0:00:03 > 0:00:05The British countryside.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10With green valleys, wild mountains, rolling farmland and forests,
0:00:10 > 0:00:14the landscape is as diverse as it is beautiful.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20Many dream of escaping to the simple country life.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24But for those who live in rural Britain, it's a different story.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Traditional industries are in decline,
0:00:27 > 0:00:30and, across the land, local shops, pubs and farms,
0:00:30 > 0:00:36the very cornerstone of country life, are closing at an alarming rate.
0:00:36 > 0:00:43It just seems that the heartbeat of our green and pleasant land is fast disappearing.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48This was a really vibrant shopping street.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51And now we have one pub left, and that's it.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56You need to keep these places safe and secure for our children to come and enjoy.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01The one thing the countryside has going for it is the people who call it home.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06But what if locals were able to take matters into their own hands?
0:01:06 > 0:01:12What if groups of volunteers were given a load of money to turn their dreams into realities
0:01:12 > 0:01:15and put the spirit back into their communities?
0:01:15 > 0:01:18We're only going to succeed in this project if we involve
0:01:18 > 0:01:21as many people from the community as possible.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23We want good service.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27With just 12 months to pull it off,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31putting their villages back on the map is not going to be easy.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36- I just know we are going to have battles every step of the way! - Hmm.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38I have no building experience whatsoever.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39What a shambles.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44But the results might just be spectacular.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48It's the biggest chance we've ever had to do something amazing.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50CHEERING
0:01:50 > 0:01:51Well done.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55It is a big ask, but it could work.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22A group of volunteers have a big plan to transform their dying local into a thriving business.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24I have the keys.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31It hasn't been cleaned properly for a long time. Really disgusting.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36Until I came here, I don't think I've ever lived real life! SHE SCREAMS
0:02:36 > 0:02:39But can they get the community behind them?
0:02:39 > 0:02:43Along with drugs comes bad behaviour.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Always kind of fights and a hostile atmosphere.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Ladies and gentlemen!
0:02:48 > 0:02:52I'm a volunteer trying to do good for my community. Why are you shouting at me?
0:02:52 > 0:02:53It's terrifying.
0:02:59 > 0:03:05The Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire - with big, open plains,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08this is the Wild West of England.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09Steeped in history and mysticism,
0:03:09 > 0:03:13it's about as far removed as you can get
0:03:13 > 0:03:15from the hustle and bustle of city life.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25In areas as remote as this, it's essential there's somewhere
0:03:25 > 0:03:28people can come together and share in the joys of rural life.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33The Barge Inn and was built 200 years ago,
0:03:33 > 0:03:35when the Kennet and Avon Canal opened.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39For generations, it has been the hub of its community,
0:03:39 > 0:03:44serving customers from the three tiny picture-postcard villages surrounding it.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48Unfortunately, it's now in terminal decline.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Basic...I think is the best way of describing it.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54It certainly needs a very good clean and a damn good smart-up.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Its reputation began to go downhill with its food.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03If we wanted to go out for a meal, we wouldn't think about the Barge. No.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05And then the pub's troubles really started.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09It was kind of fights and a hostile atmosphere at times.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12There were loads of bad things happening down the Barge,
0:04:12 > 0:04:16because along with drugs comes bad behaviour.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22Unless action is taken soon, the Barge will almost certainly go under.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25When a pub loses its locals, it loses its heart.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29It's a downward spiral and it's often too late to turn it around.
0:04:29 > 0:04:35For this community to get a vibrant pub back, it's going to take money, hard work and passion.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Fortunately, one thing the villagers here aren't lacking is passion.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Three starry-eyed locals, Bev, Emma and Polly,
0:04:49 > 0:04:53have spent the last 18 months trying to rescue the pub
0:04:53 > 0:04:56that holds a special place in their hearts.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00I love this pub. I love the setting, I love everything about it.
0:05:00 > 0:05:06And the potential here, not just for us as residents,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10but for everybody to enjoy it and everybody to share what it has,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12that, to me, is what is important.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22'I'm keen to find out why the pub means so much to them.'
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Why does the pub matter? Ultimately, you want to go and have a drink,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30you can buy some beer and have it at home. What matters?
0:05:30 > 0:05:34The Barge is unique. It's the people who go in there are unique.
0:05:34 > 0:05:39It has this amazing atmosphere, this amazing, energetic essence about it.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43That's what makes it so quirky and that's one of the reasons why we love it so much.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48How would you feel if a really good chain of pubs
0:05:48 > 0:05:53- took the pub over and rekindled it? - No.- The Barge Inn at Honeystreet is the Barge Inn at Honeystreet.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57- Exactly.- This is nothing to compare with any other pub.
0:05:57 > 0:06:03So you really passionately feel that you deserve,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06and the pub deserves, you to personally take ownership?
0:06:06 > 0:06:12It served the community for the past 200 years. It's built to do that.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17We're here at this particular time to help it maintain that.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20This is a cracking opportunity
0:06:20 > 0:06:26to get somewhere that can be a place that the whole community can come together.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Whilst no-one can doubt their passion and determination
0:06:32 > 0:06:37to save their local, they do lack one crucial element - money.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39That could be about to change.
0:06:44 > 0:06:50It's May 2010. Bev, Emma and Polly have gathered all those
0:06:50 > 0:06:52who share their love for the Barge.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Because this morning, the Barge Inn community project
0:06:55 > 0:06:58are about to find out if they can take over the pub.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03They've applied for a £400,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund
0:07:03 > 0:07:07under a scheme to regenerate rural communities.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- 25 past.- We're in the zone, then.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14This has been bandied around the kitchen tables for years,
0:07:14 > 0:07:16what we would do if we won the lottery
0:07:16 > 0:07:18and we could implement this and do this and that.
0:07:18 > 0:07:24All of a sudden, we're that far away from a dream we've all had.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28And it's just like... Yeah, it's huge.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Everything hinges on this one phone call.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32PHONE RINGS
0:07:35 > 0:07:36Terry. Good afternoon.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Fellow volunteer Terry picks up.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Wahey! - 0h, my God!
0:07:45 > 0:07:46CHEERING
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- The Barge Inn! - ALL: The Barge Inn!
0:07:49 > 0:07:51We're all raring to go now.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54The reality's finally sinking in
0:07:54 > 0:07:57that we've got a mountain to climb, but we are so excited.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02With the money now in place, the locals might just save their local.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08The Barge team plan to give the pub a more contemporary look
0:08:08 > 0:08:11with which to set sail into the 21st century.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17The old serving area will be replaced with a hand-crafted horseshoe bar,
0:08:17 > 0:08:22and interior walls will be removed to make the pub feel more welcoming.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25They will spend £200,000 to create an interior
0:08:25 > 0:08:29they hope to become famous for beer, fine food and music.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35There's soon to be someone else involved with Bev, Emma
0:08:35 > 0:08:37and Polly's love affair with the Barge.
0:08:37 > 0:08:44To bring a bit of spice to the team, support is heading their way from the bright lights of Manchester.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49The Barge committee have hired 35-year-old music promoter Sandra Bhatia.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52They hope her PR skills will make the pub a massive hit.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59I have no real understanding. I've never lived in a rural community,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02I've not spent much time in the countryside, if I'm honest.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06All I can reference are stereotypes
0:09:06 > 0:09:10and, dare I say it, tractors and combine harvesters
0:09:10 > 0:09:14and pieces of straw hanging out of your mouth!
0:09:14 > 0:09:15That's just a perception.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20It's a complete contrast to be immersed in a world that's not yours.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22I might as well move to Pluto from Venus.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Sandra will have to survive life on Pluto,
0:09:26 > 0:09:31or rural Wiltshire, for a year if she is to turn the Barge Inn around.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39In her new home in the West Country, Sandra's way of adapting to village life
0:09:39 > 0:09:42is to surround herself with familiar friends.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50This is my guilty pleasure since I was 17, 18 years old.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53He comes everywhere with me.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57And this is where it all happens, from here.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02Next to another guilty pleasure, Mr Simon Cowell!
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Sandra is confident she knows what the Barge Inn needs.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12The basics - good food, good beer, good atmosphere,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15but with a sprinkling of magic.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17It's August 2010,
0:10:17 > 0:10:22and the moment Bev has been waiting for has finally arrived.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24I have the keys.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26The long-awaited keys for the pub
0:10:26 > 0:10:30that everybody is waiting to get in to do some work on.
0:10:30 > 0:10:36As you can see, we've got lots of support, so everybody is going to come and get their Marigolds on
0:10:36 > 0:10:40and start getting it prepared for the opening tomorrow.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47CHEERING
0:10:48 > 0:10:49Go on, Bev!
0:10:49 > 0:10:52The Barge team want to reopen as quickly as possible
0:10:52 > 0:10:54to make the most of the summer trade,
0:10:54 > 0:10:58so they've given themselves just one day to get the place clean.
0:10:58 > 0:11:0350 eager volunteers come to lend some much-needed elbow grease.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05MUSIC: "Here Come The Girls" by Ernie K-Doe
0:11:12 > 0:11:170h! 0h, wow! Look at all this!
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Sandra reports for her first day at work...
0:11:24 > 0:11:28only to realise she may have bitten off more than she can chew.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33That is not a good insight into how you run a kitchen,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37if I'm going to be brutally honest. No, no, no.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I can't believe it's actually been cooked on.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46I'll have a group of people in here doing all the paintwork and the floor.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50I have a little group there that's going to do the kitchen.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54Hasn't been cleaned properly for a long, long, long time.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Completely disgusting. It's going to be a long day.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08Oh, my God!
0:12:08 > 0:12:10That's the fat trap.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14That needs to be cleaned out every so often, but it's overflowed.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16SANDRA RETCHES
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Oh, my God. You are such a brave woman. Such a great woman.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23SANDRA SCREAMS
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Until I came here, I don't think I've ever lived real life!
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Sandra might not be prepared to get her hands dirty,
0:12:31 > 0:12:35but she's steaming ahead with a plan to launch the Barge
0:12:35 > 0:12:37and she's thinking big.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40Stage there.
0:12:42 > 0:12:47Beer tent. Hopefully, we'll have some activities and things.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50She intends to hold a music festival in just four months.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Time to get much-needed publicity for the pub.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59We want as many people as possible to know about the pub.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Because, really, it's in the middle of nowhere.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05It's got some kind of reputation, but we need to build on that.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09We want to try to get in artists who reflect what the pub's about,
0:13:09 > 0:13:14so, hopefully, we might be able to get some folk singers in here
0:13:14 > 0:13:17but on a grander scale,
0:13:17 > 0:13:22and create something that they haven't seen around here before.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Sandra is confident she can pull off her ambitious plan.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29But could a music festival be too much for the local residents?
0:13:29 > 0:13:32There's going to have to be a lot of conversations with the locals,
0:13:32 > 0:13:37to do whatever we can to appease them and hopefully work with them.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41I don't imagine that's going to be an easy ride.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44I think it's going to be very difficult. Anything can be done.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46You've just all got to be on the same page.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47I think.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49SHE LAUGHS
0:13:49 > 0:13:52But there could be a bigger problem. If business doesn't pick up,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55there might not be a pub to stage a festival.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00With pubs closing at the rate of 25 a week,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03the Barge Inn needs to make a lot of money quickly
0:14:03 > 0:14:06if it's to avoid joining the casualty list.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Fundamentally, you want to make it profitable,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12which it wasn't last year, to keep it open.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16At the figures it's running and the moment, do you think it would shut?
0:14:16 > 0:14:21We've just had three pubs closed in the last couple of months within a five-mile radius of here.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25So, this day and age, it has to tick all the boxes.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28If it doesn't, people will go and find somewhere that does.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32The biggest box of all the pub will have to tick is food,
0:14:32 > 0:14:36which now accounts for over 50% of all pub sales.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39So the Barge team have called for reinforcements.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43FANFARE
0:14:50 > 0:14:54Riding in...well, floating in from the west on his trusty barge,
0:14:54 > 0:14:5940-year-old Scouser Carl Games is the pub's new chef.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Having already turned around the fortunes of another local pub,
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Carl is under no illusions about the size of the task ahead.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11When they approached me about the project and possibly a job,
0:15:11 > 0:15:15I was really keen to do it, because it's one of those pubs that should survive.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23I think it's such a good idea, we know the business has got to work.
0:15:23 > 0:15:29If the pub fails, it will have a big impact on everything else that goes on around it,
0:15:29 > 0:15:31so it's got to work, it's got to be run as a business.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38Carl is so inspired by the project, he's taken on the role of head chef for the minimum wage.
0:15:39 > 0:15:47I want people to come out and enjoy a really good meal of, not a la carte fancy stuff,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50just like proper good cooking, where everything is done fresh.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54We make everything on site, I want it to be a proper local pub again.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57In the winter, I want it to be full of local people.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01I want those people to start using the pub again, which will be ideal.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Carl will have to make sure the launch of the pub's new restaurant is a big success.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14Sandra will also be judged by the outcome of one massive day -
0:16:14 > 0:16:15her music festival.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Today, she has headed to London to meet up with band promoter Steve Budd,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22who's promised her he has pulled in some big names.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24These are the guys to make it happen.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26It's like speaking to Jim'll Fix It.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- Are you OK?- Nice to see.- Good.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39I've spoken to The Magic Numbers, and they have confirmed that they're doing it.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42They've headlined Glastonbury and had loads of hits.
