Mary, Mel and Sue's Big Christmas Thank You


Mary, Mel and Sue's Big Christmas Thank You

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Across Britain, at this time of year, everyday heroes

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go beyond the call of duty to care for their communities.

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I call us the little volunteer army.

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Ah, thank you very much.

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Now to do our bit. The two of us are reuniting with a very dear friend.

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Bezza!

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It's lovely to be back. The threesome.

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We're in the Welsh Valleys to deliver a big thank-you...

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-Morning!

-Oh, my God!

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To a very special person...

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We go above and beyond every day.

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It's a stressful job she's got.

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..and her gang of big-hearted helpers.

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Mary Berry's here!

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Oh, my God!

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Did you see my face?

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I was like...

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We've got three days to organise the ultimate Christmas party.

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Christmas is coming to Pentre.

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It's going to be absolutely mega.

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With Mary Berry on food duty, we can't go wrong.

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Operation Turkey, off you go!

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CHEERING

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I've never been judged by Mary Berry before.

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Run, run, run!

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And we'll be giving a thank-you gift that's built to last.

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THEY GASP

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Oh, my God!

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-This is just the beginning.

-Pentre deserves this.

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It's perfect.

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No-one does Christmas like you.

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MUSIC: Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms

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-Do you know what the national speed limit is?

-Yes, I do, it's 60.

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Do you think it's the same as Germany?

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I've known you for nearly 30 years

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and you've never gotten into second gear.

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I think you think the gears are decorative.

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There's nothing like a road trip to put the two of us

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in the festive mood.

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We've got the tinsel, we've got a few bits and bobs,

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a few surprises in the boot.

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I'm sitting on a couple of reindeer antlers,

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which, I have to say, is keeping me very awake.

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And this year we're planning a very "Mary" Christmas.

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Feels like we're missing somebody.

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There's room in the back. There's a little...a little nook.

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I think we could probably go for one more.

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-Bezza!

-You got here safely.

-Come on, Bezza, in.

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Hello, darling!

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It's very, very good that you wore such a vivid coat, Bez.

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-I know.

-I can't reach you!

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-So nice to see you, Bez.

-It's lovely to be back. The threesome.

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-Oh, the touch.

-I would like all hands on the wheel, please, Sue.

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Buckle up, Bezzie, because there's some hills coming.

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Well, you've certainly made an effort

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with all the Christmas decorations.

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This is how we normally roll with this, Bez. Always.

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We're in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales, to give a wonderful group

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of people a big Christmas surprise.

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What are you going to wear, Bez? A bit of glitter?

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I thought I ought to have a bit of glitter and sparkle.

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-Are we nearly there yet?

-We're not quite there yet.

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We're heading to the village of Pentre to surprise a local hero.

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She thinks she's being filmed about the work she's been

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doing in her community.

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Over the last few years, we've lost so much.

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We've lost our library, butcher's,

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both banks have closed, the school.

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In Pentre, I think life is a little bit tougher than other places.

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It's become run down since the coal mines and stuff have gone.

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We have high unemployment, we have low-income families.

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The heart of Pentre has been taken out.

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It used to be a lovely village.

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We've lost so much, but that's never stopped us, you know,

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we are a community of fighters.

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When Buffy spotted yet another abandoned building,

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she decided it was time to do battle for the people of Pentre.

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We needed a focal point for everybody to meet.

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When I saw the "For Sale" sign, then I thought,

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"Right, we're going to fight for that.

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"We will do it, and we will achieve it."

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After a well-fought campaign,

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Buffy convinced the council to hand over the keys.

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She begged and borrowed funding, scrubbed floors,

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painted walls and opened the doors.

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It's become important in a way that I never thought it would.

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Buffy's centre is now a lifeline for all ages.

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Without a school in the village, the kids club keeps friends together.

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When the centre opened, it was somewhere we could go

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and play with our friends, see them again, so we wouldn't be as sad.

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And bingo keeps the pensioners happy.

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-On its own, number seven.

-Seven!

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Among the first through the door were Pentre matriarchs

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Marion and Eira.

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-Oh, dear!

-LAUGHTER

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If the centre wasn't open, there would be nowhere to go.

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-We're all widows.

-Yeah.

-Children are all grown up and everything.

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It's better to be sitting in a room down there talking to people

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than sitting in the house saying nothing to nobody

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or just talking to yourself or the cat.

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We know that some of 'em survive on their pensions.

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We are the first point of contact.

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That cup of tea could mean the world to somebody.

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Pentre's pensioners were quick to make use of the centre,

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and youngsters like 16-year-old Daf soon followed.

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-You just came to bingo with me one day, didn't you?

-Yeah.

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-And then...

-And just stayed and, you know, didn't go home.

-It's true.

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Daf is just 16 and he's finding his feet.

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Mucking in at the centre has given him a boost.

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-HE LAUGHS

-I knew I shouldn't have done that!

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Do you want me to put all these balls in disinfectant?

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Everything's got to be perfect with Daf.

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He's forever washing and hoovering.

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He's a really big help.

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The centre has, like, changed me a lot.

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It's made me, like, confident.

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Do you need your nails done, Margaret?

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The centre gives everybody a bit of hope, really.

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The centre is so popular it's open all hours,

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and it relies on donations and the hard graft of local volunteers.

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They're absolutely the best kind of people.

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They come along and help out,

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bucket collecting or raffles or anything.

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They're brilliant. A real important part of the centre.

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And Buffy's right-hand woman is local mum Lynne.

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Did anybody order a plain cheese toastie?

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They do tease me about my cooking. I am, I've got to admit,

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hands up, I'm a shocking cook. I am.

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I always have been.

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This is why Lynne is not allowed in the kitchen.

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It's well done!

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Catering might be off limits for Lynne, but Christmas is coming

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and although money is tight...

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Ah, thank you very much. Thank you.

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..the centre doors will be open

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and they'll be putting on a Christmas spread.

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You feel for people come round at Christmas time now.

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We try to do a lot with very little,

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anything for a family to survive over Christmas.

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Thank you very much.

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I feel responsible for everybody in Pentre, I think! I know it's stupid.

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Little does Buffy know that this year, she won't be doing it alone.

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Us three muppets are on our way with a surprise offer of help

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to throw a big community Christmas bash.

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They spend their entire days doing good for other people

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and I would love it to just come in and do some good for them.

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Bez, any Christmas treats up your sleeve?

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-Mince pies and turkeys.

-Oh, yes.

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Oh, it's lovely to be the three of us. I love it.

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Here we are. We're here.

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HORN HONKS

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Thank you, Bezzie.

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Amazing.

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We're keeping Queen B under wraps for now,

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and while she heads off to get the party food plans underway,

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we're heading to the centre.

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We should have the party on the last day.

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Let's go now.

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The gang have no idea we're about to gate-crash.

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It's Monday morning and they're busy planning

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for their Christmas get-together.

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Let's talk about the food, then.

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-We've got ham, cheese, sausage rolls...

-Hot turkey rolls.

-Oh, yeah.

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Hopefully we'll give them the shock of their lives.

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-WHISPERS:

-Go undercover, mate. Go undercover. We mustn't be seen.

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Marshmallows, chocolate fingers.

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Who's going to do Father Christmas?

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Morning.

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-Hello.

-Hello.

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-Oh, my God!

-Oh, my God!

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-Anyone for a cup of tea?

-I'll put a brew on.

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You haven't come to judge anybody's cooking, have you?!

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-You must be Lynne.

-How do you know?

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I have my spies, Lynne. Hello, darling.

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Can we pull up a chair and join you?

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There is a Christmas do in the offing.

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We've basically come to volunteer our services

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and see how we can help.

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What we need to do is help you make this the best party ever.

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-Shall I take notes?

-Yeah.

-I'm going to be secretary.

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Can we just go home, then?

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LAUGHTER

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You should have seen my face.

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I was, like...

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I was thinking to myself, "Hang on now a minute, Lynne."

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I really can't believe it. I got no words.

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We've got a few surprises up our sleeve,

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but if we're to get this right,

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we need to know what's expected of Buffy's community bash.

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Tell us about this party. How many people have you got coming?

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There's about 60.

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What kind of age range?

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From birth all the way up to 93.

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So who's chief chef?

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Oh, Lynne is.

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-Oh, no!

-LAUGHTER

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Lynne is frightened of butter.

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-When you say "frightened"...

-Oh, yeah, seriously frightened.

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So if I put butter here, what would be your reaction?

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-Oh, no...

-You've seen it. Even pretend butter, she was flinching?

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We call Lynne Can't Cook, Won't Cook.

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I'm so overwhelmed because nobody ever wants to know

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so for somebody to actually listen to our story and think,

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"These people really could do with a helping hand" is absolutely amazing.

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Party for 60, small cooker.

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Yeah, that's what we find hard. We haven't got a lot.

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Buffy and Lynne perform mini-miracles out of here every day.

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They were handed the building nearly two years ago

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and it's been a case of making the most of what they've got.

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This room was the shower.

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There's a slight musk to it, isn't there?

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I've got to light a candle because it's quite stinky.

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What it takes to keep a building like this going is hard...

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..and I get home and I start looking for funding again.

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It's so hand-to-mouth, it's so stressful.

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It is, it is stressful,

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but the centre has become so important to the community.

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-What drives that?

-We've lost so much, and we really have,

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but we'll always fight.

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How many hours do you do unpaid here?

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On a bad week, 40. We're not paid.

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People that come here to volunteer, they don't have to.

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We go above and beyond every day.

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In quite a cold, deeply musty shower cubicle.

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-You know, it's essentially the set of Psycho you're working in.

-It is!

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And that's a lot on your little shoulders, isn't it?

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I call us the little volunteer army, cos that's what we are.

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Buffy's youngest recruit, Daf, has got word of our arrival.

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Hello.

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How you doing? Good to see you.

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I'm Sue, darling.

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-Do you want a cup of tea, love?

-Yeah.

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Come on, then. Let's get the old kettle on.

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They're making me a cup of tea, which I've never had before,

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made a cup of tea for me.

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I was, like, mind-blown.

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-Basically, they think that all the surprise is...

-That we're it.

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Yeah, they think that we're it.

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There was a little bit of disappointment in their eyes.

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There was, there was a slight, "Ohh..."

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They know they're having a party. They think it's going to

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be in the community centre right there.

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What they don't know is, we've taken over the park near the centre

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and Christmas party plans have already begun.

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We're going to throw the biggest bash Pentre has ever seen.

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The cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake is Mary.

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And she's been in our pop-up kitchen cooking-up a taster menu

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for Buffy and the gang.

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I've tried to get together here a sample of what I think

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a perfect Christmas meal is.

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I can't wait to show Buffy and her helpers.

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Now it's time to let the gang into our secret and reveal

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just who we've lined up to cater for their Christmas get-together.

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Right, keep up, gang, come on. Let's get the pace up. No time to lose.

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It's going to be as traditional as we can make it -

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turkey, buttered carrots, not forgetting the cranberry sauce,

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but there's no way I can do it on my own for all that great number.

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Well, Daf's armed with a GCSE in catering and as he's

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a Mary Berry superfan, we're sure he'll be only too pleased to help.

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What's happening?

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-This way, lads.

-Through the gates.

-Thank you.

-Come on, this way.

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Mary Berry's here!

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SHE GASPS

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Oh, my God! Oh, my God!

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She doesn't bite. We've taken her teeth out so she's all right.

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-This is Mary.

-Now, Buffy, you are the leader of the band.

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-Yes, a little bit.

-And Lynne?

-Lynne's here.

-This is Lynne.

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You've got your work cut out with this one.

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-How very nice to see you.

-And you. Lovely to see you.

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-And this must be Daf.

-Yeah.

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A little bird's told me that you have just got your GCSE catering.

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-Yes.

-Brilliant. I have a special part for you.

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I want to give you the best Christmas ever.

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In my family, it is THE meal of the year.

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And Buffy's family are the many people

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she takes care of at the centre.

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We're going to feed them all a supersized Christmas feast

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and I need help from this lovely lot.

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-Buffy will have a day off, so, Daf, will you be my sous-chef?

-Yep!

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-I was, like...

-HE GASPS

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"There's Mary Berry!"

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-And I was, like...

-HE GASPS

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I'm a really big fan.

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-Are you all on to help me?

-Yes.

-Absolutely, Mary.

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We'll work as a team, we'll work as a brigade. Now, Lynne.

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Lynne, this is going to be a very, very speedy learning curve.

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-We'll train you up.

-Oh, everybody's going to love it.

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Nothing ever happened in the community for us here like this.

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When the children see this - and the older generation -

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they're going to be so over the moon. It's going to be brilliant.

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We never expected that we would be

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-cooking with Mary Berry this Christmas.

-No, no.

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-We thought we'd be making our turkey baps as usual.

-Yes, yes.

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-This is going to be absolutely mega.

-Mega.

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In 48 hours from now, we'll deliver Christmas lunch on an epic scale

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and pull off a community centre knees-up

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to make Buffy and her gang proud.

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So tonight, Bez, we sleep. We get a lot of sleep.

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I'm sensing tomorrow's going to be quite busy.

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Can I just say, this sounds like the battle cry

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from the opening of Gladiator?

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"Tonight we sleep, for tomorrow we wake as gods!"

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Pentre's new brigade head home.

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We're keeping the plans for the big Christmas bash

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a surprise for all the guests so, it's hush-hush for now.

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It's going to be hard not to tell my nan,

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but to keep it a secret, I'll have to keep my excitement under control.

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Hello. Have you had a good day?

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Yeah, just been up the centre.

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Are we playing bingo Wednesday?

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Um, I'm not sure what I've got in mind.

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-OK.

-Yeah...

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MUSIC: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! by Dean Martin

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Today, party preparations begin

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and, for once, it's not all on Buffy's shoulders.

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And there's another huge surprise that she knows nothing about.

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-Big day, this, isn't it?

-Yeah.

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I can hear the whirrings of a big tool.

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But enough about me.

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We've nicked the keys from Buffy

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and banned her from the building for the next 24 hours.

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Hi, guys. Morning.

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Oh, there's some heavy electrical cable insulation going on.

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This gang of local professionals are going to supercharge

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Buffy's plans for the building.

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When she took this place on, it was a derelict daycare centre.

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We were like, "It's not great,

0:17:020:17:04

"but we can definitely make something out of it."

0:17:040:17:06

We had a very small amount of money to spend on the building

0:17:060:17:09

and I kept thinking to myself, "How are we going to pay for paint

0:17:090:17:13

"and how are we going to pay for this? And we need new flooring..."

0:17:130:17:16

We all chipped in a couple of pounds and painted the walls.

0:17:160:17:20

It was just sheer determination.

0:17:200:17:23

Buffy has made a very little go a long way, but this is

0:17:230:17:26

a centre still in need of a lot and we want to ease Buffy's load,

0:17:260:17:30

so we're revamping the kitchen and bringing in some brand-new kit.

0:17:300:17:34

How big's the dishwasher going to be? Is it a full-sizer or a half?

0:17:350:17:38

-Full-sized dishwasher.

-Oh, good.

0:17:380:17:39

There's going to be a very happy woman when she sees the dishwasher.

0:17:390:17:43

-She may well touch you.

-What are you doing there, my love?

0:17:430:17:46

-We're putting new waste in.

-Oh, it's for sewage.

0:17:460:17:49

Are you putting a loo in here as well?

0:17:490:17:50

Oh, no, it's for the kitchen sink.

0:17:500:17:52

Oh, it's for the sink. OK. Sorry, love.

0:17:520:17:54

What it's great to do is to pop a loo just facing that way

0:17:540:17:56

with a sink next to it.

0:17:560:17:58

Where's the oven going to go?

0:17:580:18:00

Next to the toilet, mate.

0:18:000:18:02

It's a classic formation, it's toilet, dishwasher, oven.

0:18:020:18:04

All this work will help Buffy's plan to future-proof her centre.

