Pennod 6 Loriau Mansel Davies a'i Fab

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-Mansel Davies is one of the

-most familiar names on our roads.

-You'll inevitably get stuck behind

-one of their 150 lorries.

-But have you ever wondered

-how milk reaches your Cornflakes?

-It's 28,000 litres

-which is more than I could stomach!

-That's only one full load.

-But it isn't the only thing

-they transport.

-It's bye, bye to Holland

-and hello to Belgium.

-Mansel Davies?

-The company is decades old and if

-Mansel wasn't holding the pencil...

-..he was certainly at the table

-when the first wheel was designed.

-Take pride in tailing

-these kings of the road...

-..because this series will prove

-that Mansel Davies was there first.

-It's an ungodly hour

-to be loading coal...

-..but Dorian is at Onllwyn

-at 7.30am.

-He's loading the duff for me

-to take to Immingham.

-It isn't as easy as filling a bucket

-and hoping for the best.

-Dorian is only legally allowed

-to carry a certain amount.

-The maximum load is 44 tonnes...

-..but I think we've put in too much!

-I'll put it on the weighbridge but I

-think I've gone over by half a ton.

-Yes, it is.

-It's over half a ton.

-It's back to the dump

-to ditch that half a ton.

-It's a bit slow.

-This is running a bit better

-but it's so wet.

-I can't open the big door

-or we'll drop four or five tonnes!

-How about a teaspoon, Dorian?

-It can't be far off now.

-That's it.

-I can cover it whilst it's here.

-He's loaded the lorry and emptied it

-of half a ton with his bare hands.

-And it isn't even 8.00am.

-That's it, Immingham here we come.

-He now has to drive to Immingham!

-Tipper trucks have been important

-in the history of the company.

-They were the first lorries

-that hauled grain, lime and coal.

-These days, they travel

-much further afield.

-Liverpool, Manchester, Hull.

-Some hauls are closer to home.

-Our small bulkers

-deliver to the farms.

-Dai Chips is responsible

-for the tipper trucks...

-..and finds things

-for them to carry back.

-He also ensures that the drivers

-know where to start and stop.

-He forgot to stop at the door!

-Hello?

-The door's over here.

-We tend to haul a lot of coal...

-..to places such as Hull.

-It's near the sugar factories

-so they bring back sugar beet...

-..because we only get paid

-when we carry a haul!

-Dorian has a 523-mile round trip.

-He leaves from this position...

-..loads in Merthyr...

-..travels to Ketton

-near Peterborough to tip there...

-..up to Newark

-and back to Llanboidy.

-It's like a jigsaw and

-you need to find the right pieces.

-It's quite easy.

-A child could do it!

-Eventually.

-Dorian is well on his way with his

-load and the yard springs to life.

-Jack Vaughan arrives to polish his

-van before delivering the spares.

-Good morning!

-These are heavy.

-Those are out

-and I can wash the van now.

-He won't have to carry those things

-or wash the van for much longer.

-Jack is retiring after 30 years!

-Yes, that's right.

-It wasn't long ago

-that I left school!

-My last day is coming.

-He's a good asset.

-He understands

-every inch of the job.

-He worked his way up

-through the ranks...

-..and driven long distance.

-He knows exactly what the job

-is all about and he's good at it.

-This is all the mess from yesterday.

-Yes, it is.

-It's odd when I think about it.

-Yes.

-But I've reached the stage

-where I've got to do it...

-..and let the young lads

-do some work.

-We like having a young workforce.

-A lot of companies don't give

-young people any opportunities.

-It isn't an easy industry

-to get into as a driver...

-..in terms of the insurance.

-But we bring in youngsters

-and train them up.

-The future of this industry lies

-in the hands of these young people.

-It's important to encourage them.

-A lot of our current workforce

-is under 25.

-In the past, you were an apprentice

-and learnt on the job.

-These days,

-you need people with various skills.

-They need to know their way

-around a computer...

-..because it's getting

-very high-tech.

-I've seen a lot of changes

-from when I started 60 years ago.

-It's so complicated as the computers

-and laptops do all the work.

