0:00:02 > 0:00:03Across the country,
0:00:03 > 0:00:08thousands of farming families work tirelessly around the clock.
0:00:08 > 0:00:09Bring them up, Isabel.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11- Well done.- Here they come.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Shake it, baby, shake it.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But there's one day each year...
0:00:16 > 0:00:17Come on, up you go!
0:00:17 > 0:00:20..where they get to leave the daily routine behind.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Yahoo!
0:00:22 > 0:00:24These are show days.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Welcome to the Pembrokeshire County Show.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29And they come together as a community...
0:00:29 > 0:00:30Salute.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33..to showcase the fruits of their labour...
0:00:33 > 0:00:34Had a quick look at the competition.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36I'm in with a chance.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40..and try to win prizes for their breed champions...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Well done. Wahey!
0:00:42 > 0:00:44It's show business, folks.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45..and award-winning produce.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46I got first!
0:00:48 > 0:00:50You had the last two jars.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51There will be highs...
0:00:54 > 0:00:55..and lows...
0:00:55 > 0:00:57No, no, no, no!
0:00:57 > 0:01:02..for the dedicated farmers who give everything to walk away a champion.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04No way!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Britain is home to over 160 million chickens.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19COCKEREL CROWS
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Most of them are destined for the pot...
0:01:23 > 0:01:24..but not all of them.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Nurturing Britain's 93 Rare Heritage breeds
0:01:30 > 0:01:33is the life's work for a small group
0:01:33 > 0:01:34of farming families.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Hello, guys, are you all right?
0:01:38 > 0:01:40I walked in here this morning and it was right here.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Amongst them are Gabby Franklin from Herefordshire...
0:01:45 > 0:01:47..and the Reed family from Cornwall.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52They are getting ready to exhibit their prize birds
0:01:52 > 0:01:54at this year's Pembrokeshire County Show.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56I hope they won't disgrace me.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00If he gets Champion, I shall be on the floor.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03It's their chance to show their hard work to the world...
0:02:04 > 0:02:07..and win pride of place on Championship Row.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10No way!
0:02:19 > 0:02:24The scenic Welsh borders are home to 44-year-old Gabby Franklin
0:02:24 > 0:02:25and her parents.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36Their 22-acre farm also houses three dogs and two horses,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38along with half a dozen goats.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41GOAT BLEATS
0:02:41 > 0:02:44But by far the most numerous residents
0:02:44 > 0:02:48are Gabby's 65 Heritage Breed chickens.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49Hello, girls.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Good morning. Everybody all right?
0:02:52 > 0:02:53Come on, then.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Gabby's day starts at 6am
0:02:55 > 0:02:57with feeding rounds for her Silkies.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59Oh, gosh, I love them.
0:02:59 > 0:03:00Oh, they're brilliant fun.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04They really are. They are such characters and people are just like,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08"It's a chicken." No, they have got characters.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10You can see this one, you know she's definitely the boss of the pen
0:03:10 > 0:03:12and she's got oodles of character.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19These flamboyant chickens won't be eaten,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21and they are not strong layers.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Gabby breeds them just to show.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27The wall of the feed room reflects her success.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36Prize birds may take up a lot of time, but they don't pay,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39so Gabby's had to look elsewhere for extra income.
0:03:40 > 0:03:41Chickens are not my day job, no.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45No, I do have to go to work, unfortunately.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50I look after holiday homes for people, and second homes.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53This area is a popular holiday destination
0:03:53 > 0:03:56for those wanting to experience rural life,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58so Gabby's also diversified
0:03:58 > 0:04:01by building holiday cabins on the farm.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03So, it's bringing people into the area,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06looking after the area and being part of the community as well,
0:04:06 > 0:04:07which is really nice.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Balancing all of her commitments can be demanding.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Luckily, I'm self-employed,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17so that does give me a little bit more flexibility,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20but I wish I could stay with these guys all day.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23That would be fantastic. Be a total, crazy chicken woman.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25- That would be amazing. - SHE LAUGHS
0:04:36 > 0:04:39It's not hard to see where Gabby's passion comes from.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Her 73-year-old mother, Maggie, is a champion goat breeder.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Hello.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53As a toddler, Gabby would accompany her mother on the show circuit.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59We had an old VW camper that we used to put one goat in
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and just go all over the country, go from show to show.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Maggie had a very practical approach to parenting.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12We'd have all the goats penned up in their pens
0:05:12 > 0:05:15and I always booked an empty pen for Gabrielle.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17And she would sleep in the empty pen.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22As she got older, Gabby began to show her own goats.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26We have had some wonderful memories
0:05:26 > 0:05:29where we were Champion and Reserve Champion at the Royal Welsh.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31That was amazing.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34And we were definitely the first mother-daughter team to do it.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Before Gabby can think of getting ready for the show,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46there's still more farm work to do.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52These hens are hybrids, and, unlike the Silkies,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56they have to earn their keep.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Ladies, look at my girls.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01These are all ex-batts, that's where they have come from,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03they are ex-commercial hens.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04They were £1 each,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07and I got them because I needed eggs for my clients,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09because that lot just don't produce enough.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13I went to get six, which is what I wanted to put in here,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16and they were in such awful conditions, I came home with 21.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22Now all your feathers have grown back, look at you, look at you.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35230 miles away in Cornwall is another poultry farmer,
0:06:35 > 0:06:37also with a second day job.
0:06:40 > 0:06:4345-year-old Danny Reed is a Methodist minister.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- Morning.- Morning, Daniel. - Morning, all right?
0:06:54 > 0:06:56How are we all?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Good.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Ever since I was 14,
0:07:00 > 0:07:04I knew that I would be in some kind of full-time Christian work.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07At one point, I thought that might be going overseas.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Other times, it's felt that I'm very much called to Cornwall
0:07:10 > 0:07:13and there's something odd about the Cornish,
0:07:13 > 0:07:14and I say that as a Cornishman,
0:07:14 > 0:07:20that very often, when you are one of we, you can help we.
0:07:21 > 0:07:22You all right, Lynn?
0:07:24 > 0:07:25He's a wonderful person.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30I've known Daniel since he was a young lad, so I've seen him grow up,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33I've seen him flourish, and he's just an inspiration to us all.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Reverend Danny's family home is in Helston.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Just a mile up the road is a rented barn for his second flock...
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Over 300 chickens and ducks.
0:07:56 > 0:07:57Out we go.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58Come on, girlies.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Reverend Danny has been farming poultry for over 20 years.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Come on, come on, come on.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07And his wife Sarah and two boys have also got the bug.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13This comes in handy on cleaning day.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- I've got the brush and shovel.- Yeah.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- You have the shavings.- And I've got the shavings,
0:08:19 > 0:08:21which is really fair, isn't it?
0:08:23 > 0:08:26The funny thing is, when I was young,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28I said I would never marry a farmer.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30That was my thing. So then I married a minister
0:08:30 > 0:08:33who ended up having a human flock
0:08:33 > 0:08:36and a flock of birds as well, so he's never home.
0:08:36 > 0:08:37You love it, really.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39I do love it.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42We are a busy family.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46We do have a family calendar on the fridge, don't we,
0:08:46 > 0:08:47so everybody has a line,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50and I like to know where everybody is at certain times
0:08:50 > 0:08:52and we sometimes meet for tea.
0:08:52 > 0:08:53Yeah, sometimes, not always.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- Which is good.- I don't wait for you to cook tea.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- I just get my own.- Oh, yeah, you look hard done by.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02I won't say that.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Sorry.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07The divorce is two days closer than it was.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Sarah also has two jobs.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15As well as working as a nursery school leader,
0:09:15 > 0:09:19she runs a community floral arts club.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23In fact, it was flowers that brought the couple together.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26My mother was looking after a chapel that was doing a flower festival
0:09:26 > 0:09:29and she wanted me to do a flower arrangement
0:09:29 > 0:09:31and she wanted Sarah to do a flower arrangement
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and whether she connived and put us together,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37I'm not quite sure. And that started it all off, really.
0:09:37 > 0:09:38And now look where we are.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Yeah.
0:09:40 > 0:09:41SHE LAUGHS
0:09:45 > 0:09:50When you have 140 ducks, the cleaning never stops.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51Clean that pond.
0:09:51 > 0:09:5416-year-old Ben and 13-year-old Thomas
0:09:54 > 0:09:56are following in their father's footsteps...
0:09:59 > 0:10:00..each with their own flock of birds.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09This is one of my Exchequers.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11She is a floppy cone.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13The females have floppy cones.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16But normally the males, they stand up straight.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21Thomas's expertise extends to nursing the newborn chicks.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Yeah, I found it this morning.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26OK, go on, open it.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Oh, it's beautiful.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- So, what's that? - A black Barbu d'Anver, I think.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Oh, my goodness, when was that born?
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Um, I think it was last night,
0:10:36 > 0:10:38but I walked in here this morning and it was right here.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40And it's got good black legs.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42And good, nice, short beak.
0:10:42 > 0:10:43Yeah, he looks really good.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50And for Ben, learning to breed poultry has been an inspiration.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53My main passion really is this.
0:10:53 > 0:10:59I'm even doing EPQ in my A-levels on poultry genetics and after A-levels,
0:10:59 > 0:11:04I want to go to study veterinary and be a vet down here.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Yeah, I want to be a farmer when I'm older, I hope.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13I would like to keep chickens, show them, just like we do right now.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16I think if we had to choose something that we wanted to do,
0:11:16 > 0:11:17we would be here, wouldn't we?
0:11:17 > 0:11:21Because it's just so different to what is normal, really.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23COCKEREL CROWS
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Back in Herefordshire, competition is on Gabby's mind.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38There are only three days until show time.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43I'm too competitive for my own good.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47My mantra is winning isn't everything, it's the only thing.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50It's always been the same,
0:11:50 > 0:11:52whether I've been helping mum with the goats
0:11:52 > 0:11:53or doing the horses.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Gabby's competitiveness is,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00she's never happy unless she's got a red rosette in her hand.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Anything else, any other colour is...
0:12:04 > 0:12:05..not important.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Gabby's always been competitive.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16From showing goats as a young girl, to professional endurance riding...
0:12:16 > 0:12:17Oh, it was fun, though, wasn't it?
0:12:17 > 0:12:20..where competitors race cross-country
0:12:20 > 0:12:23for distances of up to 100 miles.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26When are you going to stop dressing the kitchen with rosettes?
0:12:26 > 0:12:27Never.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- Why, have you got a problem with it? - No, I just wish you'd dust them.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Gabby will be taking three of her Silkies
0:12:45 > 0:12:48to this year's show and has high hopes for winning.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54When they were first brought to Europe from Asia in the 1800s,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58they were sold as a cross between a chicken and a rabbit.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00So, this is Barry White.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02He's my large white Silkie cockerel.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05He will be against lots of different breeds,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08so it will be quite interesting to see what the judge does.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10He was originally just called Barry.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12I don't know why, it just happened one day,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15and I started calling him Barry White, so...
0:13:15 > 0:13:17And then, of course, it fitted
0:13:17 > 0:13:19because he'd thrown some fantastic chicks, so...
0:13:19 > 0:13:21INTERVIEWER IMITATES BARRY WHITE: Full of love.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24Absolutely, he is full of love, aren't you, mate?
0:13:24 > 0:13:26You're full of lurve.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Showtime creates even more work for the farmers.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Before she can leave for the event, all birds have to be spotless,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38starting with Barry White.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Is that your shampoo or mine?
0:13:42 > 0:13:43- It's yours.- I thought it might be.
0:13:45 > 0:13:46I don't want to go in the water.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52The family kitchen is turned into a Silkie salon for the day.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57That's it. All right, all right. Relax, relax.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02You are moulting. You're not allowed to moult yet.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03Do you think they remember?
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Oh, yeah, definitely.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07But they do quite enjoy it, I think.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Some of the hens will just sit down,
0:14:09 > 0:14:11you see them sit down, and just,
0:14:11 > 0:14:13"Oh, this is lovely. I'm in a spa."
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- You will clean up your mess? - Yes, I will clean up the mess.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- SILKIE CLUCKS - Shush.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24He doesn't want to come out of the warm water.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28To win, these Silkies will need big bouffant feathers...
0:14:28 > 0:14:32- Coming through.- ..so Barry White is booked in for a blow-dry.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43Like many birds, Silkies shed all their feathers at the end of summer,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46so this is not a good sign just before show day.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51This won't make him moult more, will it?
0:14:51 > 0:14:52Oh, dear.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Oh, good.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Silence. Look at the mess.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Just please don't drop any more feathers.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Oh, for goodness' sake, when she's done six chickens,
0:15:03 > 0:15:05you can't see the floor, can you?
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Before Maggie can get her kitchen back,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16there's one more chicken to go...
0:15:16 > 0:15:19I just want to just tidy her up a little bit, just check her over.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24..their prized Indian Game hen called Sweetie.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Hand cleaning a chicken's bottom
0:15:29 > 0:15:31is not the most glamorous part of the job,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35but Gabby's not taking any chances with her potential champion.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Because of the shape of them, they can't preen...
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- Oh, right.- ..where I'm just tidying her up.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43They can't preen it because they are so square.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45So you do that and they go, "Oh, thank you very much."
0:15:49 > 0:15:51I think this is the best bird on the place at the moment.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54If I was judging, I'd take him over her.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- Why?- If you said to me, "Which one do you want to take home?"
0:15:57 > 0:15:58I'd say, "That one."
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Yeah, well, that's the judge's preference, isn't it?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Isn't it lucky she's not judging?
0:16:02 > 0:16:04You mustn't be offended, promise me.
0:16:05 > 0:16:06Smile for the judge.
0:16:20 > 0:16:21Back in Cornwall,
0:16:21 > 0:16:26Reverend Danny and Sarah have taken their salon outdoors.
0:16:26 > 0:16:27Right, so this is one,
0:16:27 > 0:16:30and this is going to take a good hour to get this chicken ready.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- Yeah.- How many have we got?
0:16:32 > 0:16:3462.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36It's going to be a late night, isn't it?
0:16:36 > 0:16:37Well, yeah.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42I don't know about you, but I quite enjoy the preparation for the show.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- Come on, can you do some jobs there? Look.- Oh, yeah.
0:16:45 > 0:16:51I get all the dirty jobs, you see, in preparing chickens, don't I?
0:16:51 > 0:16:54They do look really weird, these Silkies, don't they?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57The Silkies, you see, have got blue flesh.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01They're one of those rare breeds that has got odd-coloured flesh.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05See, I knew we'd get wetter than it did.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13All this for a chicken show.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Right, just give him a break a minute.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22I think we have arguments in our marriage
0:17:22 > 0:17:24over our children and chickens.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26Would you think that was a fair statement?
0:17:26 > 0:17:28- No. Money.- Money.
0:17:28 > 0:17:29Which probably involves...
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Children and chickens.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34SHE LAUGHS
0:17:36 > 0:17:39For Danny, breeding birds is a passion,
0:17:39 > 0:17:41but it's also in his blood.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46In all of the Reed family, there's always been an interest in birds.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49My dad used to show and breed Gloucester canaries.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51His father used to show and race pigeons and budgerigars
0:17:51 > 0:17:53and his father, my great-grandfather,
0:17:53 > 0:17:55I remember, used to have pigeons as well.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58So there's always been an interest, if you like, in feathers.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01I like that mallard in the middle.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Show day is fast approaching.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Time to make final selections
0:18:05 > 0:18:10and see if all the hard work is going to pay off.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12But I think she's the one, you know?
0:18:13 > 0:18:17Danny's got his eye on his prized Call ducks.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21I think, out of all the ones that we've had to choose,
0:18:21 > 0:18:22this is the one that I would hope
0:18:22 > 0:18:24would be in the prize card somewhere.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31These ducks, weighing less than a kilo, are Reverend Danny's passion.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35They were originally used as decoy ducks by hunters
0:18:35 > 0:18:39because, despite their size, they are extremely noisy.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44Now, we want a dark male and it's between that one and that one.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Have you got an idea, Ben, which Indian you want to take?
0:18:49 > 0:18:54After weeks of preparation, the moment has finally come.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56OK, in we go with that one.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Time to pack up for the show.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Yeah, he isn't bad, Tom. Good.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03That should be all right. You should do well with him.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08The boys' rivalry is in full force.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11We've got, like, a class we're going up against each other in
0:19:11 > 0:19:14at Pembrokeshire. The juvenile class.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16What are you entering in that?
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Juvenile class, I'm entering a Cuckoo female.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21I'll beat you on that easy, then, that's fine.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Yeah, I can't wait to see your face when you lose.
0:19:24 > 0:19:25I won't lose that one.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27We have a pretty strong rivalry
0:19:27 > 0:19:29when we come up against each other.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31I shouldn't get your hopes up, then.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Don't want to ruin your life.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37I don't mind too much if I let him win once or twice.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- Let me win.- He knows inside that my birds are the best, really, so...
0:19:40 > 0:19:42No, no, I think that's opposite.
0:19:42 > 0:19:43It's opposite.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Oh, this is heavier than lead.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56The Reeds will be competing directly against Gabby,
0:19:56 > 0:20:00who they know from the poultry circuit.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03OK, are you ready to go?
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Once they are collected, the Reeds will have over 60 birds.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Gabby's taking her best six.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19The feeling when you get a bird on Championship Row,
0:20:19 > 0:20:21it is absolutely brilliant.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23You see your bird get carried up onto Championship Row,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26and you are like, "Yes!" Do a backflip.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30The boys love winning. I love winning.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33We all love winning, that's the truth of it.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35It's a buzz, yeah.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Right, got everything?
0:21:06 > 0:21:10The Pembrokeshire County Show is one of Wales' most popular gatherings,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13attracting up to 100,000 visitors.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18It's a very important show for Pembrokeshire
0:21:18 > 0:21:21and I like to think it's a very important show for Wales.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29and welcome to the Pembrokeshire County Show
0:21:29 > 0:21:31here on a very sunny morning.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35People enjoy themselves.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38This is really where town meets country.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42There is a great interaction and we welcome townspeople to this show.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50The show encompasses everything from livestock to crafts and markets
0:21:50 > 0:21:51and will run over the next three days.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05It's 7am, and Gabby is here bright and early to check in her birds.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08Good morning.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14The poultry competition is one of the largest in Wales
0:22:14 > 0:22:17and a huge draw at Pembrokeshire.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Even though they have the all-clear,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21the birds are checked before going in.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24Barry White's in there.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28And hopefully he is as clean as he was when I put him in.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37This building will soon fill up with over 1,000 feathered competitors
0:22:37 > 0:22:39and their hopeful owners.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40Right.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43I've come with Nic Short today, who's my really close friend,
0:22:43 > 0:22:47and we tend to go off on chicken adventures together.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52The first part of today's adventure is just to find their pens.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53So, I've got...
0:22:54 > 0:22:56..215.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59I'm little numbers.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02I think mine might be over there.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07You'd think it would be easier, but they move things around.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10They're not necessarily in number order.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12They could be anywhere, you see.
0:23:12 > 0:23:1487, getting longer.
0:23:15 > 0:23:16Let's go around this way.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22The poultry shed can be a bit of an assault on the senses,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24especially the ears.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26CHICKEN CACOPHONY
0:23:26 > 0:23:28You always come out of a chicken show
0:23:28 > 0:23:30with a ringing in your ears at the end of the day.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32COCKEREL CROWS
0:23:33 > 0:23:3761. 61, at last.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Time to get Barry White into his pen,
0:23:43 > 0:23:44though he won't be going in alone.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Hello, are you OK?
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Have you travelled all right?
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Is it nice in there?
0:23:52 > 0:23:55These are Barry's girls and he'll be escorting them
0:23:55 > 0:23:59in the Trio class, which demands one male and two females.
0:24:02 > 0:24:03He'll be really chuffed in a minute.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06He'll be like, "Oh, ladies to spend the day with."
0:24:06 > 0:24:07He'll be really pleased,
0:24:07 > 0:24:11because normally he just gets shown on his own.
0:24:11 > 0:24:12Dream scenario for the end of the day
0:24:12 > 0:24:14would always be to go away with top honours.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17There's no point coming to a show of this calibre
0:24:17 > 0:24:20unless you've got that instinct and that want to win.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23There's no point doing it. So, yeah, that would be the dream.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Realistically, a couple of first prize cards would be lovely
0:24:26 > 0:24:31and to get on Championship Row would be lovelier still.
0:24:48 > 0:24:49Is that all right here?
0:24:49 > 0:24:51On the other side of the shed,
0:24:51 > 0:24:55Reverend Danny is settling his 60-plus birds.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57When you're travelling from Cornwall,
0:24:57 > 0:24:59you don't want to come just with one or two birds.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01You want to come and make it worth your while.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05With not long till show time,
0:25:05 > 0:25:07the boys are pulling their best tricks out of the bag.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11I'm putting this stuff on the comb,
0:25:11 > 0:25:12which makes it brighter
0:25:12 > 0:25:14and it gives it a bit of a shine so they can stand out
0:25:14 > 0:25:17and hopefully catch the judge's eye.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Though they'd both like a ribbon,
0:25:20 > 0:25:24there's no hiding where the real competition lies.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28This is my Barred Rock male I bred last year.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32He's up against Tom's Cuckoo, which is controversial,
0:25:32 > 0:25:34so we're seeing who's going to win.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36This is a Cuckoo Pekin.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38She's a bit too dark, but...
0:25:39 > 0:25:41..she probably will beat Ben.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47The real competition for us is between each other.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49We don't really mind about what else happens.
0:25:49 > 0:25:50I do.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58It's ten o'clock, and the judges have arrived.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Scores of breeds will be scrutinised today,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12and each of the judges is an expert in their field.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Amongst them is the man who will crown the overall champion,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Richard Rowley.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25I've been a judge for 40 years.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28My father was into farming as a smallholder,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31and I started out on my little bike,
0:26:31 > 0:26:33selling eggs at two-and-six a dozen.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36So, if you like, it's ingrained in me.
0:26:40 > 0:26:45Outside, the show is coming to life as the crowds are building.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57In the poultry shed, Thomas and Ben's birds are about to be judged,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00up against each other at last.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Ben's Barred Rock chicken is up first.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Unfortunately, this bird is suffering
0:27:14 > 0:27:16because of the time of year,
0:27:16 > 0:27:18and you can see that it's moulting...
0:27:20 > 0:27:23..so it's got feathers missing there and as you can see,
0:27:23 > 0:27:26it's lost the... Losing feather around the neck there.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29So, today, it's not in its best condition, I'm afraid.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Younger brother Thomas is hoping to fare better with his Cuckoo Pekin.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Again, struggling because of the time of year.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40That's purely and simply because it's moulting.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44But even though she's missing a few feathers, she's very, very pretty.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Neither boy was placed this time.
0:27:49 > 0:27:50But they haven't lost heart.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54We weren't expecting wins in that class, really.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57We're just hoping that one would get a place above the other
0:27:57 > 0:28:01and that, hopefully, it would be me, but, yeah...
0:28:01 > 0:28:05I never fancied him, but I think his birds are a bit of a waste of space.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10The bird at the top of the pecking order
0:28:10 > 0:28:13is the black and white silver Sebright.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15It's such an eye-catcher,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18it very often wins the supreme awards at big shows, you know,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21it's quite easy to keep
0:28:21 > 0:28:24and it's very attractive, isn't it?
0:28:24 > 0:28:27This is the winner in this class quite easily today.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Across the shed, the competition is gathering pace,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40as judges inspect birds of all shapes and sizes.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47And the noise is deafening.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Reverend Danny's next contest
0:28:51 > 0:28:55is the very competitive Call Duck Mallard class.
0:28:56 > 0:28:57Very tough competition indeed.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01They are looking brilliant and at home this looks brilliant,
0:29:01 > 0:29:03the one I'm looking after now.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07But here, put to the rest, she's a poor cousin really.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09But I don't mind poor cousins, I'm a poor cousin,
0:29:09 > 0:29:11so I might as well have a poor cousin as a bird, as well.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16The judging criteria demands that the mallard
0:29:16 > 0:29:19looks like a traditional bath time rubber duck.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22Nice short body, so... And then nice short legs.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26Don't want them to look like they're seagulls standing on long legs.
0:29:27 > 0:29:32Time to inspect number 403, Reverend Danny's mallard.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36But the judges have concerns about its colouring.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38This has got a lot of grey over the wings.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39It has, actually.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41It's almost like a drake, isn't it?
0:29:41 > 0:29:43A greeny head as well.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Sadly, no feather in Danny's cap this time.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01It's almost lunchtime, and the grounds are packed.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06This event showcases all manner of country skills
0:30:06 > 0:30:08and the contemporary chainsaw displays
0:30:08 > 0:30:11always draw in the crowds.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20Axe racing is a worldwide highly skilled sport.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23This first part is the creative chainsaw challenge.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29For the crowd, it's more about figuring out
0:30:29 > 0:30:30what exactly they're making.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
0:30:36 > 0:30:37No, it's a chair.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Next is the race to cut through a heavy log.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Though this is now a sport,
0:30:50 > 0:30:55more importantly, it is also keeping these rural skills alive.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Not so many years ago, our grandfathers used to fell trees.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03It's something that's part of work done years ago
0:31:03 > 0:31:06and, of course, chainsaws and all the rest came in
0:31:06 > 0:31:09and that skill went, but we try and keep it going.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16The springboard finale is an old technique
0:31:16 > 0:31:20farmers used to chop the top of a tree.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22It's an incredible display of strength
0:31:22 > 0:31:24and nerve.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Lunchtime is over, and it's back to business.
0:31:37 > 0:31:42Finally, the spotlight's on Gabby's trio of Silkie chickens.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44It's Barry White's turn to take centre stage.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50- Do you think you'll be up there? - Oh, I don't know.
0:31:52 > 0:31:53I'm looking for a softness in the feather,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56which is why the bird's called a Silkie.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00Also, it's got to have a nice head on it.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04The wattles are a little large on it,
0:32:04 > 0:32:06and the ear lobes, again,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09they could be clearer than that.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12But it's been nicely cleaned up.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17Also, it must have five toes, which that has got.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19I'd love Barry to go on Championship Row.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21That would be really cool. He deserves it, he's a dude.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23And, you know, it's nice to see a Silkie trio fluffing about.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25- Who knows?- Who knows, no, I don't know,
0:32:25 > 0:32:28it's all in the lap of the men with the white coats, isn't it?
0:32:28 > 0:32:29Yeah. Fingers crossed, anyway.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Yeah, that's not too bad.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38A decision's been made.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41And Gabby takes the long walk back to the cage.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46- GABBY LAUGHS - No way!
0:32:46 > 0:32:49That's fab!
0:32:49 > 0:32:52It's top of the charts for Barry White.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56He's been moved to Championship Row.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01And the good news keeps on coming.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04- And they won, too.- That's great!- Oh, fantastic!
0:33:06 > 0:33:07That's brilliant!
0:33:07 > 0:33:09Her Indian Game chicken
0:33:09 > 0:33:12has won the Best Utility Bird section
0:33:12 > 0:33:14and has also been moved to Championship Row.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- There he is.- Good boy! Fantastic.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Really good. Really pleased.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Ha-ha-ha!
0:33:23 > 0:33:24That's brilliant!
0:33:24 > 0:33:27- Really good.- Couldn't have done any better.
0:33:27 > 0:33:28I can go home now!
0:33:30 > 0:33:31Hello! How are you?
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Nice to see you.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Lovely to see you.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38I hear you...
0:33:38 > 0:33:41Gabby's on a high with two victories.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44But the Reed family has yet to make an impact.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Reverend Danny has a chance to change that
0:33:49 > 0:33:53with his Silkie chickens in the individual class.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Very nervous about that because I didn't think
0:33:55 > 0:33:58there were very many entered, but there's eight.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02I didn't look too closely, but I'm still hoping.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06Although I won't be shocked if he doesn't make it.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08The judge is starting with Danny's male.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13First thing I tend to do is have a quick look at the wing
0:34:13 > 0:34:15to see that he's got a wing and it's all there.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21Each bird has 100 points to gain.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25And in my opinion, this would need quite a lot of those points.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28But Danny's Silkie has stiff competition.
0:34:30 > 0:34:31It's a nice female.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35It's got a better wing than him.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37She's quite nice, you know.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39To look at and to hold.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45With birds of this calibre, it's a tough decision for judge Wayne.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Luckily, he has his wife, Linda, as a sounding board.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50Make your mind up now.
0:34:50 > 0:34:5293, 94, 99.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55It's a difficult call.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Because I like that male bird a lot.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00I like this one.
0:35:00 > 0:35:01And I've liked him...
0:35:01 > 0:35:05I know you like that one, but I've got the white coat on, Linda.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10And the thing is, I like this bird, 99.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13And I like 94 as well.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17At this time, I just can't make my mind up.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21But decide he must.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26And with Linda waiting, Wayne picks the winner.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32Ben and Thomas are helping to hang the prize cards.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36Yes!
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Good boy.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42Reverend Danny's male gets first prize.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45I'm delighted with that,
0:35:45 > 0:35:47and I'm only recently into the Silkie business,
0:35:47 > 0:35:50but to get Silkies up there is wonderful.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56You don't have to have livestock to exhibit
0:35:56 > 0:35:58in the Pembrokeshire County Show.
0:35:59 > 0:36:04There are craft and baking competitions and some huge veg.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10Sarah's entered into the floral art competition,
0:36:10 > 0:36:13despite the fact that she didn't bring any flowers.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19This was a bit tricky because we had so many ducks,
0:36:19 > 0:36:22there was no room for any more flowers,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25so I had to go to a local supermarket up here
0:36:25 > 0:36:29and I had to just try and make something out of what I could find.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31So it was a bit pot luck,
0:36:31 > 0:36:35and I quite like the enjoyment of actually coming,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38and you've had no idea what you're going to use,
0:36:38 > 0:36:40and you've just got to pull on your resources and your skills
0:36:40 > 0:36:41to try and make it work.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Built around the theme of green,
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Sarah's arrangement wins second prize.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52But that's not all.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54I'm most proud of my petit exhibits,
0:36:54 > 0:36:59which are under four inches, so width, breadth and height,
0:36:59 > 0:37:03the whole of the staging has to be under four inches in size.
0:37:03 > 0:37:04And I've entered two of those,
0:37:04 > 0:37:06and I've got first and second in a class of eight,
0:37:06 > 0:37:08so really pleased with those.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20Back in the poultry shed, judging is coming to an end.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26The most competitive members of the families,
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Gabby and Ben, are pitted against each other
0:37:29 > 0:37:31in the Indian Game Bird class.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41Even though Ben's entered more than one bird, he's not hopeful.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44I'm looking at her birds in there and thinking,
0:37:44 > 0:37:46"Ugh, this ain't going to win."
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Although Gabby and the Reeds are friends,
0:37:52 > 0:37:54there's still prizes to be won.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Doesn't matter who they are, I still want to win, unfortunately.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59So, yeah, I know, it's terrible and I should...
0:37:59 > 0:38:02it's awful and I should say, "No, it's the boys, they should win,"
0:38:02 > 0:38:04but I'm sorry, I want to win
0:38:04 > 0:38:06and they know that, too.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10They know that too. I'm sure they wouldn't hold it against me.
0:38:10 > 0:38:11SHE LAUGHS
0:38:13 > 0:38:17They won't have long to find out who rules the roost.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21Gabby's entry is Sweetie.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23Hopefully, the judge will be impressed
0:38:23 > 0:38:25by her scrupulously clean bottom.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Yeah, it's a good competition, isn't it?
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Yeah. I think you've got it, though.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36I don't know. It's tight.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39It's tight. It would just be down to personal preference on the day,
0:38:39 > 0:38:40I would think, wouldn't it?
0:38:47 > 0:38:49I think it's in better condition than mine.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52It's got better plumage, especially, than my birds.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55But Ben's birds have got, I think, a bit better bone on them than mine,
0:38:55 > 0:38:56so...
0:38:58 > 0:39:00The judge has made a decision.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11Well done! Well done!
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Gabby has scooped first prize.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18I told you it would - that's a nice female.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22And Ben has won both second and third.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25That's good, that's a good result, definitely.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27Yeah. Go home and have a sleep now.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32I'm thrilled that my little lady there has won it.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34So I'm really quite pleased.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Yeah. Actually I'm thrilled, yeah.
0:39:36 > 0:39:37Really chuffed.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40I knew Gabby was going to win that class,
0:39:40 > 0:39:41so I'm just really happy.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44That's the best result I've had with Indians.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49- Quite drained.- It's exhausting.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51It's hard work all this doing well, isn't it?
0:39:53 > 0:39:55It's been a successful day for Gabby,
0:39:55 > 0:39:59with two winners on Championship Row.
0:39:59 > 0:40:00And hot off the press...
0:40:02 > 0:40:03No way!
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Another of her six birds is on its way there.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16She's just gone up as Best Large, Any Other Variety, Hard Feather.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20So I've got three on Championship Row.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Well done.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Well done, Gab.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32And there's some news for Reverend Danny.
0:40:32 > 0:40:33He's there.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40His Silkie chicken has been awarded one of the Reserve Champion titles.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Delighted. Well done.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- How about that?- I think you've all done very well, don't you?
0:40:46 > 0:40:48Exhausted now.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02The Pembrokeshire Show will continue over the next two days.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05But for the families, judging is now over.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Time for our farmers to stand back and reflect.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17It's been a day of challenges...
0:41:18 > 0:41:20..team work
0:41:20 > 0:41:22and great rewards.
0:41:22 > 0:41:23And they won too!
0:41:24 > 0:41:25I'm exhilarated.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28Really good. Really pleased with everything.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31Yes!
0:41:31 > 0:41:34It's big for me. It's one of the biggest wins that I've had.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36I've been fortunate enough to have been on Championship Row
0:41:36 > 0:41:39a number of times, but to have three up there is brilliant.
0:41:39 > 0:41:40Brilliant.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47Everybody's done well, from flowers to birds to Championship Row.
0:41:47 > 0:41:48All in one day.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50So we've done really well.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54Really pleased. We might even come again, I reckon.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57The Reeds are going home with a whopping 43 awards.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04- Lots and lots of cards. - Thomas, 11 firsts,
0:42:04 > 0:42:10and perhaps most importantly, big boy gets on Championship Row,
0:42:10 > 0:42:14the white Silkie, and becomes the Reserve chicken in the show.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16Excellent! Excellent!
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Can't top that.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Their success has shown how a year of commitment
0:42:22 > 0:42:24and hard work can pay off.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28They are very important for farming, yes,
0:42:28 > 0:42:30because it brings all the farmers together
0:42:30 > 0:42:32and highlights the best of what they've got.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37The biggest part for me is the wonderful friends that I've met
0:42:37 > 0:42:40who are all prepared to help you out,
0:42:40 > 0:42:43to support you and to be good friends, really.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47That is just, to me, the best thing about it all.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49Cheers!
0:42:49 > 0:42:50Thanks, my dear. Cheers!
0:42:50 > 0:42:52Here's to the next one.
0:42:52 > 0:42:53THEY LAUGH