0:18:070:18:11

Our plans are to open a community cafe

0:18:110:18:14

to generate more income, which is important, obviously.

0:18:140:18:17

When you get a functioning cafe environment and you get a

0:18:190:18:22

-proper oven in there, you can charge.

-Yeah.

0:18:220:18:24

Not very much, and that means that the place

0:18:240:18:26

can be more self-sustaining.

0:18:260:18:28

And delivering a community cafe isn't the only one of Buffy's wishes

0:18:280:18:32

we want to grant.

0:18:320:18:33

One day, I will have a real office, I hope.

0:18:340:18:37

If we got the funding to replace this room, it will be brilliant,

0:18:370:18:42

but it serves a purpose at the moment and that's fine.

0:18:420:18:45

We make the best out of every situation.

0:18:450:18:48

There's the shower cubicle.

0:18:480:18:50

This place reeks of damp.

0:18:500:18:51

What we're going to do is take that alcove

0:18:510:18:53

-and make some sort of storage there.

-Yeah.

0:18:530:18:56

On a day-to-day level, she's in here

0:18:560:18:59

dealing with really, sort of, tricky things -

0:18:590:19:01

accounts, raising money, raising money,

0:19:010:19:04

dealing with the council, you know, it's a stressful job she's got.

0:19:040:19:07

It needs to be a haven, somewhere that she actually likes to be,

0:19:070:19:10

do you know what I mean?

0:19:100:19:12

The guys have their work cut out - they have less than 24 hours

0:19:120:19:16

to pull off this particular Christmas miracle.

0:19:160:19:19

There is a lot going on in there, mate.

0:19:190:19:22

-There's a lot of testosterone in there.

-Oh, it's great.

0:19:220:19:24

-I have to say, it really raises the pulse, doesn't it?

-Yes.

0:19:240:19:27

There's definitely a hormonal sea change when you enter that room.

0:19:270:19:30

There's a musk and a lot of high-vis,

0:19:300:19:32

-the combination of which is very alluring.

-Very alluring.

0:19:320:19:35

Just around the corner from the centre, Daf is getting ready

0:19:390:19:42

to spend the day with his all-time favourite food pin-up.

0:19:420:19:46

To cook with Mary Berry is a lot of pressure.

0:19:470:19:50

I think I've only cooked for, like, three, four,

0:19:500:19:53

so to cook for 70, maybe more, is a lot,

0:19:530:19:59

but it's nice to be able to cook something for my gran

0:19:590:20:03

that I've never done before.

0:20:030:20:05

Daf and the gang serve up tonnes of sandwiches

0:20:050:20:08

and gallons of tea at the centre.

0:20:080:20:10

Last Christmas, they worked flat out to put on a spread for the regulars.

0:20:100:20:14

On a Christmas time, we all sit together in the big room

0:20:150:20:18

and put a big table out.

0:20:180:20:20

We have hot turkey rolls and mince pies.

0:20:200:20:23

From my heart, I really want to make this a memorable Christmas.

0:20:230:20:28

Last year, the celebration was buns with slices of turkey.

0:20:280:20:32

This year, every table will be brought a beautiful turkey.

0:20:320:20:37

It will be the talk of the town for a long time.

0:20:370:20:40

Buffy's got the day off, but I've got the rest of her gang to help.

0:20:400:20:44

We have plenty of prep ahead.

0:20:440:20:46

Well, tomorrow's the great day.

0:20:460:20:48

Have you all cooked turkeys before?

0:20:480:20:50

-No.

-No.

-Do you enjoy cooking?

0:20:500:20:53

I do enjoy it, but I can't do it. I can't cook. I'm rubbish.

0:20:530:20:58

Buffy, usually, when she goes away for her summer holidays,

0:20:580:21:01

she has to FaceTime me

0:21:010:21:02

so she can talk me through cutting, you know, the tomatoes, cucumber.

0:21:020:21:07

-Does she put notices up for you?

-Yeah.

0:21:070:21:10

LAUGHTER

0:21:100:21:11

It's a bit like a Sunday roast when you have a chicken

0:21:110:21:14

so don't be frightened of it.

0:21:140:21:16

What I'm doing is, I'm pushing my fingers up there.

0:21:160:21:19

If I can get some butter up here and some lemon

0:21:190:21:23

and a little bit of fresh thyme, it'll give real flavour

0:21:230:21:26

and it really keeps the bird beautifully moist.

0:21:260:21:30

So there we are. Now, can you do your turkeys?

0:21:300:21:33

My hands are too small!

0:21:360:21:38

The gang don't often cook from scratch at the centre,

0:21:380:21:41

so we're using a foolproof method to guarantee that we deliver

0:21:410:21:45

tasty birds to the table.

0:21:450:21:47

So I'm going to take a few pieces of thyme. Isn't that lovely?

0:21:470:21:51

And then just put a few sprigs up there.

0:21:510:21:54

So will you pull this out when it's cooked?

0:21:540:21:56

Like, all the herbs, pull them back out?

0:21:560:21:58

No, you can just pull the bits of stick and the leaves will come off.

0:21:580:22:01

-Right.

-It won't hurt anybody, but it'll give a great flavour.

0:22:010:22:05

How did you feel last night when you went?

0:22:050:22:07

Were you a bit nervous?

0:22:070:22:09

I didn't sleep a lot,

0:22:090:22:11

cos I feel like it's a lot of pressure on me.

0:22:110:22:13

I don't want to let anybody down now.

0:22:130:22:15

You won't let anybody down, of course you won't.

0:22:150:22:18

It's going to be a treat for them tomorrow.

0:22:180:22:20

-It's a treat for us to know how to do it.

-Yeah.

0:22:200:22:23

Well, it just makes all the difference.

0:22:230:22:26

I felt a bit out of my comfort zone, I think,

0:22:270:22:30

cos I'm rubbish at doing stuff like this, ain't I?

0:22:300:22:33

I think Lynne can do anything she puts her mind to

0:22:350:22:39

and I'm hoping that cooking Christmas lunch

0:22:390:22:41

for the centre regulars will give her just a little more confidence.

0:22:410:22:45

-It's a great gang you've got here.

-Oh, yeah.

0:22:450:22:48

Buffy seems to have had this wonderful effect

0:22:480:22:51

on so many people, getting everybody together.

0:22:510:22:54

She's brilliant at things like that.

0:22:540:22:56

When the centre came about, I didn't want to do it first of all.

0:22:560:22:58

It was quite a low time for me.

0:22:580:23:01

When I had my son Jayden, I was a single mother

0:23:010:23:04

and my mother got taken ill, and she was diagnosed with cancer.

0:23:040:23:09

I had to give up my job to become a full-time carer.

0:23:090:23:14

A full-time carer for your mum?

0:23:140:23:16

For my mother, yeah.

0:23:160:23:18

And when she finally passed away,

0:23:180:23:22

my confidence just took a knock back.

0:23:220:23:26

-You lost confidence.

-Yes, I did.

0:23:260:23:29

Buffy made me feel good about myself.

0:23:300:23:33

She made me feel that I could do it.

0:23:330:23:35

It was taking your mind off it.

0:23:350:23:37

And you were helping other people.

0:23:390:23:41

This has given you a lift as well.

0:23:410:23:42

It has, definitely.

0:23:420:23:44

I just can't wait now for tomorrow, to see everybody's faces,

0:23:440:23:49

you know, both young and old.

0:23:490:23:51

They're such lovely people.

0:23:510:23:52

For you to come and do this is...

0:23:520:23:54

I can't wait to see their faces.

0:23:540:23:56

We feel that you deserve it,

0:23:560:23:58

having created something from very little money

0:23:580:24:02

and with all the enthusiasm of all your volunteers and helpers.

0:24:020:24:05

Not only is it for all the visitors that are going to come,

0:24:050:24:08

it's for you as well.

0:24:080:24:10

We're thanking all of you.

0:24:100:24:12

I'm still a bit star-struck myself!

0:24:120:24:14

MUSIC: Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee

0:24:160:24:19

The community centre Christmas party is the biggest get-together

0:24:230:24:26

of the year and we need to make this one the best ever.

0:24:260:24:31

It's all guns blazing. It's going to be really great.

0:24:310:24:34

Fantastic food, all the community coming together

0:24:340:24:37

like one big family.

0:24:370:24:38

We want to give this place more sparkle than Santa's grotto

0:24:390:24:42

and centre regulars Marion and Eira have been let in on our

0:24:420:24:47

secret plans and have rocked up to lend a hand.

0:24:470:24:50

Oh, it's come out, look!

0:24:500:24:51

When the centre opened, well, we were glad

0:24:510:24:54

because we'd been fighting to have some life brought back to Pentre.

0:24:540:24:59

It's a good atmosphere.

0:24:590:25:01

It's the feeling of a community getting together.

0:25:010:25:04

We're getting the enjoyment of it,

0:25:040:25:07

so it's only fair that we put something back in.

0:25:070:25:10

And we're here to do our bit and we might need

0:25:100:25:13

a bit of help on the Christmas cracker crafting front.

0:25:130:25:16

Now, all right, we're on cracker duty.

0:25:160:25:18

All I'm interested in is what's going inside.

0:25:180:25:20

-Have we got good prizes?

-Have we got some jokes?

0:25:200:25:22

-We've got a couple of jokes.

-Uh-huh.

0:25:220:25:24

All right, so we need a production line.

0:25:240:25:26

I've got a regionally specific joke here.

0:25:260:25:29

How do Welsh people eat cheese?

0:25:290:25:31

-Caerphilly.

-Yes!

0:25:310:25:33

Boom.

0:25:330:25:34

Carefully. Caerphilly.

0:25:340:25:36

-I don't get that!

-Caerphilly.

-Caerphilly.

0:25:380:25:40

"Caerphilly" sounds like "carefully".

0:25:400:25:42

Oh, yeah.

0:25:420:25:44

Why do birds fly south in the winter?

0:25:440:25:46

Yeah, go on, tell us.

0:25:460:25:48

It's too far to walk.

0:25:480:25:49

LAUGHTER AND GROANING

0:25:490:25:51

I like that. That's my type of joke.

0:25:510:25:54

What do elves do after school?

0:25:540:25:57

-Gnomework.

-Good.

-Oh!

0:25:570:25:58

Oh, I said homework.

0:25:580:26:01

Can I just say, this is the joke?

0:26:010:26:02

-I've been thinking of this for the last 45 minutes.

-OK.

0:26:020:26:05

How did Santa give the weather forecast

0:26:050:26:07

to somebody that he was quote fond of?

0:26:070:26:09

"It's going to reindeer." Come on.

0:26:090:26:11

That's the worst joke ever.

0:26:110:26:13

Shall I leave? I'm going to actually leave. I'm going to leave...

0:26:130:26:16

Eira and Marion, they're inseparable, that pair.

0:26:180:26:21

They're joined at the hip.

0:26:210:26:23

They are marvellous, those two. They are marvellous.

0:26:230:26:27

So how come you got so close? What connected you?

0:26:270:26:31

Well, it was when our husbands died.

0:26:310:26:33

-How old were you, if you don't mind me asking?

-I was 57.

0:26:330:26:37

-That's no age, is it?

-No.

0:26:370:26:39

I was 55.

0:26:390:26:40

-You were 55 when you were widowed?

-Yeah, yeah.

0:26:400:26:44

I don't know if they said to you,

0:26:440:26:46

but I lost my daughter in July this year.

0:26:460:26:50

-I'm really sorry. That's really tough.

-Yeah.

0:26:500:26:53

Well, it's my second daughter, cos my middle one,

0:26:530:26:57

youngest daughter, she had a brain tumour and she died at 29,

0:26:570:27:01

and then Ellen, she was 51, but she had terminal cancer,

0:27:010:27:07

and Eira, she was there for me.

0:27:070:27:10

Even though you have formed your friendship after intense grief,

0:27:100:27:14

there's so much joy to the pair of you

0:27:140:27:16

and there's so much spirit and pep.

0:27:160:27:18

We do enjoy, we have a good laugh.

0:27:180:27:21

She's doing well.

0:27:210:27:23

-I'm all right when I'm out.

-Yeah.

0:27:230:27:24

It's when you're in the house on your own

0:27:240:27:27

and you just start to think...

0:27:270:27:29

It has been hard.

0:27:290:27:30

I don't know how she's dealt with it.

0:27:320:27:34

Giving people a place to come together was

0:27:410:27:43

a stroke of genius from Buffy.

0:27:430:27:45

Oh, silly sausage.

0:27:450:27:47

Everybody tries to look out for everybody.

0:27:480:27:50

It's that sort of community spirit that is lost in some places,

0:27:510:27:55

but is still alive and well in Pentre.

0:27:550:27:58

If they say, "Who made these crackers?"

0:27:590:28:01

-Say, "I don't know!"

-Mel and Sue.

-LAUGHTER

0:28:010:28:04

Mel and Sue made the crackers, we're not guilty.

0:28:040:28:07

Until now, we've kept the party plans under wraps.

0:28:120:28:16

It's time to let the cat out of the bag.

0:28:160:28:18

We're off to deliver some Christmas cheer.

0:28:180:28:20

Hello! How are you?

0:28:220:28:23

How are you doing?

0:28:230:28:25

Can we come in?

0:28:250:28:27

-Hey, how you doing?

-What's your name?

0:28:270:28:30

-Romi.

-Hey, Romi, nice to see you. How's it going?

0:28:300:28:33

-Hello!

-Hello!

0:28:330:28:35

How are you doing? This is Sue and I'm Mel.

0:28:350:28:38

Come on, put some skin on me.

0:28:380:28:40

That's my man. That's my man.

0:28:400:28:42

How you doing? Nice to see you.

0:28:420:28:44

This is very important, so we've got a big party happening tomorrow.

0:28:440:28:47

THEY GASP

0:28:470:28:48

Oh, my gosh!

0:28:480:28:50

You're all invited. All invited.

0:28:500:28:52

The info is four o'clock tomorrow. What time do you finish school?

0:28:520:28:56

-At three.

-Right.

-Boom.

0:28:560:28:58

-Come home, put the glad rags on.

-Follow the smell of turkey.

0:28:580:29:02

Who likes turkey?

0:29:020:29:03

-There you go.

-Who likes carrots?

0:29:050:29:07

-Yes!

-Yes!

0:29:070:29:08

And the turkey is...

0:29:080:29:10

Well, there are going to be a few of them.

0:29:100:29:12

-It's the size of that sofa.

-They're huge.

0:29:120:29:14

The three of you could sit on it and there'd be room.

0:29:140:29:17

SUE HUMS CONGA TUNE

0:29:170:29:19

On that note, we will leave you.

0:29:190:29:21

Pretend like this never happened.

0:29:230:29:25

# Happy Christmas

0:29:250:29:26

# Da-da-la-la Happy Christmas

0:29:260:29:28

# Da-da-da-daa... #

0:29:280:29:29

LAUGHTER

0:29:290:29:31

-Bye, guys!

-See you tomorrow! ALL:

-Bye!

0:29:310:29:33

SUE CONTINUES SINGING

0:29:330:29:36

THEY GASP

0:29:360:29:37

-It's gold!

-Oh, my God, it's gold!

0:29:370:29:40

Oh, my gosh.

0:29:400:29:41

It's gold!

0:29:430:29:44

I'm shocked.

0:29:490:29:50

THEY GIGGLE

0:29:500:29:52

I think this will be really fun.

0:29:520:29:55

Just excited.

0:29:550:29:56

-So tomorrow, which is Wednesday...

-No bingo.

0:29:560:29:58

Yeah, no bingo.

0:29:580:30:00

No way, no way.

0:30:000:30:02

Instead - we're not taking away - we've got a party, will you come?

0:30:020:30:06

Oh, yeah, lovely.

0:30:060:30:07

We've got invites for you both. There you go.

0:30:070:30:10

-Thank you very much.

-Can I show you my...?

0:30:100:30:14

That's marvellous.

0:30:140:30:15

That is beyond festive. That is Christmas.

0:30:150:30:18

Christmas doesn't happen until that hat goes on.

0:30:180:30:20

Hang on - one, two, three!

0:30:200:30:21

Christmas party, all right? Christmas is coming early to Pentre.

0:30:260:30:31

Can I keep it?

0:30:310:30:33

In my hand until tonight.

0:30:330:30:36

You going to sleep with it as well?

0:30:360:30:39

Yeah? Very excited?

0:30:390:30:43

Here in Pentre, old and young have formed very special friendships

0:30:500:30:54

and Mary has taken the youngest member of her cooking squad

0:30:540:30:57

under her wing to help turn the ugly duckling of the vegetable world

0:30:570:31:01

into a true crowd-pleaser.

0:31:010:31:03

So it's not just sprouts,

0:31:030:31:05

it's leeks, sprouts, bacon and peas,

0:31:050:31:07

and I think that's a lovely mixture

0:31:070:31:09

and this is your total responsibility, the sprout dish.

0:31:090:31:13

Tomorrow, Daf will create this dish from scratch

0:31:140:31:17

so I want to show him the ropes

0:31:170:31:19

and start by frying off some delicious bacon.

0:31:190:31:22

So where did you learn to prepare vegetables so beautifully?

0:31:220:31:25

I've always cooked from such a young age.

0:31:250:31:28

-Have you?

-Yeah.

0:31:280:31:30

-And you love it?

-Yeah.

0:31:300:31:32

-Nothing like the smell of bacon, is there?

-No, I love bacon.

0:31:320:31:36

Next we throw in a firm Welsh favourite.

0:31:360:31:39

Any chef would be proud of those leeks.

0:31:390:31:42

I can certainly spot a bit of talent with Daf.

0:31:430:31:47

He's dying to do things right and correctly,

0:31:470:31:50

but he's absolutely loving it.

0:31:500:31:52

Smells nice.

0:31:520:31:54

Smells beautiful, and you know that's because we did it

0:31:540:31:56

-in the bacon fat.

-I tend to throw it out.

0:31:560:31:59

Do you? Well, you don't throw it out

0:31:590:32:01

because you can always use it for cooking vegetables in.

0:32:010:32:04

Daf is nearly done and the cooked bacon goes back in

0:32:040:32:08

with the blanched sprouts and some lovely garden peas.

0:32:080:32:11

What do you think?

0:32:110:32:12

A little bit more pepper and salt?

0:32:120:32:14

-Yeah.

-Yes, come on, a little bit.

0:32:140:32:16

That's it, and we'll put a bit more butter in because it is Christmas,

0:32:160:32:20

and it looks pretty good.

0:32:200:32:23

It's lovely.

0:32:260:32:27

Is it lovely? What would you like to do?

0:32:270:32:31

Um, I'd like to have a career in the army,

0:32:310:32:33

but recently over a few days, I've sort of changed my mind.

0:32:330:32:39

I thought I might be more into cooking.

0:32:390:32:43

To be taught by someone like you is a big thing.

0:32:430:32:46

Well, you know something? Everything you've done to show me yesterday

0:32:460:32:50

and today, you are meticulous.

0:32:500:32:52

You have a natural flair to cook.

0:32:520:32:54

Cooking could be your career.

0:32:540:32:56

I hope so.

0:32:560:32:58

While Mary supervises her young apprentice,

0:33:000:33:03

the pros at the centre are flat-out

0:33:030:33:05

on Buffy and her volunteers' early Christmas present.

0:33:050:33:09

-Honestly, you've done so much work.

-Wow.

0:33:120:33:14

And look at that - the shower no more.

0:33:140:33:17

-Shelving...

-You are a master, sir, is what you are.

0:33:170:33:21

Well done! Do you feel exhausted?

0:33:210:33:24

-Are you all right?

-A little bit.

0:33:240:33:26

We'd love to join the final push

0:33:260:33:28

but we've been asked to step away from the power tools.

0:33:280:33:32

This is very impressive.

0:33:320:33:34

It's got a light on it!

0:33:340:33:35

This is so space age.

0:33:350:33:39

That is magnificent.

0:33:390:33:42

Well, listen, keep on keeping on, it's looking good.

0:33:420:33:46

After a day of toil and peeling a mountain of veg,

0:33:510:33:55

the prep for tomorrow's feast is nearly done.

0:33:550:33:58

It's been such a really good day today.

0:33:590:34:01

We've had a laugh doing the sprouts and everything.

0:34:010:34:04

I can't wait until tomorrow for it all to come together,

0:34:040:34:07

I'm really looking forward to it.

0:34:070:34:08

Inside the centre kitchen, it's a hive of activity

0:34:100:34:13

as the workforce prepare themselves for a long night ahead.

0:34:130:34:17

The brigade have gone home for the night

0:34:280:34:30

and Mary Berry has got the kitchen to herself,

0:34:300:34:33

which means only one thing, sherry and a podium.

0:34:330:34:36

No, it's time for her to turn on that old Bezza magic.

0:34:360:34:40

I'm going to make a snowflake cake

0:34:410:34:44

and this is a total surprise to the brigade.

0:34:440:34:48

I'm really doing this for the children

0:34:480:34:50

because I just can't wait to see their faces.

0:34:500:34:53

I'm trying something totally new.

0:34:540:34:56

A Christmas tree made of layers of delicious meringue snowflakes.

0:34:560:35:00

This mixture is a combination of fresh egg whites and caster sugar.

0:35:010:35:05

That looks perfect,

0:35:070:35:09

it's now an absolutely wonderful snowy white colour.

0:35:090:35:13

It really is beautiful,

0:35:130:35:15

it just reminds me of Christmas looking at it.

0:35:150:35:17

To pipe out my snowflake shapes,

0:35:190:35:21

I've drawn a template on the baking paper.

0:35:210:35:24

Does that look like a snowflake to you? I think it does.

0:35:250:35:28

That's one down, I'm getting into the swing of this.

0:35:280:35:31

I'm going to make those bigger and bigger and bigger.

0:35:310:35:34

I want the children to absolutely love it.

0:35:370:35:40

The meringues will take different times to bake.

0:35:400:35:44

You've got to keep an eye on them but it's well worth it.

0:35:440:35:47

Whilst they're cooling, I've whipped up some double cream

0:35:480:35:51

and now's the time for the magic to happen.

0:35:510:35:55

Now, I'm not trying to match exactly, I'm turning it once

0:35:550:36:00

so that each little point doesn't go on a point.

0:36:000:36:04

So put it on like that

0:36:040:36:06

and then very, very gently give it a bit of a wobble.

0:36:060:36:10

If there are a few cracks, part of its charm, don't worry a little bit.

0:36:100:36:15

On with the next layer.

0:36:150:36:17

It's beginning to look like a Christmas tree.

0:36:170:36:19

It's looking good, isn't it? Right, next one.

0:36:190:36:23

We're on the homeward stretch which I'm really excited,

0:36:230:36:27

I feel we're getting there. Nearly there.

0:36:270:36:31

And now for the finale.

0:36:310:36:32

Isn't that the crowning glory?

0:36:340:36:37

Just fix it.

0:36:370:36:39

I'm really rather thrilled with that, I hope they will be too.

0:36:390:36:42

Perhaps a few sprinkles on the top.

0:36:420:36:45

I think it looks magical.

0:36:520:36:55

# Have yourself a merry little Christmas... #

0:37:110:37:19

But I think we deserve this, frankly.

0:37:190:37:21

-As a start.

-As a little sharpener.

0:37:210:37:23

Now that's for you, I'm actually going to go for grandma's favourite.

0:37:250:37:28

-Ooh, hello.

-An entire bottle of sherry.

0:37:280:37:31

Hello, sailor. Oh, that's lovely.

0:37:310:37:33

BOTTLE POPS OPEN That's a lovely noise.

0:37:330:37:35

There is an awful lot to do tomorrow and we've done all the preparation

0:37:350:37:38

and my brigade, without you lot, has done all the chopping up,

0:37:380:37:42

and they've done it beautifully, but there's still more to do.

0:37:420:37:44

-OK.

-And not too much mucking about tomorrow.

0:37:440:37:48

I think we might do a bit of waitressing tomorrow,

0:37:480:37:50

go back to our roots.

0:37:500:37:52

Bezzie, your very good health.

0:37:520:37:53

-No-one does Christmas like you, my friend.

-No, that's true.

0:37:530:37:56

So get down and be ready for tomorrow.

0:37:560:37:58

-Cheers.

-Bez.

-Love you, Bez.

-Perks.

0:37:580:38:00

-Lovely to be together.

-That's gone straight to my head.

0:38:000:38:03

It really has, hasn't it? Really keep on with that.

0:38:030:38:06

# It's the most wonderful time of the year... #

0:38:180:38:21

It's the day of the big Christmas party.

0:38:210:38:25

I can't tell you how excited I am about...

0:38:250:38:27

-The turkey, mate.

-The turkey's delicious but the pud!

0:38:270:38:30

Oh, that meringue!

0:38:300:38:33

In just a few hours, Buffy's centre regulars will be arriving.

0:38:330:38:37

They've no idea of the treats planned

0:38:370:38:39

or that Mary has masterminded the food.

0:38:390:38:42

I'm feeling excited.

0:38:420:38:44

Mary's like a top chef

0:38:440:38:45

and then there's just me who's just got a GCSE.

0:38:450:38:48

The brigade are in early.

0:38:480:38:49

Mary's leaving nothing to chance.

0:38:490:38:52

She's planned today like a military operation.

0:38:520:38:55

So we're going to put the turkeys in at 11 o'clock,

0:38:550:38:58

and the one thing we do not want to do is overcook the turkey.

0:38:580:39:03

The Christmas feast is at four, it cannot be late.

0:39:030:39:08

This is the one meal of the year that you don't want to get wrong,

0:39:080:39:12

especially not for like 70-odd people.

0:39:120:39:14

This morning we've all got jobs to do.

0:39:140:39:17

I'm in the zone, gang, I'm in the zone.

0:39:170:39:19

But even the simple task of laying tables has us flummoxed.

0:39:190:39:23

I think it's supposed to be the spoon with the fork inside.

0:39:230:39:26

Yes, because your hand would go to it first.

0:39:260:39:28

Although I'm left-handed so this is all the devil's work as far as I'm concerned.

0:39:280:39:32

The decorations are up, the baubles are shining.

0:39:320:39:35

We want to do Buffy proud.

0:39:350:39:37

-How are you?

-I don't know what you think of this, Buffy,

0:39:400:39:42

-do you approve?

-I think it's amazing.

0:39:420:39:45

-It's a good start.

-Yes.

0:39:450:39:46

These are Eira and Marion's crackers.

0:39:460:39:49

Can I just say, if you find one when the antlers are off,

0:39:490:39:52

-that's probably...

-Could be a Perkins.

0:39:520:39:54

-Might be one of mine.

-As long as you're happy...

0:39:540:39:56

Yeah, it's absolutely beautiful.

0:39:560:39:58

Yesterday I went home and I cried

0:39:580:40:01

because I felt really weird,

0:40:010:40:03

because it was the first time I never actually had to do anything.

0:40:030:40:07

-Ah, come on, sandwich her.

-Bring it in.

0:40:070:40:09

-It's overly tight.

-It was weird.

0:40:090:40:11

-We don't want you to have to do anything today.

-It's really strange.

0:40:110:40:14

Buffy, I would like you to sit down, please,

0:40:140:40:18

and Sue and I are going to lay these tables.

0:40:180:40:20

-You tell us what you want.

-No, I'm going to help.

0:40:200:40:22

-You sure?

-Really?

-All right.

-I want to, it looks fab.

0:40:220:40:25

This is going to be amazing, I can't wait to see everybody's face.

0:40:250:40:29

-A berry for a Berry.

-A berry for a Berry.

0:40:290:40:32

-We're just zhuzhing the tables, Bez.

-Right.

0:40:320:40:34

-Have we got this right?

-So we've got a main course,

0:40:340:40:36

hence that setting, and then you've got your pud.

0:40:360:40:38

Exactly, perfect.

0:40:380:40:39

A gold star from Bez means a lot,

0:40:390:40:41

but what will she make of our Christmas toppers?

0:40:410:40:44

That's very cute as well.

0:40:440:40:46

Oh, stars, quite good.

0:40:460:40:48

A star on a spring. There is an angel.

0:40:480:40:51

That's good.

0:40:510:40:52

That's not for the tree, that's part of a new ventriloquism act I'm doing.

0:40:520:40:56

Work in progress, work in progress.

0:40:560:40:58

-"Gottle of geer."

-Let's be practical, because it might be heavy and fall over.

0:40:580:41:01

-It's all right.

-She's got a porcelain head.

0:41:010:41:04

-How dare you?!

-Bezzer!

0:41:040:41:06

Don't tip her upside... She's a lady!

0:41:060:41:09

-She's an angel.

-She has got no legs. Poor soul.

0:41:090:41:12

Let's put the lady on.

0:41:120:41:13

Excuse me for what I'm about to do.

0:41:130:41:16

That'll do very fine.

0:41:160:41:17

That's good. I really need your help in the kitchen.

0:41:170:41:21

There's a lot to do, so you can come back and play later.

0:41:210:41:25

OK?

0:41:250:41:26

Do you see what I have to work with? Do you see...?

0:41:290:41:32

I'm so, so, sorry.

0:41:320:41:34

Run, run, run.

0:41:350:41:36

-Run!

-Honestly, can you undress me?

-I can, yes.

0:41:360:41:40

She says that to everybody.

0:41:400:41:42

It's all systems go in the kitchen. The feast is well underway.

0:41:460:41:50

Look at you.

0:41:500:41:51

He's a natural.

0:41:510:41:53

-He's a natural.

-Frame him up and get him out there.

0:41:530:41:57

Oh, here comes the boss.

0:41:570:41:58

-Now, listen...

-Bezzer, that's very good.

0:41:580:42:00

-It's absolutely delicious but...

-I've not tried it, Mary.

0:42:000:42:03

I've yet to sample it.

0:42:040:42:05

I don't know what magic Mary has woven

0:42:070:42:09

but this lovely lot are now cooking like pros, even Lynne!

0:42:090:42:12

I love dauphinoise potatoes, I think they're lovely.

0:42:140:42:17

I always used to do them in just all cream

0:42:170:42:20

but it's a little bit too rich.

0:42:200:42:23

Come on, you've done that absolutely beautifully.

0:42:230:42:25

Literally 24 hours ago, if I'd said you'd be this close

0:42:250:42:30

-to cheese, butter and cream, what would you have said?

-No way.

0:42:300:42:33

She's crossed a personal threshold.

0:42:330:42:35

You little beaut.

0:42:350:42:37

I can't believe I made it.

0:42:380:42:40

And it's quite easy, but I would've never have had the confidence

0:42:400:42:45

to do it myself. Makes me feel happy to know that I can do it.

0:42:450:42:48

Well, that cooking spirit must be catching.

0:42:480:42:50

Even we're going to give it a go.

0:42:500:42:52

-Do you know what you're doing, girls?

-Yes.

-Not really.

0:42:520:42:55

-Pigs in blankets.

-You're OK?

-We're good.

0:42:550:42:57

Is there a special technique?

0:42:570:42:59

-Roll them up.

-Just roll it up.

0:42:590:43:01

I love a ruddy pig in blanket, mate.

0:43:010:43:03

Now, Bezzie, this is what we're doing, placing there.

0:43:030:43:05

-Clean hands, Bez.

-Very clean hands, we've washed our hands.

0:43:050:43:08

And then you just roll. Is that OK?

0:43:080:43:10

They really need to be cut in half, and the join should be underneath.

0:43:100:43:13

-Can you manage that?

-Oh, yes. Sorry, Bez.

0:43:130:43:15

Just steady, steady.

