Cefn Gwlad: Teulu Penrhyn Cefn Gwlad

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-June 2015

-It's approaching late June,

-and I'm visiting Penrhyn Farm...

-..in Llanfwrog in Anglesey.

-The farm is run by Wyn and Gwen

-Williams and their family.

-Wyn's family has lived here

-for many years.

-Here, we have a perfect example...

-..of how farming and tourism

-can co-exist.

-All in all,

-this is an exceptional farm.

-THE PENRHYN FAMILY

-Penrhyn Farm and its caravan park...

-..are located in the northern part

-of Anglesey...

-..between the port of Holyhead

-and the Skerries.

-Rob Williams is the manager

-of the 32-acre caravan park.

-His brother, Wyn, runs the farm.

-Today, the weather is favourable

-for harvesting.

-The work is so much easier...

-..when you have good weather

-and good machinery.

-Yes, that's half the battle.

-These machines can bale and wrap -

-it's done in a single operation.

-Are you using contractors

-to carry out all the work?

-Yes - Gethin does the baling.

-We used to use our own baler,

-and Gethin came to wrap the bales.

-Now, Gethin does everything.

-He can do it much quicker.

-Crows and seagulls can be a problem.

-Yes - you're so close to the sea.

-They can ruin unwrapped bales.

-Is the land fairly dry?

-Yes, and this

-is the driest part of the farm.

-Cows spend winter on these fields.

-The soil is sandy.

-We level the ground

-once or twice a year...

-..and we roll the surface.

-Must you re-seed often, or does

-the grass survive for long periods?

-We re-seed 25 to 30 acres each year.

-I see.

-We grow about 50 acres of cereals -

-oats and barley.

-These are used to feed our stock

-and to provide straw.

-How many acres do you have?

-We have 470 acres at the moment.

-That's a large farm.

-Do you harvest just a single crop?

-Yes, usually...

-..though sometimes we reserve a few

-fields for growing a second crop...

-..if we get enough rain.

-But otherwise, a single cut.

-There's a field of oats lower down.

-Under the Glastir scheme, we

-have to grow a crop in that field.

-How have schemes such as Tir Gofal

-and Glastir worked for you?

-They needed a lot of work,

-in the initial stages.

-But once they became established,

-things have been easier.

-So long as the paperwork

-is up-to-date, everyone is happy.

-As harvesting continues

-on Penrhyn Farm...

-..at the caravan park, the busy

-tourist season is about to begin...

-..for Rob, Wyn's brother.

-This is an ideal spot - I'm sure

-your caravans are popular.

-Yes, they are.

-The caravans are occupied

-most of the time.

-We have both large caravans

-and tourers...

-..and they're usually occupied.

-We're fortunate.

-The location helps.

-Of course.

-It must involve lots of work.

-Even in winter, you have

-maintenance work to carry out...

-..things like tidying and painting.

-As soon as the park closes...

-..we must start preparing

-for the start of the next season.

-Winter passes extremely quickly.

-Did you visit the beach often

-when you were children?

-You're so close to the sea,

-you're practically in it!

-Yes, we'd come here to fish

-for crabs, when I was a child.

-It was great fun.

-We made so many new friends...

-..children from cities

-such as Liverpool and Manchester.

-Wyn told me that a ship,

-transporting cattle, sank nearby.

-Yes, this is where it happened.

-A terrible thing to happen.

-I have a phobia about water.

-You may think it would be nice

-to be out at sea...

-..but you really need

-to be able to swim!

-On a day like this,

-it doesn't look very dangerous.

-But when it's windy,

-the sea gets terribly rough.

-Prince William learned to pilot

-a helicopter here in this bay.

-Right here.

-During the period

-he spent on the island.

-Did he stay with you?!

-Did he stay with you?!

-

-No, I don't think so!

-I don't think so!

-Holyhead Bay

-is a very popular location...

-..for training helicopter crews.

-Wyn Williams has a keen interest

-in breeding cattle.

