Many Happy Returns Scrappers

This programme contains some strong language

-'I'm Terry Walker, and this is my scrapyard.' All right, Dean?

-All right, boss.

'I buy cars, I strip 'em, squash 'em and flog the lot.'

It's coming together nicely.

I've never seen a place like this.

Don't strain yourselves, will you?

Try not to, boss.

'It's the love of my life.

'Other than our Lyndsay, the wife.'

-Well, who's paying this?

-Is it more than a grand?

-Yeah.

-You're paying it.

-No, I'm not - you're paying it!

Nobody can do the deals like Terry. Nobody. He is a one-off.

'One day, we plan to hand this all over to our kids.'

I'm here solely for my family.

-He loves this job.

-You look good in that, don't you, our Jon?

Won't find them in the corner shop.

'But first we've got to get it running right.'

Stop messing about. That's exactly how it shouldn't be!

'And that's the hard bit.'

I want the yard to be run properly.

Oi, Frank! It's not even safe to work, he's under this bonnet

of this car for nothing.

Can you get a high vis vest on?

You, that's not high vis.

Worst case scenario, they'll close us down.

In the middle of all this chaos...

..we've got to somehow try to earn a few quid as well.

I'm stuck!

'But if we stick together, do the job right...

'..and keep the cars rolling in,

'we'll be one big, happy family.'

CAR HORN BLARES

Today marks the start of a new chapter for Terry and Lyndsay.

-My word.

-Morning!

-Morning.

-Happy birthday, here you are.

-Thanks.

-You're welcome.

He's slobbering on me presents. Stop it!

First 50th birthday card, me dentist.

What do you think about being 50?

They say it's the new 40, don't they? But I think

-it's all downhill from here.

-Don't worry, love,

as long as you get your black pudding every morning for strength.

That won't go down well in Slimming World!

Terry and Lyndsay built up their business over 30 years.

Morning!

Morning!

But this year has been the worst one they've ever had.

The last 12 months has just been a nightmare. We got ourselves

into financial difficulties.

My fault, I'll take the blame for that.

It's freezing!

It was the way that I felt.

My stomach was churning every morning. It was... I thought,

"It can't go on like this, I can't keep doing this.

"Things are going to have to change."

On top of everything, one of the lads had an accident

in the yard not so long ago.

Since then, we've had the Health and Safety on our back big time.

How we're still actually trading now is beyond me.

Honestly, many a time I've thought, "Let's just call it a draw,

"let's just throw a bag over it. I've had enough."

But Terry and Lyndsay aren't giving up yet.

This is our last chance now to make things right

for the future of the kids. There's no more chances now.

We are going to rise to the authoritarians of this world

and show 'em that we can do the job, we're going to be quicker,

we're going to be slicker, we're going to be faster

and we're going to do the job right.

The Walkers' scrapyard in Bolton is very much a family business.

-Are you happy?

-Yeah, I'm happy.

This industry, this job is in me, it's in my blood

and it's in my family's. It's in Jon's now as well

and I want him to succeed.

Terry and son Jon are hoping to sell 100 engines to some

Polish exporters - the deal could make Terry ten grand profit.

Nice one. Make sure this goes down in the books!

HE LAUGHS

I've been two minutes in the yard, and all the hard work's paid off.

It's coming together nicely.

But Terry has got a lot more to think about than just making money.

Customers - who's with 'em?

If you see any anyone wandering around on their own,

send 'em back.

HE BLOWS RASPBERRY

Since the accident, Health and Safety inspectors could turn up

at any moment and they have the power to shut the yard down.

Put that on your back. I'm starting to lose my patience with you now,

I'll tell you that now.

I need some sawdust down on this ramp,

cos it's slippy at t'moment. And don't let it fly everywhere,

put it down properly.

The staff that are here now are not really used to running it by the book.

That'll do him.

And it's showing now, the cracks are showing.

Terry's got to get his 35 workers following

health and safety to the letter.

Right have you got... Where's your lifting strap?

Lifting strap, for the engine?

No, no, no. Need to be here. We need to be using them.

We used to use seatbelts for moving engines,

which a seatbelt's got a 1.25 tonne resistance. Well, an engine

only weighs 120 kilos, it's hardly ever going to break,

but the health and safety guy's been in

and said we've got to use a lifting strap.

-We've no sausages!

-Bacon on toast. Gonna crack another egg?

In the on site cafe, sisters Michelle and Debs

have so far escaped the health and safety crackdown.

Health and Safety's just gone a bit mad.

Where there's blame, there's a claim.

-And it's all wrong.

-Yeah.

You should be having a risk assessment for using that knife.

-Well, do you know, it's a wonder they've not been in.

-Here?

-Yeah, these...whatever they're called.

-Nowt to do with us.

-What I'm saying is, Health and Safety...

-They'd close it down!

There's something different about you today -

you've had your hair cut, ain't ya?

-It's a mess!

-There ya go!

Coxy and Dave are two of Terry's longest serving spanner lads.

Dave looks like deputy dog!

16-year-old Dean is the newest recruit.

But today's experience counts for nothing.

Terry's pulling the lads off their normal work and putting them

all through an intensive training session on the yard's cutting tools,

the same ones that were involved in the accident.

I've used a Stihl saw for over 20 years, so getting told

how to use it...

And I've never had an accident, touch...touch wood.

Chris is an old hand in the depollution bay,

where they drain cars of oil and cut off catalytic convertors.

Right, let's get wheels off, lads.

I'm not sure what they're going to show us.

I mean, it'll be like teaching a builder how to use a hammer,

won't it? We've been using it for years, seems a bit pointless to me.

If I were going to cut my head off,

I'd have done it by now, wouldn't I?

Terry's called in the company that supplies the cutting tools

to do the training.

Everyone must successfully complete the course by the end of the day.

These are like so dangerous these products.

It's not something you want to take for granted.

Hope there's no paperwork involved.

Cos I'm dyslexic.

Why do you think I'm on spanners?

Mine is not to reason why, mine is but to do or die.

Come on, chaps, come on in. Has everyone signed in?

-ALL:

-Yeah.

-So, if you can all see the screen all right,

so we'll get cracking then.

First things first, one of the things we want to try and get

across today is making sure you're using the right wheel for the job.

Outside, Terry's paying the price for having his lads in class.

This morning is a total cockup.

Lee runs the window sales

and he relies on the lads to fetch parts for the customers.

We've put every man we've got on a Stihl saw day.

Hence the yard. Nobody.

So when customers come, it's left to us.

Nobody thinks it through.

The training could cost as much as four grand in lost income.

It's money Terry and Lyndsay can ill afford to sacrifice.

In the last year, they've faced some heartbreaking financial decisions.

Oh, dear. The last few months have been really, really hard.

Struggled at the yard paying bills and one thing led to another

and we've ended up liquidating the company.

Liquidating their old company, Metro Salvage, was a last resort.

The Walkers then used their own cash to buy back stock

and open a new business on the same site.

That way, they were able to keep the lads working

and pay off at least some of their debts.

I tried to sort everybody along the way without leaving too much

owed to people because, obviously, we're still in that same business,

I don't want to upset local people who use the business or anyone...

I didn't want to upset anybody, to be honest.

I had to do it, I had to look after the family cos, to me,

I was, like, 30 years of working, I'm going to lose everything.

It's not unusual what we've done. It's...it's a fact of life.

So, they can't cut your hands off, can they,

so, it's onwards and upwards, hopefully.

Just passed our test, Dave.

Least I know what I'm doing now, least I know what to use,

cos I could've used something, anything,

and could've snapped and chopped my face off, or something.

With Terry happy that the theory is safely under their belts,

the lads are heading to the workshop for the practical part

-of the training.

-Look at t'state of t'place.

But there's a problem.

It's not even safe to work.

He's under this bonnet of this car for nothing. What are you doing?

I want this bay looking like a proper workshop.

Everywhere you look, there's something that should've been done that's not been done.

I've come in here to do a test on how to use the grinder.

There's no guard on it, so we're going to have to go and get a guard

now so we can use it, but really, I feel like throwing this in the bin.