-I don't understand them.

-I can plug them in

-to see what's wrong...

-..but the technicians understand it.

-The laptop can diagnose the problem

-but it doesn't fix it.

-The lads still need

-to fix it themselves.

-It tells you about the brakes

-and when they should be changed.

-You have to do it yourself because

-no computer can align your brakes!

-No computer can deliver parts

-around the country either.

-I'll take these out first.

-I was a driver for 27 years.

-Someone in Swansea said I wasn't

-fit enough to hold an HGV licence.

-That person hadn't even met me.

-They looked at a computer screen

-and decided, "that's it!"

-I had a heart attack when I was 47.

-I'd go for an MOT every three years

-and everything was fine.

-I reached a certain age...

-..they changed my tablets...

-..and that was the end of it.

-I can drive a van, carry all this

-weight but I can't steer a lorry!

-That's done.

-I'd better write the addresses

-on them or I'll forget.

-I do miss it.

-I'd love to jump in a lorry now

-and take a haul to Spain.

-I enjoyed it.

-It isn't a job but a way of life.

-That's what it is.

-Good then, boys.

-Good then, boys.

-

-Good, Jack.

-It's hard enough to get an MOT

-for the car...

-..but that's nothing

-compared to 150 lorries!

-You'll be glad to know that

-all of them are tested annually.

-The solution

-for Mansel Davies was easy.

-They set up their own MOT testing

-centre but what is it called?

-We have our own ATF.

-We test our own lorries and trailers

-so we don't have to send them away.

-An independent tester

-who's employed by the DVSA...

-..is with us

-every Monday and Friday.

-We have an extra day on a Wednesday

-if we've taken a lot of bookings.

-A lorry needs to pass a lot of tests

-before it's deemed road-worthy.

-You need to check

-the manufacturer's VTGB 6 plate...

-..that tells you the registration.

-And over here,

-I press the foot brake...

-..and check for any air leaks.

-There's also the steering.

-The lights.

-We check all the lights.

-Next, we move to the side.

-There's a plate on the lorry

-that contains the chassis number.

-It's spot on. Everything is fine.

-Next, it's over the pit to inspect

-the axle and shaker plates.

-There's a lot of pressure in that.

-Look at what it's doing to the tyre.

-Did you see that?

-Give it a shake.

-The handbrake is applied

-so we need to check here.

-Can you see that?

-Nothing is moving.

-We check the kingpins.

-In and out.

-That's both sides.

-Nothing is moving there.

-When I'm happy with everything,

-we move out to the light checker.

-There's a laser in here.

-It's used to make sure

-this is straight to start.

-That's fine.

-We can move it over.

-The laser sits in the centre

-of the bulb so that we can check it.

-Can you see that blue line?

-It should be below the blue line.

-A spin on the brake rollers and

-another lorry is fit for the road.

-That's it. The test is over.

-The brake test

-and everything is done.

-I can print this out now.

-It comes out down here.

-The tester goes back to the office

-with the brake results.

-You fill in the forms

-and get the pass certificate.

-Some 250 miles later and

-Dorian has reached his first stop.

-Let's open the back.

-Coal duff is the remnants

-of the mining industry.

-It isn't the best produce

-but all that remains.

-This will be burnt

-in local power stations.

-But there's one important task

-before he can continue.

-I need to clean up this filth.

-Look at the mess.

-It takes forever to clean them out.

-I could spend an hour

-with a brush...

-..at a truck stop

-and waiting for it to dry.

-It's too slimy to brush out...

-..but isn't wet enough

-to use the squidgy to get it out.

-There's nothing for it...

-..but to climb into the back to use

-the squidgy brush and elbow grease.

-We'll get it dry now.

-If not, the stuff from the wheat

-distillers will stick to the floor.

-And we won't be able to unload it.

-It also causes dampness in the haul.

-Dorian has filled the lorry,

-emptied some of it...

-..driven 250 miles

-to unload the whole haul...

-..washed and dried the inside

-of the trailer...

-..and is nowhere near

-to the end of his shift!

-At the yard, everyone's talking

-about the local chart topping song.

-I'll be back tomorrow.

-We leave you with the unique sound

-of the Welsh Whisperer.

-Enjoy his song, Loris Mansel Davies

-and goodnight.

-# In the village of Llanfyrnach,

-I bid farewell to the moon

-# I throw on the overalls

-on a chilly morning #

-The something Whisperer.

-I first heard of it after

-Sasha showed it to me on Facebook.

-It's catchy, light-hearted

-and a bit of fun.

-It shows that people notice us.

-# In the villages of the world #

-It's quite good.

-It's a bit of a hit with us.

-Everyone's singing it.

-Dai Chips is a bass.

-Rhodri's a tenor...

-..so I must sing soprano!

-# You can blow your horn

-# I'm a Mansel Davies lorry

-and there's no passing me #

-It's quite good, it sticks in your

-head and we can't stop singing it!

-# I help the Welsh police

-and the traffic cops of the world

-# By making sure the speed freaks

-and everyone stays at a low speed #

-Not every company wants a song

-about them but it's fine and good.

-.

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-Dorian is loading his second haul

-of the day.

-It's cake but he can't draw breath

-let alone eat cake!

-We're heading back to dear Wales.

-I'll unload this so that Russell

-can deliver it to the farms...

-..and then I can have

-a weekend at home.

-He deserves a break.

-This is the latest venture

-for Mansel Davies.

-Stephen's son runs the cake mixing

-and distributing company.

-It's cattle feed and

-we took it over a few months ago.

-Cake is cattle feed.

-It's made up of

-some core ingredients...

-..that are mixed together

-to give the finished product.

-It's fed to the cattle

-through the winter and summer.

-We have 14 bays...

-..that contain barley,

-sugar beet and soya.

-We've got everything.

-It all depends

-on the needs of the cattle.

-It should be high in protein if

-the silage is poor over the winter.

-It depends on the herd

-and their requirements.

-Jack Vaughan needs a reliable watch!

-He's late because everyone's out

-to wish him well on his last day.

-It's my last day.

-It's my last day.

-

-Yes, it's come around quickly.

-How long have I known you?

-It must be 40 years!

-It's a present for you.

-Merry Christmas!

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-

-No problem at all.

-Look at that.

-Call in for a cuppa

-when you're passing.

-Yes, I will.

-With his van clinking

-like a brewery's lorry...

-...he heads to Temple Bar

-for his final stop.

-How are you, lads?

-How are you, Will?

-You don't have to talk to me!

-Here you go, Jack.

-I've got a sponge for you.

-Is there a knife

-so that we can have a slice?

-I'll sort something out.

-I'll sort something out.

-

-Good boy!

-I'll have to go in ten minutes

-before it gets dark.

-I'll cut it all up.

-I'll cut it all up.

-

-Yes, and that's a good start.

-You can have the biggest slice.

-You can have the biggest slice.

-

-I've got it!

-I haven't got any plates.

-Thank you.

-Did the misses make it?

-Did the misses make it?

-

-No, it's from the shop.

-It's shop bought.

-Oh!

-For once in his career,

-he doesn't have to rush.

-Oh, that's good.

-I think I'll sit down.

-It's my last time here.

-Feeding time at the zoo!

-Back on the yard,

-the animal feed has been mixed.

-Tonight, the cattle will eat cake!

-What does it take to be a driver?

-It's the ideal job

-if you enjoy driving.

-It's ideal if you enjoy driving.

-There's something about this job.

-You can't seem to let go.

-When I started, I didn't expect

-to be doing this for long...

-..but the last 42 years

-have flown by!

-If I stick with them

-until I can retire...

-..and work an extra year then I will

-have been with them for 50 years.

-My father

-and six brothers worked there.

-No, five brothers

-because I'm the sixth!

-I don't know what I could do

-if I packed it all in.

-I'd be a pilot

-to try something different.

-It's never too late!

-But, no. I don't think so.

-I don't like heights!

-I'll put it in gear

-and we can unload it.

-The air builds up and then

-it pushes the cake through the tube.

-There's an incredible amount

-of pressure in there...

-..to push the cake through the pipe.

-Job done!

-It's my last job of the day.

-Jack Vaughan's day and career

-comes to an end...

-..as he shows the lads in Temple Bar

-his collection of photographs.

-That's a T reg

-so it must have been about 1978.

-You took your camera everywhere.

-You took your camera everywhere.

-

-Yes, I did.

-It was a small one.

-I've got a good one now

-but no lorries!

-You look young here.

-You look young here.

-

-Yes, young and foolish.

-These were taken in Spain,

-Belgium and Holland.

-Those two were in France

-and that was in Germany.

-Interesting times.

-Interesting times.

-

-Yes, very interesting.

-You must have fond memories.

-Yes, definitely.

-I'd better go because

-you've got customers waiting.

-See you again.

-See you again.

-

-I'll see you at the shows.

-We've got something small for you

-for your retirement, Jack.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

-Open it to show everyone.

-This is going to be

-some kind of a joke.

-I knew it.

-It's empty!

-It says "Good luck Jack

-from everyone in Temple Bar."

-I'm surprised I got anything

-as there's a Cardi and a Gog!

-Thank you very much.

-You had a cake.

-You had a cake.

-You had a cake.

-

-Yes, I did.

-HORN

-Jack drives into the sunset

-and it marks the end of an era...

-..but the wheels of Mansel Davies

-will turn for many generations.

-I hope it has a future.

-It's up to them.

-They can do what they like.

-Stephen, Sian, Sasha and Scott

-can do what they please.

-I hope it continues

-as long as they love it.

-The company has survived for years

-and we've built it up.

-We're in the countryside and feel

-that we're important to the area.

-We hope to keep it going.

-Sasha is home at the moment and

-Scott is showing an interest too.

-It would be good

-if they decided to keep it running.

-It's their decision

-if they want to do something else.

-They don't have to stay but it's

-likely that they'll come back here.

-Hello, Mansel Davies.

-I'd like to run the business

-and for it to expand.

-Scott has a head for mechanics.

-I hope he'll run the garages

-and I'll look after the transport.

-We'll run the business together.

-She can run the transport side

-and I'll be in the garages.

-She's always going to think

-that she's the main boss...

-..but let me say that

-she won't be in charge of me!

-Strong leadership is essential

-but so is a reliable workforce.

-Jack returns for the last time

-and there's respect from both sides.

-That's it.

-It's come to an end.

-I've got to show them this.

-That goes in there.

-It shows where I've been today.

-Amen!

-Jack?

-There's one more thing.

-Sorry that Dad can't be here

-to give you this.

-It's a gold watch for all your years

-of service and support.

-It's engraved on the back for John,

-which is your name and not Jack!

-This is a gold watch for you and

-I hope you enjoy it for many years.

-I hope you remember us

-when you wear it.

-Thank you for everything, Jack.

-Thank you for everything, Jack.

-

-Thank you.

-Sorry, lads.

-Everyone who works here

-is responsible for our success.

-They are a part of what we are.

-They wash the lorries,

-drive or work in the office.

-We're all important.

-I'm proud that everyone here

-feels part of this one unit.

-They are all part of the company.

-Yes, lads. Good.

-Thank you very much.

-Goodbye, Jack.

-Goodbye, Jack.

-

-Goodbye.

-Bye, Jack.

-Bye, Jack.

-

-Ta-ra.

-Don't feel flat.

-This is meant to be a celebration

-of a successful company...

-..that has served Wales and

-the community for over 140 years.

-It's a prestigious time

-and long live Mansel Davies.

-Mansel Davies?

-# Everyone hears my name

-and it tends to follow a curse

-# It's on the tip of everyone's

-tongue but that isn't fair

-# This is an important job

-as we carry cargo too and fro

-# Upsetting the tired tourists

-in their touring campervans

-# You can rev your engine

-and flash your lights

-# Moan and wave your arms

-as you do with a passing caravan

-# I'm the king of the road

-so blow your horn for all to hear

-# I'm a Mansel Davies lorry

-and there's no passing me #

-S4C Subtitles by Tinopolis

-.