0:16:42 > 0:16:43I think it is a great draw.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48The other person that we are waiting to hear from, which is Laura Marling.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52I mean, each one of these acts is a hell of a live act.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55It's the kind of bill any festival would kill for.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57While Sandra's impressed with Steve's line-up,
0:16:57 > 0:17:01he seems underwhelmed by her idea for the festival's name.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- Are you hooked on calling it the Barge Inn Experience? - Yes.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07OK, it's a working title. I know you don't like it.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09What would you call it?
0:17:09 > 0:17:14Listen, it's in Honeystreet. I think Honeystreet is a great name.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18You know, Honeystreet Happening or...
0:17:19 > 0:17:22I absolutely agree. Honeystreet dot, dot, dot.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24We'll think of something else, but definitely,
0:17:24 > 0:17:28because that would...that would raise a few eyebrows in a good way
0:17:28 > 0:17:33- to the residents, because it makes them feel important. - More included.- Yeah.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38Back in Wiltshire, Carl has come up with his own ingenious way
0:17:38 > 0:17:41of enticing the residents of Honeystreet back into the barge.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45In exchange for pub vouchers, Carl hopes to get
0:17:45 > 0:17:49a regular supply of fresh and very local produce to go on his menu.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Hiya.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- Hi, Carl, you all right? How's it going?- All right.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- All right.- Got some spuds for you. - Spuds?- Yes.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59Lovely.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03'We're going to do our first run of going round to people's houses, allotments.'
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Lovely. Wow. Thank you very much.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10'Hopefully, we'll get some nice vegetables, nice beetroot.'
0:18:10 > 0:18:11Which one am I having, Issy?
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- This whopper one.- That whopper one!
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- You like the whopper ones. - What are you going to do with that? I've never cooked with chard?
0:18:18 > 0:18:22I think that could be a soup. How much you reckon it's worth?
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- Oh, I don't know. - About a fiver, do you reckon?
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- Is that about right?- Yeah! That's all right.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- Well, is it on beer or food, I want to know?- It's on food.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- There we go.- Thank you very much.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41- You're the first receiver of a Barge Inn voucher.- Wow, I could eBay that in a couple of years(!)
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- Thanks. See you again soon. - Good luck.- Thank you very much.
0:19:03 > 0:19:08It's important for Carl to take on local talent in his kitchen.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12There's one young man in particular he's repaired to take a punt on.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15What do you reckon to that?
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Definitely taste the walnuts.
0:19:18 > 0:19:2120-year-old Nathan has Asperger's Syndrome.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23He has lived in Wiltshire all his life
0:19:23 > 0:19:26but since leaving school at 16, has struggled to keep a job.
0:19:28 > 0:19:34People think I will be daydreamy or something, and I'm not. I'm just... That's me.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Yeah, it's his willingness.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43He's so keen and he does everything he can to please me.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48Carl's been great with helping me get settled and sorted here.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52He was really keen to use me and help me.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54A lot of my other jobs haven't ended so well,
0:19:54 > 0:20:00so what with it going so well at the moment, it's really nice for once.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01Initially hired as a dishwasher,
0:20:01 > 0:20:05Nathan's enthusiasm has impressed Carl so much,
0:20:05 > 0:20:09he has asked him to the front of house when the pub's new-look restaurant opens.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13To be front of house is a really crucial role,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16because you are the face of the food, effectively.
0:20:16 > 0:20:22- Yeah.- And to go from washing up to that, is that a scary jump?
0:20:22 > 0:20:26It's kind of scary, but I do, with Asperger's and things,
0:20:26 > 0:20:31I do like challenges, and it is a nice challenge to be serving people.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34And what do you hope to achieve from this job?
0:20:34 > 0:20:41From there, maybe learn other areas of the trade that will allow me to one day own my own pub.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42Maybe build it from there.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- I am keeping my fingers crossed it all works out.- Me, too.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Sandra's also keen to encourage local talent.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54With her newly christened Honeyfest to promote,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Sandra's holding a battle of the bands competition
0:20:57 > 0:21:02in nearby Pewsey to find the cream of Wiltshire's music talent.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Well, today is the day.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09The Barge Inn is well known for its music.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13We want to gear up towards the main event on the 18th.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Yeah, we'll have established names,
0:21:16 > 0:21:20but why not give the locals a chance to go and share the stage?
0:21:20 > 0:21:23And the main thing is engaging the community
0:21:23 > 0:21:28and getting, arguably, some of the younger people involved and fired up.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33The prize - a chance to perform at the festival alongside the big names.
0:21:33 > 0:21:39# I'm catching dragonflies that light above my head. #
0:21:45 > 0:21:48# Don't let it all those islands. #
0:21:48 > 0:21:53Talent in Wiltshire. Who realised what talent was on our doorstep?
0:21:56 > 0:22:00The question is, will that talent have a stage to play on?
0:22:00 > 0:22:02I really admire their ambition.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06The festival needs to announce to the world that the Barge Inn is open.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11But it also needs to not annoy the locals,
0:22:11 > 0:22:13who are going to be its bread and butter.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16It has fantastic food that's great value for money.
0:22:16 > 0:22:22It's a really big challenge, but it is exciting to see if they do it.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Unfortunately, the idea of a festival has angered
0:22:28 > 0:22:30rather than enthused the locals.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34DOG BARKS
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Including parish councillor Pete Emery,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39who has lived here all his life.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44The big thing with Honeyfest is trying to understand what's going on.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Rumours are rumours. Until you get the definite truth,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50you just say to people, "We'll find out more."
0:22:50 > 0:22:55As a parish council, if somebody asks you something, we need to find out.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00We need to find out for the village. It's something that has never happened certainly in the parish
0:23:00 > 0:23:04and certainly not in Honeystreet, not to the scale of this.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06It's just got everybody's back up.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Annoyed that they haven't been consulted,
0:23:10 > 0:23:16Sandra must face a crisis meeting with the all-powerful parish council.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Unless Sandra can talk around the parish council,
0:23:18 > 0:23:23it's going to be extremely unlikely that the festival will get the licence it needs.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28I think they're not used to this amount of excitement
0:23:28 > 0:23:32and this level of publicity
0:23:32 > 0:23:34and artists and things like that.
0:23:34 > 0:23:39They're just not used to it, so it is very hard to convince people overnight.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44It's a difficult thing to do. They're in a really difficult position.
0:23:44 > 0:23:45But we are where we are
0:23:45 > 0:23:50and, hopefully, we can come up with a compromise that works for everyone.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Later, the vote goes against Sandra.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Her chances of holding the event on 18th December are looking slim.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06The Barge team may have kept their pub afloat for three months,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09but the backlash against Honeyfest has made them realise
0:24:09 > 0:24:14that unless they can win back the locals, the love affair with the Barge may soon be over.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18What have been the challenges so far? What's the biggest hurdle been?
0:24:18 > 0:24:23A few local people, and it's a question of they did not understand the bigger picture,
0:24:23 > 0:24:28so perhaps, as a community project, we were at fault by not explaining it all of the time.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32All we're trying to do is to breathe new life into it.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37We could have gone for any little place or pub that came upon the market.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41That isn't why we've done this. We've done this because this place is unique.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44You're right, you're right.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47And you've obviously put so much heart into this.
0:24:47 > 0:24:53It's not just me, it's everybody else. We can all see the bigger picture. It isn't rocket science.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58You need to keep these places safe and secure for our children to come and enjoy.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02You have to keep an essence of a community going
0:25:02 > 0:25:06to share with everybody now and in the future, otherwise what is the point?
0:25:07 > 0:25:11The lack of local support is really biting the business.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Sales had already slowed at the end of the summer
0:25:14 > 0:25:17and now they've virtually ground to a halt.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21I think last night I did one bowl of chips, so it's that quiet.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24And in the bar, I think Paul said he sold five pints of beer.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27There you go. Cheers, ta.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Carl is determined to take action.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37It's late November, and Carl is planning a locals' night to get people back into the Barge.
0:25:38 > 0:25:44To promote it, Carl and his kitchen team are hitting market day in nearby Devizes
0:25:44 > 0:25:47to show potential punters just what they're missing.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- Sausages!- Free samples.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54- They're from the Barge Inn. Have you heard of us?- Oh, yes.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00- Mussel man!- I love a mussel. - Freshly cooked today.- Ooh, lovely.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02And we're having a launch night tonight.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06We've got fantastic food, entertainment and sampling of the menu.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Just trying to get people to come in, let them know about the community group
0:26:12 > 0:26:15and the takeover and the things that are going on.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19And hopefully it's going to be pretty successful. Some chips there, guys.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23- That is nice!- Yeah, come and see us. - I will!
0:26:27 > 0:26:31While Carl tries to lure back the pub's customers with free food,
0:26:31 > 0:26:35Sandra is on a charm offensive to get Honeyfest back on track.
0:26:35 > 0:26:40As you well know, some of the residents in the local area
0:26:40 > 0:26:43have reacted in a not-so-positive way,
0:26:43 > 0:26:50so the point of right now is to do a little bit of PR, answer some questions,
0:26:50 > 0:26:55deliver the right information and hopefully allay some of the fears.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59She has recruited a secret weapon.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02Ben, a sympathetic member of the parish council,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05is only too aware of the local concerns.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Noise, traffic,
0:27:07 > 0:27:11and we're going to have a mini-Glastonbury, I think is the worry.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15The dust has settled since last week, so hopefully we'll go out today
0:27:15 > 0:27:18and have a chat with a few of them. They'll recognise me, hopefully,
0:27:18 > 0:27:21and we can allay some of the fears, really.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Tonight is possibly the most important night in the pub's recent history.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31I'm in a panic, because I know the time is getting on,
0:27:31 > 0:27:36and people will be getting here soon, and I want to get this place cleared and get it all organised.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Nathan, don't worry about putting them out too nicely. They can dish them out.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48After a long day in the market, Carl must now impress his new customers
0:27:48 > 0:27:50with a taste of the latest pub menu.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53With such a bad reputation for food,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56everything hinges on the kitchen running perfectly.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Getting the locals on board is essential.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Ultimately, the community needs to have some input.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06Because it's their pub. So that's the idea of tonight -
0:28:06 > 0:28:10to showcase our ideas and get their feedback.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13They might say, "Actually, don't like that".
0:28:14 > 0:28:18The team hope all their hard work hasn't been for nothing.
0:28:20 > 0:28:25We need some encouragement as well because sometimes you do think,
0:28:25 > 0:28:28"Is it working? Are we doing the right thing?
0:28:28 > 0:28:30"Do people really want us to do this?"
0:28:30 > 0:28:34Sometimes you do get people that just shout stuff at you and want answers,
0:28:34 > 0:28:36you know, quite rude or aggressive.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40You think, "I'm a volunteer, I'm trying to do something good for my community.
0:28:40 > 0:28:41"Why are you shouting at me?"
0:28:46 > 0:28:48How many people upstairs do you reckon?
0:28:48 > 0:28:50- Lots.- Lots, OK.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56We've got about ten or 12 dishes going up.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58I reckon they're separate ones so it'll be good.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06This is most definitely the busiest we've been yet.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09But it's all fun. It's great.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13Carl may be winning over locals with his food,
0:29:13 > 0:29:17but can Sandra convince the parish councillors about Honeyfest?
0:29:17 > 0:29:22As a parish council, we have to do what we understand to be the truth.
0:29:22 > 0:29:23Absolutely.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27And we have to do that, and if we're not given the information,
0:29:27 > 0:29:30we can't support it.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32You know, if we just know a bit more about it...
0:29:32 > 0:29:35You know, what you told me was completely different
0:29:35 > 0:29:37than what other people have told me.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40And this is where you've GOT to get it across.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43It confuses us as a parish council big time.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Who's telling the truth?
0:29:46 > 0:29:49I mean, we are so much in the middle.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Ladies and gentlemen!
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Thank you very much for coming tonight!
0:29:53 > 0:29:58The last thing you're going to eat is some chocolate and Guinness.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02You can have a piece of chocolate brownie first and then Guinness to follow.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05Even if you hate Guinness, you'll absolutely love it.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08The guy from Belgium said so.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10- LAUGHTER - Lachlan!
0:30:13 > 0:30:16I've never seen the pub so full.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19An enormous improvement. No question about it.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Honestly, perfect.
0:30:29 > 0:30:34Such a good atmosphere and... everyone's mingling and happy to see each other
0:30:34 > 0:30:38so, yeah, it's excellent. It's back to how it used to be.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39Yeah.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43# I'm pretty convinced it's where I'll spend the rest of my days. #
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Don't break the branch, please.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57OK. Which way are you going to pull?
0:30:57 > 0:31:01You've got to go round! Completely come round in a circle!
0:31:01 > 0:31:06- The other way!- With concerns that they might not even make their first Christmas now behind them,
0:31:06 > 0:31:10locals night has been a massive boost to the team.
0:31:10 > 0:31:11APPLAUSE
0:31:11 > 0:31:12Wooh!
0:31:12 > 0:31:16The locals night made it totally worthwhile
0:31:16 > 0:31:19and to see the pub full of people,
0:31:19 > 0:31:23old faces that haven't been here for such a long time
0:31:23 > 0:31:26and walking away having enjoyed themselves
0:31:26 > 0:31:30and saying, "We'll be back cos it was a really great night,
0:31:30 > 0:31:32"it was like it used to be",
0:31:32 > 0:31:33That for me was the icing on the cake.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37It's like, OK, this is what it's all about and that evening achieved it.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40- Well done!- Hey!
0:31:40 > 0:31:43The weight of local opposition to Honeyfest however
0:31:43 > 0:31:45has led Sandra to a difficult decision.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47I am off to pin these...
0:31:50 > 0:31:51..onto the noticeboards.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57Sandra's lesson in the ways of the country is beginning to have an effect.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01I didn't understand the way villages worked.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04It's not about e-mailing and mail-outs
0:32:04 > 0:32:06and SMS and all that kind of thing.
0:32:06 > 0:32:11No. It's plain old human one-to-one contact.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23Carl's food has increased takings by 7%,
0:32:23 > 0:32:27but it's not enough. He's worried the tired decor is driving customers away.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30The committee had planned to refurbish in January
0:32:30 > 0:32:35but delays in planning mean they've now pushed the build back to spring.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Carl might be able to offer his customers great food,
0:32:38 > 0:32:42but he still can't offer them pleasant surroundings
0:32:42 > 0:32:43in which to enjoy it.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46It is still tatty upstairs and that.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48If you're sitting somewhere shabby,
0:32:48 > 0:32:51you don't expect the best food.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55I've seen quite a few cars, as soon as they come in the car park,
0:32:55 > 0:32:58turn around before they've even come into the pub.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07Are you finding it rewarding or frustrating or both?
0:33:07 > 0:33:11- Both!- Which is bigger, the frustration or reward?
0:33:11 > 0:33:16The rewarding's good because people are surprised to see what they actually get.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20We hoped to be three months into it by now and really flying,
0:33:20 > 0:33:23but it's understandable why the hold-up's happened.
0:33:23 > 0:33:24Nothing can be done about it.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28No. I have to say - I'm going to be really honest here -
0:33:28 > 0:33:30I think they're flipping lucky to have you
0:33:30 > 0:33:34and to be honest, the one thing that's going right is the food.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38I've eaten it myself, it's delicious. Clearly everyone else sees that as well.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42I see how exhausted everyone is with everything they're doing
0:33:42 > 0:33:46and they're mostly doing it for free so I'm not going to grumble.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50I'm getting a wage. I'm working with them and they're working with me.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53I'm really impressed with your stoic spirit.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Well, thank you!
0:33:56 > 0:34:00Getting on with the refurbishment is now proving more vital than ever.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04It's early March and with only two months to the festival,
0:34:04 > 0:34:07time is ticking by. I suppose when I look at it,
0:34:07 > 0:34:11I don't know how to say this in a nice way, so I'll just say it, from October till now,
0:34:11 > 0:34:14kind of not a lot's happened in the big scheme of things
0:34:14 > 0:34:17from an outsider's point of view,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20you kind of think, it's the same as it was.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23On the surface of it, it doesn't look like much has happened,
0:34:23 > 0:34:26but in actual fact, we have made a hell of a lot of progress.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30In the main, it's been about turning a negative reputation
0:34:30 > 0:34:31of a pub around.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35A lick of paint isn't going to change a reputation of the pub.
0:34:35 > 0:34:40No, but it's quite a good point in any business or anything,
0:34:40 > 0:34:44if people can see something's different they kind of go,
0:34:44 > 0:34:48"That might be different as well. We'll give it another try".
0:34:53 > 0:34:57One week later, the refurbishment finally begins.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01The team have given themselves just six weeks to transform the interior.
0:35:01 > 0:35:06Today's the first day we've got our contractors in to do the heavy stuff.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10We're on a very tight timescale, but there's nothing new with that.
0:35:14 > 0:35:19Sandra has been busy booking bands for the festival.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22All her efforts will be judged by that one day.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25We've almost sold out.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Crikey!
0:35:27 > 0:35:29And the artists are doing it for free as well.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32The fact that they're supporting the project,
0:35:32 > 0:35:34that was a really nice thing to do,
0:35:34 > 0:35:36and one of the ladies
0:35:36 > 0:35:39who's performing just won Best Solo Artist at the Brits.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42- That will help.- That really helps!
0:35:42 > 0:35:44How much are the tickets out of interest?
0:35:44 > 0:35:48They're £20 for locals and £35 national.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51In the main, it's designed for the locals.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59I actually think Honeyfest is a very brave move.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01I think there's two choices -
0:36:01 > 0:36:07Sandra could let the Barge Inn take up slow momentum and slowly grow
0:36:07 > 0:36:13or launch it into the stratosphere in one huge almighty event.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16And so that's what she's going to do
0:36:16 > 0:36:19and it's going to go ahead whether the Barge Inn is ready or not
0:36:19 > 0:36:22and whether the locals want it or not.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28There's just one slight problem -
0:36:28 > 0:36:32Sandra doesn't have the licence she needs to hold the festival.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34This morning she has been summoned to an appeal hearing
0:36:34 > 0:36:37at Wiltshire County Council in nearby Chippenham.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39If the verdict goes against her,
0:36:39 > 0:36:43then the last eight months of hard work will have been for nothing.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48I think we've had around 30 objection letters that have gone in.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52It feels a little bit like I'm on trial,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55but I've been through this that many times now with this project...
0:36:57 > 0:36:59..that many times,
0:36:59 > 0:37:02well, what else can you throw at us?
0:37:03 > 0:37:07Honeyfest is a good-natured event.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10It's the launch event for the Barge Inn community project
0:37:10 > 0:37:14and I can guarantee it will not happen again.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21The final decision will be made by the council committee.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23There is plenty of opposition.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26To help fight her corner,
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Sandra has brought along her events manager, Graham.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34- Will there be any readmission? - The music will finish at eight.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38It's very polite, commercial, folk music.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43With a mountain of objections to get through,
0:37:43 > 0:37:46the jury is still out on Honeyfest.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56If they do get the licence,
0:37:56 > 0:37:59it leaves just seven days for the Barge to get its doors open.
0:37:59 > 0:38:04Today Bev is going to see the £20,000 hand-crafted oak bar
0:38:04 > 0:38:08she hopes will make the pub look fantastic.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Crikey! This is just incredible.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14We aim to please.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18- Pleased?- Pleased? I'm just like...! - Have you see the bottom bit?
0:38:18 > 0:38:20- So this is your end.- Oh, my God!
0:38:20 > 0:38:21This is where you walk in.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23- It looks huge!- It IS huge!
0:38:23 > 0:38:28- You sure you got your sizes right?! No, it's fine.- I can't believe this.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34It's going to look amazing.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37I'm completely overwhelmed by it, I don't know...
0:38:38 > 0:38:42- Can we have another week to finish it?- I wish I could say yes.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44After five hours of deliberation,
0:38:44 > 0:38:48Wiltshire Council have reached their decision.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Everybody we expected was there.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55And do you know what, they put across quite a good case, I have to say.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58Yeah. I'll tell you in detail when I see you.
0:38:58 > 0:39:03- It's fairly entertaining in parts. - 'Right.'
0:39:03 > 0:39:05But...guess what, though?
0:39:05 > 0:39:09- 'We've got it?'- Yes!
0:39:09 > 0:39:10SHE CACKLES
0:39:10 > 0:39:13SHE GIGGLES
0:39:13 > 0:39:16Finally, it's happening.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18In a week's time, this field will be hosting
0:39:18 > 0:39:2211 acts, playing to a crowd of 1,500 people,
0:39:22 > 0:39:27to launch a pub that currently doesn't even have a bar.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30With no kitchen to work in,
0:39:30 > 0:39:34Carl and Nathan have travelled to Somerset for some culinary inspiration.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39Five years ago, the Pony and Trap in nearby Chew Magna
0:39:39 > 0:39:42was on its last legs.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45The skill and tenacity of local chef Josh Eggleton
0:39:45 > 0:39:49has seen the pub's turnover increase by 700%.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53Five years ago, when we opened, we weren't doing this sort of stuff.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56These dishes are a little bit more fancy, I guess.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Earlier this year, it became one of only 10 British pubs
0:39:59 > 0:40:02to be awarded a Michelin star.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05Whilst Carl hopes to pick up a few tips in the kitchen,
0:40:05 > 0:40:10Nathan will receive invaluable training from the restaurant's front of house.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Tuck your shirt in.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14- Always start off with the knife. - That's a good idea.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16The knife always sits there.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Service! This is the rare beef salad.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Rare beef salad.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Going to Table 11.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25- Table 11.- I'll show you.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29It's a brilliant standard of service here.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33It's more about the quality of things has changed,
0:40:33 > 0:40:35but how you do them hasn't changed so much.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40We did have a lot of people come in, read the menu and walk out.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43And I think to a certain extent,
0:40:43 > 0:40:45you've got to believe in what you do, as well.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47And you have to stick to your guns.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49We get that with the scampi and all that.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Lunchtime was just Ploughman's and baguettes.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56We just make sure it's the best Ploughman's we can do.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00Get a good, decent, local Cheddar, make a homemade coleslaw,
0:41:00 > 0:41:04make that chutney, make the piccalilli, so it's the best Ploughman's you can get.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08'He says it's taken him four and a half years to get the Michelin star.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10'It's not something I'm necessarily after -'
0:41:10 > 0:41:14it came because he was doing good food, well-cooked,
0:41:14 > 0:41:16and also, really locally sourced.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18So he's using things that are so fresh,
0:41:18 > 0:41:22it's a really nice family feel to it. Some fantastic ideas,
0:41:22 > 0:41:24which a lot of them,
0:41:24 > 0:41:27I think, could carry into the Barge in time.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36With the pub launch and music festival just two days away,
0:41:36 > 0:41:39it's all hands on deck to get the pub ready in time.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42It's mayhem.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45There's the guys in there finishing off the painting.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49And the guys laying the floor,
0:41:49 > 0:41:53were here, they've worked all day and then all night
0:41:53 > 0:41:56and left at 11 the following morning,
0:41:56 > 0:41:59just to get our floor down for us, they've all worked really hard.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04The fact that they've done this in, I think it's three weeks,
0:42:04 > 0:42:08completely revamped a pub, put a whole electrical system in,
0:42:08 > 0:42:11new floor, new bar,
0:42:11 > 0:42:13it's just incredible.
0:42:17 > 0:42:22Just over a year ago, the Barge was a tired, depressed old pub.
0:42:22 > 0:42:23It's now very different.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30With the addition of a huge horseshoe bar, open seating
0:42:30 > 0:42:34and a totally revamped interior, it has the potential to become
0:42:34 > 0:42:37a top canalside destination.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42I'm gobsmacked. I walked in, and I couldn't talk.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45All I could do was this.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47I worried about the colour, worried about the bar,
0:42:47 > 0:42:54I worried about the colour of the floor. When I first saw it, "Look how dark it is, it won't work."
0:42:54 > 0:42:57The taps came in and I was thinking, "Look at the size of them."
0:42:57 > 0:43:00But it's all come together
0:43:00 > 0:43:04and the colour is perfectly... You know, it works.
0:43:08 > 0:43:12With the pub expecting over 1,000 people to descend on it,
0:43:12 > 0:43:16now it's just the small matter of transforming the grounds
0:43:16 > 0:43:18into a fully functioning festival.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23- She's going to set up near the wishing tree.- Yeah.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26We're running between there and the bar tent.
0:43:26 > 0:43:31The residents of Honeystreet aren't totally in the festival spirit.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35The sudden impact of something coming to the village
0:43:35 > 0:43:38on a scale of 1,500 people, you know,
0:43:38 > 0:43:42that's a massive amount of people in this small, little community.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45Suddenly, these people are going to be coming from everywhere,
0:43:45 > 0:43:49throughout the country. That's really unheard of.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52Even those behind the project know the risks Honeyfest poses.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55You're really under scrutiny from the locals here
0:43:55 > 0:43:59and there's a lot of people who aren't that keen on Honeyfest.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02If anything goes wrong, the finger of blame will be pointed at you.
0:44:02 > 0:44:04Do you feel under pressure?
0:44:04 > 0:44:06Definitely. We feel like that a lot of that all the time.
0:44:06 > 0:44:12There's been issues ever since we've taken over of some kind or another that we have had to deal with.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15It is a massive thing to do here.
0:44:15 > 0:44:17It is... I mean...
0:44:17 > 0:44:21None of us are thinking this is a walk in the park. It's terrifying.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27If you look at how much there is to do, and how much time,
0:44:27 > 0:44:33it's going to be right up to the wire getting this place ready.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42After nine months' debate, deliberation and planning,
0:44:42 > 0:44:45the day of reckoning has arrived.
0:44:51 > 0:44:53With the paint barely dry,
0:44:53 > 0:44:57over 40 volunteers are in the wings.
0:44:57 > 0:45:00The Barge Inn is about to play host to its biggest-ever knees-up.
0:45:02 > 0:45:04Hundreds of locals are expected,
0:45:04 > 0:45:08so the Barge team know everything HAS to run smoothly.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11It's not just their local pride at stake,
0:45:11 > 0:45:13it's their reputation.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16It has to go without a hitch. There's so much hanging on this.
0:45:18 > 0:45:22If the trust is broken between the locals and the project,
0:45:22 > 0:45:25then we've got a problem. It just has to work.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:45:36 > 0:45:40# As heavy as a book can be
0:45:40 > 0:45:44# I will carry it with me... #
0:45:44 > 0:45:46With fine weather and huge crowds,
0:45:46 > 0:45:49the event gets off to a great start.
0:45:49 > 0:45:53# Love is sweetness on our tongues... #
0:45:53 > 0:45:57I was slightly sceptical about the Wire festival.
0:45:57 > 0:46:00But actually now were here, it's a lot of fun.
0:46:00 > 0:46:04It's like you'd want to spend a summer's afternoon
0:46:04 > 0:46:07or the weekend down at the pub, down at the Barge.
0:46:07 > 0:46:10We live a mile from here so...
0:46:10 > 0:46:13it IS our local pub.
0:46:13 > 0:46:17It's dramatically different. We'll wait and see. Today's the first day we've seen it.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19It's so crowded you can't move in there!
0:46:19 > 0:46:231,500 people have descended on the Barge.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27It's the busiest it's ever been in its 200-year history.
0:46:27 > 0:46:31That can only be good for business.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43The festival has drawn a diverse crowd,
0:46:43 > 0:46:46many of them haven't had to come far.
0:46:46 > 0:46:51- We've only come from Woodborough, less than a mile.- Woodborough, just down the road.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54Sometimes people have a knee-jerk reaction, don't they?
0:46:54 > 0:47:00Sometimes it's the case where people just say no because they don't understand what's going on.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04I think a lot of people thought it was going to be Glastonbury and there was going to be
0:47:04 > 0:47:0830,000 people, all of a sudden, coming into their little place!
0:47:10 > 0:47:13CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:47:13 > 0:47:16It took us at least five minutes to walk here. That was good!
0:47:16 > 0:47:18# You'll never forget
0:47:18 > 0:47:21# The way that she let it She don't feel the same
0:47:21 > 0:47:24# I only want to find a way... #
0:47:24 > 0:47:28By the time festival favourites, Magic Numbers, hit the stage,
0:47:28 > 0:47:33even Pete the parish councillor appears to have been won over.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36I'm glad it's working. They've got everything right.
0:47:36 > 0:47:40You know, there's nothing wrong with how it's all working out there.
0:47:40 > 0:47:43It all good. I haven't got a negative thing to say.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46Praise to Sandra here, I think.
0:47:46 > 0:47:48Very good.
0:47:50 > 0:47:54# I just couldn't take my eyes off you
0:47:57 > 0:48:02# I shall be released. #
0:48:03 > 0:48:06As headline act, Damien Rice, brings his set to a close,
0:48:06 > 0:48:10Barge volunteer, Emma, is on a high.
0:48:10 > 0:48:13Apart from having my little girl, passing my driving test,
0:48:13 > 0:48:16getting married, it's on that kind of scale.
0:48:16 > 0:48:21It's one of those overwhelming days where you've just achieved something you never thought you could do,
0:48:21 > 0:48:25or you would ever do. It is just incredible. All that work and effort
0:48:25 > 0:48:28has paid off in the most fantastic way.
0:48:29 > 0:48:31I'm completely blown away by that.
0:48:31 > 0:48:34I thought that was absolutely wicked.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36- Damien was just...- Incredible.
0:48:36 > 0:48:42- You know what, the whole vibe of the day, it all fell into place.- It has.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45There's no way this would have happened without her.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48She's just got some talent, that girl!
0:48:50 > 0:48:54It's been, probably one of the best days in my 35 years.
0:48:55 > 0:48:59It's been a real journey.
0:49:01 > 0:49:03In a lot of ways.
0:49:05 > 0:49:07I'm glad it's done.
0:49:09 > 0:49:12Honeyfest could not have gone better for Sandra.
0:49:14 > 0:49:17Now the pub's kitchen and restaurant will be in the spotlight.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23I'll take them two when you need them, but I'll help take them up.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25Two portions, please, OK?
0:49:25 > 0:49:29The official launch of the new menu.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32We've got Nathan, his first night, taking control of upstairs,
0:49:32 > 0:49:36which is kind of a mix of happiness...
0:49:36 > 0:49:38and maybe terror!
0:49:39 > 0:49:41It's only because it's the first night.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44We've got to expect a few little ups and downs.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46I'm sure he's going to be all right.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48'Instead of just being waiter now,'
0:49:48 > 0:49:50I'm full front of house head waiter,
0:49:50 > 0:49:54making sure all the different areas of the pub are working together,
0:49:54 > 0:49:56which is a lot to handle.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58If it does go wrong,
0:49:58 > 0:50:01it's obviously my head on the firing line for it all.
0:50:01 > 0:50:02The heat is on.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05Tonight's biggest booking is a table of 14
0:50:05 > 0:50:09for the Wiltshire Ladies Dining Club and Carl's only too aware
0:50:09 > 0:50:12how influential the seemingly mild-mannered ladies can be.
0:50:12 > 0:50:15They do a dinner club once a month.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19I have this thing where one lady can tell about 200 other ladies
0:50:19 > 0:50:21that something was either good or bad.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24If we get it right, they might tell ten other friends,
0:50:24 > 0:50:26if we get it wrong, they'll tell everyone.
0:50:26 > 0:50:32I'll give you a few minutes with the drinks and I'll come back in five minutes to take your orders.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37There's an added pressure - tonight, Nigel Kerton,
0:50:37 > 0:50:42the food critic of the Gazette and Herald, is paying a surprise visit.
0:50:42 > 0:50:45It'll be not just on food, not just on the service
0:50:45 > 0:50:47but on the whole thing from when we walk in the door
0:50:47 > 0:50:49until we walk out of the door.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51Just because it's a community project
0:50:51 > 0:50:54it doesn't mean Nigel will go easy on them.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57I'm here to be down the line, to be impartial.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00If I don't like it, I say so. If I like it, I praise them up.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03Joining him is his wife, Joy,
0:51:03 > 0:51:05who just happens to be a professional chef.
0:51:05 > 0:51:09One duck, two soup, three scallops and one small chicken salad.
0:51:10 > 0:51:15- First Carl has to satisfy the lovely ladies of Wiltshire.- Service!
0:51:15 > 0:51:17There's one.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25This is an enormous improvement.
0:51:25 > 0:51:29They've done it very well. They've changed it tremendously.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33It's absolutely delicious. The sauce, particularly, is lovely.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36It's the atmosphere, it's the low-key, friendly...
0:51:38 > 0:51:40Quality food in a pub.
0:51:40 > 0:51:44Will Carl and Nathan win over food critic, Nigel, so easily?
0:51:45 > 0:51:49So far, so good. But there's a potential clash in the pub's diary
0:51:49 > 0:51:54because the Barge team have also arranged an open mic night.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14How are you doing, are you all right?
0:52:14 > 0:52:16Can I say, thank you, that's so kind of you.
0:52:16 > 0:52:20- It was lovely. You did us proud. - Good, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22You must have been going manic down there, were you?
0:52:22 > 0:52:26It was a little on the busy side, I have to be honest with you.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28Thank you, ladies, and gentleman!
0:52:28 > 0:52:31While Carl laps up praise from admiring diners,
0:52:31 > 0:52:35he'll have to wait a few more days to see what the papers say.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38"A bit noisy, but nice.
0:52:38 > 0:52:42"The Barge Inn was packed on Friday night when we decided to try it, after a gap of some years,
0:52:42 > 0:52:45"because it's been taken over as a community-run pub.
0:52:45 > 0:52:50- "We had attentive but not hovering service from waiter, Nathan." Well done, Nate.- Wa-hey!
0:52:50 > 0:52:54"Despite every seat being taken, there was plenty of room at our table.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57"Then a group of canal boaters in the adjacent crop circle bar
0:52:57 > 0:52:59"began to sing loudly and play drums."
0:52:59 > 0:53:00Oops.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04"In fact, my wife Joy remarked it was too loud for her liking."
0:53:04 > 0:53:07- We'll change that back to Sundays. - Yeah, I think so.
0:53:07 > 0:53:08- Sunday night's better.- I do, too.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11"I had a warm chicken and bacon salad, which was perfect,
0:53:11 > 0:53:14"and Joy said her goat's cheese salad was delicious.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17"For mains, I had good old Wiltshire ham, egg and chips,
0:53:17 > 0:53:20"a brace of perfectly cooked eggs on top of succulent ham
0:53:20 > 0:53:22"served with crunchy chips and a side salad.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25"After handing over a reasonable £42.20 for our meal and drinks,
0:53:25 > 0:53:28"we then negotiated the unlit car park to find our car."
0:53:28 > 0:53:31- That's good.- You haven't even been open for two minutes!
0:53:31 > 0:53:34- That's a pretty good review.- Oh, yes.
0:53:38 > 0:53:42Two weeks after the launch, Carl and his team have served 2,000 covers
0:53:42 > 0:53:45and takings have soared through the roof.
0:53:46 > 0:53:50This is certainly a lot busier than the last time I was here.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54So busy, in fact, they'll take help from anyone.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57- Are you cheese or ham?- Ham.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02Hi. Is anyone else cheese?
0:54:02 > 0:54:04You're cheese, yeah.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06This is a sign of things to come.
0:54:06 > 0:54:10- 25 covers, like that. Straight up. - It's a bit worrying, isn't it?
0:54:10 > 0:54:14Doubling what you were taking within a couple of weeks of opening,
0:54:14 > 0:54:16- I think that's pretty impressive! - It is, yeah.
0:54:16 > 0:54:20- You can't complain. - You can't complain.
0:54:20 > 0:54:23- A good time to ask for a pay rise, I reckon.- Too flipping right!
0:54:25 > 0:54:29It looks like the faith Carl put in Nathan is beginning to pay off.
0:54:30 > 0:54:34How would you describe it, both of you, in terms of your personal lives?
0:54:34 > 0:54:37It's teaching me a lot about...
0:54:37 > 0:54:39things I wasn't as interested in before.
0:54:39 > 0:54:43Now that I'm in somewhere that has a chance to do so well,
0:54:43 > 0:54:46actually, getting involved,
0:54:46 > 0:54:48trying to help make a difference.
0:54:48 > 0:54:52We know we're getting good because we're getting our local custom
0:54:52 > 0:54:55from the surrounding villages, we're getting them coming back.
0:54:55 > 0:54:59We've had a table of six or eight, for the last three weeks on the run.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01They've booked for next week as well.
0:55:01 > 0:55:06That's like every week and they're enjoying the service that Nathan's putting up.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08It's all... It's good.
0:55:11 > 0:55:12Service!
0:55:20 > 0:55:23With her time in the countryside coming to an end,
0:55:23 > 0:55:26it's been a roller-coaster year for Sandra.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29Was it what you were expecting when you set out?
0:55:29 > 0:55:31I had no idea what to expect.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34Other than living in a different environment.
0:55:34 > 0:55:37The people were so friendly and welcoming,
0:55:37 > 0:55:41they became like a surrogate family, I suppose.
0:55:41 > 0:55:44What have you learnt about yourself?
0:55:44 > 0:55:47In the main, I've learnt how to keep my mouth shut!
0:55:50 > 0:55:53I'm pleased that I managed to survive!
0:55:53 > 0:55:57I'm pleased that they didn't manage to drop-kick me out of here, for a start!
0:55:57 > 0:55:59Are you looking forward to going home,
0:55:59 > 0:56:02or will you be a bit sad to leave?
0:56:02 > 0:56:05I'll be a bit sad to leave. I'll be sad to leave these guys.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08Will you be back for a visit?
0:56:08 > 0:56:10Yeah, I'll come back.
0:56:10 > 0:56:14With Sandra packing her bags, it will be down to Bev, Emma and the rest of the team
0:56:14 > 0:56:16to keep the Barge afloat.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19So, you did it, you pulled it off!
0:56:19 > 0:56:21- Yes.- How does that feel?
0:56:21 > 0:56:22Exhausting!
0:56:24 > 0:56:26It's 24/7...
0:56:26 > 0:56:30- Especially for you. - I never anticipated that.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33We had Honeyfest and it's been silly since,
0:56:33 > 0:56:35which is fantastic.
0:56:35 > 0:56:39None of this could have happened without the passion and perseverance
0:56:39 > 0:56:41they've shown as volunteers.
0:56:41 > 0:56:45I'll always be involved. I'll always be on the team
0:56:45 > 0:56:47and always want to put the time I've got into it.
0:56:47 > 0:56:51I've never done voluntary work before and it's been inspiring.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54It's really changed my outlook on a lot of things.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57It's a really nice, satisfying thing to do.
0:56:57 > 0:57:00It's been really, really worth it.
0:57:00 > 0:57:03Look at it. He's smiling!
0:57:03 > 0:57:05Everybody's smiling. It's got to be good.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11Just over a year ago,
0:57:11 > 0:57:16this place was just about to call last orders for the very last time.
0:57:16 > 0:57:19But thanks to the efforts of Bev and Emma and the rest of the team,
0:57:19 > 0:57:24this place is now the talk of the area for all the right reasons -
0:57:24 > 0:57:28good beer, great food and fantastic entertainment.
0:57:28 > 0:57:32I really think it's only a matter of time before this pub,
0:57:32 > 0:57:34run BY the locals FOR the locals,
0:57:34 > 0:57:36becomes the heart of its community once more.
0:57:36 > 0:57:40If you been inspired to create a community project in your area
0:57:40 > 0:57:44and want to out how to apply, go to:
0:57:48 > 0:57:52Next time, can a passionate bunch of volunteers in Caistor
0:57:52 > 0:57:55use their local heritage to create a thriving business?
0:57:56 > 0:57:59My dream's for it to become a cultural centre.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02Or, will the conflict between past and future stop the project?
0:58:02 > 0:58:06We've not had a discussion of what gives in this building,
0:58:06 > 0:58:08and nothing is giving yet.
0:58:08 > 0:58:10I don't understand this "fire me now."
0:58:10 > 0:58:12I have to keep telling her it's not London.
0:58:12 > 0:58:16I've been persistent and fought every step of the way
0:58:16 > 0:58:18to make this what it can be.
0:58:18 > 0:58:21Subtitles by Red Bee Media
0:58:21 > 0:58:23E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk