0:00:00 > 0:00:03Summer in Wales is a time of celebration...
0:00:03 > 0:00:04Cheese!
0:00:04 > 0:00:07- ..holidays... - I want to see a castle, pubs.
0:00:07 > 0:00:08Keep rowing!
0:00:08 > 0:00:10..and the great outdoors.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14A time when many businesses must turn a profit...
0:00:14 > 0:00:17We have put everything we've got into this.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20..or face a struggle to survive the rest of the year.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22You've got to try and keep your head above water.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25A time when good weather can make all things possible...
0:00:25 > 0:00:26SHOUTING
0:00:26 > 0:00:28..and bad can leave dreams in tatters.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31The weather could be nicer, but that's not anybody's fault.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33The summer was truly extraordinary.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Is that the cleverest idea to try and take it down?
0:00:37 > 0:00:38It saw laughter...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42- ..heartache... - It's going to be a cruel game.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44- ..triumph...- I came second.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47- ..and despair. - The weather's beaten us once again.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49These are our stories.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Nice bit of pavement pizza in this corner here.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56Filmed in every corner of the nation across the summer of 2012.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57You can't beat it, can you?
0:00:57 > 0:00:59This is the story of a summer in Wales.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Let's get the show on the road!
0:01:11 > 0:01:12Wales.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Late summer.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19On the tiny tidal island of Cribinau, off the south-west coast of Anglesey,
0:01:19 > 0:01:21stands St Cwyfan's Church in the Sea.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Open for service all summer,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27this medieval church is shut up as autumn draws near.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Today, at low tide, Canon Madalaine Brady is heading out on foot
0:01:32 > 0:01:36across the causeway to conduct the last service of the year.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39I'm going to do two christenings whilst we're here.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Baptise a baby and a little girl.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44I'm so pleased it's a lovely day.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Soon after this I shall be retiring,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50so I'll miss the place very much.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53While the church is prepared and the families and their guests
0:01:53 > 0:01:55make their way out to the island,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58the Canon keeps a watchful eye on the tide.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02It's behaving exceedingly well today, I'm happy to say.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05I don't think anybody needs worry they'll get stuck.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08I don't think I'll miss walking out over the causeway all that much,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11but everything else.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Somebody once said there are places where the air between
0:02:15 > 0:02:19heaven and earth is thin and I think this is one of them.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24It's just got a lovely, lovely feeling of time and space
0:02:24 > 0:02:27and nature, and continuity I suppose.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Hello.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34For the congregation it's a day of mixed emotions.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36It's sad Madalaine is leaving.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39You know, she's been part of the community for, what, 15 years
0:02:39 > 0:02:42because she christened my daughter for me as well.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45With only a short window before the tide turns,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Canon Madalaine cracks on with the service.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Croeso cynnes iawn. A very warm welcome.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55So we are going to start our service by singing the first hymn
0:02:55 > 0:02:59on your hymn sheet, Will Your Anchor Hold In The Storms Of Life.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02ORGAN PLAYS INTRODUCTION
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Little Harry quickly takes centre stage,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11and tries to join in with the organ playing.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Oh dear, oh dear.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Undeterred he goes back for more.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30It looks like it's going to be a lively service.
0:03:32 > 0:03:33Please be seated.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35BABY CRIES
0:03:39 > 0:03:42For Wales's 7,000-odd hotel and guest houses,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44summer is their busiest season.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48And this year, a new establishment joined their ranks.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52On the border between Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, stands Hammet House.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Until recently, it was a failing country hotel
0:03:55 > 0:03:58but then Philippa and Owen Gale bought it
0:03:58 > 0:04:02and invested their life savings to transform it into a luxury retreat.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04It's an ambitious project.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07When you stepped through the door before,
0:04:07 > 0:04:11it was kind of like an old people's home sort of feel.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18The couple are giving the interior an uncompromisingly modern makeover.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21But it's not to everyone's taste in this part of Welsh Wales.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24We did have one lady who stomped in and told me
0:04:24 > 0:04:27that I couldn't do this to this house.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29I felt like telling her, well, actually, it's my house.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33More importantly, the on-going refurbishment has meant
0:04:33 > 0:04:36that some of the hotel's bedrooms couldn't be used.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Time's ticking now.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40HE GROANS
0:04:40 > 0:04:44With summer being the busiest season in the hotel trade,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48the couple have had to work quickly to get the redecoration finished.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51I want it stripped and painted in our palette of greys.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55But one key function room where wedding receptions are held,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57has been left untouched, until now.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01Obviously a lot of brides are coming in and seeing
0:05:01 > 0:05:05the front of the house and loving our new contemporary feel.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08But obviously we haven't done the ballroom yet.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13For Philippa and Owen, this has been a long-awaited makeover.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16We had a big wedding here last night.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20We've just cleared up after that and now the floor fitters are here.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Hooray.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25We've been waiting for this day for quite a while.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29It's nice to see this old carpet going.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33We've got a lovely new parquet floor coming in.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37It's going to look a lot better which is essential now
0:05:37 > 0:05:39because we're getting potential brides coming into the house
0:05:39 > 0:05:44and we show them into the ballroom and they see the carpets, the old curtains and then they go, oh dear.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50One of last night's wedding guests can't resist taking a peek.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54And pays the price.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57We're even having to take the carpet up now after last night.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- What did they do to it, then? - Oh, ruined it.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04No, no, no, we're having a new floor put down!
0:06:04 > 0:06:05I nearly had a heart attack!
0:06:06 > 0:06:10But joking aside, there's one serious issue.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Just over two weeks before the next wedding
0:06:13 > 0:06:16so we've really got a bit of a tight time scale on this one.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20An area this size would probably take us about three to four weeks
0:06:20 > 0:06:23so it's very ambitious, but we'll see how it goes.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26The worst thing that could happen is that we don't get it done in time.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38As the end of summer looms, it's not just those with a living to make who are feeling the pressure.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43For some, there are other challenges that are every bit as serious.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Still crackers, Merv? Wahey!
0:06:53 > 0:06:56In South Wales's Cynon Valley, Mervyn Owens is helping fellow
0:06:56 > 0:06:59allotment holder, Horace Rodgers, pick the best of his summer crop
0:06:59 > 0:07:02to enter into competition in the county show.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07- About four feet.- Come on.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09First up - parsnips.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Right here we go.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14I'm a bit nervous, I am, really now.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17They've been in since February, it's a long time.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19It's a delicate process.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- If it snaps, it's no good for showing.- No.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- He's down there.- He's coming.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Oh, he snapped.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31This can be a cruel game.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35He's coming, he's coming.
0:07:35 > 0:07:36- Right.- All right there, byt?
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- Oh, he snapped. - I didn't like the sound of that.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- It's a shame that, ain't it?- I'm going to break down now, quietly.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Competitive vegetable growing can be an emotional roller coaster.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51Right?
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Will it be a case of third time lucky?
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- Oh, he's all right, he's all right. - It's not bad.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59That's one.
0:07:59 > 0:08:00It's looking good.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03- Looking very good. - Two.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Merv, if we can just put that in a bath of water.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09That's the longest one.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Three. Enough for the show.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Next, it's Horace's pride and joy - his cauliflowers.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20I'm a bit annoyed with these, Merv, to be honest with you, boy.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Oh, they've gone over the top, Horace. Over the top, look.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25They've gone, man, they've gone. Look here.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31They've just come on, the weather's brought them on too soon, you know.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34All summer now you've nursed them and fed them.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Gutted.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41But it's not all bad news. There's always the peas.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44That's quite nice, that is, if you can get nine like that.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48They've got a deep, a deep grain the pod like.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50They've got to be a lush green, that's what they call it - lush.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53There's a lovely one here, look, right, quite full this is now.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- How many is in it that?- Seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven peas in that.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- 0h, eleven peas. That's an excellent pea.- That's a good pea that is.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06Veg selected, Horace gives it an all-important makeover,
0:09:06 > 0:09:07ready for the show.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- Lovely smell on them. - Fresh.- Fresh, see.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- It's all about presentation, ain't it, Merv?- Yes.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Cleaning the parsnips, it takes hours like, you know.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27"I don't see much of you, you're always down that allotment."
0:09:27 > 0:09:29But I told you earlier, I nearly had a divorce for this game.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32That's what she'll say, "Where you been?
0:09:32 > 0:09:36"You think more of that allotment than me."
0:09:36 > 0:09:37I'll say, "You're dead right."
0:09:39 > 0:09:42People think we're nuts. Are we nuts, Merv?
0:09:42 > 0:09:43Aye, we are nuts, Horace.
0:09:48 > 0:09:5040 miles west of the Cynon Valley,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53in the heart of the rolling hills of Carmarthenshire, lies Ffos Las,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Wales's third and newest racecourse.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Each summer, Ladies Day, one of the most glamorous events
0:09:59 > 0:10:02in the nation's social calendar, is held here.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03Amongst those attending,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07the clients of Kelly Frator's hair salon in nearby Pontarddulais.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14I hardly slept last night.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17I had my, I had my, my sleeping rollers in
0:10:17 > 0:10:19and I kept waking up thinking, "Ooh it's the..."
0:10:19 > 0:10:23but it wasn't the rollers, it was pure excitement, I was really excited.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28We've been going on about this for weeks now, haven't we?
0:10:28 > 0:10:29Yeah, it's the event of the year.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Almost as much effort goes into it as getting married,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36we have to look the best.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Just hope the rain doesn't ruin our hats today.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Just along the high street from Kelly's salon,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47dress shop owner Samantha Roberts and sisters Claire Lewis
0:10:47 > 0:10:50and Sarah Davies have their eye on a prize.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55I think everybody wants to be the Best Dressed Lady.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Sarah and definitely Claire want to be the Best Dressed Lady.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02One of our girls got through last year, which was really exciting,
0:11:02 > 0:11:07so let's hope that we get the same this year and maybe get a winner.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12The ladies are ready and their carriage awaits.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Nothing's going to dampen their high spirits,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20not even a forecast of heavy rain.
0:11:20 > 0:11:21CHEERS
0:11:23 > 0:11:25We're not really that worried about the weather
0:11:25 > 0:11:27because it's going to get better.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29I've had a word upstairs, it's going to be fine.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33But as they arrive at the racecourse,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35dark clouds are already gathering.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Many things in life are unpredictable,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48but one thing's certain, even in summer, Welsh weather can be soggy.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52I love Wales' weather.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Despite the wind and rain, Kelly has her mind focused on one thing.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01We've just put £3.00 each way.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Placing a bet.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Basically what we want to do, we want to share this money out
0:12:06 > 0:12:08on the races that we've got, so can you help me, please?
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Yeah, will do.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13What it is, I'm not up and running yet unfortunately, sorry.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15She's very keen.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18I've got £75 here.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22So I've got all the horses that I want to put on.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Erm, so I need your help to break it down.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28You can only bet on this race mind, you can't bet,
0:12:28 > 0:12:31you can't bet on all the races.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34You've got to bet on them individually, everybody's the same, see.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- Right, OK. So how do I break this down?- I'm not sure, erm.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Oh, dear. Fortunately, the Pontarddulais ladies
0:12:42 > 0:12:44aren't just here for a flutter.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47They've got their eyes on the Best Dressed Lady prize.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Hopefully today we're going to be chosen for Best Dressed,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53just to get in the line-up would be really nice.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54For me, that's my favourite.
0:12:57 > 0:12:58I agree.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03This year's competition judge, Andrew Stephens,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06manager of Llanelli's St Elli Shopping Centre,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09is out and about selecting the best dressed ladies on the racecourse.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12It's a little bit more difficult than I thought actually.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14I'm no fashion expert but, you know
0:13:14 > 0:13:17when somebody's dressed nice they're dressed nice.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Among the crowds, there are some surprising potential contestants.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Thank you, lads!
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Excuse me, you've just walked past me and caught my eye.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- So if you could come and join us. - Of course I will.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- And there's a competition for the Best Dressed as well.- Thank you.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Sarah and Claire are in the running.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- Can I give you those two? - Thank you very much.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44The both of them are dressed smart. I feel a little bit awkward
0:13:44 > 0:13:47giving one out when the other one's standing next to them
0:13:47 > 0:13:50who's equally as smart, so I think I'm being gentlemanly, I think.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54I hope we win!
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Back in the pavilion, Kelly's still trying to place a bet.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01£2.50 each way on each horse, please.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Put the time of the race on the end.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06I'll put £2.00 each way, £2.00 each way and £8.00 on the bottom.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Can you do it for me?
0:14:08 > 0:14:14£2.00 each way, £2.00 each way, it's only first or second. 2.45.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Grumpy.
0:14:16 > 0:14:17Only joking.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20She's done it, just in the nick of time.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Come on.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Come on!
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Go on!
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Looks like these ladies like a flutter!
0:14:39 > 0:14:41It was worth the wait.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48As the selected Best Dressed ladies line up in the paddock,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50it's judgement time.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52It's going to be very difficult
0:14:52 > 0:14:55and it's going to be the lady in the centre holding her hat.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Thank you very much. Thank you.
0:14:58 > 0:14:59And the runner-up.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Again it's going to be a difficult one, but it's going to be the lovely lady on the right.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Well done, the lovely lady on the right.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12And again it's going to be difficult to narrow it down,
0:15:12 > 0:15:15but it's the lovely one in the vintage dress in the centre.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Very good choice.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Thank you. Thank you.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Second place, I'm chuffed, I'm chuffed, I'm chuffed, I'm chuffed.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25I won, I was second.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30It's been a good day for the ladies of Pontarddulais.
0:15:33 > 0:15:3660 miles to the east, in the Vale of Glamorgan,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40stands a fortified medieval building known as Fonmon Castle.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45The castle has been in the family of Sir Brooke Boothby since 1656.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49While most of us are trying to persuade our children
0:15:49 > 0:15:53to leave home, Sir Brooke Boothby is overjoyed that he's persuaded
0:15:53 > 0:15:56daughter Aliki to move back into his ancestral pile.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07It is each generation's sole prerogative
0:16:07 > 0:16:08as to whether you keep it.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13My father, when he inherited it, he discovered that the whole place,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16not only the house but the land and everything, was all mortgaged
0:16:16 > 0:16:19and he literally had to sell a silver teapot
0:16:19 > 0:16:23to pay the staff for the first month and that was tough.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26And in his lifetime, he cleared the debts.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29I've had the great good fortune then
0:16:29 > 0:16:32after we got over the hump of his death duties,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35which was a seven figure sum, once we got over that,
0:16:35 > 0:16:39then I have been able to take the place forward.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43Sir Brooke Boothby has worked tirelessly to keep Fonmon
0:16:43 > 0:16:45for future generations of the Boothby family
0:16:45 > 0:16:49and wants to pass on the running of the house to his daughter.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52We started opening the house when I was a child
0:16:52 > 0:16:55and at the beginning when people started coming,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58I wasn't very good, and maybe it was part of my adolescent stroppiness
0:16:58 > 0:17:02but at one point I'm embarrassed to admit I had a badge made and it said
0:17:02 > 0:17:04"I'm not a tourist, I live here."
0:17:04 > 0:17:08In addition to tours of the house, Sir Brooke Boothby also hires out
0:17:08 > 0:17:12the castle grounds for a whole range of high profile events.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14We're ready to play, we're ready to play.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18We've got a polo match out here in aid of charity.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22It's run by the St David's Polo Club and what they do is
0:17:22 > 0:17:26they take the whole field off us, they hire it as the venue
0:17:26 > 0:17:29and we just give them whatever support they think they need.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Wales are winning. Wales are 2-0 up, so all is well in the world!
0:17:38 > 0:17:39Come on Wales!
0:17:42 > 0:17:45This really starts off our events season and then we move on
0:17:45 > 0:17:48next week to a country fair and so on through the summer.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56The most profitable side of the business is weddings
0:17:56 > 0:17:59for which Sir Brooke Boothby arranges the flowers himself.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06It's a fairly messy job so I tend to try and do this in the mornings
0:18:06 > 0:18:08before the guests arrive.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13A couple of weeks ago the bride rang the day before
0:18:13 > 0:18:17when we'd already put our flowers out saying, "I'm allergic to lilies."
0:18:17 > 0:18:20And you can guess which was the flower that was fully out
0:18:20 > 0:18:24in the garden which we'd made six or seven arrangements with.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Aged 63, Sir Brooke Boothby is taking a step back
0:18:27 > 0:18:30from the day-to-day running of Fonmon
0:18:30 > 0:18:32and handing the reins over to Aliki.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35It's not going to be an easy process.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37I know, for example, if my father came back today
0:18:37 > 0:18:40there are all sorts of little things,
0:18:40 > 0:18:42"What on earth have you done that for, boy?"
0:18:42 > 0:18:45And I shall feel exactly the same about it with Aliki.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50But that's it, it's the next generation and you must let go.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56I feel that it is a really big responsibility.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01I heard once somebody say that it can take eight generations of work
0:19:01 > 0:19:03and it can be thrown away by just one generation.
0:19:03 > 0:19:08They used the term "benign neglect", not even, "You've made a really big mistake."
0:19:08 > 0:19:11So for me I do feel that there is a huge amount of,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14not only my father's work but the ancestors',
0:19:14 > 0:19:16my grandparents and the ancestors before that
0:19:16 > 0:19:20who've really shaped the place, and I don't want to get it wrong.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26This is the dangerous bit when an hour's work can vanish in a moment.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30Today, Sir Brooke Boothby is preparing for a visit
0:19:30 > 0:19:31from the ladies of the WI.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36A great deal of the old great houses were built to be shown off
0:19:36 > 0:19:39and the owners very often only lived in them for, say,
0:19:39 > 0:19:43four months of the year, because many of the greatest and grandest owners,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45had five or six of these houses.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49He prides himself in hosting all tours of Fonmon,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52something that Aliki is going to have to learn to do.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Welcome to Fonmon.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58I use the word Fonmon, it's been pronounced Funmun, Ffwlwmwn
0:19:58 > 0:20:03and there's about 20 different spellings known in its 850 years.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06In those 850 years it's only ever belonged to two families.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09First of all, the St John Norman Knights
0:20:09 > 0:20:11came over with William the Conqueror.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14I've been away a long time and I'm embarrassed to say
0:20:14 > 0:20:17that I've not learned a lot about the castle history.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20I think I took it for granted, to be really frank,
0:20:20 > 0:20:25and coming back now, aged 35, I realise how much history I've got behind me
0:20:25 > 0:20:29and hopefully how much, sort of, investment I've got in front of me
0:20:29 > 0:20:31to make it keep living and keep going.
0:20:36 > 0:20:37Somebody in this seat?
0:20:37 > 0:20:40There's a handbag, but where's the lady?
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- Are you a Lady?- No, no.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47No, nothing, nothing because I'm married so I'm just Mrs.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50Just a Mrs(!) Just plain Mrs.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54And this is the piece du resistance as you can see,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57it's a very fine room, lovely plaster work.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01As you can see you've got the sun god Apollo,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04you've got Zeus and Neptune
0:21:04 > 0:21:07and all sorts of other things like hunting scenes,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10and flowers and birds.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15Roman emperors in the corners here, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius and so on.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18I don't expect that one day Dad will just be gone,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20I don't really think that's how it works.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21The day-to-day operations, yes.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24I think to be honest, after a lifetime of doing it
0:21:24 > 0:21:27there's probably other things he'd find more rewarding.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32I think we've all enjoyed it, yes.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33Gorgeous.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36What do you think, girls, do we give him a clap?
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- Oh, yes.- Very much so.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41Cardiff.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44And the city's expert cleansing team have been called in
0:21:44 > 0:21:47to prepare the area surrounding the Senedd,
0:21:47 > 0:21:52ready for the ceremony to welcome home Wales' Olympic and Paralympic medal winners.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57Street wash operator, Rose Joseph, and colleague, Russell Davies, are hard at it.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00There's going to be lots of celebrations, I should imagine.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03So we've come out at the crack of dawn to get it all clean
0:22:03 > 0:22:05and sparkling and ready.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Removed all the chewing gum, all the detritus is gone.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09All ready for lots and lots of visitors.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Russell's absolutely in his usual mood - moaning, grumpy.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17It's cold out here. It's windy.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22All the Welsh athletes have done Wales proud, I think.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24They had medals where they weren't expecting them.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27I think the Welsh people have done well this year.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Hasn't been much of a summer really, has it?
0:22:31 > 0:22:34It's getting darker in the mornings and darker quicker in the evenings.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Still busy in the winter months. Still out and about.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40As long as the weather doesn't go to minus, we still operate.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42I love it when they put all the bunting up
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- and all the Christmas trees and they put the lights on.- Waste of money.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Everyone comes out and sings Christmas songs and groups together.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- Waste of money, waste of money. - Bah humbug.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57That's the Senedd all done and dusted. Looking forward to tonight.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59There'll be a wicked buzz.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Russell promised to buy me and Sophie tea.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05RUSSELL LAUGHS But I haven't had it in writing yet.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07It's been the team's busiest summer on record,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10with more events held in the capital than ever before.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Cleaner Cardiff manager, Juliet Gamlin,
0:23:14 > 0:23:16appreciates her team's efforts.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20A lot of work has been going in throughout the day
0:23:20 > 0:23:23to make sure that everything is sparkling ready
0:23:23 > 0:23:26for our prize of our Welsh athletes arriving tonight
0:23:26 > 0:23:29for the Olympics and the Paralympics presentation tonight.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32I've got to say the team have worked really, really hard
0:23:32 > 0:23:35throughout the whole of the events of the summer.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37So you know, my hat off to them.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42As the welcoming ceremony gets underway
0:23:42 > 0:23:44it's a proud moment for Rose and Russell.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Our London 2012 gold medallists, Aled Davies.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52CHEERS
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Mr Tom James.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Jade Jones.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01Welcome home Team GB.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05WELSH NATIONAL ANTHEM
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Wicked buzz that was. I swear down.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Goose pimples. Amazing.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16- Best part was the anthem. - Absolutely brilliant. Loved it.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18What a buzz.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25Some 200 miles to the north, on the tiny tidal island of Cribinau
0:24:25 > 0:24:28in St Cwyfan's Church in the Sea, the christening's in full swing.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Harri Alaw.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35I baptise you in the name of the Father,
0:24:35 > 0:24:39and of the Son... Nearly finished.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42..and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45There we go. That wasn't too bad.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Now you can watch whilst we do it. CONGREGATION LAUGHS
0:24:48 > 0:24:51I baptise you in the name of the Father,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54and of the Son
0:24:54 > 0:24:58and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02So we have the two brand newest members of the Church,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05the worldwide Church, so give them a nice welcome.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06APPLAUSE
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Ceremony over, the tide's already turning
0:25:11 > 0:25:13and there's no time to waste.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17We'll just say the blessing of the sea which is coming in quite fast.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Don't worry, but you will have to walk back over the causeway, not the sand.
0:25:23 > 0:25:28May the blessing and peace of God be with Caitlin and Harri
0:25:28 > 0:25:31and with all of you and all those you love,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33now and for ever more. Amen.
0:25:35 > 0:25:36Well, thank you all.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Lovely. It felt very spiritualist. It was very nice.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- It was boring.- Caitlin!
0:25:43 > 0:25:45You can't please them all!
0:25:45 > 0:25:47It was boring.
0:25:47 > 0:25:48Bye. Thank you. Bye.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53As the families head back across the causeway,
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Canon Madalaine takes a last tour of her church.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59That's everything.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03Gosh, they've been tidy, to say how many there were.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07No. I think that's everything, so here we go.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09A bit sad I shall be retiring.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12But glad it all went well.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16It's always quite a sort of jamboree when you have little children
0:26:16 > 0:26:18and it didn't let us down on that.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23And it certainly stops you from getting too sentimental.
0:26:23 > 0:26:24My name will come off the door.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28That'll be sad, but never mind.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30So locked up, end of the summer.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34It's the end of services for another year,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37the end of an era for Canon Madalaine Brady.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47To the south, another island is preparing to close.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50On a little knuckle of rock in the chilly Bristol Channel,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Barry Island's kiss-me-quick fairground
0:26:52 > 0:26:56is preparing for its last weekend of the summer season.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Manager Vernon Studt is doing his rounds before opening the gates.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09We're trying to just get bits and pieces open for this last weekend.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Over 50% of the rides have gone already.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14We're only down to the dodgems, waltzers and bits and pieces now.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19For showman Malcolm Davies, it's an emotional moment.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23I was talking to my wife the other night and I sat down,
0:27:23 > 0:27:25I nearly cried. I've got nothing to do.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27Whatever the weather conditions,
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Malcolm always was here first thing in the morning.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32One of the last to leave at night.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34A loyal subject.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38A very loyal subject. Absolutely wonderful.
0:27:38 > 0:27:43Nice to be appreciated. Very nice to be appreciated. Thank you.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45As Vernon prepares to open the gates,
0:27:45 > 0:27:49Ian Rogers, the park's owner arrives with a task for the fairground team.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54To drain the iconic but now derelict log flume ride.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57It's probably the best ride on the park to be honest,
0:27:57 > 0:28:00even though it's 30-odd years old.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02It's got to go.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05I think it's a lot fuller now than what it was
0:28:05 > 0:28:09at the beginning of Easter because we've certainly had a lot of rain, Ian.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11Once the park closes,
0:28:11 > 0:28:16he plans to demolish it to make way for an undercover leisure complex.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18This is our boss this is. This is Ian Rogers.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20Hello. Give me five.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Give me five.
0:28:22 > 0:28:27It's the end of an era and the fairground team's mood is gloomy.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Just sit down and have this in a minute now
0:28:31 > 0:28:33and open the gates to let the crowds flock in.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35All three of them.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40Slowly but surely, a few customers do trickle in,
0:28:40 > 0:28:42but it's too little too late.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47It's coming up 1.55pm. Nothing's going to happen.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50There are no people out there. It's not beach weather
0:28:50 > 0:28:52and the people come to Barry Island for the beach.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57Vernon decides to cut his losses and close the fairground early.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01- Nobody down there, Rich? - No. Very quiet. That's it.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Time to knock it on the head.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05I think we can safely close this up now.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12If it is raining tomorrow, this will be the last day
0:29:12 > 0:29:15of the 2012 season at Barry Island.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18That's it. End of sports.
0:29:18 > 0:29:19Thank you very much and goodnight.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27Some 130 miles to the north, on the border between Wales and England
0:29:27 > 0:29:31stands Bryngwyn Hall, ancestral seat of the Sandbach family
0:29:31 > 0:29:35and home of Auriol, Marchioness Linlithgow.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38I think I live in paradise here,
0:29:38 > 0:29:42and as I always say, paradise doesn't come cheap.
0:29:42 > 0:29:47Maintaining Grade II listed Bryngwyn and its 60 acres of parkland
0:29:47 > 0:29:49is an expensive business.
0:29:50 > 0:29:55I've had to diversify and I've had to really laterally think
0:29:55 > 0:29:59about what we can do to keep this house in good condition.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02To mark the end of the summer season,
0:30:02 > 0:30:05Lady Linlithgow has come up with a new money-making venture.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Today is our first simulated game day,
0:30:11 > 0:30:15which is the equivalent of probably being out pheasant shooting
0:30:15 > 0:30:19or partridge shooting, but it's with clay pigeons.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23So it means that we can extend our business out of the shooting season
0:30:23 > 0:30:27and it's a lot less costly than full-blown game days.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29If today proves a success,
0:30:29 > 0:30:32it could be a real turning point for the fortunes of the estate.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37Cook, Christine Horton, knows it only too well.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39You've just got to do whatever you can, haven't you,
0:30:39 > 0:30:44to keep people coming through and getting a bit of cash, if you can.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46Morning, Tudor.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50The entire household is anxious to create a good impression.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53With one notable exception.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59No chickens. No! No! No! No! No! No!
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Rollie, the estate builder's terrier,
0:31:01 > 0:31:03can't fight his basic urges.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04No!
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Rollie! Rollie!
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Sorry about that.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23- Is the chicken all right?- Yes.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30I love Westies, but...
0:31:30 > 0:31:31Brute.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34The whole household is on duty today,
0:31:34 > 0:31:36including Lady Linlithgow herself.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40My role is a working hostess and I really love it.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44I live in the most beautiful house in the most beautiful part of Wales
0:31:44 > 0:31:46and nothing makes me happier than sharing it.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Food and drinks here!
0:31:53 > 0:31:56Right, let's get this, erm, sort of vaguely organised.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58The boot isn't big enough, is it?
0:31:58 > 0:32:01We'll put the drinks on the floor because the dog can't eat them.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03There are sausages.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05From the reaction of her guests,
0:32:05 > 0:32:07it would appear that the event is going well.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10Wonderful, yes. The hospitality is as good as ever.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13The setting is great, the food's great and the company's good.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15It can only be right really, can't it?
0:32:15 > 0:32:18Perfect, I would say. The champagne is pretty good.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24They seem to do nothing but eat. I don't know where they put it all!
0:32:24 > 0:32:27I suppose they're out in the fresh air, walking about.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29But they start off with breakfast,
0:32:29 > 0:32:31they have nibbles in the middle of the morning,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34then lunch, then afternoon tea, then dinner.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38Oh, wow!
0:32:38 > 0:32:41They've got exploding clays, so they're quite noisy.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53Back at the Hall, cook Christine has laid on lunch as requested,
0:32:53 > 0:32:55only to be told that there's a change of plan.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00It's 1:40pm and they're supposed to be in in five minutes
0:33:00 > 0:33:01but I guess they're not going to be
0:33:01 > 0:33:05because I understand they took longer eating their sausages.
0:33:09 > 0:33:10Oh, wow!
0:33:14 > 0:33:16Never stir with a knife, you stir up strife.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Who am I going to fall out with today?
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Let's go back then. Come on.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Can Lady L cook? She can and she's a very good cook.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33She does a lot more now that I've semi-retired.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38She's a bit of a messy cook, but don't say!
0:33:38 > 0:33:42She's not very good at the washing up! Oh!
0:33:45 > 0:33:47Damn! Caught!
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Caught there, wasn't I?
0:33:51 > 0:33:55You're getting much better at the washing up, much better.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57How are you going?
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Oh, well, we're coming along a treat.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Stop laughing. It's not funny.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06I'll get the sack any day now, if I'm lucky!
0:34:06 > 0:34:09Christine's day may have been stressful,
0:34:09 > 0:34:12but the shooting guests have been delighted with the entertainment.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15It's been great company and great surroundings
0:34:15 > 0:34:18- and I'd do this anytime. - I would yeah.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20- A good way to spend a weekend. - Certainly is.- A lot of fun.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23Lady Linlithgow's latest money making venture
0:34:23 > 0:34:25looks likely to take off,
0:34:25 > 0:34:27much to the relief of the entire household.
0:34:31 > 0:34:32No pheasants to pick up,
0:34:32 > 0:34:36but lots of sunshine and lots of walkies and lots of bangs.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40I went clay pigeon shooting once.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43I shot one.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46The man said if I'd kept my eyes open, I might have shot more!
0:34:50 > 0:34:52In the South Wales town of Tonyrefail,
0:34:52 > 0:34:56it's the day of the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Show,
0:34:56 > 0:35:00and for allotment owner Horace, the moment of truth has arrived.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Horace Rogers.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07It's the climax to months of back breaking toil,
0:35:07 > 0:35:11as his cabbage, peas, potatoes and parsnips
0:35:11 > 0:35:13are lovingly placed on display.
0:35:16 > 0:35:21It's not bad, you know. Say 6 out of 10. 7 at the most.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Wish it was 10 out of 10.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30Competitive vegetable growing is a cut-throat world.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Oh, I can take him out, no problem!
0:35:33 > 0:35:36No, he's got one bad one by there.
0:35:39 > 0:35:40Once the hall is cleared,
0:35:40 > 0:35:43the serious work of adjudication can begin.
0:35:44 > 0:35:49Arwyn Edwards and Colin Lewis are seasoned vegetable judges.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54This one is slightly bulbous. Oh, good condition these, mind.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- Lovely parsnips, aren't they? - Yes, they are. Very, very nice.
0:35:57 > 0:36:02Gore ni 'di gweld yma ers blynydde, yn unman a gweud y gwir.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06Ma hwn yn safon national. Time for a cup of tea now.
0:36:08 > 0:36:09It's thirsty work.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Mark them down, one, two.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Well, I've put a note on it, right? You've done it anyway.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20I know. Finish my tea first.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24There are a few marks on the underside of this one.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Competition rules are strictly applied.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Oh, have a look what I've got in here.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine
0:36:32 > 0:36:34and a gap where there should be a pea.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Those found lacking are disqualified.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46- Well, I'm afraid... - That constitutes a bit of a problem.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Yes, we can't judge that.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51That's a judge's nightmare, that is.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54And he's probably got a spare pea in his basket somewhere,
0:36:54 > 0:36:56which he's forgot to put out.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58There we are.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Judging over, the public return to the hall
0:37:03 > 0:37:06and Mervyn's brought along his grand-daughter, Talia, to show her the ropes.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Horace Rogers. You had third.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Horace's parsnips have won him a prize.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15It's nice to have a card, isn't it?
0:37:15 > 0:37:18- I told you you'd have a card but you said no.- You did say Merv, aye.
0:37:18 > 0:37:19And so have his peas.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23- Card there, Merv.- Horace Rogers. - Peas, aye.- Third prize.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27That's two cards you've had, you know what I mean.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31But sadly, his potatoes failed to make an impression.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35I had a couple of cards. I'm quite pleased with that, you know.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39I can do better, so I'll be back. Don't worry about that, I'll be back.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44Two out of three. That's not bad.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53The long summer days are a time to work hard and play hard.
0:37:53 > 0:37:58As most of Wales heads to bed, in Cardiff, another world awakes.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Backstage at the Wow Bar, a troupe of glamorous cabaret artistes
0:38:01 > 0:38:04are preparing for another hard night on the tiles.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06A very clever thing, make-up.
0:38:06 > 0:38:11I'm not being funny but no matter how much make-up I put on my face, it still looks like a brown balloon.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Marcia, otherwise known as Mark Venn,
0:38:14 > 0:38:17is one of the club's best loved resident drag queens.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Loads of times I have fallen out with Marcia.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22She is the demon daughter of Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25They met one night in a little social club up in Merthyr Tydfil.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29They did the dirty deed and Marcia was the product of that.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35Right then, girls, let's get the show on the road.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Was that a bit over the top? It was, wasn't it?
0:38:39 > 0:38:42In less than a week, Cardiff's loudest and proudest
0:38:42 > 0:38:47will be taking to the streets for the capital's first ever Mardi Gras Parade.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Come on. Give us a cheer. Give us an oggi, oggi, oggi.
0:38:51 > 0:38:56And we welcome to the stage the one, the only, the divine, Miss Anne.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Otherwise known as Marcia or whatever you want to call me.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Miss would be nice.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07After entertaining the crowds until the late hours,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10it's an early start for Mark and colleague, Gypsy,
0:39:10 > 0:39:13to make the outfits for the Wow Girls' big appearance.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15We've got five drag queens to dress.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17Three boys and two girls.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Not the glamorous life you think it is you see, is it?
0:39:22 > 0:39:25It's not all feathers and sequins.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27We went for a nice metallic Lycra.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32A one way stretch, so it will hold all our fat bits in.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Speak for yourself!
0:39:35 > 0:39:37I'm at that age now, you know what I mean?
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Bingo wings and stuff like that.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42So it's a case of cover me up from head to toe please.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47- There's a sleeve for you there.- OK.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51I see Gypsy sometimes as a petite little flower.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54And she's not. She's a big old man in a frock.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58I cut myself a sleeve and I thought, that's fine.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00And I've put it on
0:40:00 > 0:40:03and I haven't been able to put my big old man hands through it.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06It's a Swansea boy underneath all this.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09There you go. Arm beautifully sewn in. Not a mess at all.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Oh, it will be snug.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21At Hammet House, the ballroom makeover is well underway.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25But with just two weeks to complete it, the pressure is on.
0:40:25 > 0:40:30We are pretty confident that we are going to make the deadline because we have to.
0:40:30 > 0:40:35There's a wedding booked. A big, big wedding booked.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39We might be there with paint brushes the day before, finishing off, but it will be done.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Looking better already. So are we going to be finished on time?
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Do you think they can cancel the wedding?
0:40:46 > 0:40:49I don't think that's really an option, you know.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52In keeping with the rest of the hotel,
0:40:52 > 0:40:56Owen and Philippa have chosen an uncompromisingly unconventional design.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59I wasn't too sure at the beginning, but it's growing on me.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01We thought it was a new idea
0:41:01 > 0:41:05but, since, we have noticed it in a couple of other places.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09We've seen it in Stella McCartney's shop in New York and just a couple
0:41:09 > 0:41:12of other little places but certainly nowhere else in Pembrokeshire.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17- So you are keeping them random? - Yeah.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20- Totally random.- No pattern at all in this. That's what we want.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26There's a lot riding on this ballroom refurbishment.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29It's a massive part of the business here.
0:41:29 > 0:41:34We have got a batch of brides who are waiting to see it finished before they make their final decision
0:41:34 > 0:41:38whether they are going to book with us for their weddings all throughout next year,
0:41:38 > 0:41:40so it's really important that it looks great.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45If people think it's awful and don't want to book any events here,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47we'll... Well, I don't know what we'll do.
0:41:47 > 0:41:52We'll have to paint it all magnolia or something I suppose.
0:41:58 > 0:42:03Fonmon Castle has seen over 800 summers go by,
0:42:03 > 0:42:07but these days, the old place has to earn its keep by hosting big events.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10The Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show held each August
0:42:10 > 0:42:14is one of the biggest one day county shows in Wales,
0:42:14 > 0:42:16which attracts competitors from all walks of life,
0:42:16 > 0:42:18including the owner, Sir Brooke Boothby.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22We've been competing for over 200 years.
0:42:22 > 0:42:27We certainly won something in 1792 and we wouldn't like to stop now.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31There's an odd class called Any Other Vegetable,
0:42:31 > 0:42:36which this clearly is. And then we stagger off with this to the car.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- Nice and safe.- Nice pair, Sir Brooke! - Shut up!
0:42:53 > 0:42:58My father's entered his pumpkins in the horticultural tent, so we'll see how we get on.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01Last year, he was very unhappy. He was beaten by a beetroot!
0:43:03 > 0:43:07He's transporting them in a duvet so they don't get bruised!
0:43:07 > 0:43:09He's taking it very seriously!
0:43:09 > 0:43:11I spotted a bit of mud left on it.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18We'll feed this one in this way first and then around sideways.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21It doesn't matter if it tips, but...
0:43:21 > 0:43:23No, it's nowhere near, is it?
0:43:23 > 0:43:25Veg and flower competitions aside,
0:43:25 > 0:43:29the show is an important business opening for Sir Brooke Boothby and his family.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31Are they going to be all right?
0:43:31 > 0:43:34With over 200 trade stands advertising all manner of businesses,
0:43:34 > 0:43:37it's the perfect opportunity for Aliki
0:43:37 > 0:43:40to marked Fonmon Castle as a venue.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43This has tested all my Blue Peter skills, of which there aren't very many.
0:43:43 > 0:43:47All this sticking and constructing. So we have to make sure it doesn't look homemade.
0:43:47 > 0:43:49I've never done anything like this before.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52I've tried to sort of truncate the history of the castle,
0:43:52 > 0:43:55800 years, into six sheets of A4, which has been a bit interesting.
0:43:55 > 0:43:59- 31 and 32.- They're down. - Oh, they're both down.
0:43:59 > 0:44:03As Sir Brooke Boothby makes a last minute entry,
0:44:03 > 0:44:06the judging begins and it's a serious business.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09Nice fresh colour. Slight damage on the petal.
0:44:10 > 0:44:15- They're beautiful pumpkins. - A bit more bloom is required there.
0:44:15 > 0:44:19- There's a mark in there. - There could have been a few more flowers in here.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22Would you like a chocolate brownie? Would you like a homemade brownie?
0:44:22 > 0:44:27Want to have a look around our stand for Fonmon Castle? Come and have a look.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31I'll be honest, there's a bit of ego at stake.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33I didn't want it to fall flat on its face.
0:44:33 > 0:44:38We put together a table because one of the things I think Fonmon does really well
0:44:38 > 0:44:42is we put together beautiful tables, so we want the stand to look like the castle would.
0:44:42 > 0:44:48So all the linen and everything, the proper carpets and it's really nicely done.
0:44:48 > 0:44:52There's a vital cost to it. Mum has to take a leaflet.
0:44:52 > 0:44:56I would have loved to have seen that flower brought down slightly.
0:44:56 > 0:45:00Made in the castle kitchen this morning. Do you want to go and have a look?
0:45:00 > 0:45:02You don't often see a set-up like that.
0:45:02 > 0:45:04I think it's a beautiful collection.
0:45:04 > 0:45:10Judging over and an anxious Sir Brooke Boothby heads back in to the produce tent.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12Oh, we got a prize for that one.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15Yes, I didn't think we were going to do any good with that one.
0:45:15 > 0:45:21- I think they're first class. Congratulations, my friend. - Oh, very kind.
0:45:21 > 0:45:23Well, we won a first prize on this one
0:45:23 > 0:45:26but unfortunately that wasn't a great triumph
0:45:26 > 0:45:29as we were the only entry!
0:45:29 > 0:45:32It's not just Sir Brooke Boothby that's on a winning streak.
0:45:32 > 0:45:35I'm so excited! That's great. Thank you so much!
0:45:35 > 0:45:39We've won third prize for our trade stand, which we're really excited about.
0:45:44 > 0:45:50I'm picking up the various prizes that we've been most fortunate to win and I'm going to claim my money.
0:45:50 > 0:45:52I love money.
0:45:54 > 0:45:58- Class 24.- We're rich! We're rich!
0:45:58 > 0:46:02One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Eight pounds!
0:46:02 > 0:46:04That's really good.
0:46:04 > 0:46:07I think I might go get a drink on the basis of it.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11It's been a successful day all round
0:46:11 > 0:46:14and a good start to a new era for Fonmon Castle.
0:46:16 > 0:46:20I think it's gone well. We've definitely learned some things for next year.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23I think people are quite interested to come and see the castle
0:46:23 > 0:46:26and some old friends have gone by, so it's been good.
0:46:26 > 0:46:30It's wonderful to be able to get somebody else to do the work here rather than me!
0:46:33 > 0:46:35During the summer months,
0:46:35 > 0:46:39the historical sport of harness racing is big business in Wales.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44But many of our traditional pastimes are facing hard times.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52Llandudno, Wales's largest seaside resort,
0:46:52 > 0:46:55has been offering holiday makers an old-fashioned beach experience
0:46:55 > 0:46:57for over a century and a quarter.
0:46:57 > 0:47:02Here you can still find the delights of Punch and Judy and donkey rides.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06In fact, of the eight donkey operators
0:47:06 > 0:47:09that still survive in Wales, two can be found right here.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15John Jones, a third generation donkey man, works the town's North Shore.
0:47:15 > 0:47:17He's had a disastrous summer season.
0:47:17 > 0:47:22Weather wise, it's been a shocker and it never really took off until August
0:47:22 > 0:47:26and that obviously won't pay for what we've lost.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29We're on the end of the season now as it is
0:47:29 > 0:47:31so really we've got to call it a day today.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34But John's no quitter. Donkeys are in his blood.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37They give you so much love and affection back.
0:47:37 > 0:47:41You know, the time for me to give up is the day I go in a box.
0:47:45 > 0:47:48Llandudno's other donkey operator, Phil Talbot,
0:47:48 > 0:47:52who works the West Shore, has had just as bad a time of it.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55I don't think I'll be going on the beach again this year.
0:47:55 > 0:48:00You might get an Indian summer, you might get nice weather, but you won't get the people.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02That's finished now. It has been a dreadful summer.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05I've never known one like this for many, many years
0:48:05 > 0:48:08and I've been at it quite a while, you know.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11Rain, rain, rain and more rain.
0:48:11 > 0:48:15It's hard work with donkeys, there's no two ways about it.
0:48:15 > 0:48:18It's not like a bouncy castle, you just go to a garage
0:48:18 > 0:48:21and blow it up and put it away for the winter. It doesn't eat nothing.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23These want looking after.
0:48:23 > 0:48:25Here she comes. You're all right now, aren't you?
0:48:27 > 0:48:30That's Sam the man that is. He's a bit hypo, hyperactive.
0:48:30 > 0:48:34He's a bit worried looking at me, thinking he's got to go to work.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37Like John, Phil's not about to call time on his donkeys.
0:48:37 > 0:48:41As long as I've got my health and I keep fit, I'll go on, yeah.
0:48:42 > 0:48:44It gets you out of bed in the morning.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48That's it for the day now.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51Good night, donkeys. See you in the morning.
0:48:57 > 0:49:02It's always sad at the end of the year. It's got to be done for the love of it.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04But you try and you try.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07And you always say there's gold at the end of the rainbow. You're hoping for it.
0:49:07 > 0:49:11We've had a lot of rainbows this year, haven't we? But no crocks of gold just yet.
0:49:11 > 0:49:13It will come, it will come.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16Things go in circles. everything's cyclic, you know.
0:49:16 > 0:49:20Good times, bad times, and we've got a lot of good times to come, I'm sure of it.
0:49:20 > 0:49:22It looks like Llandudno's donkeys
0:49:22 > 0:49:25will be back for at least one more summer season.
0:49:28 > 0:49:30On Wales's south coast,
0:49:30 > 0:49:33it's the end of an era for a much loved national icon.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35At Barry Island Funfair,
0:49:35 > 0:49:39Vernon and his fairground team are dismantling the last of the rides.
0:49:41 > 0:49:45Right, back you go. Hard as you can. Last lot now.
0:49:45 > 0:49:49Henry arrived last night from Stoke on Trent to pull the waltzer down
0:49:49 > 0:49:53so that the park will be clear now within the next couple of days.
0:49:55 > 0:50:00It's strange but it's no different to what we've always had with this time of year now.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03It all starts to finish up and we empty the park out.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06If the development starts, then I won't be back.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11Fellow showman, Henry Stanworth, sympathises with Vernon's predicament.
0:50:11 > 0:50:14He's bit too young to retire at the moment, I think.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17Well, I don't know sometimes!
0:50:17 > 0:50:23His family have been going since 1800 so it's hard not to be in the business, you know.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26There's no such thing as retire. We don't. I'm a showman.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29I don't retire. I just couldn't stand still doing nothing.
0:50:29 > 0:50:31I'd just irritate myself.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39As the last of the rides leave the funfair,
0:50:39 > 0:50:42park owner Ian Rodgers' demolition vehicles move in.
0:50:44 > 0:50:46It's sad in one respect,
0:50:46 > 0:50:48but I'm looking forward to the future.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53But it's got be done, you know what I mean?
0:50:54 > 0:50:57It's the end of an era for Barry Island.
0:50:57 > 0:51:01I don't think the fairground boys will be very happy.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04As far as I'm concerned, we're replacing something
0:51:04 > 0:51:09that's in the 21st century that will put Barry Island back on the map.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12What I want you to do, Steve, if you can, is just try and...
0:51:12 > 0:51:14I want to save the rhino.
0:51:14 > 0:51:16Sentimental value, isn't it?
0:51:17 > 0:51:20Hi, Vernon. Just to give you an update really, Vernon.
0:51:20 > 0:51:24I've taken down the front of the jungle.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29I know. What do you do?
0:51:31 > 0:51:33I know. It's all got to go, hasn't it?
0:51:35 > 0:51:39But as the demolition continues, there's unexpected news.
0:51:39 > 0:51:43Although clearance work has started, construction has been delayed.
0:51:43 > 0:51:45OK.
0:51:48 > 0:51:52Nobody has got any spare money and nobody is putting any capital investment in at the moment.
0:51:52 > 0:51:54The park will be open next year.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57I will be here again next year, hopefully.
0:51:57 > 0:52:00And we will continue on until Ian starts work here,
0:52:00 > 0:52:02but until that time, I will continue.
0:52:02 > 0:52:06The only time that this will not open as a pleasure park
0:52:06 > 0:52:10is when construction takes place and there are buildings here.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14It looks like Barry Island's funfair will live to see another summer season.
0:52:18 > 0:52:22Some 100 miles to the west, Owen and Philippa are looking to the future.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26In Hammet House, with just two days until the wedding,
0:52:26 > 0:52:29the ballroom makeover is almost complete.
0:52:29 > 0:52:31And not a moment too soon.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34The prospective bride and groom are due at any moment.
0:52:38 > 0:52:43We've got Sarah and Idris, the bride and groom for Saturday, coming along.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46They've not seen the ballroom yet since it's been done at all,
0:52:46 > 0:52:49so they are going to have a show around today.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51They are obviously our target market.
0:52:51 > 0:52:55And hopefully, the ballroom is going to live up to their expectations.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58- Wow!- That is quite bright, isn't it?
0:52:58 > 0:53:02So we have gone for quite a bold choice of curtains, as you can see.
0:53:02 > 0:53:06I think it is going to look great. We hope.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09Coming round both sides of this court yard.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13I'm just trying to get these curtains up before the bride arrives.
0:53:13 > 0:53:17Obviously the more we have got done, the better it will look for her.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22Time is ticking.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26We've seen the rest of the hotel and, if it's anything like
0:53:26 > 0:53:29what the rest has looked like, then it's going to be stunning.
0:53:30 > 0:53:34Obviously I'd like everything to go well on the day.
0:53:34 > 0:53:38But it's really about the two of us getting married so hopefully,
0:53:38 > 0:53:40I'm not going to get too upset
0:53:40 > 0:53:43if everything doesn't quite go perfectly.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49Now is the time to see the ballroom.
0:53:49 > 0:53:53Right, after you. Let's see your reaction.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55Oh, wow! That's nice.
0:53:56 > 0:53:59- So the carpet has gone. - It has.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01Well, I can't say we'll miss it!
0:54:01 > 0:54:05- No.- It's beautiful. The mix of colours is quite something, isn't it?
0:54:05 > 0:54:09So obviously we've got our lovely palette of pale grey on the wall
0:54:09 > 0:54:13and then the curtains down the end there.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16I think it's really nice. I really like the colours.
0:54:16 > 0:54:19I think the floor is lovely.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22- Well, that's a relief!- It's lovely.
0:54:24 > 0:54:28Owen and Philippa's modern makeover seems to have paid off.
0:54:28 > 0:54:32That's a nice relief to see a few smiles.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34And, yeah. They seem quite happy.
0:54:34 > 0:54:37But there is one more hurdle to overcome.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40If we head on up, I'll show you to your room.
0:54:40 > 0:54:46Several weeks previously, Hammet House was visited by food reviewer Joanna Busk from Fork magazine.
0:54:46 > 0:54:49So here we are. Come on in.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52A good write-up from her could propel Owen and Philippa's business
0:54:52 > 0:54:55into the top league of luxury Welsh hotels.
0:54:56 > 0:55:01Andy, their chef, prepared a seven course taster menu especially for the evening.
0:55:01 > 0:55:04Whoa! You've got to get it level.
0:55:04 > 0:55:08Joanna's make or break review has finally appeared online.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12She's not a massive fan of absolutely everything.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17She was obviously impressed with the food.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21"Stylish, cool and a bit surprising to find in the corner of Pembrokeshire."
0:55:21 > 0:55:27Well, that's exactly what we are trying to do so I think it's a very positive review.
0:55:27 > 0:55:30"Hooray for them, it's clearly one to watch."
0:55:31 > 0:55:34Not a bad closing statement, is it?
0:55:34 > 0:55:36Yes, very happy with that.
0:55:36 > 0:55:38It's good news.
0:55:38 > 0:55:42But Owen and Philippa are never ones to rest on their laurels.
0:55:42 > 0:55:46We want to get the swimming pool back up and running.
0:55:46 > 0:55:50We want to create a small spa on site with treatment rooms.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53We've got a disused stable block down by the river
0:55:53 > 0:55:57which we want to make into a self-catering eco lodge at some point.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01So yeah, that's going to take us a little while.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04And it's not just the business that's growing.
0:56:04 > 0:56:06Owen and Philippa have news.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10We've already got Gabriel, our two-year-old son.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13But we are actually expecting another baby
0:56:13 > 0:56:17so that's another challenge that we are going to have to meet over the coming months.
0:56:20 > 0:56:22It wasn't planned!
0:56:23 > 0:56:26There's busy times ahead for Hammet House.
0:56:31 > 0:56:36In Cardiff, the city's first ever Mardi Gras Parade is taking the streets by storm.
0:56:40 > 0:56:44I'm here to represent Wales and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people,
0:56:44 > 0:56:46so I'm going to just dance and have a good time.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49Let's go, brawlers, let's go!
0:56:49 > 0:56:51Well, we're from San Francisco.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54We're actually here to go see the Doctor Who Experience so this was a surprise.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56A nice surprise.
0:57:01 > 0:57:03What a gay day! What a gay day!
0:57:05 > 0:57:09I've been so excited about taking Aggie on her first little parade as well.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11Look at her, she's so cute.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13Absolutely amazing.
0:57:13 > 0:57:15It's a really great effort by everyone
0:57:15 > 0:57:16and a really great atmosphere.
0:57:16 > 0:57:18Over 600 paraders have turned out,
0:57:18 > 0:57:22but there are some noticeable absentees.
0:57:22 > 0:57:25There seems to be a distinct lack of drag queens this morning
0:57:25 > 0:57:27but then most of them don't see mid-day.
0:57:29 > 0:57:32No, I haven't seen those Wow girls. They're on stage at 5:00pm.
0:57:32 > 0:57:35In Cooper's Field, a 15,000 strong crowd
0:57:35 > 0:57:38is enjoying the last of the summer sunshine.
0:57:38 > 0:57:41It is an amazing time because everybody is happy.
0:57:41 > 0:57:45Come on! We're late! Open the gates! Open the gates!
0:57:45 > 0:57:50Fashionably late, Marcia and her troupe finally make their appearance.
0:57:50 > 0:57:55Welcome to the stage, the fabulous Wow showgirls.
0:57:55 > 0:57:57APPLAUSE
0:57:59 > 0:58:03# And when you get the chance. #
0:58:03 > 0:58:04Everybody sing it.
0:58:04 > 0:58:07# You are the Dancing Queen
0:58:07 > 0:58:12# Young and sweet Only seventeen
0:58:14 > 0:58:18# See that girl, watch that scene
0:58:18 > 0:58:22# Digging the Dancing Queen. #
0:58:22 > 0:58:27What an end to another glorious summer in Wales.
0:58:46 > 0:58:48Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd