back to customers as well,

0:14:56 > 0:14:59let them know what's nice and what's not.

0:15:00 > 0:15:03As the younger Watkins generation learns its trade,

0:15:03 > 0:15:06one of the older Watkins is enjoying his afternoon off.

0:15:06 > 0:15:10You do miss being out on the land and coming to the mart

0:15:10 > 0:15:12and meeting with the people,

0:15:12 > 0:15:16it's the social aspect of the farming life, like,

0:15:16 > 0:15:18and with the shop now

0:15:18 > 0:15:21we just can't...it's not possible,

0:15:21 > 0:15:23so on my day off like this it was ideal.

0:15:23 > 0:15:27It's a nice change and as good an afternoon as any for me,

0:15:27 > 0:15:29but the wife wouldn't agree!

0:15:31 > 0:15:35The auction begins and Roland bides his time.

0:15:35 > 0:15:3620? 79, 20.

0:15:36 > 0:15:40- 35 and a half.- Five!- Five I'm bid.

0:15:40 > 0:15:4368, 58, 80. At 80...

0:15:43 > 0:15:45Finally, he has a chance to place a bid

0:15:45 > 0:15:47but he's got some tough competition.

0:15:47 > 0:15:5050. Sold away, £880.

0:15:50 > 0:15:52Roland Watkins - Cwmcerrig Farm Shop.

0:15:52 > 0:15:5437 and a half...

0:15:54 > 0:15:55I'm quite happy.

0:15:55 > 0:15:58They'll work out quite nicely for us, the amount we paid for them.

0:15:58 > 0:16:03Dealers don't like us butchers coming in buying in the mart,

0:16:03 > 0:16:06so they'll run you up a bit to try and keep you out, but...

0:16:06 > 0:16:09at the end we're going to get the end price,

0:16:09 > 0:16:11so they should turn out very well for us, hopefully!

0:16:11 > 0:16:16Then we go into the slaughterhouse on Sunday to be killed on Monday

0:16:16 > 0:16:19and they'll be in the shop the next week and the week after.

0:16:19 > 0:16:22So we'll have local lamb, we won't have our own

0:16:22 > 0:16:24but we'll have local lambs to sell in the shop,

0:16:24 > 0:16:27which is what we've always tried to do -

0:16:27 > 0:16:29support the local farmers when we haven't got our own.

0:16:30 > 0:16:33There we are. Back home now.

0:16:41 > 0:16:44Back at Cwmcerrig headquarters,

0:16:44 > 0:16:47the boys' training assessment comes to an end

0:16:47 > 0:16:49and they're quietly confident.

0:16:50 > 0:16:51I think I've done very well today.

0:16:51 > 0:16:54It's nice to know that I'm improving every day.

0:16:54 > 0:16:56It's good to know that I am improving.

0:16:56 > 0:16:58Hopefully we've passed this module

0:16:58 > 0:17:01that we're doing at the moment with...

0:17:01 > 0:17:05You know, Trevor seeing us cut the lamb down and things.

0:17:05 > 0:17:08Hopefully we're well on our way.

0:17:08 > 0:17:11So you've worked together on the block and everything's been spot-on.

0:17:11 > 0:17:17- Your hygiene, your safety has all been to the standard required.- Yeah.

0:17:17 > 0:17:20All right? Cheers, boys. Thank you very much.

0:17:28 > 0:17:30Early Monday morning and officially a day off

0:17:30 > 0:17:32for some of the Watkins' staff.

0:17:32 > 0:17:36Not quite - Roland has organised a special trip for them,

0:17:36 > 0:17:40leaving Gorslas for the day and heading up the M5 to Birmingham.

0:17:43 > 0:17:46All skiving today.

0:17:46 > 0:17:49We're going to this trade fair at the NEC in Birmingham.

0:17:49 > 0:17:53Never been to it before, don't know if it's going to be worthwhile, but we'll see at the end.

0:17:56 > 0:17:58We asked all the partners who wanted to come

0:17:58 > 0:18:00and the others didn't want to come,

0:18:00 > 0:18:04and then we thought it was essential for Nicky to come,

0:18:04 > 0:18:07cos he's in the shop but we're all in charge.

0:18:07 > 0:18:10We went to one a couple of weeks ago, that's the first time,

0:18:10 > 0:18:12so we've had a little taste to see what it's like,

0:18:12 > 0:18:16but no, I've never been to a big one like this.

