Dream On Scrappers

I'm Terry Walker, and this is my scrap yard.

-Morning, boss!

-All right, Coxy!

-Want a brew?

-Cup of tea, please. Happy days.

'There's profit in every ounce of a scrap car.'

50 quid, pal!

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

What a good day!

I started the yard over 20 years ago.

A few years after, I met Lyndsay, the wife.

-Don't go spending money!

-Can I spend it on you, then?

-No problem!

He just makes money, it's just this knack he's got.

I do it by employing lads that no-one else will.

Individually, they're good lads, they're all right.

But together, they're like a load of hyenas.

It's like a circus sometimes.

You've got to keep laughing cos if you don't, you'll cry.

Move these tyres! Move 'em!

I won't have the mickey took out of me.

If they do that, they're history.

There's more cars to come! Get 'em sorted!

If they show willing and I can see something in 'em,

I won't give up on 'em easily.

Can't get a job nowhere else, nowhere else'll have me!

It's the Metro family, and it's the family that I've created from scratch.

It's coming to the end of a tough year.

But with Christmas round the corner,

business in the biggest scrap yard in the Northwest is finally on the up.

I can see the lorries coming through with vehicles,

the engines are rolling out, the iron alloy is rolling out.

That's all you can ask for really.

Very busy at the yard at the minute.

It is fair to say, it's running a little bit better now.

He's been a good boy, for once.

Couldn't be better really. It's a really good end to the year.

Terry and Lyndsay are on a mission to end the year

with their business in profit and plan for the future.

I want to see us in ten years' time a lot more relaxed than we are now.

That's what I want. Maybe, fingers crossed, we will be.

But Terry has other ideas.

If I could sell everything, I could retire tomorrow. But I wouldn't.

-Too boring sat at home. I'd feel guilty.

-I'd die of guilt.

Lyndsay has finally got him running the yard the way she wants.

But will she ever get him to slow down?

Come on, get it shifted!

It's the week before Christmas,

and now that things in the yard

are ticking over nicely, boss Terry has some time on his hands.

But rather than put his feet up and enjoy the fruits of his labour...

Come through here, Coxy. Start here!

..he's branching out.

We've just took a consignment of salt, 20 tonnes of rock salt

and 800 snow shovels.

So we're going to sell it

for less than half of what it's costing in the big stores.

He's probably bored. He needs another buzz.

That is definitely what it is. He's got to be doing something, spending!

Our Lyndsay said that in the shops, these are between £8-£10 each

but you can get one today for £5.

I'll keep me eye on that bank account.

All this salt and shovels all ready for the bad weather,

when t'snow comes.

Now we've bought all this, there won't be no snow!

It is definitely going to snow soon.

We've been checking the weather daily.

Whoa!

It doesn't matter what it is, if there's a profit in it, it's got to be bought.

In fact, I could do with another lorry load.

Along with 20 tonnes of salt and 800 snow shovels,

there's another addition to the yard,

but this one is less likely to be making them money.

Right, come on!

-So you happy to be back then or what?

-Yeah, course I am.

Christmas is only around the corner now, bad boy.

Back with t'family.

Terry has decided to give Boyle one last chance after he was sacked

for pinching some scrap metal from the yard a few weeks ago.

Lift it and pull it cos you're stuck on t'edge.

As punishment, Terry's assigned him a tough job -

to organise engines for an export order,

under Little Dave's supervision.

No, this is coming out.

Oh, yeah. It's got green paint on it.

You've got to buckle down, mate. Be in every day, don't be late.

You know, like you was this morning.

Slowly, slowly!

I think he's rubbed up a lot of people up the wrong way, including me,

but I'm glad to have Boyle back

as long as he is here to work and not mess about.

Cos as soon as he starts messing about, I don't want to know.

It's important, isn't it?

I'm not going to do anything, I've not touched nothing,

I'm just doing everything he says.

I'm not a kid now, no more. I'm going to be a good lad now.

-Right Mr Sandman, here's the money what we agreed on.

-It's all there?

-Yeah, all there, spend it wisely.

-Will do. Use the sand wisely!

-I printed them myself this morning.

-Good man. I made that at t'beach!

Ha-ha! I'll see you later, pal.

Terry's paid £1,200 for 20 tonnes of salt.

He wants to sell each bag for £4,

which means this deal could make him almost three grand profit.

But he's not going to just sit back and wait for the snow.

Instead, he's already hatching another little plan.

And he's roping in Natalie, the finance assistant.

Right, I've got an idea that's going to get the banter coming

-back in the yard.

-Come on, then.

A calendar for Christmas.

W-W-What do you mean? Just like car parts or something, just parts?

-Or people?

-A themed, semi-nude calendar,

covering our nuptials with car parts.

So you might dress up in a ra-ra skirt or something like that

and walk down the yard with just some pit boots on and a hard hat.

-Don't be daft, I'm not being in it.

-You don't want to be in it?

-No, I think it should be just the lads.

-But why?

I'm not being naked. Am I being director?

That's what I'm here to ask you to do, if you want to spearhead that...

No worries.

So I can tell these lads you're doing this and you're wearing this?

-Yes.

-That's the one.

Are you going to get quite a few of these calendars and sell them?

Maybe, yeah. I'm not paying top dollar for them.

No, we'll get you a price. I'll buy one of them.

We'll have one in 'ere!

Can't wait. I need to organise who's going to be in it first,

because I don't think many of them are going to be willing

to take their kit off, without a bit of gentle persuasion.

Oh, my God.

He's acting strange...very strange.

It does sound like one of Terry's ideas because it's out the normal.

Gaz, are you up for getting your kit off?

Just had me nipple pierced as well!

Have you? That's a good un'! I swear to God, I did.

You've got to get on it, it's all about morale boosting!

Give us a bit of time cos I'll get spray tan on and all that.

-Get a spray tan, get the nails done.

-Get ready cos it's happening.

-When?

-Are you putting your name down?

-Yeah, yeah!

-Thought you would.

-Definitely put me down. I'm a team player, me!

-Same 'ere!

Lyndsay is trying to get Terry to think more about their future

and less about the yard.

-Hi, Terry, you all right?

-Long time no see.

-Hi, you all right?

She's brought him to a plot of land they own to go through designs

for the luxury five-bedroom house they hope to build there.

-You're about 4,500 square feet.

-Big enough, ain't it?

-Yeah.

It's about three times your average executive house.

That's massive - you've got three-piece suites in there as well.

Obviously, we started off with nothing. Nothing.

He was on the dole and I had three jobs.

And to actually complete this and just make...

That would be Terry's mark in Bolton

of how well he's done and how he's succeeded.

"Built in 2014 by Terry Walker." You know, it's good.

This will be absolutely brilliant when it's done, it'll be beautiful.

It's a one-off. A bit like us. Ha-ha!

Thing is, once it's completed,

you'll have to have time off work to enjoy it, won't you?

I'm of the opinion that, to have your mind occupied doing something

is better than to be away from, you know, and be bored.

You could have your mind occupied, though, there's loads to do.

There'll be lots to do here as well.

You've got to enjoy it if you're going to do all this work.

Their dream house will take over two years to build.

Lyndsay's plan to get Terry to slow down will probably take a bit longer.

We've come a long way from ready-made curtains

-from Poundstretcher, haven't we?

-Yeah.

-Ha-ha!

There's only a few days till Christmas

and Terry wants to try and shift his consignment of rock salt

before the end of the year.

So he's decided to send a few lads out selling it door to door.

Rock salt! Rock salt! Come and get your rock salt!

It's the perfect opportunity for Boyle to redeem himself.

We can sell snow to t'Eskimos us, mate.

We can sell ice to the ice road truckers. Ha-ha!

Hiya, love, I'm supplying all the schools and nurseries this year with rock salt. Do you need any?

OK, no problem, thank you. Bye.

Just wondered if you're interested in buying any rock salt?

OK, no problem, thank you very much.

Yer terrible, mate! Terrible.

It's not a promising start.

But Boyle is undeterred and determined to prove himself.

Hiya, love,

I spoke to Tony yesterday about some grit salt.

I'm dropping it off today.

That's Bolton Blinds, we still ain't been there. We need to go there.

-We're up at a gym. You know Foggy's gym, the boxing gym?

-Yeah?

He wants some bags and all, mate.

-How many bags does he want? Ten?

-I'm just waiting for his reply now.

They've yet to sell any,

but they're already considering a drop in price.

Ten bags 30 quid. We're just going to have to do that today, deals. Ten bags 30 quid, innit?

Nice one. Thanks for that.

You can't beat a breakfast for dinner, can you?

In the yard, Natalie is also trying the hard sell.

Leave that door open!

She's recruiting for the calendar,

but she's up against some tricky customers.

-Alvin?

-Yes?

Have you heard about Terry's calendar?

You just pick a month, take your kit off, job's a good 'un!

So, do you want to do it?

-Hmm. Not really.

-What do you mean, no?!

Rock salt, rock salt, come and get your rock salt.

-Where is this place?

-This is a nursery. She's called Claire.

Sounds pretty fit as well, so we might, you know, might be in there,

numbers and that. Eh?!

Right, I'll go in and sort the deal out, you know,

-cos she did speak to me.

-Hey, hold on!

-Hi, is it Claire?

-No, it's Sam.

-Sam. You all right?

-Yeah. There you go.

Right, I'll just give you the 10 bags. Where do you want 'em?

-Er, in there, please.

-In that?

-Yeah.

In that, right, I'll put 'em in now.

Right, so it's 10 bags, Lee.

You give 'em me and I'll put 'em down.

-Er, I don't know. One minute.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

All right, thank you very much, Sam. See you later.

Yeah, we aim on making around £500 today, if not more.

-Made our first 30 quid, though, just then, didn't we?

-Yeah, first job.

First job, 30 quid.

Hiya, love.

Lee? He's in t'truck.

I just wondered if you wanted any grit salt.

Ten bags for 30 quid or five for 15 quid.

Shall I ask Mike and we might have five? Yeah.

-Five each?

-Yeah.

Right, there's your other bag, Sue.

90... 100 quid.

So we've sold half a pallet.

It's 100 quid, it's not a lot, but it's better than nothing.

He'll still be happy with it.

-All right, mate, how you doin'?

-Whoa! Yes, that'll do.

Do you want it? Do you want it?

A whole truck all gone.

Nobody's wanting spares, so we've got all those spares...

We'll give you that at the end of t'day, cos you'll spend it.

Yeah, I'm dead pleased with him, at the moment,

but I don't like saying things like that, cos it just tempts fate.

When you say, "Oh, yeah, I'm dead pleased with him," next minute

he's doing something wrong, like driving Lee's truck now.

Boyle's been out this morning

and he's just got a nice little wad on him there, and I thought,

-"What a good do."

-I'll see how long it lasts, eh?

Yeah, you're very optimistic, aren't you, Lyndsay?

-No, not with Boyley.

-No.

Don't worry, we'll give you some money later,

we've got plenty of money for you in a bit.

Hi, Lee.

Hi, Natalie.

-Right, Terry has just come up with this idea...

-Right.

..of a semi-naked calendar.

-Right...

-So basically you want me to get me kit off,

-get in t'yard and pose.

-Yeah.

-For a calendar.

-Yeah.

-In me home town.

-Yeah.

-Are you for real?

-No, come on.

Oh, my God, listen. I've come here to sell parts, make money,

not do calendars. Who comes up with these ideas?

Terry, you know what he's like.

What month can I put you down for?

Cos if you just say no, I'll just put you down anyway.

Erm, what's left?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October

and November and December.

-I'll be July.

-Terry's definitely got to be January.

You know, he can be on t'front of the cover.

Terry's on another mission to make some quick cash

before the yard closes for Christmas.

Get stuck into them, get it all cleared.

He wants to separate out the alloy

and the metal wheels they've been collecting and then cash them in.

Alloy wheels, ten pound a piece. Roughly.

All the alloy wheels are mixed in with the steel wheels.

We've got two skips down there that need filling. Get some money in.

We used to fill a skip per week with about three tonne in it,

so that's three grand.

The metal wheel rims, that's only 150 pound a tonne at the moment.

But you get seven tonne in there.

It's about a grand, something like that. 1,500 quid sometimes.

Better than a kick up t'backside.

But as the day draws to a close

there's only one topic of conversation.

Dave!

Listen, marra.

-Are you doing this shoot, you, or what?

-What shoot's that, mate?

-This calendar thing.

-Naked?

-This is what I'm saying.

Don't forget, these calendars, they're going out

-round Bolton and Manchester and whatnot.

-Are they?

-We'll be a laughing stock.

-Yeah, so I'm not...

-Got a rep, me, marra, you know what I'm saying?

-I have as well, mate. I'm not up for that, mate.

See you in a bit, marra.

It's a bit OTT, that, innit? Naked.

Coxy!

What do you think about this calendar, marra?

-Just a calendar, innit?

-So you going to get all your kit off?

-Yeah.

-I don't mind it.

-All your kit?

-Yeah.

-Come on.

Cos you only live once in life so you might as well do what you can.

Oh, yeah, man, yeah, man.

With just one day to go before the big photoshoot,

Natalie is worried about the turnout.

Everybody, all the lads, they don't want to do it.

-It's been a nightmare.

-They don't want to do it?

-No.

It's not rocket science. Take a photo with a part in their hand.

So tomorrow...will be fun.

You could possibly see me tearing me hair out.

Bloody hell, why do I always get them that's tangled up?

Oblivious to the problems with the calendar, Terry's at home

and wrapped up in another idea.

I've just decided to surprise our Lyndsay.

She knows I'm up to summat, cos she come before, she said, "Why have you got a cheeky face?

"You look like you're up to summat." I said, "I'm not, I'm just putting a few lights up."

But she thinks I've paid 9.99 for 'em,

so she doesn't realise how many's going up.

Altogether now, I think there's about three and a half thousand bulbs.

I'm sick of Rudolph.

Oh, my God.

What you thinking?

It's like bloody...Santa's grotto!

-Look what we've done for you.

-Oh, my God.

-9.99?

-9.99!

Flipping hell.

Yeah(!) At plug!

-You've done a good job.

-Yeah.

I pay this electric bill, you know. Not you!

-Right, do you like it, then?

-It's lovely.

-Right, give us a power hug, then.

It were worthwhile, that, just to get that.

You know what's appertaining today, don't you?

Yeah, yeah, er...photoshoot, innit?

Most of the lads are reluctant to take part in Terry's calendar shoot.

But Boyle is keen to keep in the boss's good books.

It's all right, I'll get me kecks off.

-What about young Dave, do you think he'll be up for it?

-I don't know.

Your face is looking a bit beetroot.

I've been on t'sunbeds, ain't I, 12 and a half minutes.

Sure you were only on that sunbed for 12 and a half minutes?

Yeah. I went on last night for ten as well, though, didn't I?

Bloody hell. Look like you've got a strawberry on your nose.

-Got some cream for that.

-"Got some cream for that"! Ha-ha!

One by one, the lads are coming round to the idea.

So you're doing it - what's your pose going to be?

-I ain't got a clue what he wants me to do.

-What will you be holding?

I don't know.

See, it started off where bottoms were on,

-then it were half naked, then he goes...fully nude.

-Oh, I'm sorry...

Bottoms, mate...

For fellas - you only want to see the tops,

you don't want to see owt else.

No. I don't. I think they're ugly! Ha-ha!

This morning, the salt selling has been put to one side

as the lads concentrate on other priorities.

Look at 'em.

What the hell's all that about?

Is this in preparation for the, um...photo shoot?

Oh, they trying to build their muscles up in two minutes flat?

Yeah.

-Ah, he's on it!

-He's done it!

Ah, look at Boyle's lickle muscles, they're coming on, aren't they?

Yeah.

Look at Coxy!

He's got his angry face on.

Look. Oosch!

Yes!

SHE MOUTHS Y-M-C-A!

Y-M...!

Morning, Harry, how you doing?

Mr Walker, how are you? Bright start today.

Terry's friend Harry, a local press photographer,

has agreed to help out.

Well, let's crack on then, Harry. We're ready to rock'n'roll.

-Once they see you do it...

-Yeah.

-..they'll all play ball.

-No worries, mate.

-You know, following the gaffer.

Do you like my socks?

Nice, them. You're feeling them, aren't you?

Feeling a bit brisk!

Bloody hell, I never thought I'd be doing this today.

At the camera, please.

Head up a bit.

That's it. Thanks, everyone.

With the boss leading the way, the rest soon follow suit.

It's cold!

I'm not into this, me.

I'm a shy guy.

Behind that glass.

With those on, it's not actually going to make it, is it?

No way am I taking these shorts off.

-And what did I say to you?

-I don't know - what did you say?

-I said I would do it discreetly, so...

-Yeah, but it doesn't matter.

My arse cheeks are not being shown.

I've got a very bad rash on me bum, and I don't want anyone to see it.

Nobody'll see it.

-Put your foot there again.

-Yeah.

And bring that in a little bit.

Well, seeing as he weren't up for it this morning,

he's doing quite well, isn't he?

It's funny - I was trying to get some fun back into t' place,

and it's working. Well, it's getting me laughing, anyway!

Do the pinky!

Look at that face!

I've got oil all over me wanger!

Oh, that were funny.

That were absolutely hilarious.

I couldn't even take my shoes off,

so I've my shoes on with pink boxers...

over t' back of an engine.

It's not right, is it?

-I know!

-Good job I love you.

First thing in the morning, freezing your nuptials off.

You know - where do you get entertainment like that in a scrap yard?

At the end of the week, the yard will close for Christmas.

There's just one more thing to take care of.

Christmas party tonight.

I'm feeling it, I'm feeling it.

It's going to be a right good do.

And, unlike previous years, it's going ahead as planned.

Last year we didn't have enough money to have a Christmas do,

but this year, because we've done all right,

we decided to have a Christmas get together with the Metro family.

The staff do work really, really hard.

So they deserve to have a lickle party, don't they?

Our John's come home with this lemony stuff.

Let's just see what this goes on like.

Ooh...

Oh, that stings.

By 'eck, petal, thou looks gorgeous tonight!

Ooh!

Come on, come on.

Come on, come on!

I've not got my coat on yet.

Go and get your coat, then.

All the staff look smart tonight, you know.

We're used to seeing them covered in oil from head to foot,

and they all look really nice.

-Free beer, innit?

-He's made up for last year.

If I'm honest with you, I'm glad to be part of their night.

Whoa, you always win...!

I've won something for the first time in me life.

As long as you have a laugh, job's a good 'un.

Look at that!

Are all these drinks mine?

Nice one.

Have you enjoyed yourself tonight?

I have, yes.

We're on a winner.

I am actually...

-What are you doing with me drink?

-I'm drinking it.

-You've had enough.

-Yes, I'm really happy...

with how tonight's gone. Yeah.

-Love you.

-Love you too.

You need to sort your breath out.

That's the onions, love. Ha-ha!

It's the end of a challenging year for scrap yard boss Terry Walker,

his business partner and wife Lyndsay and their 35 employees.

Between them, they've salvaged over 6,000 catalytic convertors,

drained 40,000 litres of petrol, sold 10,000 cars

and crushed 7,500 tonnes of scrap.

They've now got 19 tonnes of salt to shift,

and 200 semi-naked calendars to sell.

-I'm frightened to open it!

-Come on.

THEY LAUGH

I love this job. I would never see myself doing anything else.

21 years we've been here. It seems like seven.

Here you are, have a look at that.

What is it?

I'm not telling you. Just have a look.

It's like one big happy family here, to be honest with you.

-Enjoy.

-I will. Thank you very much, Deb.

-Yeah!

-Go on!

-Eh!

It's a good place to work.

I love it. I love it, me.

-Little present for you.

-What is it?

Enjoy.

He's got nish on!

Oh, he's a brave boy.

You've got to have a bit of a screw loose to work here.

Everyone has, you know what I mean?

Better than anywhere else, anyway.

I've never had a job anywhere else, actually! Ha-ha!

Could you actually imagine what this yard would be like

if your dad did retire?

It'd be a mess.

Guys!

-There you go.

-I DO look like a grandad, don't I?

It's a good calendar, innit?

Yeah, it's a good 'un, man.

I personally take me hat off to 'em all.

Cos I wouldn't have done it.

I'm proud of 'em. It's good.

I will push him to back off a bit.

Or else we're going to be here till we're 90, if we live that long.

I think Lyndsay is the only one who could make him retire -

or at least slow down.

Metro till I die. That's me, innit?

You know - you know that.

MUSIC: "La Traviata - Part 5" by Verdi