Pennod 2 Gwesty Parc y Stradey

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-Llanelli - home of Sosban Fach,

-rugby and golf...

-..and a 4-star hotel

-that's the talk of the town.

-I'm here for a girls' night out.

-The partying never ends.

-They don't want to leave!

-And what goes on

-behind closed doors?

-Welcome to Y Gwesty.

-The morning rush

-has already begun...

-..with the usual welcoming,

-cleaning and preparing.

-For one girl, it's the most

-important day of her life.

-Debs and her team pull the stops out

-to make the room perfect.

-It's a bit of a rush

-because breakfast ends at 9.30am...

-..and the ceremony

-starts at 12.00pm.

-Buddug Thomas arrives with

-a whopping wedding cake worth 400.

-But the cake stand isn't secure.

-The stand isn't straight.

-As the cake gets taller,

-it will become lopsided.

-A wonky cake isn't a great start.

-It helps to have a secure stand, but

-sometimes things don't go to plan.

-We'll do our best.

-That would give any bride

-the heebie-jeebies.

-This needs to be resolved quickly.

-The bride was nervous this morning

-and didn't have much of an appetite.

-I told them just to enjoy the day.

-LAUGHTER

-It sounds as if Deb's advice

-has worked.

-There's no sign of any nerves now.

-Celebrations are underway

-in the bridal suite for Jordana.

-Friends of ours got married here

-six years ago.

-It was absolutely fabulous,

-and we loved it.

-Rarely a week goes by

-without a wedding at the hotel.

-This luxury room for getting ready

-is part of the wedding package.

-Jordana tongs her tresses as Buddug

-hatches a plan with the coffee cups.

-Now you see them...

-..now you don't!

-Years of watching Blue Peter

-has obviously paid off.

-Phew!

-I just need to do

-the finishing touches...

-..and then it'll be ready.

-The ceremony is fast approaching...

-..and everything must be

-perfect for the big day.

-There are other events

-scheduled for today.

-Mid-morning, a group of women

-from Burry Port Lifeboat Station...

-..drop in to discuss

-the RNLI's annual ball.

-Since opening the hotel...

-..the owner Angela Saunders

-has supported local charities.

-It was important to bring the hotel

-into the community.

-It's more than a building

-that you visit once a year.

-It had to become part of

-the community and had to integrate.

-Many local charities,

-such as the RNLI...

-..have supported us and worked

-with us over the years.

-Our relationship with this family

-goes back years.

-We used to visit them when

-they ran the Gwenllian restaurant.

-And now they've come here.

-The function room is lovely here.

-So is the atmosphere.

-The food is lovely too.

-Everything works out well.

-Mark is the hotel's

-events coordinator.

-He'll make sure

-the evening is a success.

-What time is the room

-available in the morning?

-It'll be available from 9.00am.

-Forward planning is essential

-or everything could go wrong.

-We need an estimate

-of the final number.

-They become friends

-as much as customers.

-They look to you for guidance...

-..since they don't see

-what goes on behind the scenes.

-That's it for now. We've got another

-meeting a week before the event.

-Last week, head chef Stuart

-had plenty on his plate.

-A meat order was late,

-so he had to collect it himself.

-But as they say,

-"If you can't stand the heat..."

-Stress over now.

-"..wear your pants to work."

-Stuart is serving a menu

-to some outspoken critics...

-..the staff.

-All the guys in here are allowed

-input into the menu.

-They come in with their ideas

-and leave with mine!

-Twenty different dishes

-and all sorts of ingredients.

-The crucial moment has arrived

-for the staff to sample the menu.

-Lesley is one of the critics.

-The chefs prepare everything.

-The starter, main course

-and dessert.

-We'll sample each dish.

-There's not much to lose

-by testing out food on the staff...

-..but the staff must have faith

-in the produce before serving it.

-In the Alexander Suite...

-..Mark makes sure everything

-is perfect for Jordana's day.

-This wedding has 76 guests.

-The biggest wedding I've done

-had 180 guests.

-Regardless of the wedding's size,

-the attention to detail is the same.

-It's a nice pleasure to get

-the fiddly bits out of the way.

-When the bride and groom walk in,

-they'll get the sense of occasion.

-There's not much

-you can add to this room.

-Everything is perfect.

-There's nothing to complain about.

-How will Stuart's menu be received?

-When the menu becomes available...

-..I'm able to recommend it

-because I've sampled it myself.

-We begin with a seafood crumble,

-potatoes and oat-crust topping...

-..served with baby courgettes

-and a saffron butter.

-A warm fig salad

-with chicken livers.

-Wild mushrooms on a bed of leaves.

-Not garden leaves.

-This isn't just any food...

-..but Stuart's food.

-I've just brushed my teeth, so...!

-Any objections... changes?

-My only one is chicken livers,

-but I don't like them.

-It was hard to swallow

-when someone from reception...

-..said they didn't like the food,

-but people like them might eat here.

-This is duck served with

-sauteed warm pears...

-..mixed beans, balsamic jus

-and a fondant potato.

-Everyone tucks into the meat

-like a bunch of cannibals.

-Why the long face, Hannah?

-I don't eat meat.

-A rosemary and olive-crusted lamb

-with sweet potato...

-Nothing to eat here.

-Breast of chicken with a braised...

-Nothing to eat here either.

-We all had a tiny piece,

-but I didn't like it.

-Everyone else liked it.

-It's fine if one person dislikes it,

-but not when it's ten people.

-Pan-fried scallops,

-black pudding...

-There's nothing here either.

-This is local bass.

-No, it's a clean sweep.

-We have to sample the menu, but it

-can prove to be difficult for me.

-Considering she doesn't eat meat

-and that the menu only had meat...

-..didn't she do well?

-The beefcake arrives in the style

-of a Reservoir Dog...

-..whilst Jordana

-is a vision of beauty...

-..as she glances around

-the reception room.

-It's fantastic and beautiful.

-I'm chuffed.

-As guests arrive,

-the nerves begin to take over...

-..but the gin might help calm them.

-The groom could do with a gin too.

-The tasting session

-has moved on to desserts...

-..and Hannah has something to try.

-But will everyone like

-the goat's cheese and honey tart?

-If you're not

-a lover of goat's cheese...

-..it's like you wouldn't eat marmite

-on toast if you didn't like it.

-If I can keep calm, Ron,

-you can eat goat's cheese!

-But not everyone

-likes goat's cheese.

-When they don't like something,

-it touches a nerve...

-..but everyone has their own taste,

-and that's fine.

-Does Stuart listen to

-everyone's comments?

-Sometimes!

-No, he does listen to us.

-Before going back to work,

-Lesley places them in order.

-I think I'd start

-with the smoked salmon...

-..followed by the sea bass

-and the goat's cheese cheesecake.

-That was a nice task. I'm full!

-The wedding room fills quickly as

-Jordana's big moment draws closer.

-Still to come...

-..at the RNLI ball, some guests have

-made more of an effort than others.

-Does everyone enjoy Stuart's menu?

-Does everyone enjoy Stuart's menu?

-

-I've got pie and chips.

-A celebration turns into

-a headache for Josh.

-It's Dad's 90th birthday.

-They don't want to leave!

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-Midsummer brings

-a season of visitors.

-Continental coaches

-full of keen tourists...

-..stay at the Stradey Park Hotel.

-The glorious beaches

-are a tourist attraction.

-Where there's a beach and people,

-you're sure to find a lifeboat.

-When not at sea, the Burry Port

-lifeboat crew welcome tourists.

-We've welcomed Swiss and Scottish

-people and many others from abroad.

-But they don't realize

-that our men are all volunteers.

-Fund-raising events are organized

-to provide the service...

-..such as the Annual Ball

-at the Stradey Park Hotel.

-The event raises a lot of money, and

-it's an occasion for us to enjoy.

-The committee,

-crew and fund-raisers...

-..all enjoy the evening together.

-It's odd to see the crew

-in dicky bows.

-Lifeboat boathouse, due south

-from Pwll cricket ground, over.

-Back on dry land, a special

-celebration draws to an end...

-..or so the staff thought.

-It's Dad's 90th birthday.

-He's 90 years old.

-Dad was born in Llanedi...

-..on 3 August 1924.

-Gwyn Evans and his lively family

-are served by Josh James...

-..who works here part-time.

-They've been here since midday...

-..so that's five hours in total.

-Everyone has enjoyed themselves.

-I didn't know anything about it.

-My children planned the whole event.

-Josh is accustomed to dealing with

-these types of parties.

-I've worked here

-since I was 18 years old.

-It's been five years.

-I studied Business at

-university in Carmarthen.

-I completed the course...

-..and now work at Ysgol Y Felin on a

-one-to-one basis with a young child.

-It's possible that everyone will be

-a year older before the party ends!

-They don't want to leave!

-They're clearly enjoying themselves.

-The tables must be cleared

-and relaid...

-..so Josh has to march them

-to the bar.

-I'll ask them to retire

-to the main bar.

-They can stay there

-for the entire night.

-Good luck with that plan, Josh.

-Wishful thinking!

-Outside the hotel...

-..the RNLI Ball

-is gaining momentum...

-..with fizzy pop, frills,

-frocks and dicky bows.

-But if they're all at the ball,

-who's left to take the call?

-Last year, we sat down to eat

-and our pagers went off.

-The boys left before having food.

-A crew of us jumped up

-and raced down to Burry Port.

-A boat was stranded in the fog.

-We came back, put our tuxes back on

-and sat down to eat.

-You've had about four, mate.

-It's a nice opportunity for us to

-celebrate our role at Burry Port...

-..and also to celebrate

-the existence of the RNLI.

-It's good to have this event. The

-lads can relax and enjoy themselves.

-Men don't relax as easily as women!

-I'm staying here tonight.

-It's girls' night out!

-I only live down the road!

-Watch out! Lock up your husbands!

-Gwyn Evans's party has relocated,

-but it's still in full swing.

-Hey!

-At least Josh and the team

-get a chance to relay the tables.

-It's non-stop for us.

-There can be six different events

-taking place here at the same time.

-Will everything be ready

-for this evening?

-Everyone's pitching in,

-so we'll be ready by 7.00pm.

-Gwyn Evans's guests leave the hotel

-having celebrated in style...

-..as the RNLI Ball gets underway.

-The hotel owner, Angela,

-is here to show her support.

-Is it a table for two this evening?

-Is it a table for two this evening?

-

-Yes, please.

-Come on through.

-The tables have been relaid for

-the restaurant to open its doors.

-The new menu has been available

-for a few days. Do people like it?

-Some people ask questions. If we

-can't answer, we just ask the chef.

-There we are, sir.

-How much does Debs need

-to know about the menu?

-Does she have to know every detail?

-I'm familiar with most of it,

-but it's still relatively new.

-The lamb is going down a storm.

-Delicious.

-The meat comes out pink...

-..so we have to make sure that

-everyone enjoys it this way.

-It doesn't matter how inviting the

-food looks, you can't win them all!

-I've got pie, chips and salad.

-I've got pie, chips and salad.

-

-Of course, you have.

-Diners also enjoy other plain dishes

-such as the mixed grill.

-Stuart will be delighted to know

-that the goat's cheese is a winner.

-It's good and different.

-It's quite special.

-This hotel is unique

-because it acts as a local pub...

-..for this group of men who've met

-here every Friday evening for years.

-The thing that connects us

-is probably our passion for rugby.

-It's formed our friendship.

-Ken, Byron, the two Hughs and Terry

-have had hours of enjoyment here.

-Hugh Richards's relationship

-with the hotel goes back 40 years.

-My wife and I

-attended the first opening...

-..of the Stradey Park Hotel.

-It was officially opened

-in June 1974.

-It was originally a mansion.

-It was originally a mansion.

-

-Yes, it was.

-Terry Davies is a former Llanelli

-rugby player and a familiar face.

-The hotel was also important to him,

-but for different reasons.

-I could have

-some peace and quiet here.

-When I became famous,

-I felt all eyes were upon me.

-This room allowed me

-to have some privacy.

-I'm able to put the world to rights

-on a Friday night.

-After meeting us, he realized

-he wasn't so important!

-People would come up to him

-and ask for his autograph.

-If you said "please" to him,

-he would sign it Terry Davies.

-If you didn't say "please",

-God only knows what you'd get!

-He'd sign it Mervyn Davies

-or Dai Davies!

-They've flocked from all over

-to dine at Samphires restaurant.

-Another bottle of Rioja, sir?

-They're a group of golfers

-from England.

-Which golf course have you been on?

-Which golf course have you been on?

-

-Pennard Golf Club.

-They've been at Pennard today.

-They're here for three nights. Last

-night, tonight and tomorrow night.

-Other people have come

-from further afield.

-We come from Switzerland

-and we are here for golf.

-How much French

-do they speak in Pontyberem?

-Little, little!

-"Je m'appelle Deborah". That's it!

-It helps to speak other languages,

-but my French is a bit limited.

-Write it down for me!

-We leave the comfort

-of the restaurant...

-..for the heat of the kitchen.

-Each course is ready to be served...

-..by the young staff

-who are keen to fulfil the task.

-"Be present at our table, Lord.

-Be here and everywhere adored.

-"Thy creatures bless, and grant we

-feast in Paradise with thee. Amen"

-Rub-a-dub, let's get some grub!

-We commence with 200 starters with

-a choice of mushrooms or fish cake.

-It demands organization to

-get them all out and piping hot.

-The main course is a fancy chicken

-served with posh vegetables.

-It's going down a treat,

-and everyone looks happy.

-The fish cake was lovely.

-I had the mushrooms

-and Delyth had the fish cake.

-Chicken and vegetables.

-Chicken and vegetables.

-

-It was tasty.

-Only the dessert course remains.

-I've spoken to everyone

-and their meals were delicious.

-The evening is certainly

-not over for the guests.

-Long may it continue!

-The chefs and kitchen staff

-tackle the washing up.

-Another meal will have to be

-cooked here within a few hours.

-This place hasn't always been

-a hive of activity.

-There were times when we were

-the only customers here.

-We were putting the cat out.

-It got to the point

-where there was no-one here.

-During the past few years...

-..the standard

-has dramatically improved.

-They've employed more young staff...

-..to serve the food and drinks.

-This place is important to us.

-It's our home on a Friday night.

-It's important to have a place

-where we can have peace and quiet.

-They also look after the locals.

-Happy days.

-Good memories.

-How much will the RNLI crew

-remember tomorrow?

-Fortunately, no-one had to leave

-and respond to an emergency call.

-But there were

-plenty of critical moves...

-..not to mention

-one or two troubling scenes!

-# You can dance, you can jive #

-A great night and no call-outs.

-A great night and no call-outs.

-

-Highlight of the year.

-I'm tired and ready for bed.

-The meal was tip-top.

-Thank you Stradey Park Hotel.

-It's late,

-but it's time to tidy up...

-..because more work awaits tomorrow.

-In next week's episode...

-..love blossoms

-at the reception desk.

-We've dated for six years.

-But there's no love lost

-in the kitchen.

-Oh, not you!

-A visit from the women of Penygroes.

-A visit from the women of Penygroes.

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-A nightmare for them!

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