0:18:16 > 0:18:18Donna and Maria, they work on the deli,

0:18:18 > 0:18:20so there's supposed to be some delis up here.

0:18:20 > 0:18:22Because they work there,

0:18:22 > 0:18:25they interact with the customers more than what we would.

0:18:25 > 0:18:27We'll probably look more at the cheese

0:18:27 > 0:18:30and bits like them that we would sell, isn't it?

0:18:30 > 0:18:35- Yeah.- Mainly the cheese, cos we make everything else ourselves, really.

0:18:35 > 0:18:38And obviously anything else we want to taste that we like!

0:18:38 > 0:18:43William, he's in charge over there, so...

0:18:43 > 0:18:45that was basically it,

0:18:45 > 0:18:47nobody else was asked.

0:18:47 > 0:18:49You couldn't have everybody coming.

0:18:50 > 0:18:54Tom takes advantage of another driver for the day.

0:18:54 > 0:18:57Well, whenever he gets in a car if he's not driving,

0:18:57 > 0:18:59it's not long before Tom is asleep.

0:18:59 > 0:19:06At the drop of a hat! He'll wake up all refreshed. A big softie, he is.

0:19:16 > 0:19:19A big food and drink exhibition

0:19:19 > 0:19:21and the Watkins family arrive en masse.

0:19:24 > 0:19:27With hundreds of stands to visit,

0:19:27 > 0:19:29it's down to business as soon as possible.

0:19:31 > 0:19:35- Peach Melba.- The mandarin one's really nice.- Have we had it?

0:19:35 > 0:19:37We've only got the big ones at the moment,

0:19:37 > 0:19:40we haven't had the small ones yet.

0:19:41 > 0:19:44So which pate? D'you have the chiller or the cutting ones?

0:19:44 > 0:19:47We haven't gone far and everything we've seen so far is from Wales!

0:19:47 > 0:19:52No need to come here! It's like being back in the shop so far!

0:19:57 > 0:20:00Big place, mind. Oh!

0:20:01 > 0:20:03I'm frightened I'm going to lose them.

0:20:03 > 0:20:06Going so quick in different directions and you're thinking,

0:20:06 > 0:20:08"Which group do I follow?"

0:20:08 > 0:20:10- Where are these based, then? - Wrexham.

0:20:10 > 0:20:12We had a box of goodies sent to us

0:20:12 > 0:20:15and there were some of these and they were quite nice...

0:20:15 > 0:20:17- Yes, sir. I sent them to you. - Yeah, they were quite nice.

0:20:17 > 0:20:21As well as food, there's always room for a bit of alcohol too!

0:20:21 > 0:20:24It tastes like shandy. He said, "It's only 2.8%."

0:20:24 > 0:20:28- I told him it costs more now to get drunk! - HE LAUGHS

0:20:32 > 0:20:37- What's it like?- It's nice.- I've never tried a quail egg in me life.

0:20:39 > 0:20:43- And how much do they cost? - They're £1.50 for a dozen.

0:20:43 > 0:20:47- And what about quail, Scotch eggs? - The quail eggs are 60 pence each.

0:20:47 > 0:20:50And if we bought those, we could make our own Scotch eggs.

0:20:50 > 0:20:52VENDOR LAUGHS

0:20:52 > 0:20:54Wheeler and dealer Roland

0:20:54 > 0:20:57always keeps an eye out for a good deal and this is no exception.

0:20:59 > 0:21:03- A case of each for the big ones. - A case of the granola as well, OK.

0:21:03 > 0:21:07And the small pots. Have you got that down? You tell me what you've got.

0:21:07 > 0:21:09Tell me what you've got!

0:21:09 > 0:21:12I've got - a case of each type of muesli, so there's four types.

0:21:12 > 0:21:15A case of each type of porridge, which is four types.

0:21:15 > 0:21:17A case of granola, which is one type.

0:21:17 > 0:21:20- VENDOR:- Nick, ring me with an order!

0:21:20 > 0:21:23We can't do that now, we're not sure if we want that.

0:21:23 > 0:21:24Is that all right?

0:21:24 > 0:21:28- That's lovely. Thanks very much. - We'll leave you in peace. Thank you.

0:21:28 > 0:21:30Thanks a lot. Bye.

0:21:35 > 0:21:38Quite shocked to see so much Welsh stuff here, which is...

0:21:38 > 0:21:41I shouldn't say I'm shocked, I'm pleased to see it here,

0:21:41 > 0:21:43but there's a lot more of it here than I expected.

0:21:43 > 0:21:45Yeah, a big part of the show.

0:21:45 > 0:21:47You go round and you see things

0:21:47 > 0:21:50and some things we've seen today you wouldn't expect to see.

0:21:50 > 0:21:53If we had a bit more time, we could see a bit more of the show,

0:21:53 > 0:21:56but I think everybody's got tired out to be honest.

0:21:56 > 0:21:59I think it's a two-day event, I think! Make a real event of it.

0:21:59 > 0:22:03A really good show. I think about the best I've been to so far.

0:22:03 > 0:22:05We'll definitely come back.

0:22:14 > 0:22:17May Day Bank Holiday, and the family have arranged

0:22:17 > 0:22:19a special fun day for the public

0:22:19 > 0:22:21to raise money for local charities.

0:22:23 > 0:22:26But things aren't looking too good.

0:22:31 > 0:22:32It's either cancel or move up here,

0:22:32 > 0:22:34cos nobody's going to go outside in this weather.

0:22:36 > 0:22:40There's a lot on our mind cos, like, we had thought to have it outside.

0:22:40 > 0:22:42So it's a case of, righto,

0:22:42 > 0:22:46we've had to get outside tables into the shed

0:22:46 > 0:22:49and then we've got to drive 'em down.

0:22:49 > 0:22:52Other sheds have had tables in, so we've got to bring them in

0:22:52 > 0:22:54and clean down the things.

0:22:54 > 0:22:57I think once the kids get here it'll be fun day wherever it is,

0:22:57 > 0:23:02so it's not going to stop them enjoying it, is it?

0:23:03 > 0:23:04Oh!

0:23:04 > 0:23:08I keep tellin' Roland, "Don't worry about it, it'll be fine after,

0:23:08 > 0:23:10"wherever it is."

0:23:14 > 0:23:15The butchery boys are on hand,

0:23:15 > 0:23:18transferring tables and benches from the cutting room.

0:23:19 > 0:23:22Whilst the barbecue area's being set up,

0:23:22 > 0:23:26Reuben and farmhand Gareth have the task of moving the pigs up to the top shed

0:23:26 > 0:23:29ready for the main event.

0:23:37 > 0:23:39I hate pigs.

0:23:39 > 0:23:43At last, the three pigs are inside,

0:23:43 > 0:23:45ready to dry off before their big moment...pig racing!

0:23:45 > 0:23:48There'll be sheep an' all in a few minutes.

0:23:48 > 0:23:50When we're ready, we'll set it up first.

0:23:51 > 0:23:52Put them in a pen,

0:23:52 > 0:23:55then we'll be making a run across here to the hurdles.

0:23:55 > 0:23:59And when they're ready for the race we'll be marking 'em.

0:23:59 > 0:24:02One, two, three and when they're ready for the race, let 'em go.

0:24:02 > 0:24:04Kids enjoy it, they'll all start shouting then.

0:24:04 > 0:24:07That's the normal, anyway.

0:24:08 > 0:24:11Stalls and activities are crammed into the sheds

0:24:11 > 0:24:12as quickly as possible.

0:24:12 > 0:24:14But before the public arrive,

0:24:14 > 0:24:17a little test first on the bouncy castle

0:24:17 > 0:24:21by Reuben's two youngest children, Adam and Francis.

0:24:21 > 0:24:23And yes, it works!

0:24:25 > 0:24:28The fun day visitors - if they turn up -

0:24:28 > 0:24:31will need feeding and head butcher Justin is in charge of the barbecue.

0:24:31 > 0:24:34I've got about 100 sausage in here ready,

0:24:34 > 0:24:36well, we're happy, like, innit?

0:24:36 > 0:24:39I've got beef burgers, pork sausage.

0:24:39 > 0:24:43I've got some onions, lovely fresh onions -

0:24:43 > 0:24:45the kitchen has just prepared them for me.

0:24:45 > 0:24:47Catering-wise, I think...

0:24:47 > 0:24:50We're looking to cater for about 200 to 300 maybe, hopefully.

0:24:50 > 0:24:53It's been in the shed, undercover for the last year,

0:24:53 > 0:24:56since the last fun day, so we've just got to wake it up a bit.

0:24:56 > 0:25:00It's had a good scrub down and we're ready to go.

0:25:03 > 0:25:06Ellis Davies has been a good friend of the Watkins family for years

0:25:06 > 0:25:08and volunteers each May Day Bank Holiday

0:25:08 > 0:25:11to help them raise as much money as possible.

0:25:11 > 0:25:13Lovely.

0:25:13 > 0:25:18When this started about three years ago, Roland and Gina said,

0:25:18 > 0:25:21"Look, we've got an event in the village at the end of the summer,

0:25:21 > 0:25:23"which is the fair in the Welfare Park,

0:25:23 > 0:25:26"we can do an event at the beginning of the year."

0:25:26 > 0:25:28So we open and close a year in the village

0:25:28 > 0:25:30and this is what it's become.

0:25:30 > 0:25:33It's an excellent day out and everybody enjoys themselves.

0:25:33 > 0:25:37What I'm doing now, I'm selling tickets for the sheep racing and the pig racing.

0:25:37 > 0:25:40Wales' indoor arena because of the weather,

0:25:40 > 0:25:42so they'll be two lots of races now -

0:25:42 > 0:25:44one before lunch, one after -

0:25:44 > 0:25:48and people can buy their tickets and if they win, they get money back.

0:25:53 > 0:25:57The rain has stopped for a while and slowly the public arrive.

0:25:57 > 0:26:00And what could have been a damp squib

0:26:00 > 0:26:02has turned out to be a busy and successful day!

0:26:07 > 0:26:10Remember now, nothing for a pair.

0:26:10 > 0:26:11Higher?

0:26:11 > 0:26:16Flat out. Flat out! They're taking them quicker than I can cook 'em.

0:26:16 > 0:26:20I'm in charge of the bouncy castle and we've been quite busy today.

0:26:20 > 0:26:22The children seem to be enjoying it.

0:26:22 > 0:26:25Not bad for the sort of day it is, yeah.

0:26:26 > 0:26:30It's stopped raining so people are coming out and about,

0:26:30 > 0:26:32and they're willing to walk up from the shop

0:26:32 > 0:26:36to see all the children on the bouncy castle and things.

0:26:36 > 0:26:41Everybody's waitin', I think, till the pig racing starts,

0:26:41 > 0:26:42so that should be quite fun.

0:26:42 > 0:26:44Usually, there's a lot of bets going down.

0:26:44 > 0:26:48- We'll have a bit of a gamble again, Gin.- Yes, and they'll be people running around

0:26:48 > 0:26:52trying to collect their pennies, so, yes. That'll be good.

0:26:52 > 0:26:57D'you want to guess for the sheep racing and the pig racing?

0:26:57 > 0:27:00And now, today's main attraction... it's pig racing.

0:27:00 > 0:27:04Right, any more? Last chance. Here we are, under starter's orders.

0:27:06 > 0:27:09- Come on, number four! - PIGS SNORT

0:27:15 > 0:27:19- CHILDREN YELL - Yeah, come on!

0:27:19 > 0:27:21CROWD CHEER

0:27:23 > 0:27:26Yey! Winner!

0:27:30 > 0:27:33As the day ends, Roland and Ellis have a bit of totting up to do.

0:27:35 > 0:27:39- Well, Roland, I make it £1,250. I think we'd agreed on that.- Yep.

0:27:39 > 0:27:42- And that's £400 then for Gorslas Welfare.- Yeah.

0:27:42 > 0:27:45£850 for the Wales Air Ambulance, but I've got £2 left to pay

0:27:45 > 0:27:48the lady who's coming out now from the bookie's,

0:27:48 > 0:27:51so she'll be all smiles.

0:27:53 > 0:27:56Compared to last year, I think the funds we've raised

0:27:56 > 0:28:00is just over the double and there's been a lot more people there.

0:28:00 > 0:28:05Maybe having it in a separate building has worked better than...

0:28:05 > 0:28:07and we thought it was going to be the other way!

0:28:07 > 0:28:09Everything's a learning curve, isn't it?

0:28:09 > 0:28:12It's just lucky when the weather was so bad that we had a building

0:28:12 > 0:28:13we could move into.

0:28:13 > 0:28:16Imagine if we were over in Gorslas Park,

0:28:16 > 0:28:18we'd be knackered, wouldn't we?

0:28:18 > 0:28:20I think we've earned a pint tonight, have we?

0:28:20 > 0:28:22One maybe!

0:28:23 > 0:28:26Next time on Meet The Watkins...

0:28:26 > 0:28:30Things get busy on the farm with sheep shearing and silage making.

0:28:32 > 0:28:35And it's a busman's holiday for Roland at the Royal Welsh Show.

0:28:35 > 0:28:37Come on, lady!

0:28:47 > 0:28:50Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd