0:00:02 > 0:00:04Around the coast of Britain are cities where lives
0:00:04 > 0:00:06are shaped by the sea.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Gets the heart going a bit.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Each city is a gateway to the wider world,
0:00:11 > 0:00:15and around each city, thousands of people work in jobs
0:00:15 > 0:00:16that touch all of our lives.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Lovely to meet you.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19Whether it's keeping us safe...
0:00:19 > 0:00:21- My casualty's breathing. - ..or keeping us smiling.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25Yes, my love? Don't spend your bus fare, will you?
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Jobs that keep the nation afloat.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31We're on-call 24/7, 365 days a year.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34From clocking on in the morning
0:00:34 > 0:00:36to relaxing after work...
0:00:36 > 0:00:38The seaside beckons.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41..around the shores and rivers of their home towns,
0:00:41 > 0:00:44water brings people together.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50On Britain's south coast, Brighton is a magnet for fun lovers.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52We float! We float!
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- ON RADIO:- Description of missing child...
0:00:54 > 0:00:56But the heat's on for the seafront team...
0:00:56 > 0:00:58He's tied up our patrol boat, tied up our lifeguards.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00It's just a massive no-no.
0:01:00 > 0:01:01It's all getting a bit lively.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04..and trade revs up for the bank holiday.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06It's going to be an extreme push to get ready for this evening.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08I like sausages.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Brighton's seafront is waking up.
0:01:23 > 0:01:2710 million visitors come to the city every year,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31so running one of Britain's busiest beaches can be a challenge.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35The man in charge is Chris Ingall.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39It doesn't get much better than that as part of your working day.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Coming down here, got the warm sunshine now,
0:01:42 > 0:01:44beautiful view over the ocean,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46both the piers in the background,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48then looking out across to Worthing.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Absolutely gorgeous morning. Perfect.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Tourism is vital to Brighton's economy,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59and the beach is the city's crowning glory.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05Chris and his team patrol eight miles of beachfront each morning,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09making sure it's ready to open to the public every day of the year.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Have a quick check round the paddling pool,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20make sure there's nothing unpleasant floating in there
0:02:20 > 0:02:23from the day before.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26I'm an Essex boy, originally.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28People always ask me how I got into this job.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31I'm still not entirely sure myself, to be fair.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34It's a lovely job. It is a lovely job, yeah.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Sometimes, you do realise just how lucky I am to be out here
0:02:38 > 0:02:41on a Sunday morning enjoying the best part of the day, sometimes,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43so, yeah, I never take it for granted.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47After 14 years of being down here, I still enjoy those early mornings.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49So it's a fantastic job.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51I wouldn't change it for the world.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Behind the scenes, I don't think people realise how much
0:02:55 > 0:02:57goes into keeping the seafront going.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02This is one of the sort of less glamorous elements of the job.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05This shelter's got quite a few rough sleepers in it.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07Just by going up, checking that the sleeping bags move,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09and I know they're breathing.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Morning, chief. You all right?
0:03:11 > 0:03:14I won't wake them up this time of day, but we'll engage with them later
0:03:14 > 0:03:17and make sure they're sort of getting as much help as we can.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Sometimes, Chris has to lay down the law.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23We do have a lot of people coming down camping on the beaches.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- Morning.- Morning.- Good morning.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Hello, there. Just the seafront office, here.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- Yes.- Are you just down for the weekend, guys?
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- Yeah.- Actually, tonight.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- Yeah, just tonight.- Just tonight? OK then. You shouldn't be
0:03:38 > 0:03:40- camping on the beaches.- All right.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43So if you can pack up by about nine, ten o'clock this morning?
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Yeah? Is that OK? All right, thanks, guys. Appreciate it.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47Thanks very much.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52Nearly half a million visitors may turn up on a busy weekend,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54and with them comes litter.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Day after day, the beach teams have to clean up the mess.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Obviously, a couple of people enjoyed a beer on here last night,
0:04:07 > 0:04:11so we'll just tidy those up for the visitors coming in in the morning.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Long before Brighton became a fashionable tourist destination,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27many families earned a living from fishing.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32Neil Messenger is the only fisherman left who still sells his catch
0:04:32 > 0:04:34on Brighton seafront.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37That's our main catch, what we're trying to catch is Dover sole.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39It's one of your prime fish.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44You get what you get. That's it.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47It's no good saying, "We're going to earn this, we're going to earn that,"
0:04:47 > 0:04:50because sometimes you can come out and earn twice as much as you have
0:04:50 > 0:04:53today and the next day you can come out and it'll be absolutely rubbish
0:04:53 > 0:04:55and you haven't paid for the diesel.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01Today's catch will go straight to the family shop. But making a living
0:05:01 > 0:05:05is tough and Neil worries about the future of the business.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09We've had the shop in the family now for, it must be 30 years.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13It's not the best place for a fish shop.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16It pays its way. It's not a blank and we do it because we enjoy it.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21While Neil is at sea, his son Jack runs the shop.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Well, we ain't got a lot today.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25We've only got some plaice and some sea bass and that.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- The plaice look nice.- Yeah. Yeah, they're really good.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31We rely on the summer trade
0:05:31 > 0:05:34cos in the winter we're doing nothing.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Like, we pretty much close the shellfish over there.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39You know, we might do
0:05:39 > 0:05:42a few customers a day in the winter and then over here we get the
0:05:42 > 0:05:45regulars. But, you know, it's not going to make a living,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47it doesn't pay the bills.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52You rely on a good summer, really, like it's been so far.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56It's been pretty good. And hopefully it carries on, otherwise, you know,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59could go out of business, you never know.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05A lot of times I sort of think about getting rid of it,
0:06:05 > 0:06:10or, you know, if Jack gets fed up we would pack up straightaway.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12I did say to Jack - you can ask him - I said, you know,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15if something happens to me at sea, I fell over the side,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17or something like that, don't ever think...
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Pack the shop up tomorrow. You know,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23don't bother with it. Don't think, "Oh, I've got to do it because,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26"you know, it's Dad's shop, you know, he'd like me to carry on."
0:06:31 > 0:06:36Neil is thinking about retirement, while Jack has dreams about the future.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40My dad asked me when I was 15, "Oh, do you want to, you know,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44"work down the shop with me?" And the way things are now in the world
0:06:44 > 0:06:46and down here,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49if I looked for a job anywhere else...
0:06:51 > 0:06:54..it won't be as good as this. This could be my own business.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I was expecting more, to be honest.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07But it's enough for me for today.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10And hopefully he'll catch a bit more tomorrow.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14One of Jack's regular customers, Patrick, pops by to collect his order.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Freshest fish in Brighton, this fellow.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19It's as fresh as you like but it's very pricey.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Pricey?
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- Not when I sell it to you!- If you can get the right deal, it's lovely.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Beautiful, look at that. Still flapping. Go on, do the flapping thing, Jack.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Still alive.- Still alive, most of it.- Beautiful. - It's all going today!
0:07:34 > 0:07:37I've got three deliveries in Whitehawk.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39I can't say, "No, I'm not delivering."
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Yeah, but I can't do it because I've got to go...
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- Do you charge them delivery? - They're good customers.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- No.- How much do you charge them?
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- What, you don't charge them for delivery?- I don't use any petrol on my bike.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51It doesn't matter. It's your time. Charge them delivery.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56He's a good lad. He'll be all right.
0:07:56 > 0:07:57Just needs time.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- Just needs time.- A lot!
0:07:59 > 0:08:00LAUGHTER
0:08:00 > 0:08:01Just nurturing him.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Just nurturing him, teaching him the business.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06You should be filming that.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Keep your eye on him with these young Polish girls in that cafe.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13This is Evelina. She's been teaching me Polish the last few days.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- Yeah.- I can only say yes and no.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18But that's all I really need to know.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Jack's Polish may be coming along but he's still got a lot to learn
0:08:24 > 0:08:26about running a business.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39Opposite the Palace Pier is the Brighton Sea Life Centre.
0:08:40 > 0:08:46Marine biologist Joe Williams and his colleagues have a date with a turtle called Lulu.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48All right, all the way up.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49OK, so now weigh her.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- Now.- Yeah.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Moments like these kind of make
0:08:54 > 0:08:59the 14-hour days and everything a little bit more worthwhile.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02I don't think many people
0:09:02 > 0:09:09would be able to say that they've been swimming with a 77-year-old
0:09:09 > 0:09:13sea turtle that weighs 28st and, as far as we know,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16they're the oldest sea turtles in captivity.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Sea Life is based in an aquarium built by Victorian engineers.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31All the water for the centre is pumped in from the sea.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Joe spends most of the day working behind the scenes.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48One of his many chores is to keep tabs on the terrapins.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52And he's got names for them all.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56You can see the numbers on Professor Snape have worn away a lot,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59and within another month, they'll be gone completely.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04So I will still know her, and still know who she is,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08but for the ease of the rest of the team, we'll put numbers on.
0:10:11 > 0:10:17Sea Life has over 300 different species on display from all over the world.
0:10:20 > 0:10:26But some of the marine life comes from a bit closer to home.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30The rocky shores are just teeming with the seaweed that we're after,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33but also, that's a great habitat, in fact,
0:10:33 > 0:10:37for all the species of invertebrates and fish,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40and all sorts that will be living in here.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Potentially not in that case.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Joe and his colleagues are looking for samples in the local rock pools,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48which they'll display at the centre.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Definitely picked the right day for it.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Being out, doing something like this,
0:10:55 > 0:11:00is quite nice for us to do, as a team, especially.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06No!
0:11:06 > 0:11:09I caught a shrimp!
0:11:09 > 0:11:10- Did you?- Yeah.- Let's have a look.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16This is a great activity for people to do with their kids in the summer.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Come down and have a look. I did it when I was little, and obviously,
0:11:19 > 0:11:21it sparked some sort of passion in me.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31With the rock pool samples collected, there's another task on the horizon.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Preparations are underway for the annual beach festival
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Paddle Round The Pier.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Sea Life has entered the raft race.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02We've just used our scientific brains to make sure that we are
0:12:02 > 0:12:07building something that will do what we want it to do, because,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10if we don't, we're going to look stupid.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Building a raft that will float is the main challenge.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Joe's colleague, Barnaby, is also having a go.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Joe's not convinced by his team's efforts.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26Barnaby there, is a mechanical engineer.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29So he reckons that means he's going to win.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31But we know he won't.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Basically, our design last year wasn't too dissimilar from what
0:12:35 > 0:12:40they're doing. So that's how we, kind of, know it may or may not work.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Like, I hope for their sake it does,
0:12:42 > 0:12:46because it won't be as fun if their raft doesn't work.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Our boat is stronger and sturdier.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51So I think, pallets, once it's altogether,
0:12:51 > 0:12:54the pallets will be stronger than bamboo and bit of rope.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57So we've got a lot of bottles in there, which float really well,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59- so I think it should... - Scrapheap Challenge.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02It's very Scrapheap Challenge, yeah.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Theirs looks better, but ours is going to be stronger and faster.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Put them lengthways across.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14We'll be having a life ring on board, just in case you fall in the sea.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Even if they are floating,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23we will definitely have a better time than them.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25It's all about the race.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28So we'll have a better time, for definite.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31The raft race is just a day away.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50The Paddle Round The Pier festival is always a great family occasion.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56It even gives help to children who struggle to get to the seaside.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Across the city, eight-year-old Jay is at home with his mum, Eve,
0:14:02 > 0:14:04and stepfather, Cyril.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12He has autism, and he has several other conditions as well,
0:14:12 > 0:14:13which are associated with autism.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15CONSOLE BLEEPS
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Until he was five, he didn't talk,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21really, much, at all.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24We did wonder whether he was going to speak.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Going anywhere out of the house is really difficult.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30And the majority of the time, we don't go out.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Everyday life is a struggle for him.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39And everything has to be organised, and prepared,
0:14:39 > 0:14:44and explained to him in a certain way, so that he understands where
0:14:44 > 0:14:48he's going to be and what he's doing, and if that doesn't happen...
0:14:50 > 0:14:52..he can have really bad meltdowns.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- Hello, Jay. - Come and show me my room.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57They'll come and see your room in a minute.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00OK.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04As you can see, he's half-naked already.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Get off of me! Give it here.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Mummy, can I hold your hand?
0:15:18 > 0:15:20You can hold my hand, my darling.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23You know, life, honestly, is a bit of a struggle for us.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Take care of your sister, please.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30The beach festival is a really important date in Jay's calendar.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34Eve and Cyril are determined the trip will go ahead.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39Paddle Round The Pier is probably the only occasion of the year where
0:15:39 > 0:15:42Jay gets to go in the water.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47Or access the beach in a way that you or I, or anybody else would.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Jay's always left out of things
0:15:52 > 0:15:56because of the peer pressure out there for him.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00So for something that he feels like, it's just about Jay.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02It's very important to us as well.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04I can't get in.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Welcome to Paddle!
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Free to get in. We'd just like a donation.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12The city's roasting in the summer heat,
0:16:12 > 0:16:17and the 21st Paddle Round The Pier festival is underway.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21It's all about getting as many people as possible to have fun in the water.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28The raft race is always one of the highlights.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Nice and casual, that was the plan.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35Style over speed! Enjoy the travel, rather than race around.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43We have built this beautiful
0:16:43 > 0:16:48raft out of two open canoes, and we've got a lovely sail,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51and we very much hope not to sink!
0:16:51 > 0:16:52LAUGHTER
0:16:56 > 0:16:57It's not about the winning,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00it's just about taking part and having a great time.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05We've got good conditions, so, yeah, that should be great.
0:17:13 > 0:17:19Paddle Round The Pier relies on volunteers to make sure everyone has a good time.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Volunteer Rob Reaks is here to help the family get Jay into the sea.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Lovely to meet you.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- How are you? Cyril, say hello. - Hello.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Hi, Cyril, I'm Rob. Lovely to meet you all.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Let's go do it. That's what you've been waiting for.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Let's do the thing you've been waiting for.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44Jay seems relaxed, but Eve is worried that his mood might change.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47He's really sensitive to certain noises,
0:17:47 > 0:17:52so the beach itself is a massive sensory overload.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57We're here. And we've had no meltdowns yet,
0:17:57 > 0:17:59so that's a positive thing.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Here's yours. That one will fit you. This is for Jay Jay.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09There you go. Well done.
0:18:09 > 0:18:15Moments later, Jay is beginning to feel overwhelmed by everything around him.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- I want it off!- I know, I know.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Eventually, Jay is persuaded to head for the water.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26His aunt Mel is on hand to reassure him.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31You can't go in the water without the jacket, look.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34I can go in the water without the jacket!
0:18:34 > 0:18:39- Tiana's got a jacket.- I don't want Tiana to have a jacket!
0:18:39 > 0:18:41I don't want to have a jacket!
0:18:41 > 0:18:43He's having a bit of a meltdown at the moment,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45about putting a life jacket on.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47So... But it's a real sensory thing, because it's really tight...
0:18:49 > 0:18:52But they are just trying a different size now, to see
0:18:52 > 0:18:55if he's going to tolerate it.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59Finally, Jay is safely in his life jacket,
0:18:59 > 0:19:03and can join Cyril and his sisters in the surf.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06He's calm, he's enjoying himself.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Just doing something he would never be able to do normally.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14If it wasn't for Paddle Round The Pier, this wouldn't have happened,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17literally. This day wouldn't be possible.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20It's a massive undertaking, but so worthwhile.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25I just feel really relieved, and really happy
0:19:25 > 0:19:28that they are in the water, and having a good time.
0:19:28 > 0:19:29Thanks to the volunteers,
0:19:29 > 0:19:33this is the one day of the year that Jay and his family
0:19:33 > 0:19:35can enjoy the magic of the seaside.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38That sense of freedom down there, like,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40you forget about the world outside.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41It's just amazing.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- Mummy!- Did you have a good time?
0:19:48 > 0:19:51I love you. I had a nice time.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53I'm really pleased.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54What have you got here?
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- Stones.- Are you taking them home?
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- Yeah.- Shall we go and get changed?
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- Yeah.- Yeah? Come on, then.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Ladies and gentlemen, can I remind you, we do have lots of press.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14We have lots of international press
0:20:14 > 0:20:17with us today. We were in Chinese newspapers, TV, last year,
0:20:17 > 0:20:22German, Australian...all over the world!
0:20:22 > 0:20:24So, please, please, don't drown!
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Down on the beach, the rafts are on the start line.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34Sea Life rivals Joe and Barnaby are about to go head-to-head.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36If we can come in first and second between us...
0:20:36 > 0:20:41- You know what they say, second is just losing! - ..that would be the best.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44The crews might dream of winning,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47but first, their rafts need to float.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51It's held together so far, so I reckon it will be all right. Yeah.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56We think it's amazing.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59It's the best way to put it, well, we hope so, anyway.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01We hope it's going to actually float!
0:21:06 > 0:21:09We are very much pumped and ready now.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Very much pumped and ready.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Ready to... Ready to win!
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Yeah!
0:21:17 > 0:21:18Ready?
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- Good luck.- Thanks, guys.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39Joe's team struggles to get the raft in the water,
0:21:39 > 0:21:41but eventually they're away.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Barnaby's crew follows just behind.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59And almost immediately, they're in trouble.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09There's no rule book out here, and no real course,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11you just have to stay afloat.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Yay, we're floating.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15We might be the last people, but at least we're going!
0:22:25 > 0:22:27A round of applause, please, look...
0:22:27 > 0:22:28Look at that!
0:22:33 > 0:22:37Joe's raft doesn't win, but the team finish in fine style.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39We float! We float!
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Barnaby's crew brings up the rear.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Just floating back again, just slowly.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50And not very stably.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53But we floated, so, there you go. We did at least float.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58We failed last year, so this year, we floated, so that's a good thing,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01so go us! Go us!
0:23:11 > 0:23:15Brighton has always found new ways to keep visitors entertained.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18After one of its piers burnt down...
0:23:19 > 0:23:22..it was replaced by a pier in the air...
0:23:24 > 0:23:25..the i360.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32On the promenade below the i360,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35one of the UK's oldest seaside favourites.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39Glyn Edwards has been working with Mr Punch and his friends
0:23:39 > 0:23:43for nearly 50 years. Like every Punch & Judy performer,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45he is known as The Professor.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52Let me show you the booth that I've had since, well, about 1970.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55I just love it to bits.
0:23:55 > 0:24:00It looks rickety and ancient, and whatever, but it's my second home.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06I think I've got a picture somewhere of me hanging up...
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Of me with this very booth on the seafront,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11when the West Pier was still standing.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14It's... It's kind of, you know, it's like they say,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16an Englishman's home is his castle.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20A Punch & Judy professor's booth is his castle!
0:24:21 > 0:24:25Glyn is not the only Punch & Judy professor in this family.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29This is my granddaughter, and my daughter, Katie...
0:24:29 > 0:24:32THEY MAKE PUNCH NOISES
0:24:32 > 0:24:37..who are joining the family tradition in their own interesting way.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Katie is a professor. Roisin, who knows?
0:24:41 > 0:24:44You might try it one day?
0:24:44 > 0:24:46It's a good way to make money, we've talked about that.
0:24:46 > 0:24:47- Oh, yeah.- Isn't it?
0:24:47 > 0:24:51THEY MAKE PUNCH NOISES
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Glyn's wife Mary builds and maintains the cast.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56This is a very, very old one.
0:24:56 > 0:25:01It was very badly battered, but Glyn loved it, and it was very light.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06I redid the whole thing, re-dressed it.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09It actually almost needs to be re-dressed already.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17Mary makes a lot of stuff, other stuff we buy, and, kind of,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Mary re-dresses it.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22I've had this one for ages here.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24But I wanted a banker.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29We had a banking routine in which this one, Bertie Bonus,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32came off the worst at the end of Mr Punch's slapstick.
0:25:32 > 0:25:33That's the way to do it!
0:25:35 > 0:25:39There you go, that's when you were tiny.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45He just lives for the crowd reaction, and for passing that on,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47passing that tradition on.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51It's literally a labour of love, he believes, I think,
0:25:51 > 0:25:52that's where Punch & Judy belongs,
0:25:52 > 0:25:54100%, on Brighton beach.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59# Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside... #
0:26:01 > 0:26:03THEY LAUGH AND IMITATE PUNCH
0:26:09 > 0:26:10That's the way to do it!
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Hi, guys, how are we doing?
0:26:36 > 0:26:40- All good?- Chef Michael Bremner runs a busy restaurant in the city.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42How was lunch?
0:26:43 > 0:26:44- Busy?- Yeah, very much.
0:26:45 > 0:26:46Good.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- So how is everything going, guys? - Absolutely superb.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56- Still got to see the food, but hey, we've got no doubts about that. - Is it your first time here?
0:26:56 > 0:26:59- Yes, yes.- Michael's existing restaurant has given him
0:26:59 > 0:27:01an appetite for a new venture.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05He's on his way to his latest project.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08There's a lot of places in Brighton, there's a lot of focus on high-end
0:27:08 > 0:27:11dining. It's all about the first restaurant to get a Michelin star,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14whereas, I think there's an opportunity missed.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16And I think there's people in the middle ground
0:27:16 > 0:27:20that want to come out, enjoy simple food, well-executed,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23on the beach. That's the kind of market I want to aim for.
0:27:24 > 0:27:25It's late June,
0:27:25 > 0:27:29only a week or two before the start of the summer holidays,
0:27:29 > 0:27:31and the restaurant is well behind schedule.
0:27:34 > 0:27:35Hi, guys, how are you doing?
0:27:37 > 0:27:41Michael's builder, Aaron, has the team working at full tilt.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47We'll finish, it will be finished, it will be up and running,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50as long as we can get power into the building, we'll be happy.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52While opening the doors is important,
0:27:52 > 0:27:57for Michael success means the new restaurant must match his own high standards.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00It's getting it right that is important.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05As long as these guys are happy, I'm happy, everyone's happy, then, I'm cool.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10All the building work is disruptive for the neighbours,
0:28:10 > 0:28:12and the council have turned up.
0:28:13 > 0:28:18There's a few businesses next door to us that are worried about the noise from the generator...
0:28:19 > 0:28:21..and it affecting their businesses.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23Which, I understand. So, basically,
0:28:23 > 0:28:27I'm trying to get from these guys what's going to happen, and,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30essentially, there's going to be some tile cutting, things like that,
0:28:30 > 0:28:32so it shouldn't impact them too much.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35A lot more painting and things, so I'm going to speak to the council,
0:28:35 > 0:28:40smooth them over. A bit of the old Bremner charm down there, and we'll see what happens.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Michael's charm offensive is underway.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48He needs to win people over if the restaurant is going to open in time for summer.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55It's the annual Pride weekend.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59Brighton's streets are packed with glitz, glamour and music.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04This is the place to let your hair down, forget your inhibitions,
0:29:04 > 0:29:06and catch everyone's eye.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12Paddle volunteer Rob Reaks is not going to miss this opportunity.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18I always liked dressing up, and I was never discouraged from it.
0:29:18 > 0:29:19I even did at school.
0:29:20 > 0:29:26I was looking at the pictures, I must have only been about five.
0:29:26 > 0:29:281981, January, I was six.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34Dressed in my, I don't know, my mum's boots,
0:29:34 > 0:29:36my grandmother's hat,
0:29:36 > 0:29:37dressing gown, nightdress.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39With a shopping bag!
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Six years old.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45For this year's Pride,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Rob has something a little more elaborate planned than raiding his
0:29:48 > 0:29:52- granny's wardrobe.- I've got the original sketch here.
0:29:52 > 0:29:57Which, in true fashion-designer style, made me look very tall,
0:29:57 > 0:29:59and very slim. You've got a top piece.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04Which is all made to me, to my measurements, all boned.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06It's fabulously tight.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08The shoes are my biggest fear.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Walking in them,
0:30:11 > 0:30:13and not breaking my ankle...
0:30:14 > 0:30:16..for three miles, it's going to be..
0:30:18 > 0:30:20..near-on impossible! But...
0:30:21 > 0:30:23..aren't they fab?
0:30:24 > 0:30:26Times have changed. I'm much more comfortable.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30I don't know that I would have done this 20 years ago, as a protest.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33I'm doing it because I can, and I want to.
0:30:33 > 0:30:38And that's what's amazing about the Pride festival.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39Just look, kind of, right here.
0:30:41 > 0:30:42That's it.
0:30:45 > 0:30:50It's changing your personality, just for a little while, to...
0:30:51 > 0:30:55..indulge and enjoy the event slightly differently to, perhaps,
0:30:55 > 0:30:57if I went as me.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04I've actually got another drag queen after this.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08- Have you?- Yeah. But, of course, we won't make him look as good.- Oh!
0:31:17 > 0:31:21And with a few finishing touches, Lady Yuyu is born.
0:31:23 > 0:31:24Yeah!
0:31:32 > 0:31:34- You look wonderful.- Thank you.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40From the moment she hits the seafront, Lady Yuyu is a smash.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Brilliant, love it. Absolutely love it!
0:31:45 > 0:31:46Singing? I don't sing.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56There's a mirror in there, I was just checking myself out.
0:32:04 > 0:32:05If in doubt, just spin round.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23Absolutely amazing. My wig stayed on, and happy Pride, everybody.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Amazing!
0:32:44 > 0:32:48There's a new view taking shape from Brighton's beach.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51And it has an important role in our future energy needs.
0:32:52 > 0:32:58Rampion Offshore Wind Farm is the first of its kind off Britain's south coast.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02It can generate enough electricity for nearly half the homes in Sussex.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Chris Tomlinson is the project's development manager.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12And he's worked on Rampion since it was on the drawing board.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15It's an absolute feat of engineering,
0:33:15 > 0:33:17it always staggers me when I come out here, and I have to say,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19when I look at the wind farm out here,
0:33:19 > 0:33:21I always have a sense of pride. It's tremendous.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26When we've been constructing the wind farm, at peak
0:33:26 > 0:33:30we had a workforce of up to 750 people working offshore.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35We are now nearing completion of the physical elements of the scheme.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39The last turbines have been installed,
0:33:39 > 0:33:43but there's still a lot of testing and commissioning work going on.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52Working offshore is always a challenge.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54First of all due to the engineering -
0:33:54 > 0:33:56water depths varying between 20 and 40 metres.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00Very complex geological site conditions here in the seabed,
0:34:00 > 0:34:03and we've got boulders, we've got unexploded devices we have to clear.
0:34:03 > 0:34:08So, absolutely, lots of things to consider before we get to the actual construction side.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15We've got 116 turbines, we've got the monopile foundation,
0:34:15 > 0:34:17which is piled into the seabed.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22And then on top of that we've got the yellow transition piece,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25which the turbine tower is then installed on top of,
0:34:25 > 0:34:28this is some serious heavy-lifting stuff going on here.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31Each of the blades weighing around 18 tonnes.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34And a blade length of 55 metres.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39It brings out the best, I think, in human endeavour and, you know,
0:34:39 > 0:34:41engineering design and teamwork.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Real ingenuity, I think it's tremendous,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46and it's helped build something remarkable like this,
0:34:46 > 0:34:47it's going to have a fantastic,
0:34:47 > 0:34:52positive impact on climate change and securing our energy supplies for the future.
0:35:19 > 0:35:24Michael Bremner's new restaurant on the promenade has finally been given the go-ahead.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26It's quite satisfying once you finish, you know,
0:35:26 > 0:35:29cos it's like... This two days ago was literally like a building site.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32None of the chairs were out or tables were built,
0:35:32 > 0:35:34me and the lads built the tables yesterday.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37You wouldn't have believed it's the same place as this time two days ago.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41But, yeah, I'm quietly confident we're going to be good.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46So night-time this is all lit up.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48Michael's business partner, Jim,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51has come to keep an eye on his investment.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53I've known Michael all my life.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57We opened 64 Degrees about four years ago.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59So this is our second venture together.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01It'll be good.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05Head chef Josh and the whole team are flat-out.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Even Jim has to get his hands dirty.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Plant you some nice flowers here, something's got to be nice.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22Today, it's a massive day today, because we've got...
0:36:22 > 0:36:24We're going to, hopefully, open the doors.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Obviously anything could happen between now and five o'clock.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31But I've kind of put it out there on social media saying that we're going to open tonight.
0:36:31 > 0:36:36- You're blind baking them?- Some things are out of Michael's control.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Including the British weather.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Game time, wish me luck.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46We're trying our hardest to get ready for dinner.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Obviously we've got to set up the whole menu, we only got in
0:36:48 > 0:36:52yesterday, so it's going to be an extreme push
0:36:52 > 0:36:53to get ready for this evening.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00I enjoy coming into the kitchen
0:37:00 > 0:37:03and doing these sorts of, you know, getting involved here,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06so it takes my mind off the actual other things, like...
0:37:08 > 0:37:11..business, life things.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15You just clear your mind and just focus on executing something that
0:37:15 > 0:37:18you want to eat yourself, you know,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21and it's quite soothing for me to do that.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Even if we do no-one
0:37:24 > 0:37:26everyone has got themselves ready to be ready.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28So...
0:37:29 > 0:37:31For me, that's all right.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Saying that, you know, you never know, there could be about 50,000
0:37:35 > 0:37:39people walking down the beach right now.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Outside it's more like November than July.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45I think it might clear up.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Didn't Billy Connolly say,
0:37:47 > 0:37:50"There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes"?
0:37:50 > 0:37:54- It's just a bit dreich. - And that's... That's kind of how we've got to look at it.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57It's picking up now I've just said that, right enough.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59There's people down the beach over there.
0:37:59 > 0:38:04Despite the rain, a few hardy souls have made it out, and finally,
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Michael's restaurant is open.
0:38:08 > 0:38:09First table is in.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Let's see what happens.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Let's do it. You're the first ones!
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Yeah!
0:38:17 > 0:38:18CHEERING
0:38:18 > 0:38:22- So I'd just like to give you some bubbles to start with...- Thank you.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25..as a thank you for being the first.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Two customers in. I mean, there's a long way to go.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31We were excited to come, weren't we? So...
0:38:31 > 0:38:34We thought it might be busier so, yeah, left plenty of time,
0:38:34 > 0:38:35and then got soaked!
0:38:36 > 0:38:40Follow me this way, I'll show you to a table for four.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42It's lovely, to see people coming in at this time of night.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47With the weather, I didn't think anybody would, you know.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Hi, good evening. How are you?
0:38:52 > 0:38:54- Hi.- You're coming to see us? - Yeah. Have you a table for three?
0:38:54 > 0:38:57- I can certainly do that for you.- Thank you.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06It's a successful evening, I'm happy with how everything has gone.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08I think now is when the real work starts.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11You know, before's stressful, because it's out of my control.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Now is the exciting time.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20It's been a long summer.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23But there's one more big date in the diary.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26The August bank holiday is round the corner.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30Seafront manager Chris Ingall needs to keep his lifeguards team on their toes.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35This coming weekend could be pretty busy.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39Looking at the forecast, the temperature rising up a bit, lighter
0:39:39 > 0:39:42winds, sunshine, so the beaches are going to get pretty squashed.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45We work such a long, sort of, working day,
0:39:45 > 0:39:47it's very hard to get all the team together.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49So every Wednesday morning we have a training session.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53It's all just getting it into their heads, so if anything does happen,
0:39:53 > 0:39:57they go into automatic mode, and we can get the job done.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59There are 30 lifeguards in Chris's team.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03They can expect to deal with hundreds of incidents every year.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05I really enjoy coming down to training.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11It makes my day really long, but it's a great start.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17The team spirit amongst the whole group... You've got different ages,
0:40:17 > 0:40:20you've got old people like me, and you've got all the youngsters,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23my daughter's a lifeguard as well.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26So it's great to be a part of it.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30It's important that everyone knows the drills.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34When the real thing happens, they'll have to move quickly.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36OK, deep breathing.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Can you hear me? Yeah? You're going to be fine.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Just try and relax as much as you can, OK?
0:40:42 > 0:40:44We're just going to take you out gently.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Keep yourself nice and still if you can.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59I'm getting on a bit, it always takes a bit more out of you each time.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03I have to train hard, keep training hard, but, yeah, jumping in and out,
0:41:03 > 0:41:05running around, a good start to the day.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07So I'll be happy to have a hot shower, cup of tea,
0:41:07 > 0:41:09get back onto the desk.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14With a busy weekend, it's key that they all remain focused.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18The last thing we need to do is sort of take our eye off the ball, as it were.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21SEAGULLS CRY
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Down at the fish shop,
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Jack is also getting ready for the busy weekend ahead.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36Can I have two jars of cockles, please?
0:41:36 > 0:41:40He's heard about what might just be a new customer.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45I'm just getting some lobsters ready,
0:41:45 > 0:41:48and I'm going to go to one of the restaurants along the seafront,
0:41:48 > 0:41:51because they've recently just opened, and I was hoping
0:41:51 > 0:41:54that I might be able to get them to buy some lobsters.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56We're only a small business,
0:41:56 > 0:41:59so we rely on the restaurants with the lobsters
0:41:59 > 0:42:01and all that sort of thing.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05In this case, the restaurant is Michael Bremner's new venture.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08It's the first time I've been to this restaurant.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12I need to find it, before I can sell anything to them!
0:42:12 > 0:42:14I don't, I've never even met the guy, so I don't know...
0:42:14 > 0:42:15He might be horrible!
0:42:17 > 0:42:23A good deal with one of Brighton's best-known chefs would be a real achievement.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Hello, I'm looking for Michael.
0:42:26 > 0:42:27He is inside the kitchen.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29OK.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32- All right, mate, how are you doing? - I'm Jack. Are you Michael?
0:42:32 > 0:42:35- Michael. Yeah.- Bank holiday's coming up, it's going to be busy...
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Do you sell lobsters, first of all?
0:42:37 > 0:42:39- Yes.- So these are, like, 600 size.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41They look great.
0:42:41 > 0:42:46- Or, you know Regency, Melrose...? - Yes.- They normally do 600g.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48So I didn't know if you'd done the same.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51They are 500g.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54But we are going to probably get some more tomorrow.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58Yeah, yeah, I'll definitely have them off you. Thanks a lot, buddie, cheers.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01- Thank you. Thank you very much. - You don't get any better than that, do you?
0:43:01 > 0:43:05Straight out of the sea. Like, moments ago.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07They are perfect.
0:43:07 > 0:43:08Great deal. I'm very happy.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16I've got the money, so I'm very happy.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20And he wants six more tomorrow, so that's at least another £60.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24- You know, you've got to try your luck.- Jack's quick thinking has paid off.
0:43:24 > 0:43:29Another new customer who will help to keep the shop going when the tourists have gone home.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58Good morning, it's Mike on BBC Sussex
0:43:58 > 0:44:01by the seaside for a bank holiday breakfast.
0:44:01 > 0:44:05Lifeguard Tyrone is checking in with Chris at the seafront office.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08It's looking a great day out there, isn't it?
0:44:08 > 0:44:12It's going to be warm, it's going to be sunny. Flat water, lot of people in the drink.
0:44:12 > 0:44:16- I'm over on five. - There's a big scooter rally going on as well today.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19- Oh, is there? Right.- Loads of riders going to be setting up down there,
0:44:19 > 0:44:23- a lot of scooters around. - Are they closing Madeira Drive, or are they...
0:44:23 > 0:44:26- It's not a full closure, no. - Right.- No worries, cheers, then, bye-bye.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30Yeah, Volk's, Madeira Drive.
0:44:30 > 0:44:33- Up here, isn't it? - It'll start there, yeah.
0:44:33 > 0:44:35I love Mods, man. I love Mods.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39- RADIO:- And a look at the weather - we can expect a fine,
0:44:39 > 0:44:42largely sunny day, top temperatures today of 27...
0:44:42 > 0:44:4760 miles away, one group of Mods are gathering for their trip to Brighton.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49Happy birthday, mate.
0:44:49 > 0:44:51- How are you?- I'm good, thank you.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59Bernie Walsh and his mates still remember the time when they were at
0:44:59 > 0:45:04the heart of a youth culture that revolved around fashion, music,
0:45:04 > 0:45:05and scooters.
0:45:05 > 0:45:11This is an annual pilgrimage none of them wants to miss.
0:45:11 > 0:45:12The seaside beckons!
0:45:18 > 0:45:22I remember when we got our first Fred Perrys, back in 1979,
0:45:22 > 0:45:25and finding the whole world an orbit of Mods.
0:45:39 > 0:45:43So, we've all been riding scooters, most of us here, for...
0:45:44 > 0:45:47..probably nearly 30 years for some of us.
0:45:48 > 0:45:51Our mates' older brothers had the scooters, and you wanted one,
0:45:51 > 0:45:53and I wasn't allowed to have one.
0:45:53 > 0:45:55So I had to save up for about a year and a half, pocket money,
0:45:55 > 0:45:58washing cars, doing chores and jobs, to get that money together.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00And I bought my first one for about 100 quid.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03You spent your year, sort of, maintaining your bike,
0:46:03 > 0:46:06hoping it's going to be fine, polishing it, fettling it.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09We've run down here without a single fault,
0:46:09 > 0:46:12which is a miracle for the best part of 40-year-old scooters!
0:46:14 > 0:46:18For many lads and lasses of a certain age, Brighton is the spiritual home
0:46:18 > 0:46:21of the Mods, the kind of re-enacting a rite of passage.
0:46:35 > 0:46:40In Brighton, the beach is filling up and the seafront team are on the alert.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43Renks Griffinwood and her colleague Jason
0:46:43 > 0:46:45are well placed to spot any problems.
0:46:47 > 0:46:51Because it's so busy on the beach today, and there's so many people,
0:46:51 > 0:46:54it's really difficult for the lifeguards to cover everything.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57And we get a better view from the boat,
0:46:57 > 0:47:03so we go along and are just checking to see if there's anything untoward.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06In a couple of hours' time, it's going to be totally rammed.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10There's a lot of ground to cover.
0:47:12 > 0:47:14My mum was always a quick walker,
0:47:14 > 0:47:17and I think I've adopted that speed throughout my life, and in this job,
0:47:17 > 0:47:20being able to get to places fairly quickly means that
0:47:20 > 0:47:22a good walking speed does help.
0:47:22 > 0:47:25Everyone's keeping their eyes peeled.
0:47:26 > 0:47:28Romeo Eight patrol, go ahead.
0:47:28 > 0:47:32It's not long before the marine patrol is called to an incident.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35- RADIO:- We've got a couple of kayaks under the pier.
0:47:35 > 0:47:37And a few people got out of these kayaks,
0:47:37 > 0:47:41and are bouncing around near the stanchions.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45- It's a false alarm, no-one's in any danger.- Romeo Eight to base.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50Police are congregating at the carousel, over.
0:47:51 > 0:47:53Thanks for that.
0:47:56 > 0:48:00As the bank holiday heats up, it's a waiting game for the seafront team.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10Roll up, roll up for the Punch & Judy.
0:48:11 > 0:48:15On the promenade, Punch & Judy are about to take the stage.
0:48:15 > 0:48:18The whole family has come to have help Glyn with the show.
0:48:21 > 0:48:22There you go, I'll tug you in.
0:48:25 > 0:48:31Hello. Today is a special day, it's our grand finale for this season.
0:48:31 > 0:48:35We are not all together, often together en masse.
0:48:35 > 0:48:37The whole mob of us.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39No, that's very rare indeed.
0:48:41 > 0:48:46I can't wait to have a go at the marionettes in public, with my mum.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48She's a natural, I knew she would be.
0:48:48 > 0:48:50Aren't you? She's beating me.
0:48:50 > 0:48:52She's like, "Come on, Mum, let's go this way!"
0:48:52 > 0:48:55Shall we go and get...? Come on, then.
0:48:58 > 0:49:03And now it's time for the star of the show, old red nose himself,
0:49:03 > 0:49:05the one, the only, Mr Punch.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08- PUNCH VOICE:- Oh, that's the way to do it!
0:49:11 > 0:49:12HE HUMS
0:49:14 > 0:49:18Punch was on the beach first. He saw the West Pier over there go up,
0:49:18 > 0:49:21watched them build the i360...
0:49:21 > 0:49:25Yeah, my money is on Mr Punch still being around when the other
0:49:25 > 0:49:28attractions on the beach are completely different.
0:49:28 > 0:49:31Oh, that's the way to do it!
0:49:32 > 0:49:36Your job is making kids laugh, what is not to like?
0:49:36 > 0:49:40Kiddies laughing, having fun, and it's because of something you're doing.
0:49:40 > 0:49:42It's the perfect occupation, really.
0:49:42 > 0:49:44Thank you, thank you.
0:49:44 > 0:49:45ALL: BYE-BYE!
0:49:45 > 0:49:49Bye-bye. That's the way to do it!
0:49:49 > 0:49:51Bye-bye.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56Everyone agrees that working together has been a great success.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58I think it went really well,
0:49:58 > 0:50:01and now I'm not nervous any more to do the next show.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03Do you want to put a coin in?
0:50:03 > 0:50:06- I've never done a show we all partake in, which is good.- Yeah.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09Especially having Roisin with us today.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11It was beautiful, wasn't it, Mr Punch?
0:50:11 > 0:50:13Oh, yes, he agrees.
0:50:13 > 0:50:15And Roisin was lovely.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20What seaside fun is all about, you know, come down,
0:50:20 > 0:50:23might get sunburned, might see a Punch & Judy show.
0:50:23 > 0:50:24Come on. Are you coming?
0:50:24 > 0:50:28It's what we think of when we think of the great British seaside.
0:50:28 > 0:50:29Come on, scruff. Hold hands.
0:50:29 > 0:50:31- Shall we hold hands still?- Yes.
0:50:44 > 0:50:46At the east end of the beach,
0:50:46 > 0:50:49Bernie and the boys have arrived for the Brighton Mod Weekender.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54There are already well over 1,000 scooters here,
0:50:54 > 0:50:59all making a pilgrimage that looks back to the 1960s.
0:51:16 > 0:51:18Fabulous ride.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22For these classic scooter fans, there's more to life than polished chrome.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25The Mod culture, it's an attitude to life.
0:51:25 > 0:51:29It's Britain's last true, genuine subculture.
0:51:30 > 0:51:34I was brought up in the years of the Mods,
0:51:34 > 0:51:36so it's all stayed with me.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39And the beauty of this is, all the youngsters are coming along,
0:51:39 > 0:51:41and they are getting the passion as well.
0:51:41 > 0:51:44So the scene will just keep on going.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58The temperature's climbing, the beaches are packed,
0:51:58 > 0:52:01and Chris's lifeguards are at full stretch.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06Romeo Five, and Romeo Six,
0:52:06 > 0:52:07this is base.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10Description of missing child,
0:52:10 > 0:52:13a small lad with black hair, eight years old,
0:52:13 > 0:52:16wearing multicoloured Speedos, over.
0:52:18 > 0:52:21A missing child puts the whole team on alert.
0:52:23 > 0:52:27As an eight-year-old child, you think about where you would go to.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30Romeo Five... Looking around crazy golf,
0:52:30 > 0:52:32I'll head up onto the upper promenade, over.
0:52:32 > 0:52:37Romeo Five, Romeo Five, that sounds like a good plan.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40As the minutes tick by, the search is widening.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43Give us a little description now,
0:52:43 > 0:52:47just in case we've got to put it through to the police, over.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50Can you see him anywhere, Jason?
0:52:52 > 0:52:55Can you confirm where the parents were sat?
0:52:55 > 0:52:58He may have gone back there, and still be on the beach.
0:52:59 > 0:53:03Just to let you know, they were based to the east of our post.
0:53:06 > 0:53:10With crowds like this, spotting one eight-year-old is a tough call.
0:53:11 > 0:53:14Unless you strike lucky.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18So I'm just checking he's not joined another party.
0:53:21 > 0:53:23- Are you- BLEEP?- Yeah.- Ah!
0:53:25 > 0:53:28Relax, everyone, I've got him here.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31We're walking back. Five, out.
0:53:31 > 0:53:34We've got everyone looking for you, man.
0:53:34 > 0:53:36Where you been? Eh?
0:53:36 > 0:53:39- I wanted to...- Hey, dude, don't worry, man, it's cool.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42Listen, as long as you're safe, that's all that matters,
0:53:42 > 0:53:44all right. Let's go and find your mum, yeah?
0:53:44 > 0:53:46Yeah, don't worry. Let's go, we'll go this way. Yeah...
0:53:46 > 0:53:48Romeo Seven...
0:53:48 > 0:53:50And we're there.
0:53:52 > 0:53:56At last, the missing child can be reunited with his family.
0:53:58 > 0:53:59There you go.
0:54:10 > 0:54:11I can't go in too close here.
0:54:15 > 0:54:19We've got a couple of people climbing on the West Pier, on the edge.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22Romeo Eight patrol, not a problem, will head over there now.
0:54:22 > 0:54:23I'll go and speak to them.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28Today has been nonstop,
0:54:28 > 0:54:30it's like, constantly on the lookout for things,
0:54:30 > 0:54:33and constantly responding and supporting the lifeguards.
0:54:34 > 0:54:38The old West Pier is like a magnet for some visitors,
0:54:38 > 0:54:42but it's not the place for two plastic dinghies.
0:54:42 > 0:54:44Those dinghies are a no.
0:54:44 > 0:54:49The ruined pier has jagged, twisted metal, above and below the water.
0:54:49 > 0:54:51Those dinghies, they just have...
0:54:51 > 0:54:53One little pin would just deflate them.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59Renks and Jason are trying to keep people out of danger.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03It's really rickety, it might just fall apart.
0:55:03 > 0:55:05OK.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08Mind the spikes, as well.
0:55:09 > 0:55:13There's lots of spikes sticking up around here.
0:55:13 > 0:55:18The actual bylaws, boats inside swimming zones, and speed limits,
0:55:18 > 0:55:20but the rest of it is just safety, really.
0:55:20 > 0:55:23And the only thing - we end up having to sort of help them out
0:55:23 > 0:55:25if they get into trouble later.
0:55:35 > 0:55:39All along the promenade, bars and cafes are doing a brisk trade,
0:55:39 > 0:55:42and that brings a whole new set of problems.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45I mean, with this amount of bars, and people kind of
0:55:45 > 0:55:46letting loose for the weekend,
0:55:46 > 0:55:50and this is probably the last big weekend of the summer.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53But I think there's been a bit too much drinking, a bit too much sun.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55Coming up to the end of the bank holiday Monday,
0:55:55 > 0:55:58and it's all getting a little bit lively.
0:55:58 > 0:56:00Within sight of the beach team's control room,
0:56:00 > 0:56:03the lifeguards have pulled a woman out of the surf,
0:56:03 > 0:56:06and she's definitely had one too many.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10She must be 35, put people in danger, put herself in danger.
0:56:12 > 0:56:14Yeah. It's very, very frustrating.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17OK, are you looking after her?
0:56:17 > 0:56:21On a day like today, she's had some drinks, yeah, quite a few.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23Then she's decided to go for a swim.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26So it's tied up our patrol boat, tied up our lifeguards,
0:56:26 > 0:56:28tied up me for an hour.
0:56:28 > 0:56:30It's just a massive no-no.
0:56:30 > 0:56:35There's no time to dwell on it, Chris has been called to another incident,
0:56:35 > 0:56:38this time, the lifeguards have rescued an injured man from the water.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40ALARM BLARES
0:56:43 > 0:56:45In trouble in the water,
0:56:45 > 0:56:48pulled in by the boat and then by us on the board.
0:56:48 > 0:56:51About six of us lifted him in and isolated him.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54We've just got him on the edge of the beach now.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57The weekly training sessions have paid off yet again.
0:56:59 > 0:57:01Getting someone out of the water is always
0:57:01 > 0:57:06difficult and you've got to be super together, work as a team,
0:57:06 > 0:57:08make sure everyone knows what they're doing.
0:57:10 > 0:57:13Hopefully, that's the last one for this bank holiday.
0:57:14 > 0:57:18Yeah, slowly we can start sort of wishing people a nice journey home,
0:57:18 > 0:57:19and get home ourselves.
0:57:19 > 0:57:23The sunshine has seen thousands of people enjoying
0:57:23 > 0:57:26Brighton's seafront during the bank holiday.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29Conditions are perfect for the scooter ride-out.
0:57:34 > 0:57:36On a day like this, it will be a fantastic little ride-out.
0:57:36 > 0:57:40Probably in the order of about 1,500 scooters.
0:57:40 > 0:57:42Today, with the sun out, God knows how many.
0:57:42 > 0:57:44It might be in excess of 2,000.
0:57:49 > 0:57:52On the command of, you know, everyone to start their engines...
0:57:54 > 0:57:57..just a complete cloud of two-stroke.
0:57:59 > 0:58:00Today it will be a bit of fun.
0:58:00 > 0:58:03We will lose each other, there's no doubt about it.
0:58:03 > 0:58:05You can't stay tight on that ride.
0:58:05 > 0:58:07So it'll probably just descend into chaos!
0:58:16 > 0:58:20This is a vintage year, I've never seen sunshine on three days.
0:58:20 > 0:58:22This has been very special this year.