-It's great to see the stock grazing

-quietly on such a fine morning.

-What a nice herd.

-Yes.

-Your cattle are all home-bred,

-are they?

-We bought four cows last year,

-none the previous year...

-..and I've bought just one,

-this year.

-We need 20 to 23 each year.

-They're all Lim-British Blue

-crosses, are they?

-Yes - British Blue bulls

-with Lim cows, or vice versa.

-The female offspring

-are all bred with Lims...

-..with the aim of producing heifers.

-What are those smart black cattle?

-They're a good length, aren't they?

-Most of the black cattle

-are half British Blue and half Lim.

-The red cattle

-are practically pure-bred...

-..though some of them

-are one-quarter Blue.

-What particular bulls do you use

-for breeding from these cows?

-We use AI.

-The aim is to produce heifers

-for further breeding.

-This year, I chose a Lim bull,

-using a company called Genus.

-Over the years, I've been selecting

-cows that are good milk producers.

-I had a Blue bull

-that produced good milk producers.

-The Blue cows are all offspring

-of that particular black bull.

-He produced excellent cows.

-They calve easily,

-regardless of their shape...

-..and they're good mothers.

-If they don't produce enough milk,

-we get rid of them.

-I'd say the ideal cow for me

-is three-quarters Lim...

-..and one-quarter British Blue.

-I'd say that's the cow for me.

-They can live outside all winter...

-..and they can produce and nurture

-a calf every year.

-British Blue genes take the edge

-off the Lim temperament...

-..making them easier to manage.

-You've had some success

-with showing your cattle.

-I've had a few successes,

-especially over the past year...

-..with a heifer called Katie Price.

-Why on earth did you call her

-Katie Price?!

-I'm not sure - she had a good shape.

-And she liked showing off,

-even as a young calf.

-That's why I chose that name.

-At Penrhyn, farming is important

-for Wyn and his family...

-..but they have also diversified

-into tourism.

-They've transformed

-old farm buildings...

-..into four

-luxury holiday cottages.

-Gwen and the children look after

-this side of the business.

-I've arrived just in time.

-Have you been out in these boats?

-Not this summer.

-But you've done so previously?

-But you've done so previously?

-

-Yes, last year.

-Mari received a grant

-in order to buy these kayaks...

-..from an organisation

-called Llwyddo'n Lleol.

-Grants are available

-for children aged 12 to 16.

-This summer,

-she'll be hiring out the kayaks.

-And Lowri received a grant

-in order to buy an ice cream van.

-Stop me and buy one!

-Really?

-It must be nice

-to have three daughters.

-You don't have to do anything

-when they come home from school.

-They're a great help, fair play.

-What school do you attend?

-I've just left

-Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern.

-I've done my A Levels.

-Where will you go next?

-I hope to study tourism

-at the University of Chester.

-Very good.

-And you?

-I'm at Bangor University

-doing Childhood Studies.

-Lowri, you're at school.

-Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern.

-I'll be starting my GCSE year.

-It'll be a busy time for you.

-Are you going anywhere this summer?

-The Eisteddfod?

-The Royal Welsh Show.

-Maes B at the Eisteddfod.

-Maes B at the Eisteddfod.

-

-Maes B?

-You're having a busy summer.

-The Eisteddfod takes place

-shortly after the show.

-Will Mam and Dad go to the show?

-Will Mam and Dad go to the show?

-

-Yes, of course.

-The caravan is behind you,

-ready for the show.

-Going out to sea in a kayak

-would be nice...

-..but Wyn is keen

-to carry out checks on his land.

-The renovated buildings

-are a pleasure to behold.

-What was it previously - a stable?

-There was forge at the far end.

-This part was a stable.

-It had a cobbled floor

-and wooden mangers.

-Over there, by the porch,

-was a coach-house.

-The door to the old forge

-is now a kitchen window.

-What a picture we're presented

-with, as we leave the yard.

-If you had a shilling each time

-you saw that view, you'd be rich!

-Very rich!

-Tourists come

-from all parts of the world.

-Yes, all parts of the world.

-In recent years, lots of people

-come to walk the Coastal Path

-It's a big attraction

-for people from overseas, is it?

-Yes, it attracts lots of people.

-Last week, I was talking

-with a couple from Sweden...

-..and a couple

-from the United States.

-They had come to Anglesey

-just to walk the Coastal Path.

-Really?

-One couple had walked the whole path

-during a single holiday.

-It's 125 miles long.

-It's 125 miles long.

-

-Really?

-Good gracious!

-People come from Liverpool,

-Manchester...

-..and Stoke-on-Trent.

-When the weatherman promises fine

-weather, the phone starts ringing...

-..and touring vans and tents start

-appearing on a Friday evening.

-You should try giving

-the weatherman a bribe!

-We've been extremely busy.

-We advertise on the internet

-and it's been a great success...

-..better than we'd expected.

-Lots of people who come to the

-caravan site know about the farm...

-..and often, older family members...

-..prefer something more luxurious

-than a caravan.

-If you're staying in a caravan

-with a young family...

-..you hear their noise

-all day and all night.

-.

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-Wyn and Robert's parents,

-Trefor and Olwen Williams...

-..have retired,

-and they live in an ideal spot...

-..across the bay from Penrhyn Farm.

-We came here as a family

-from the Benllech area...

-..back in 1760.

-Good gracious.

-At that time, the farm was part of

-the Penrhos estate of Holyhead...

-..owned by Lord Stanley.

-My great-grandfather

-came as a tenant.

-Later on, Lord Stanley decided

-to sell the whole estate...

-..back in 1946, or thereabouts.

-My father said...

-..he was told that the estate

-would be sold, including his farm...

-..and they wanted 6,000 for it.

-If he didn't buy it,

-there was someone else who would.

-They had to find 6,000

-very quickly!

-How things have changed!

-So that's how things began.

-Today, there's

-a delightful caravan park.

-Was it established by your parents?

-By the mother of...

-In the '50s.

-People came from Manchester,

-initially.

-There weren't very many at the time.

-The business has grown a great deal.

-The business has grown a great deal.

-

-The park is full.

-You can appreciate why -

-it's right by the sea.

-Many holidaymakers have boats.

-The sea is a big attraction

-for them.

-You were in charge for many years.

-Yes, until we retired.

-It's nice that your children

-have taken on the business.

-We've been very lucky.

-Both of them are very conscientious

-in their work.

-That must have added many years

-to your life!

-It's nice to live in a place

-you've known all your life.

-Yes, though I had a job persuading

-him to come here from over there.

-He didn't want to come at all.

-But he came, along with the last

-load of furniture, and he stayed!

-Yes, very good!

-They're fine-looking sheep.

-Wyn, fetch the shears!

-In addition to cattle, Wyn also

-keeps a flock of black-headed sheep.

-They arrived here last year.

-I wanted more white-headed sheep,

-to be honest...

-..but I couldn't get hold of any.

-We kept about 40 female lambs.

-Yes?

-They're nice lambs,

-by the look of them...

-..and they'll make good ewes for

-producing stylish, shapely lambs.

-Continental breeds are becoming

-increasingly popular.

-Things are changing.

-They're good milk producers

-and easy to manage.

-But cattle are the primary animals

-on this farm.

-Yes.

-I think I could keep about 250 sheep

-in among the cattle...

-..without having to feed them

-very much.

-It's worked out well this year,

-with 150 sheep.

-Are you treating their feet

-in addition to treating their backs?

-Yes, I use a weak formalin solution,

-at this time of year...

-..to prevent them

-from becoming lame.

-They need monthly treatment, really.

-They need monthly treatment, really.

-

-Each time they're in the yard.

-The trough

-is a useful piece of equipment.

-Yes, they're put through the bath

-each time.

-Everything looks very neat, Rob.

-Yes, I do my best.

-I try to keep the grass

-as short as possible.

-How often do you cut the grass?

-There's plenty of it.

-At least once a week.

-Sometimes, it needs cutting

-twice a week.

-You have several of these machines

-to carry out the work.

-We have six or seven

-of these machines.

-This is the biggest one.

-Also, the clippings must be removed.

-One has to remember, as well...

-..that these machines

-must be maintained appropriately.

-Who has that responsibility?

-Who has that responsibility?

-

-I do most of the work.

-That's what I learned at college...

-..how to maintain tractors

-and other machines.

-If a tractor developed a fault,

-you'd take a look at it?

-Yes, so long as it isn't

-too difficult to fix.

-I can do minor repairs.

-"A very present help in trouble."

-Yes, indeed!

-I can't overstate

-the beauty of this place.

-Look at these views.

-What's that place over there?

-Those are the Skerries...

-..with Porth Swtan, or Church Bay,

-to the right.

-There's a nice beach nearby.

-Yes - it's called Sandy Beach.

-It's extremely popular.

-It's extremely popular.

-

-There's the Coastal Path too.

-How long does it take

-to walk Anglesey's Coastal Path?

-How long does it take?

-How long does it take?

-

-About 10 days, usually.

-People tell me they take

-a fortnight's holiday from work.

-They spend 10 days

-walking the path...

-..and a further day or two

-relaxing afterwards.

-What about your wife -

-is she from Wales?

-No, from Scotland.

-You travelled north!

-I met her in Austria, actually.

-I spent several winters

-working in Austria.

-Is she involved in the business?

-Yes, she helps -

-she works in the office.

-How big is the family?

-We have two children,

-a boy and a girl.

-You have everything worked out!

-One of each!

-I'm very fortunate, really.

-You live in an ideal world,

-working in a beautiful landscape...

-..and your parents

-and your brother are nearby.

-One big family.

-And you don't get

-in each other's way, either.

-No.

-I live next door to my brother...

-..but sometimes

-I don't see him for days...

-..which can be hard to believe.

-You live in the big house

-where your parents lived originally.

-Yes, Lord Stanley's old house.

-Perhaps you'll be a lord, one day!

-Yes!

-Next door to the old house

-occupied by Rob and his family...

-..stands Penrhyn Farm, occupied

-by Wyn and Gwen and the family.

-It's a lovely place to live.

-Wyn, tell me,

-where did you meet Gwen?

-At the Young Farmers' Club,

-originally.

-A few years have passed since then!

-Where was the club?

-Mine was in Bodedern

-and Gwen's was in Rhos-y-bol.

-It's a movement

-that's close to your heart.

-Last year, you were president

-for the Anglesey region.

-Yes, I had the honour

-of being president.

-I enjoyed every moment

-of the experience.

-Nothing gives me greater pleasure...

-..than seeing young people

-joining the clubs.

-Initially, they wouldn't say

-boo to a goose...

-..but after a few years,

-they're on stage in fancy dress...

-..dancing and singing.

-It gives me greater pleasure

-than anything else I can think of.

-It also encourages you

-to think of the future.

-Our country is safe in their hands.

-Yes, it's these people

-who will be organising our shows...

-..on both a local and

-a national level, in the future.

-The friends you make

-through the Young Farmers' Club...

-..are friends for life.

-We have friends who were members

-of clubs in other areas.

-Many of them

-are some of our best friends.

-We established the Anglesey Farm

-Accommodation group a few years ago.

-We have 20 members in the group.

-It's very useful.

-If we're fully booked...

-..we can ask another member

-to provide accommodation...

-..or the caravan park.

-And it's nice to meet every so often

-and catch up on the news.

-Would you say...

-..that Anglesey

-is in a more fortunate position...

-..than most of the rest of Wales?

-The fact that it's an island

-alters people's perception...

-..it appears cut off

-from the rest of the world.

-I like to think we're unique.

-Yes, that's right.

-It's a selling point -

-the fact that it's an island...

-..a very beautiful island.

-S4C subtitles by Trosol Cyf.

-.