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0:00:44 > 0:00:49- For centuries, fairground people - have travelled around Wales...
0:00:49 > 0:00:53- ..bringing attractions - to towns and villages.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- Among them are the Studt family.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01- Members of this special family - have settled in Pwllheli.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07- My name's - Christopher Llywelyn Studt.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- I was born in Bangor - but grew up in Pwllheli.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- I'm Colin Studt. - I run Pwllheli fairground.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- The fairground - has been in the family since 1837.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22- My son runs the dodgems.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- He's the seventh generation.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28- When I was a boy, - I worked on the fair.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- Grandad owned this place...
0:01:30 > 0:01:35- ..and Colin owned the dodgems - and everything else in between.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- Grandma and Grandad - owned the arcade here.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- When Grandad was 70, - he was ready to retire.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- It was a fair old age - but he was reluctant to let it go.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- When he eventually did, - Dad took over the arcade...
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- ..and Colin took over outside.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09- Originally, there were four brothers - in the Studt family.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11- They came from Bavaria or Prussia...
0:02:12 > 0:02:14- ..what we know as Germany today.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- They were farmers...
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- ..who moved to Kent - in the south of England.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23- They continued pig farming there.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- They took their pigs to market - to sell them...
0:02:29 > 0:02:33- ..and saw a horse with some sort - of platform attached...
0:02:34 > 0:02:37- ..going round and round in a circle, - carrying children.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40- The children paid to have a go.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- The brothers thought, - why are we selling these pigs...
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- ..when that man is making - lots of money, and easy money too?
0:02:50 > 0:02:55- So they sold the pigs, - bought a horse and platform...
0:02:56 > 0:02:57- ..and did the same.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- We were a travelling fair - to begin with.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06- My family took their first fair - to Halfway, Llanelli.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11- From there, they travelled - to Pontyberem, Pontarddulais...
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- ..Ystalyfera, Ystradgynlais...
0:03:13 > 0:03:18- ..working their way up through - Hereford, Machynlleth and Rhayader.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22- They'd spend two weeks in Porthmadog - and four weeks in Pwllheli.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27- It took about three or four days - to move everything...
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- ..all the way from Pwllheli - down to Neath.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- It was situated - on The Gnoll back then.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- Everyone's familiar - with that rugby ground.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- There's a strong rugby connection - in the family.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- My grandfather was quite a player.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48- Unfortunately, his father died... - so he gave up rugby...
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- ..and joined the family business.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- My brothers and I - have all played rugby for Pwllheli.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- Our sons, Chris and Carl, - currently play for the first team.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11- As the years went by and with - the advent of the mechanical age...
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- ..the horse was soon replaced - by the steam engine.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20- Traction engines were important - because they did everything.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24- It was the traction engines - that ran the fair...
0:04:24 > 0:04:30- ..in terms of the lights and the - power needed to make things move.
0:04:30 > 0:04:36- They used traction engines to travel - from Swansea to Neath and so on.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- They didn't go very fast.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- They were lucky - to hit six miles an hour...
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- ..but they were powerful...
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- ..and could transport anything - from place to place.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- Sometimes, they put - one behind the other...
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- ..to generate enough power - to travel along the A470.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- Things haven't changed. - The road is still the same.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- Following WW2, - there were further advances...
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- ..and steam engines gave way - to Army service lorries.
0:05:13 > 0:05:19- After the War, lots of RAF - and Army service lorries...
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- ..were being sold off cheaply.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- The Scammell tractor - was a particular favourite...
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- ..as was the Matador.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32- They're familiar to many, I'm sure.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- There was a hole - in the roof of the Matador...
0:05:35 > 0:05:39- ..where the machine gun - would have sat during the war.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- They used to buy these old lorries.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- I remember Dad saying that you'd - be lucky to get 20mph out of it...
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- ..going downhill - with the wind behind it!
0:05:56 > 0:06:01- There is something rather feudal - about fairground families.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- There is a pecking order - and everyone knows his place.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- You had a riding master...
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- ..who acted - as a kind of lord of the manor.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- He had his main boys - on the smaller rides...
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- ..and the tenant farmers - were the fairground tenants...
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- ..who had the guns, coconut shies, - darts and that kind of thing.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- Then there were the people - who provided the food.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- Hot dogs, toffee apples, - candy floss...
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- ..all the usual fairground treats.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- My grandfather - was the riding master.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- He was the one - who planned the layout.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- He'd go to a site, measure up...
0:06:41 > 0:06:46- ..and say, "Right, the dodgems - go there, the waltzer goes there...
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- "..the Ferris wheel - can go at the side...
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- "..and the stalls along the edge."
0:06:51 > 0:06:56- Everyone had their pitch and the - riding master was totally in charge.
0:06:59 > 0:07:05- Families had to travel from - place to place out of necessity.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- That meant - they didn't live in houses.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- Wagons served as their homes.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- We lived in wagons, - though people call them caravans.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- There are trailers, - caravans and wagons.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- My grandfather had two scarlet - ramblers, as they were called.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28- They were like railway carriages, - positioned back to back.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- The doors opened like that - to make it more spacious.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- I remember seeing it - on television...
0:07:35 > 0:07:40- ..and explaining to my daughter - that it housed a family of six - us!
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- I've seen photographs and so on - and they looked very grand.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- People think they're caravans...
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- ..but they would never - have travelled in caravans...
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- ..because they were - very proud people.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- The interiors - were carved from mahogany...
0:08:01 > 0:08:03- ..and there was cut glass.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- The workers - weren't allowed through the door.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- They weren't even permitted - to cross the threshold.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16- They used the back entrance - to get their weekly pay packet.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21- They'd knock on the back door, - avoid standing on the steps...
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- ..and wait to be invited - up the steps.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- They never entered the wagon.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32- My Dad told me that he remembers - a knock on the door one day.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- He turned to my grandmother - and said...
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- .."Mr Barclay's at the door."
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- She looked at my father - in astonishment.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48- She said, "He's not a mister to you. - He's called Billy."
0:08:48 > 0:08:52- Dad said, "But he's 60 years old. - He's a mister to me."
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- And my grandmother said, - "No, he works for you."
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- He felt uncomfortable - as a six-year-old child...
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- ..calling a 60-year-old - by his first name.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- They tried everything - in the amusements business.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- When the rides were introduced...
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- ..the first of which - were the Ferris wheel...
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- ..and Noah's Ark, - they could run the belt drive...
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- ..from the traction engines.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- The dodgems came soon afterwards.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36- My family - got into the dodgems' business.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41- At one time, there were five sets - of dodgems travelling around Wales.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- It's a hard life.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- We stopped travelling - after a while...
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- ..but I still went to stay - with my cousins.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- For a single man, there was fun - to be had, travelling.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07- Different villages, - different girls!
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- I hope the wife's not listening!
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- Saturday night at the fair - was a big night out...
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- ..from Haverfordwest to Pembroke.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- Back then, it stayed open - until two in the morning...
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- ..with the lights going - at full speed.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- When people left, we'd pull - tarpaulin over the dodgems...
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- ..and pull down the lights, - the signs and little things.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- As young boys, that was our job.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- We carried light loads...
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- ..and packed them away in trucks.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- Dad took the caravan or wagon...
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- ..and travelled overnight - to the next location...
0:10:52 > 0:10:54- ..while Mam put us all to bed.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- Dad would go back with the lorries - the following morning...
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- ..and set it all up again.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16- I think it was around 1965 - when Dad finally stopped travelling.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21- He went down to Aberystwyth - where it was wet and windy...
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- ..and the fair took a beating.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- No-one came and he had - to pull down all the rides.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- He decided - he didn't want to do it any more.
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0:11:45 > 0:11:49- Although Chris - has been brought up with the fair...
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- ..the Pwllheli fair - no longer travels.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- He has heard a lot - about the travelling fairs...
0:11:57 > 0:12:01- ..but hasn't experienced - this kind of life for himself.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- He has come to Neath to join - another branch of his family...
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- ..whose fair still travels.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- It's nice being here in Neath - to meet Henry, Roland Studt's son.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- I've heard a lot about the family.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- Now I can walk around - and watch them get the fair ready...
0:12:21 > 0:12:25- ..for the crowds who will turn up - in about half an hour's time.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- Walking around, I've noticed - the different rides...
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- ..and the things - people have been talking about.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- A lot of hard work goes into getting - these machines up and running...
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- ..before they take any money.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- But years ago, - they had to set it all up.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- Nowadays, they just turn up - and the machines do the work...
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- ..with the push of a button.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- A lot of the machines - need assembling too...
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- ..so they turn up early in the - morning to get everything ready.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- They're up and running by 7.30pm...
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- ..and the money starts rolling in.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- It's a case of setting up, - providing a service...
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- ..making some money - and then moving on.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20- In Neath, Chris meets Vernon Studt, - who owns Barry Island fairground.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- The weather poses a problem - for fairground people.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26- The weather's destroyed us.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- The weather's destroyed us.- - It's horrendous, isn't it?
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- It has absolutely destroyed us.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- We've got no chance.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- They're not even promising - anything decent.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- We've got this - till the end of the month.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- You can go in for a cuppa, - come back out and it's raining.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- I've just met Vernon Studt again.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- It's been six months - since I saw him last.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- We were talking about the weather...
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- ..and hoping that it improves...
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- ..because it's keeping people away.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- It's different running the arcade...
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- ..because the weather - doesn't affect business.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- If it's sunny, - people go to the seaside.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- But we're still open at night...
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- ..so people will come at night - instead of the day.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- Because we're there permanently, - the locals come to the fair.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- It's different for Colin - outdoors on the fair.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- He has the same problem - with the rain.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- We're hoping - for six weeks of sunshine.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- It's starting to liven up now.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- The children have arrived - and the rain has kept away.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53- It's starting to fill up here.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- The dodgems, waltzers and twist - will start up in a moment...
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- ..as the kids arrive.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- I've met lots of interesting people - just by hanging around.
0:15:04 > 0:15:10- One man has been working - for the Studts for over 35 years.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- He worked for Henry's father.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17- After his own father passed away, - he was asked to look after the son.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- He's still with them today.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- He runs the dodgems.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- I'll give him a hand later.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30- The dodgems are very close - to the Studt family's hearts.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- At one time, there were five sets - travelling around Wales.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- Many of them - are still running today.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- The dodgems are a favourite of mine.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- My grandfather bought them in 1933.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- One of his brothers - bought a speedway...
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- ..which has been converted - into dodgems.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- Another brother bought dodgems too, - so that's three Studt brothers.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- Delivered to Aberdare...
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- ..on said date - and the money will be waiting.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- This is still going - and I think the other is too.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- There aren't many older - than these dodgems.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20- It's a bit like Trigger's brush - on Only Fools And Horses.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- "It's the same brush - all original.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- "It's had nine new handles - and six new heads!"
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- The dodgems are important.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- They're different - from ours in Pwllheli.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- There's no emphasis - on where the dodgems are situated.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- They can be anywhere - as long as they're there.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- Usually, they'd put the dodgems - at the back...
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- ..because people walk around.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53- Here, they're the first thing - people see and they draw them in.
0:16:53 > 0:16:59- They walk around and have to pass - the dodgems again on the way out.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- It's important - where they're pitched.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- As I mentioned earlier, - Henry owned the dodgems.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- It's one of two rides - that always gets pride of place.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- There are lots of little stalls.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- Traditionally, it wasn't - the Studt family who ran them.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- It was their friends - or the people who worked for them...
0:17:23 > 0:17:27- ..who had the little stalls - and the food outlets.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- But the Studt name - always appeared overhead.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- That hasn't changed, - as I've noticed today!
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- Coming to Neath - has been a great experience.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50- I've heard lots of stories from Dad - and Colin about when they came down.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55- It's nice that I can see for myself - how things are run here.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- The travelling fair...
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- ..is a different way of life - from what Chris is used to.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- Would life on the road - appeal to him?
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- The fact they travel - from place to place is tempting.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14- It's far from packed here today - but tomorrow's another day.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- It might be chock-a-block tomorrow.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22- Since we're based in one place, - we know what to expect.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- We know - when it's going to be busy or not.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30- But when you're travelling, - you never know what to expect.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32- If it's raining, - no-one will turn up.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- If it's sunny, it could be packed.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- When it's busy, - it's a great place to be.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- There's definitely a future - for travelling fairs.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54- As they've shown, - they still go from place to place.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- They differ a little from - the back-end fairs of years ago...
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- ..although they still exist, - to some extent...
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- ..but they also do events now...
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- ..where rides can be hired out - for private functions.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15- I'm a Pwllheli boy - and that's where I'll stay...
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- ..because Grandad and Grandma - established the business there.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- We're all grateful to them for that.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28- I'm glad we've decided to stay put - and have a permanent fairground...
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- ..instead of travelling, although - it's a good life on the road.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- But I think we've made the right - decision to stay in one place.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02- Back home in Pwllheli, - Chris returns to the arcade...
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- ..and is looking ahead - to the future.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11- Over the years, - the fair has entertained people...
0:20:11 > 0:20:16- ..and we're still continuing - that tradition today.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- At the moment, - I run the place with my father.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- My mother and Nicola run the cafe.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- When Dad - finally decides to retire...
0:20:33 > 0:20:37- ..and move to Spain or whatever, - who knows what he'll decide to do?
0:20:37 > 0:20:41- When that happens, - then I'd like to take over...
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- ..and carry on - doing the same thing here...
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- ..adding a few of my own touches...
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- ..as other people - have done over the years.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- There is certainly a place - for seaside fairs like this one.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- People from England - come here on holiday.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11- They work in offices all year long, - live in terraced properties...
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- ..and never get to see - the sun or the sea.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- They want a seaside holiday.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22- Eating fish and chips on the - seafront and going to the fair...
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- ..is what makes a holiday - for lots of people.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- Travelling fairs are struggling...
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- ..due to the rising cost of diesel - and so on.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- They now have to pay tax - on the lorries.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- Years ago, they had - what was called a showman's special.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43- I'm not sure it was legitimate.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- It looked like someone - had scribbled on a beer mat!
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- You have to work long hours.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59- I start work - at seven in the morning...
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- ..and sometimes don't finish - until ten at night.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08- It's not easy, but a lot - of good things come with it.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- For me, it's not a job, - it's a way of life.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Tradition is important to me...
0:22:23 > 0:22:28- ..because our family's history - dates back centuries to 1847.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33- Every generation has brought - something extra to the business.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- It's improved - as the years have gone by.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- The only thing I want to do...
0:22:40 > 0:22:44- ..is carry on the tradition - and continue improving it.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:28 > 0:23:28- .