0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:01- 888- - 888
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- 888
0:00:18 > 0:00:22- Sir Williams-Ellis' dream became - reality when he built Portmeirion.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27- Maintaining the village then - became an immediate necessity.
0:00:28 > 0:00:33- Over 250,000 tourists visit - the village every year...
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- ..either for one day or overnight.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- Its shops appeal to all visitors...
0:00:41 > 0:00:45- ..and its name is now synonymous - with the world-famous crockery.
0:00:46 > 0:00:51- More people have heard about - the place through the crockery...
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- ..than through any other medium.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58- The crockery does originate - from the village...
0:00:58 > 0:01:03- ..as my parents were responsible - for the shops in the village...
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- ..during the '50s and '60s.
0:01:08 > 0:01:14- My mother designed the crockery - to be produced by other companies.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19- The village is the - crockery's spiritual home.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25- Robin's mother began designing - the crockery in the late '50s...
0:01:25 > 0:01:29- ..and she continues to play - an important role in the business.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33- We were trying to run the shop - and we couldn't get anything.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- It was just plain white, - utility stuff.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39- So my father said...
0:01:39 > 0:01:44- .."I used to have a friend, Mr Grey - who ran Grey's Pottery in Stoke."
0:01:44 > 0:01:46- He made plates for the hotel.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- He said, "Why don't you try them?"
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- We'd been making pottery - for the shop at Portmeirion...
0:01:54 > 0:01:58- ..in the late '50s - as a hole-in-corner business.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04- When we tried to get more out of - them and opened a shop in London...
0:02:04 > 0:02:08- ..we were very bad - at ever delivering anything...
0:02:08 > 0:02:13- ..so we thought - we'd better try and buy them.
0:02:14 > 0:02:20- They eventually decided to buy - Grey's old pottery in Stoke...
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- ..and change the name - to Portmeirion...
0:02:24 > 0:02:29- ..as most of the produce - was being sold in the village.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- They then began to sell wholesale.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38- In the light of that, - the situation changed in 1972...
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- ..as the venture - was a complete success.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48- It continues to represent - half of their sales...
0:02:49 > 0:02:54- ..so the business expanded - a great deal at that time.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59- Today, it is a much larger business - than the original village...
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- ..but the connection remains - the same through the marketing.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08- Botanic Garden took up - so much room...
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- ..that there wasn't much room - for anything else.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- My grandmother - had a dessert service...
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- ..with a different painting - on each plate.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24- I thought, "Why can't people - have that sort of thing now?"
0:03:30 > 0:03:35- She wanted to design for a wider - market - industrial designing.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- She wanted to see - every day crockery...
0:03:40 > 0:03:42- ..designed in such a way...
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- ..that they became - beautiful in themselves.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- Susan's very much at the helm.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- She puts her signature - on everything that we do...
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- ..the designs, the basic design - or the shapes and the colours.
0:04:11 > 0:04:16- She's always been an inspiration - although we have other designers.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27- Susan kept us going because of her - originality and flair for designs.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33- Even if things were not very well - made, they always looked nice.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- Susan designed a wide range - of crockery...
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- ..and is responsible - for all the patterns.
0:04:42 > 0:04:48- Thanks to Susan, the standard has - improved immensely over the years.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51- I usually do a drawing first.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- The one I'm doing - on the lathe now...
0:04:55 > 0:05:00- ..is a tall jug to go with this - coffee pot I did ages ago...
0:05:00 > 0:05:05- ..which I was stopped from doing - much to my rage!
0:05:05 > 0:05:09- I don't do drawings - much better than that...
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- ..otherwise you follow them - too closely.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17- You've got to think - what the thing is in the round.
0:05:17 > 0:05:23- So far, I've turned practically - all of the shapes that we use.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- God knows how many that is!
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- The factory is in an area...
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- ..traditionally associated - with pottery - Stoke-on-Trent.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- This is a traditional - pottery producing area...
0:05:52 > 0:05:58- ..so the people in the area - have the skills to do the work.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- There are also local companies - supporting this.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08- Working in a factory might not - suit everyone in Wales.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- But the tradition - here is very strong...
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- ..and is reflected in the way - people take to the work.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- The clay arrives in a tanker...
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- ..and is used in both - solid and liquid form.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34- Solid clay is used to create - ordinary shapes such as mugs...
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- ..with all the handles - added by hand.
0:06:37 > 0:06:42- This clay is also used to make - plates and bowls of all shapes.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50- All unusual shapes are made - using wet clay and moulds.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- This is how teapots and - salt & pepper cellars are made.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04- She's still designing and designed - the new 'Seasons' collection.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- After forming the shapes, - pieces are dried and cleaned...
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- ..then baked hard - before being cleaned again.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22- The next part of the process - is the colouring...
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- ..before the pieces - are returned to the oven.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- People were astounded - by the new collection...
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- ..as it's unlike - the Portmeirion of the past.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- It would be difficult to guess - who is responsible for it.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- The piece is now ready - for the pattern.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51- Some patterns are placed by machine - and others are hand-finished.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- Great care must be taken to ensure - that each one is perfect.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- The pieces are then - fired one last time...
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- ..and once cooled, - taken to quality control.
0:08:10 > 0:08:16- Only the perfect pieces are boxed - for world-wide distribution.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- As well as patterns and shapes...
0:08:20 > 0:08:26- ..they are also busy developing - a substantial Visitors' Centre.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- This is to take advantage - of the fact...
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- ..that so many people - come to Stoke to buy seconds.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- Other factories here - have Visitors' Centres.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- The Portmeirion factory itself - has a shop on site...
0:08:44 > 0:08:49- ..but we want to develop a dining - area, information centre...
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- ..and a permanent exhibition.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- There will also be a larger shop.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- The produce, of course, - must be marketed and sold.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- A good place to do this - is at Birmingham's Trade Show...
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- ..a three day event held - at the beginning of each year.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- This is- the- major event for us...
0:09:14 > 0:09:19- ..for showing our products - to consumers and to the public.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- We've got a new range here...
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- ..and it's been - a tremendous success so far.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- It was a wonderful opportunity - to exhibit the pottery...
0:09:31 > 0:09:33- ..and to introduce the new design...
0:09:33 > 0:09:38- ..that differs a little from the - traditional Portmeirion patterns.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- Everyone expects to see flowers...
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- ..but these leaves and seeds - are very different.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57- Like every business, the designs - must change from time to time...
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- ..to meet the needs of the market.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- 'Seasons' reflects a young, - fashionable way of life...
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- ..with the wider range of pottery - and additional pieces...
0:10:09 > 0:10:14- ..ensuring that every meal - is a special one.
0:10:25 > 0:10:26- 888
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- This is generally - a quiet time at Portmeirion...
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- ..yet one of the busiest times - of year for the shops...
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- ..as this is Europe's - biggest show for purchasing.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- Order 24 so that you get - six of each design.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- I'd say that about 90% - of the things you'll see in shops...
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- ..throughout the year - have been chosen here this week.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- The village shops have become - an attraction in their own right.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35- This is the Ship Shop - - the village's main shop.
0:11:37 > 0:11:42- It sells all sorts of goods, from - children's toys to cosmetics...
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- ..and Portmeirion pottery, - of course.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54- There is a wide selection of goods - here - glassware and pottery...
0:11:54 > 0:11:59- ..kitchen furniture and all sorts - of products for bathrooms.
0:12:03 > 0:12:09- The Golden Dragon sells books, - postcards and greeting cards...
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- ..and what about Pot Jam, - with its delicious Welsh products?
0:12:16 > 0:12:21- After walking around the shops, - you can relax at the Beauty Salon.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- We're in the new Beauty Salon.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31- We offer hairdressing, massage, - manicures and pedicures.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37- We can also do eyelash tints - and eyebrow shapes.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- All the products help you - to feel relaxed.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- Every shop is refitted regularly...
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- ..and last year, it was the turn - of The Prisoner Shop.
0:13:11 > 0:13:18- This is where the shelves will be, - fitted to the curve of the wall.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- There will be computers - beneath each of the windows...
0:13:24 > 0:13:30- ..with access to the Internet and - information about 'The Prisoner'.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36- The door is here and the other - window can be opened.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41- The shelves will continue - around here, alongside the counter.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- This door will be sealed - and the window replaced...
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- ..with the doors - from 'The Prisoner'.
0:13:54 > 0:13:59- After weeks of hard work, - the shop began to take shape.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- I did tell you we are only local.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- The charge is two units.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19- The charge is two units.- - Units?
0:14:19 > 0:14:21- The charge is two units.- - Units?- - Credit units.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- Pay me next time - be seeing you!
0:14:38 > 0:14:43- Welcome to you all here today - and thank you for coming.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- It is appropriate that we open - The Prisoner Shop today...
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- ..on the 12th of the 6th month.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- Good morning, - it's another beautiful day.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- Your attention please - - here are two announcements.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- Ice-cream is now on sale - for your enjoyment.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- The flavour of the day - is strawberry.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24- There is a possibility of light, - intermittent showers later.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- Thank you for your attention.
0:15:37 > 0:15:43- I first heard about it by a - gentleman from the Labour Exchange.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48- He came around and was asking - for extras to appear in the film.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- We were all quite excited about it.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59- We didn't know what the film was - about or anything about it at all.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04- We didn't know what it contained - or what was going on in it.
0:16:05 > 0:16:11- I was the First Assistant - to the First Unit on 'The Prisoner'.
0:16:12 > 0:16:19- My job - was to dress and help the locals...
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- ..who were here.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- I was given a call sheet - every night...
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- ..to tell me what I would be doing - on the following day.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35- No-one really knew what they were - doing - it was a bit of a mix-up.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40- As time went on, - it began to gel together...
0:16:40 > 0:16:44- ..and we understood - what they were doing.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- Finding this village - and filming the series...
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- ..was a vision for Pat McGoohan.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- I was mainly in the crowd scenes, - riding the bicycle...
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- ..with the canopy above, around the - village, in the square and so on.
0:17:03 > 0:17:09- I was in the crowd scenes, in the - voting scenes shouting 'number 6'..
0:17:09 > 0:17:15- ..twirling umbrellas around, up and - down in the air, voting number 6.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- Mainly those two scenes really.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- Beautiful day!
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- They didn't settle for ages, now - they wouldn't leave for the world.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- I played a swimmer, - a stunt man for Patrick McGoohan...
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- ..and I also looked after - the black cat.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- I was one of the extras.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- We had some great fun - and good wages!
0:17:49 > 0:17:54- The black cat looked out to sea - when Patrick McGoohan...
0:17:54 > 0:17:59- ..'The Prisoner' had escaped - and tried to bring him back.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- You see the cat - peeping over the parapet.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- It was hard work - getting her to do that.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- The cat was here - for about three weeks...
0:18:11 > 0:18:16- ..but she was killed by a car - after she left.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- We came in at 8.00am every day...
0:18:21 > 0:18:26- ..not knowing what on earth we - would have to do on that day.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31- We were very excited, especially - if you had to wear a bikini!
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- We used to pray it wouldn't rain!
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- It was cold - - we turned blue in our bikinis!
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- I was much younger then!
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- If we had any clothes, like - the clothes I'm wearing today...
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- ..which are the clothes - I wore in 'The Prisoner'...
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- ..then we could wear these clothes - in the film...
0:18:54 > 0:18:59- ..but they did provide - capes and some umbrellas.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14- I've borrowed a copy of 'Y Cymro' - dated September 15th, 1966.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- I'll read you a small extract.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22- "Portmeirion is a strange, - terrible place these days.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- "If it were not for - the television cameras...
0:19:27 > 0:19:32- ..you'd think that the people - had lost their minds!
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- "The plot is completely secret...
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- ..and about 55 locals are helping - to produce the film".
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- It's wonderful to see - some of them here today.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- The shop was opened - by Lord Elis-Thomas...
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- ..Presiding Officer to the - National Assembly for Wales.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- The celebrations lasted all day - with Champagne drunk in abundance!
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- It was also a great opportunity - to meet old friends.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11- Patrick McGoohan was very sweet - although he had a lot on his mind.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- He talked to us every day.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18- Some thirty of us came in every - day, tripping over everything!
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- He was a lovely man.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- He was a very religious man.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48- He went to mass every morning, - before going to work.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52- He was a devout Catholic...
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- ..and kept his problems to himself.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- He didn't suit everyone...
0:21:03 > 0:21:09- ..but he was always fair - and was a great deal of fun.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15- He wrote the scripts and didn't - get to bed on several nights.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20- We would come in at 8.00am and he'd - be drinking coffee, still writing.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- He'd say that they were going - to change everything.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- I'm sure he suffered agonies - thinking about it all.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- He was very sweet.
0:21:33 > 0:21:38- I'd say that the scheme was about - ten years ahead of its time.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- We didn't understand it.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47- We understood some of it - but not what McGoohan wanted us to.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- We were only given a certain amount - of information.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57- I think I'd enjoy watching it more - today than I enjoyed making it.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02- It's just one of those - one-off experiences.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- It was exciting and I didn't think - this would happen.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- I didn't think it would snowball - into anything as big and exciting.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- It was great fun.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18- The time in Portmeirion was very - special to those who worked here.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25- There was a feeling of working - on something memorable.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- The Prisoner Shop is full of - memorabilia from the series.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39- They serve to remind us of the - series which is eternally popular.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- Join us again next week for our - final programme on Portmeirion...
0:22:51 > 0:22:55- ..when we'll learn about the - building work at Deudraeth Castle.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01- Portmeirion's restaurant - is as famous as the village.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- How do they prepare - for a big event...
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- ..like last year's Millennium Eve?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30- Subtitles for S4C by AGENDA