I'm really, really revved up. I'm wound up inside,

because every single time... Every corner you turn,

like, even that's full of oil, it's not ready to work,

the place is a scruffy mess.

That's just a leg breaker for some customer to trip over.

That gearbox is in the wrong place, this is where customers congregate.

It's not funny, though. You're fucking smiling, it's not funny.

It's not funny.

Absolutely. Listen, I'll tell you what I'll do.

Today, I'm not paying anyone. I'm not paying no-one.

Just close the gates and we'll have a right good tidy up in t'yard.

-We're grafting.

-No, you can't. You're grafting...

You're grafting unsafe!

People are trying to shut us down and they're nearly there.

They're nearly fucking there. I am ready to throw fucking towel in.

Everyone's saying this, that and the other. Do this, do that.

And it's not happening.

It's just not happening.

It's come to that point again where them gates need to be shut,

cos all of you need to understand.

Well, Terry's going sick.

He's not very happy today, I don't know why.

I just avoid him like the plague whenever he's like this,

don't make eye contact and run.

He's not happy. It's Stihl saw training day.

He's losing money, that's what he's not happy about.

It stems, one thing triggers him,

and then it stems into everything else.

Sweet wrappers.

The workshop's finally ready for training.

If there's anything weird starts happening when you start,

stop straight away, yeah?

But the rest of the yard's still a mess.

What's these drums here?

Move these out of here, put them over there, away from your operation.

I don't want drums in here.

Your work desk needs to be clean and tidy.

It weren't. It weren't.

It's exactly how it shouldn't be!

-Yeah? Are we happy with that?

-ALL:

-Yes.

I'm losing the will to live.

-Ah, bless him.

-He said he's either got

his funeral suit or his wedding suit.

Totally wedding, we're not doing funeral.

While Terry struggles with health and safety in the yard,

in the office, daughter Jemma's got her own issues.

She's going to kill me, she's going to belt me.

-I know but you'll be all right.

-What do you mean "I know"?

To distract her mum from all the financial worries,

she's organised a huge 50th birthday bash and it's a surprise.

So where have you actually told her... What's she doing?

Well, I've told her, cos she loves Rod Stewart,

that she's going to a Rod Stewart tribute night.

We're actually halfway there, because she thinks she's going

to a tribute night, which she is but it's her 50th party.

-So, technically, we're not telling lies.

-No.

Jemma's invited all the yard's staff and everyone's in on the secret.

-Right, boys.

-Come on, Cox!

-You need to come and sign this card!

"Happy B-day!" Are you for real?

I told you they can't spell, didn't I?

Write T. O. L.

-Is that it?

-Not a happy birthday, or...

-You can do a kiss. You know how to do kisses, don't you?

-Think so.

-"Happy birthday, Mark."

-All right, Toffee?

-Sign this.

-Put your autograph on this, Cock.

Come on, she's going to be back.

"Happy Bday."

Why can none of you just write "birthday"?

She's coming, she's coming! Shit, shit, shit!

For God's sake, Lee, come on, we need to do it.

She's gone that way.

Ah, the birthday girl!

Size of the card.

SHE GASPS

Where've you got that from?

Has anybody seen this?

-Aw, nice...

-Half of them couldn't spell, so...

I know. Look what they've wrote, "B-day".

Well, that's what they do now.

I know but... What are you, like, down with the kids, or something?

Yeah, you know, "B-day" on Facebook.

"B-day" is what you wash your arse in!

You seem a bit quiet today, Terry. Is everything all right?

Sometimes, some things are better off not said.

It's a conspiracy, that's what it is here, a conspiracy to wind me up.

Seeing how far they can push you.

Yeah, they're doing a good job.

Well, don't let 'em.

You just walk away from it and go and calm down for half an hour.

How can I walk away from it?

There's things to be done.

I know why he's stressed, but it's how he reacts to the stress

and to other people around him.

It's not helpful when Terry does... It brings the whole moral down.

-Morale.

-Morale. Is it morale? Oh, dear.

It brings the whole morale down in the work force

when he's like that. Nobody wants to do anything.

So how much have we spent on health and safety, and training?

I'd say about 14, off the top of my head,

cos I've not done all the paperwork,

then about another four on depollution, as in tools,

-to get the parts off correct.

-Yeah.

It mounts up, though, especially when they're on training,

he's not making any money.

We've had a letter from a recruitment agency

and they're all ex-army.

-Attractive.

-They're not all attractive.

Well, they can't be any less than what we've got, Jesus Christ.

-They might all have their own teeth.

-Yeah.

I think that would be a good idea, rather than ex-convicts,

we'll try ex-army.

You know, when you think, they're quite disciplined, aren't they?

But then you've got the other side of it. If they've fought in a war,

they could have post-traumatic stress and be

even worse than convicts.

You can't really win, it's hard work.

Dean, stop driving around in cars, I want you doing something productive!

You muppet!

The yard's youngest worker, Dean, left school with no qualifications.

But he's hoping to soon change that.

Come into here, and back out again.

He's being taught how to use the stacker, crucial in moving

cars and engines round the site.

And in a few days, he'll have to face an examiner and pass a test.

This is the first thing I've done in a long time what's been good.

Dean, he tries and he's just young, like,

but he'll grow up and he'll learn and that.

Like anybody, really.

For 24-year-old Jon, it's all part of securing his own future.

He's just been made a director of the company by his mum and dad.

Jon's come forward and said, "Look, Dad, if you want me

"involved in it properly,

"I want to do it and I only want to do it right."

Come forward over here and then back out again.

It's all right, no worries.

Jon! Where's your lifting strap?

Dean's not the only one with lots to learn.

If Jon wants to take over the business,

he'll have to brush up on his health and safety.

They need to be here, they need to be using them!

Do you think Jon's got it in him to do it?

I do think he's got it. Maybe not at this moment in time.

-He's not a Terry, though, is he?

-He never will be Terry.

-He's got that softer side in him as well, which is Lyndsay.

-Yeah.

He wants it, he wants to know how to run the business

and run it brilliant, like his dad,

but he will do it. I've every faith in that lad. I love him.

I love them all, actually, they're all lovely.

The lads have nearly completed their day of training.

Have you broke it now?

ENGINE STARTS

All this health and safety, you can't get out of it,

you've got to do it, it's not like the old school scrapyard

any more now. You've got to move with the times.

Terry is starting to feel he's got to grips with health and safety.

I'd like to thank you very much, mate, for coming and showing us

-what to do.

-Thank you for your time!

-I appreciate it.

Can we have you all back to work? We're not earning no money.

-C'mon.

-Is it dinner? I thought it was dinner time.

Cup of tea and a slice of cake!

After a difficult day, Terry can look forward to getting

the team together at Lyndsay's surprise party.

Look at the state of him in them underpants!

God give us strength.

Just getting my fur coat. No knickers for tonight.

Only joking, I will have my knickers on.

Going to see Rod Stewart tonight, Rod Stewart tribute.

We're not really - we're going to her 50th.

HE MOUTHS

When you're a kid, you think you'll be dead at 50.

It seems like...ages off, don't it?

I don't feel no different.

It's a bit scary how, like...

how short life is, to be honest, I think.

TERRY BREATHES IN

Oh, I've put a few pounds on.

Ooh!

-Are you decent?

-No, I'm not.

She's not decent.

She never has been!

After an awful year, it's a chance for Terry and Lyndsay to draw

a line and look to the future with their family and staff.

Half of them in there don't see me in this sort of clobber.

They see me in oil.

It's took me a week to get my nails right.

Could everybody come in, please?

Right, can everybody stand up on the stage? On the stage.

Everyone on the stage!

CHEERING

ALL: # Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday, dear Lindsay

# Happy birthday to you! #

CHEERING

I'm proud of them, really, to keep it. Amazing.

He must have a dark side to him.

Come here, you. My little mint ball, aren't ya?

My little mint ball.

Me mam is the sweetest, most loveliest, bestest person

in the whole wide world and I love her so much in the world,

and I hope she has the best night of her life.

I'm just in shock. It's not good for you, shock.

Not at my age!

# I had nothing to do on this hot afternoon

# But to settle down and write you a line

# I've been meaning to phone you but from Minnesota

# I sure do want you to know

# You wear it well... #

Have a good one, darling.

I've always said all along our kids are good people

and they've got total respect for us.

In the yard, things seem to be going in the right direction.

The parts are ready for you, so we're going to

get it sent out in the next hour.

The lads are getting their heads round health and safety.

Have you done your check on that this morning? 100%?

The money's starting to roll in.

OK, pal. It's only just right!

-Where's my tip?

-Where's MY tip?

And Dean is facing the moment of truth - it's his stacker exam.

Well, have I passed?

-It's definitely pass.

-Nice one, mate. Buzzing.

Yes! Yes!

Yeah, man!

Smashed it. Flew through it.

Don't drop any cars and if you do drop one,

don't drop it in front of Terry.

Nah, I won't.

But the good mood doesn't last for long.

Monday morning, and over the weekend,

there's been a serious incident involving the stacker.

But it's not Dean who's messed up - it's Terry and Lyndsay's son, Jon.

I were in here and all I could hear was screaming and shouting

and I thought, "What's going on?"

So I went to go toilet, so I'd already locked back door,

so I just went to front door, and I'm looking out and next thing

I saw Terry come flying out t'door and come flying over here to Jon.

I could see it escalating.

Jon had been using the stacker to lift an estate car,

but it fell off and flipped onto its roof.

The way he shouted at him,

my heart bled for him, do you know what I mean?

When he said, "You're not getting in t'car,

"you've got to walk home..."

They're both as stubborn as each other, when it comes to it.

It's not good.

Hello, Metro. Yeah, we've got them in stock, mate. £45.

45, yeah, OK? OK, thank you. Bye.

I've got a fiery...a fiery temper,

and, you know, when I see a dangerous act happening,

it's like... I don't know, it's like putting petrol on a fire, really.

As soon as that car came off, I went...end of, day's over for me.

Dad's going to go mad, he's going to start arguing, I thought.

Cos it was there right in front of the office on the ramp.

I shouted at him over t'tannoy

cos he weren't listening to me when I shouted to him.

Obviously, he's like his dad, he's like me, so he's ended up

having a go back at me, and then we've ended up in an argument.

I shouldn't have shouted at him, man. I should've just took it in,

on the chin and just walked away,

but he texted me and I texted him back

and I said some bad things to him as well, that I regret.

So I've took his key off him and sent him on his way.

So, Lyndsay didn't like that and, obviously, I've sacked Jon.

It was Saturday morning,

I was just carrying on doing what I normally do,

next minute, full-blown screaming down the phone, Jon.

But really, really upset, like, put a lump in my throat,

couldn't hear what he was saying.

He was absolutely heart broke. He said, "I know what I'm doing,

"it was an accident, he keeps putting me down

"and he's just humiliated me in front of everybody."

-She's always stuck in the middle.

-But she'll always stick up for Jon.

Oh, he's her baby, isn't it? He's her baby.

But... So I imagine in their house right now, it's World War III.

We're not in a good place right now,

it's not going to be sorted overnight, cos I'm not giving up.

I'm not backing down.

He's a law unto himself. It's as simple as that.

It just gets on my nerves, I swear to God.

For now, the yard is probably the safest place for Terry.

-All right, mate?

-Sweet.

That's for you.

Suit me?

I want to be here and I want to keep my mind occupied,

cos the last... I wanna... I don't want to be thinking about all the...

Everything that's been going on over t'weekend, all the arguing and what not.

You're welcome. Bye.

-How are you feeling, boss?

-I'm feeling as young as I look.

-So, you're feeling bad?

-Yep.

Very.

See you in the morning.

Got no home to go to.

# Pack up your troubles in your own kit bag

# And smile, smile, smile... #

I've nowhere to go.

See you, everyone!

HE LAUGHS

How will he ever be boss

of that place when you speak to him like that?

The fact is, on that day, you weren't acting safe.

There's enough staff round here,

they're all just wondering round doing nothing.

You're costing this business money!

Dave, just tell him to go home, that's it now. Finished.

He cannot run that business without all of us.

I've no idea what's going to happen next, I really don't.