Alun Hemmings Cefn Gwlad

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-This is such a lovely place.

-I'm in Llanfynydd

-in Carmarthenshire.

-You can see Carmarthenshire's

-wide expanses behind me.

-It's the home patch of the subject

-of this programme, Alun Hemmings.

-We'll also meet his wife, Maria,

-and their children, Ffion and Aron.

-They have an interesting life.

-Alun was brought up in this area

-and he wants to return, eventually.

-But that won't be for a long time.

-They're interesting people.

-Farming has been in Alun Hemmings's

-blood ever since he was a child.

-But over the years,

-his priorities changed.

-He runs a successful company...

-..carrying out

-construction and land work...

-..ranging from housing estates...

-..to a new helicopter facility

-on the outskirts of Llanelli.

-This is the headquarters

-of the Wales Air Ambulance.

-Yes, this is the main location,

-the central station.

-Is that how it looked

-when you started?

-Yes, a year ago.

-How long have you been here?

-How long have you been here?

-

-A year.

-And you've built all this?

-What are all those seats?

-That's where charity fundraising

-takes place...

-..raising money

-to maintain the air ambulance.

-Let me get this straight -

-you're the boss, are you?

-You're responsible for the work.

-Yes, I mark everything out,

-I bring in the materials...

-..I organise the workers - I'm very

-hands-on in carrying out the work.

-There are lots of things to do.

-I should have more workers, really.

-What's that lean-to?

-They have three cars.

-They're Q7 vehicles.

-If the helicopter

-is already in the air...

-..and another call-out is needed...

-..there are three cars, fully

-equipped, like the helicopters.

-They're kept under that roof,

-plugged into the electrics...

-..ready to go.

-The grass will grow back.

-What's that square at the top end?

-The helicopter can come in

-from any direction.

-That triangle is visible.

-When the helicopter comes in,

-it lands on that pad.

-Instruments tell it where to go.

-Instruments tell it where to go.

-

-There are lights, too.

-They come on automatically at night.

-Let's move on.

-Is that the centre of operations?

-Yes, the helicopter and the doctors

-work from there.

-It's one of the biggest centres

-in Europe, isn't it?

-And it's all built by you!

-I've been lucky to get the job!

-A farmer's son from Llanfynydd!

-The doors are opening.

-That's right.

-You have the power to open doors!

-Good gracious!

-This is the nitty-gritty,

-this is the final job.

-Here it is.

-This is amazing!

-How many helicopters are there?

-Two - the other one

-will arrive soon.

-How much do they cost?

-They cost 4.5 million.

-It's hard to believe.

-That's 9 million for two!

-The floor is quite slippery.

-Yes, it's been power floated.

-That's how we laid it down.

-It was then given

-a coat of special paint.

-Is this where the maintenance crew

-will be working?

-Yes, in the back.

-The pilots, the doctors...

-..everyone who's involved

-in the operation.

-Shufflebottom - a local firm -

-erected the building.

-You've used local people

-for everything.

-It's a credit to you.

-Thousands of people have taken part

-in all kinds of activities...

-..to raise money,

-all over the country.

-Yes.

-I think it's one

-of the biggest charities.

-Lots of people raise money for it.

-It's crucial.

-Yes, it is.

-As I said,

-it's the biggest in Europe.

-It's an honour for Wales.

-We're getting something right!

-Another local man is in charge

-of this development...

-..for Wales Air Ambulance...

-..Carwyn Davies.

-The boys have worked really hard

-on this.

-It had to be completed

-to a tight deadline.

-All the boys -

-Alun and the all contractors...

-..worked very hard.

-The vehicles are equipped

-with everything that's needed.

-Sometimes, if it's an incident

-nearby, we send out a car.

-For farmers, for example,

-it's an important service...

-..because they work

-in remote countryside.

-A lot of good work has been done

-to save people's lives.

-It's not just a matter of responding

-quickly to an incident.

-There are other factors.

-Doctors have learned from experience

-in places like Australia...

-..which pioneered flying doctors.

-This service is larger

-than any other in the UK.

-The air ambulance carries doctors,

-not just paramedics.

-That's an important point.

-Patients can receive treatment

-very quickly...

-..which means

-a lot more lives are saved.

-Alun enjoys working

-on a variety of different jobs...

-..especially if they're

-more complicated than usual.

-He's building this new house

-in the Llandeilo area.

-That's a huge hole!

-We aren't allowed to build high,

-because of planning regulations...

-..so we've dug down.

-That's how it goes!

-This is all made of steel.

-Yes, steel.

-It's an alternative to using timber.

-This is the way forward, apparently.

-Steel lasts a lot longer.

-You've cleared

-a large piece of ground.

-This was all rock -

-it was hard work.

-It's lined with concrete, tanked

-to prevent water from coming in.

-Bolts in the concrete

-support the steel frame.

-Building walls is the next step.

-Building walls is the next step.

-

-Yes, walls come next.

-When did you start work on this?

-We've been working on this

-for about a month.

-There's a lot of work involved.

-There's a lot of work involved.

-

-How many workers?

-About ten.

-Ten good workers!

-Well done!

-There's so much to do,

-like putting nuts on bolts.

-That's right - it's like Mecanno.

-You've cleared all around.

-Yes, things are moving on - it's

-taken a while to get this far...

-..but we're on the home strait.

-The boys are removing

-the scaffolding.

-Building walls is the next step.

-We need to put in beams

-for the first level.

-You just follow plans, do you?

-Yes, I'm given the plan

-by the architect or the owner.

-I work out a price...

-..a price that suits ourselves and

-is also acceptable to the owner.

-Everyone's happy with the price.

-Everyone's happy with the price.

-

-I wouldn't know where to begin.

-The air ambulance headquarters

-is huge and complicated.

-Yes, it is.

-But this has been more

-of a headache, for me, to be honest.

-You don't build something like this

-every day.

-No, this is a first.

-Of course, there's still

-a lot of work to do.

-The aim is to have it ready

-before Christmas.

-In addition to individual houses...

-..Alun and his company

-also build housing estates...

-..like this one,

-on the outskirts of Llandeilo.

-They're high-quality houses.

-Yes, they sold very quickly.

-They sold

-as soon as they were completed.

-Was it a greenfield site?

-Yes - we built the road

-and put slabs down.

-Was the original farm

-called Pencrug?

-Yes, it was called Pencrug.

-When were these houses built?

-It's almost ten years

-since the work began.

-How many houses are there?

-There are 18 houses in this patch.

-There's a total of 70 houses.

-When will you start building

-your own bank?!

-Money goes out

-as soon as it comes in!

-Yes, that's the way it goes!

-A little comes in

-and a lot goes out!

-Like a draught!

-This is excellent work.

-How did you become involved

-in this work?

-Did you go to college?

-No, I picked it up as I went along.

-I drove a digger, initially.

-Then I worked with brickies

-and builders, and picked it up.

-Later, I started my own business.

-You also helped your parents

-on the farm.

-Yes, and I sheared.

-Building is an important part

-of Alun Hemmings's business.

-He also carries out ground work,

-such as this drainage scheme...

-..at Llandybie Rugby Club's

-training ground.

-How deep are you digging?

-How deep are you digging?

-

-About a foot.

-That's all.

-What will you be doing?

-The aim is to drain the field.

-There are drains installed already,

-but the top has become sealed.

-We're digging trenches

-and filling them with coarse sand.

-That enables water

-to pass quickly into the drains.

-How long will it take

-to finish the job?

-One day - the machine can open up

-the whole field in one day.

-It makes a neat job too - they'll be

-able to play on this pitch tomorrow.

-There's nothing to stop them

-playing on it tomorrow.

-We've had such wet winters.

-Rugby and football pitches

-become waterlogged and unusable.

-It's because the top layer becomes

-sealed and water can't penetrate.

-Of course, where I come from...

-..we have fields of rape and silage.

-But here, we're in the heart

-of rugby and football country.

-Yes, there are lots of pitches

-in this valley alone...

-..not to mention Carmarthen

-or Aberystwyth.

-Your son played

-with the Scarlets last night.

-How old is he?

-How old is he?

-

-He's 17 years old.

-Did he have a good game?

-Yes, he had a good game -

-he scored a try.

-Your father is a farmer

-and a sheepdog man...

-..but there's rugby in your blood.

-Yes, I carried on playing rugby

-until I was 36 years old.

-You stopped last year, then!

-Hello, Aron.

-You've been given a job to do.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-

-Things are going well.

-I've been told you had a good game

-with the Scarlets last night.

-It wasn't too bad - I scored a try.

-Really?

-What was it like?

-Did you make a long run?

-I was about five yards

-from the line...

-..I did a dummy

-and went through a gap to score.

-How long have you

-been playing with them?

-Since I was five years old.

-Since I was five years old.

-

-Five years old?!

-You must be delighted.

-Your father played rugby, too.

-Was he a good player?

-I wouldn't know!

-Excellent.

-This makes a nice change.

-Last night, you scored - today,

-you're getting your hands dirty.

-Stick with the work,

-keep your feet on the ground!

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-Alun Hemmings and his family

-live in Penybanc, near Llandeilo.

-Alun's construction business

-keeps him busy...

-..but he still manages to find time

-to run a farm.

-They're fine animals.

-Did you buy them as calves?

-Yes, I bought them

-from three local farms...

-..Owen Llangwm, next door,

-Robin Dolau, and Terry Ffrwd-wen.

-They were about ten days old.

-How many are there?

-How many are there?

-

-Twenty.

-And you've sold them?

-And you've sold them?

-

-A man from Knighton came yesterday.

-He bought all of them.

-They're just the job.

-Weights are coming down.

-Cake is too expensive to waste.

-That's right.

-That's right.

-

-This is a good shed.

-Yes, it's a useful shed.

-You have so much work on your hands.

-Finding time must be difficult.

-You can't just say,

-"Oh, I'll do it later."

-Jobs must be done

-at the same time every day.

-Yes, before I start work

-or after I come home.

-But I couldn't manage

-without Aron, Ffion and Maria...

-..and my parents.

-Everyone pulls together.

-If I'm busy at work, someone else

-is always willing to help.

-I thought I heard something -

-it's you!

-Are you preparing for a show?

-Yes, the NSA.

-Do you exhibit at local shows?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-

-It takes a lot of preparation.

-Does the flock belong to you?

-Yes, and I'm preparing for sales.

-Have you been keeping sheep

-since you were five years old?

-No, since I was ten years old.

-Ten or 11 years old.

-Ten or 11 years old.

-

-Did you receive the sheep as a gift?

-Yes, four of them.

-Yes, four of them.

-

-And now, here you are.

-Well done!

-They're Torddu sheep, are they?

-They're Torddu sheep, are they?

-

-Yes, Torddu.

-Do you breed them yourself?

-Yes, all of them.

-You have a few nice Cheviots, too.

-Yes, they're very nice.

-You keep Cheviots as well?

-Yes - I'm taking some yearlings

-to the Royal Welsh next year.

-How many shows

-do you attend each year?

-I go to about eight shows.

-Where is the next show?

-We're halfway through August.

-Llandeilo, on Saturday.

-The Llandeilo show.

-Do you go to Sennybridge?

-I'll be judging on the day

-of the Sennybridge show.

-I'll be in Caio.

-It'll be my first experience

-of judging.

-I may as well give it a go.

-I may as well give it a go.

-

-You're having a good year!

-That's right!

-Rugby, exhibiting and judging!

-Rugby, exhibiting and judging!

-

-Yes.

-Ffion, Aron's sister,

-is very keen on showjumping.

-She's a member

-of the Welsh riding team.

-When she was 16 years old...

-..she travelled with the team

-to Ireland, Italy and England...

-..representing Wales.

-These stables are nice.

-I'm very fortunate

-to have such good facilities.

-This is a pet pony, is it?

-This is a pet pony, is it?

-

-This is Cerys's pony.

-He's just here.

-He looks nice!

-This one is bigger.

-Is he a horse for showjumping?

-I hope I can start

-competing with him next year.

-He's four years old.

-He's an Irish Sport Horse.

-We bought him...

-..three months ago.

-I'm letting him settle in

-before I start training him.

-Does he jump?

-Does he jump?

-

-Yes, he's done some jumping.

-But he's very young, so

-I don't want to push him too much.

-We don't want any injuries.

-How long have you been

-interested in horses?

-I started riding

-when I was ten years old.

-The horses Dad bought me

-were rather spirited...

-..in order to try to put me off,

-I think!

-But I coped with those horses

-and they didn't put me off!

-That's enough about horses.

-Are you at college?

-I graduated this year.

-What college did you attend?

-Aberystwyth.

-It was good.

-I did an course in education.

-I plan to find a job...

-..before returning to college

-to study for a PGCE qualification.

-I want to become a teacher.

-That's quite a mare.

-Yes, my best mare.

-When I moved

-from ponies to horses...

-..she was a step up.

-There's quite a difference

-between ponies and horses.

-Their strides are different.

-You have to measure distances

-before jumps.

-She was fantastic.

-A brilliant pony.

-The foal is pretty.

-Sired by a good stallion?

-Billy Congo -

-that's the sire's name.

-I met him at college!

-He's owned by William Funnell.

-He's a top man in the business.

-He's a top man in the business.

-

-Yes, I've seen William Funnell.

-He's a top man in the business.

-I hope she'll turn out well -

-that's the plan.

-You've left college,

-for the time being.

-You've got your degree.

-You have more time on your hands.

-I intend to train Timmy -

-that's the four-year-old.

-I intend to do more work,

-and enjoy myself.

-That's the plan.

-You have your parents' support,

-which is good...

-..and you have an ideal home.

-That counts for a lot,

-when you travel the world.

-Yes, I'm fortunate

-to have Mam and Dad's support.

-They're behind me 100%.

-Yes, Mam and Dad's support

-is important for any child.

-Maria, Alun's wife, is very proud

-of Ffion's successes over the years.

-She's always ready to help.

-I carry out ground training,

-as it's called.

-I look after the horses

-and clean the tack.

-Then she jumps on

-and does whatever she can.

-When she was in Aberystwyth, at

-college, she lived away from home.

-But the horses still had to be fed

-and kept fit.

-Were you responsible for that?

-Were you responsible for that?

-

-Yes, I did all the work.

-I hacked them and kept them fit.

-Generally,

-I think we've done a good job.

-Did you take part in showjumping

-when you were younger?

-I did some hunting,

-and jumping at minor shows...

-..but not at the same level

-as Ffion.

-It was just a hobby, for me.

-When Ffion said, "Mam, I'd like

-to jump," you encouraged her.

-Yes, 100%.

-She's lucky that we've been able

-to provide good horses.

-I rode mountain ponies,

-but she's getting the best horses.

-There are glorious views of the

-Tywi Valley from Alun's farm.

-He has 200 acres of land adjoining

-the farm belonging to his parents...

-..Mike and Nora Hemmings.

-Mike is well-known in the area

-as a sheepdog breeder.

-Alun and the family

-are lucky to have them nearby...

-..when business duties

-keep him away from home.

-I want to be able to hear you!

-I didn't imagine I'd meet you

-in such a lovely place.

-How are you?

-How are you?

-

-I'm very well, thanks.

-Yes, very good, thank you.

-We've had a feast of a time

-with the sun.

-It's a lovely day.

-I didn't believe it when you said

-you had land next door to home.

-And then I saw the dog man.

-That's right.

-You came up here some years ago,

-when you bought one of my dogs.

-Yes, I remember -

-you took every penny I had!

-I remember the day well.

-You had killed a pig, that day.

-You had killed a pig, that day.

-

-That's right.

-We had fresh spare ribs for lunch!

-Do you have many dogs?

-Not so many, these days, no.

-Not so many, these days, no.

-

-He just likes training them more.

-Everybody who knows

-says that's where the joy is.

-I'd like to put them in my pocket!

-I'd like to put them in my pocket!

-

-You have plenty of pockets!

-Brecknock Hill Cheviot rams...

-..are well-suited to the north

-Carmarthenshire landscape.

-They're Alun's favourites.

-He's a farmer's son, and it's fair

-to say that farming is in his blood.

-I wish I could be

-a full-time farmer.

-But that won't happen.

-Once you start buying things...

-..or whatever...

-..it won't happen,

-in current circumstances.

-You live within sight

-of your former home.

-Are you satisfied?

-Maybe I'll be living up there

-on the bank, in a year or two.

-And farming?

-And farming?

-

-With my parents living down here.

-Learn to live on less!

-That's right!

-S4C subtitles by Trosol Cyf.