0:43:150:43:17

I've never been judged by Mary Berry before,

0:43:170:43:20

-this is quite scary.

-The scrutiny!

0:43:200:43:22

-It's about time you were judged by me.

-Those eyes are like laser beams.

0:43:220:43:25

It's really scary! She's coming near.

0:43:250:43:27

How many per sheet?

0:43:270:43:29

-About 30 a sheet, I think.

-30 a sheet. All right. Better.

0:43:290:43:32

It's 11 o'clock so should we put the turkeys in?

0:43:320:43:35

-Oh!

-They're coming in four hours!

0:43:350:43:38

Everybody put their turkeys in, it is 11 o'clock.

0:43:380:43:42

Time to stand by your turkeys, ladies and gents.

0:43:420:43:44

Is everybody listening?

0:43:440:43:47

Mel and Sue too, please be quiet.

0:43:470:43:50

Take a piece of foil, imagine the turkey sitting there.

0:43:500:43:56

Press it down.

0:43:560:43:57

Sideways, sideways, sideways.

0:43:570:44:00

Put your bird in on top of it.

0:44:000:44:03

Draw the pieces over the top.

0:44:050:44:08

Right, make a turkey crib. Turkey stretcher.

0:44:080:44:10

Loosely do that,

0:44:120:44:16

so there's air in the end.

0:44:160:44:19

Daf, you've got it right all in one. That's it.

0:44:190:44:24

Just turn it over.

0:44:240:44:26

So we have to cover it up on all sides.

0:44:260:44:29

You are the only two that haven't left a space for air

0:44:290:44:33

at either end.

0:44:330:44:35

Surprise! Think we styled that one out.

0:44:360:44:40

So the birds are wrapped up tight and safely in their ovens.

0:44:410:44:45

While they're roasting, we thought it would be a good time

0:44:460:44:49

to give Buffy and the gang our early Christmas present.

0:44:490:44:52

We've lifted our ban on the centre.

0:44:520:44:55

The elves have worked their magic.

0:44:550:44:57

WHISPERING

0:44:570:44:59

-Oh, my God!

-Oh, look.

0:45:010:45:04

-Oh, we got a new kitchen.

-Oh, my God!

0:45:040:45:08

Oh, my God.

0:45:080:45:10

Just two days ago, the gang were serving their community

0:45:140:45:17

from a makeshift kitchen with second-hand kit

0:45:170:45:21

which they begged and borrowed.

0:45:210:45:22

Now, everything from the catering size cooker

0:45:260:45:31

to the units and appliances

0:45:310:45:33

is brand spanking new.

0:45:330:45:35

-This is lovely.

-Look at that cooker!

0:45:370:45:39

My cooker!

0:45:390:45:40

And there's a surprise in store behind those doors.

0:45:400:45:44

-What's going to be in that cupboard?

-There's a dishwasher!

0:45:440:45:47

-So what do you reckon?

-Excuse me, can I have some service here?

0:45:510:45:55

Buffy and her troop of helpers have given so much to this centre,

0:45:550:45:59

it's wonderful to give them something back.

0:45:590:46:02

But the biggest joy to you is this dishwasher?

0:46:020:46:05

Oh, yeah. I'm going to bring my dishes up here as well!

0:46:050:46:08

Our next project was going to be to open it as a cafe.

0:46:080:46:12

Now with all the appliances you've given us and everything,

0:46:120:46:15

we'll be able to open our cafe now

0:46:150:46:17

which would have probably taken us about two years.

0:46:170:46:21

It's brilliant. I'm lost for words.

0:46:210:46:24

You know what? You can actually start making some cash.

0:46:240:46:27

You don't have to charge loads, but just for people that have got it

0:46:270:46:30

that can afford it, and that are paying for those that can't afford it.

0:46:300:46:33

It's amazing.

0:46:330:46:35

The children's playroom and bingo area was plain and white.

0:46:370:46:41

We've added colour and warmth to match the people who use it.

0:46:410:46:45

So different, isn't it, with a bit of colour on the wall?

0:46:470:46:49

Pentre deserves this.

0:46:510:46:53

Pentre deserves somewhere nice,

0:46:530:46:56

clean, new, shiny.

0:46:560:46:59

Somewhere nice for the community.

0:46:590:47:02

It's perfect.

0:47:020:47:05

The reason we came here was to thank Buffy

0:47:050:47:08

and we have a gift that's just for her.

0:47:080:47:11

SHE GASPS

0:47:110:47:13

Oh, my God.

0:47:140:47:16

That stinky old shower room is no more.

0:47:180:47:20

It's been decorated from top to bottom

0:47:200:47:22

and kitted out with a brand-new desk.

0:47:220:47:25

Oh!

0:47:270:47:28

Oh, it's amazing. They won't believe this is the shower room.

0:47:290:47:32

-Look at the shower room!

-Oh, my God!

0:47:320:47:34

Look at the shower room! Look.

0:47:340:47:37

SHE GASPS

0:47:370:47:38

I know! It's like a room and there's carpet.

0:47:380:47:42

This is amazing.

0:47:440:47:47

Everything just feels nicer,

0:47:470:47:49

and with that I think it will draw people.

0:47:490:47:52

People will want to come and spend time here.

0:47:520:47:54

Can I come and do some cooking?

0:47:540:47:56

-Yes.

-No. No!

0:47:560:47:58

This upgrade will give Buffy, Lynne, Daf, Eira, Marion...

0:48:010:48:06

That's really nice. It's really beautiful.

0:48:060:48:08

..and everyone that uses the centre

0:48:080:48:10

a helping hand for years to come.

0:48:100:48:13

It takes your breath away, I've got to be honest.

0:48:150:48:18

It's really, really nice.

0:48:180:48:20

-I don't know how to describe it but it's just so overwhelming.

-Yeah.

0:48:200:48:24

With everything, it's really good.

0:48:240:48:28

-Do you like it?

-Oh, I don't know what to say.

0:48:290:48:31

Do you like it?

0:48:310:48:33

Hang on, a threesome. Proper threesome hug.

0:48:330:48:36

-Happy Christmas.

-Yeah, happy Christmas.

0:48:390:48:41

You deserve it, you know, cos it's not really about this thing

0:48:410:48:45

that we did, it's about everything you've been doing under the radar.

0:48:450:48:48

-This is the zhuzh.

-For years and years and years.

0:48:480:48:50

We're just the slightly annoying over-saccharine cherry on the cake, mate.

0:48:500:48:53

-You are the cake.

-You are the cake.

-You is it.

0:48:530:48:56

It's time for Pentre to party.

0:48:590:49:02

The locals are expecting a community centre get together,

0:49:040:49:07

but not the big bash we've got planned.

0:49:070:49:09

Oh, they'll love it. Going to be a nice surprise.

0:49:090:49:13

-I don't think they're expecting Mary Berry to be cooking for them!

-No!

0:49:130:49:17

Wait to see their faces now as they come through the door.

0:49:170:49:20

Our venue is ready.

0:49:200:49:23

It's packed with festive wonders

0:49:230:49:26

and Christmas has truly arrived.

0:49:260:49:29

Plus we've arranged some very special guests for the kids.

0:49:330:49:37

-Oh, my God!

-That is amazing.

0:49:370:49:41

And reindeers! What do you think of that?

0:49:410:49:43

Reindeers!

0:49:430:49:45

Rudolph and Prancer have gone down a storm.

0:49:450:49:49

Oh! They've got reindeer!

0:49:500:49:52

They've got reindeer!

0:49:530:49:56

Oh, my God, look at him!

0:49:560:49:58

Pentre's very own golden girls are out in force.

0:50:020:50:05

Hello!

0:50:070:50:09

That's not gone down well.

0:50:110:50:13

Still going for it though, that's good. That's good!

0:50:130:50:15

Thankfully, Christmas punch isn't the only treat.

0:50:150:50:18

We've lined up some late night entertainment,

0:50:180:50:21

and Marion and Eira have bagged the best seat in the house.

0:50:210:50:24

They've already clocked this, can I just say?

0:50:240:50:26

Stop eyeing it up. I want those hands where I can see 'em.

0:50:260:50:29

Hands at all times where I can see them, ladies.

0:50:290:50:32

Buffy's settling in her centre regulars...

0:50:340:50:36

..and one nan in particular has quite the surprise to come.

0:50:390:50:44

It's beautiful. Really nice.

0:50:440:50:48

I'm looking forward to what Daffyd's been doing.

0:50:480:50:51

Not long now.

0:50:540:50:55

Daf and the gang are back in the kitchen and it's all systems go.

0:50:550:50:59

We're, like, 20 minutes late.

0:50:590:51:01

Right, I didn't like hearing that news.

0:51:010:51:03

It's very important that we get going.

0:51:030:51:05

It's time for those turkeys to come out.

0:51:050:51:08

The brigade have all stepped up to the plate.

0:51:100:51:12

Woohoo, look at that.

0:51:120:51:14

Sadly, the same can't be said for the two of us.

0:51:140:51:17

LAUGHTER Our turkey's dreadful!

0:51:170:51:20

Our turkeys got a...

0:51:210:51:23

Mary, oh, God, hello.

0:51:230:51:24

Mary, our turkey, just the Mel and Sue turkey,

0:51:240:51:27

seems to have a strange black growth there.

0:51:270:51:29

It's just slightly caught on the side

0:51:290:51:31

but we can slip the knife under.

0:51:310:51:33

Disaster averted.

0:51:330:51:36

They look good, and they've got a lot of butter on them,

0:51:360:51:39

that's perfect.

0:51:390:51:40

After all the team's hard work, the feast is ready to serve.

0:51:410:51:46

Right, Operation Turkey, off you go!

0:51:490:51:52

The guests are in for a treat.

0:51:580:52:00

It's not every day the nation's favourite cook rocks up

0:52:000:52:03

to make you Christmas lunch.

0:52:030:52:04

APPLAUSE

0:52:040:52:08

Very nice!

0:52:140:52:15

Hey-hey! Come on then, Lynne!

0:52:150:52:18

When she walked in, my heart just...

0:52:190:52:21

I was like so excited, it was just amazing.

0:52:210:52:25

This is the perfect Christmas.

0:52:260:52:28

It's anything you've ever dreamed of and so much more.

0:52:280:52:31

Oh! Lynne.

0:52:310:52:33

Verdict out of ten.

0:52:380:52:40

My mum's turkey is the best and it's 11 out of 10.

0:52:400:52:43

Woo! We done it.

0:52:460:52:48

Everybody is enjoying our food.

0:52:480:52:51

They're all tucking in, the kids love it.

0:52:510:52:53

The brigade have worked their socks off

0:52:530:52:55

and after days of being tight-lipped,

0:52:550:52:58

Daf's secret is finally out.

0:52:580:53:00

-Hello, I'm Mary.

-Hello, I'm Jenny.

0:53:010:53:04

I know you're Jenny. What a lad you've got here.

0:53:040:53:07

Yes, my youngest grandson.

0:53:070:53:09

-Aren't you proud of him?

-Yes.

0:53:090:53:11

He's been the leader of our band, he's my sous chef.

0:53:110:53:14

Over the last few days, I feel like I shouldn't go in the army,

0:53:140:53:17

I should do something more catering based.

0:53:170:53:19

I am so pleased you've decided to do that cos you're so good at cooking.

0:53:190:53:23

Me and Mary, well, working with her was a thrill.

0:53:250:53:28

For Mary to say I was a pretty good chef made me feel, like...

0:53:280:53:33

Yeah, on top of the world.

0:53:330:53:35

This turkey is amazing.

0:53:370:53:38

This is the first time that all of Buffy's regulars, young and old,

0:53:410:53:45

have sat together to share a Christmas lunch.

0:53:450:53:47

The food is out of this world.

0:53:470:53:50

Lynne can cook every week at the centre now.

0:53:500:53:53

She's got a job for life.

0:53:530:53:54

I never thought we could have achieved this.

0:53:540:53:57

Do you know, you really should be proud of yourself?

0:53:570:54:00

You didn't think you could do it.

0:54:000:54:02

This is just the beginning.

0:54:020:54:04

I couldn't be happier for Lynne and the gang.

0:54:050:54:08

Now it's over to me and my special treat for the children.

0:54:100:54:14

-You want a taste?

-Yeah!

0:54:140:54:15

Right!

0:54:150:54:17

-Hello.

-Can I have that little bit?

0:54:180:54:21

-There you are.

-Yummy!

0:54:210:54:24

Mary's cake had cream, raspberries

0:54:260:54:31

and it was really yummy.

0:54:310:54:33

I have to take another snowflake off, there we are.

0:54:330:54:37

I didn't think it was real at first.

0:54:370:54:40

I was very shocked it was actually meringue.

0:54:400:54:42

Whilst the kids get giddy on sugar,

0:54:460:54:48

the grown-ups are getting into the party spirit.

0:54:480:54:51

Not a drop left, Margaret.

0:54:550:54:58

Listen, I'm not going to tell anyone.

0:54:580:54:59

Oh, there is, would you like it?

0:54:590:55:01

I want a brandy.

0:55:010:55:02

I want a brandy to make me randy.

0:55:020:55:05

We had a few glasses.

0:55:070:55:08

More than a few glasses.

0:55:080:55:10

Well, the room is certainly full of Christmas cheer.

0:55:150:55:18

There's only one way to keep this crowd under control tonight.

0:55:180:55:21

Ladies and gentlemen, it's bingo time!

0:55:230:55:26

Beautiful prizes here. They're not for individuals.

0:55:260:55:30

Every prize you win is going to the centre.

0:55:300:55:33

CHEERING

0:55:330:55:34

It's going to the centre. Eyes down!

0:55:340:55:36

Eyes down, please, for the first ball.

0:55:360:55:38

-72.

-72.

0:55:390:55:42

Mary Berry's age, 52.

0:55:420:55:45

Lovely, lovely.

0:55:450:55:47

Major wobbles, 88.

0:55:470:55:49

That means that the Dyson is going into the community centre.

0:55:540:55:57

CHEERING

0:55:570:55:59

We came here to thank one very special woman

0:56:060:56:10

and help her give the people she cares about a Christmas party

0:56:100:56:14

to remember, and we've enjoyed every single minute.

0:56:140:56:17

Ladies and gentlemen, what a privilege and a pleasure.

0:56:200:56:23

First of all, can we have a massive round of applause

0:56:230:56:25

for Buffy and Lynne?

0:56:250:56:28

APPLAUSE

0:56:280:56:29

Speech!

0:56:290:56:31

-Speech!

-Speech!

0:56:310:56:32

Come on! Come on, Buffy!

0:56:340:56:37

Thank you all for coming this evening and joining us.

0:56:370:56:41

It's been amazing, we've had an absolute blast.

0:56:410:56:44

Tonight just goes to show how amazing communities can be.

0:56:440:56:48

So at the centre, everybody is a team,

0:56:480:56:50

but they don't realise that Buffy is that force

0:56:500:56:52

and that driving force that gets everybody together

0:56:520:56:55

and motivates them all, so that we all come together then

0:56:550:56:58

to deliver what we deliver.

0:56:580:57:00

Thank you for having us.

0:57:020:57:04

The three of us have had the most brilliant three days

0:57:040:57:09

and we will never forget our time here, so thank you very, very much.

0:57:090:57:14

Happy Christmas!

0:57:140:57:16

It's a really big pause from reality.

0:57:190:57:22

I thought it was just a dream.

0:57:220:57:25

Like I could pinch myself and I'll wake up.

0:57:250:57:27

There's one final surprise for our lovely new friends.

0:57:300:57:34

It really is the only way to end a Christmas party in Wales.

0:57:340:57:37

# Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

0:57:370:57:41

# In the lane snow is glistening... #

0:57:410:57:45

I love this, it's snow.

0:57:450:57:46

Yay!

0:57:460:57:48

# Walking in a winter wonderland... #

0:57:480:57:52

The finale was absolutely marvellous with the snow and the carols.

0:57:520:57:58

It was lovely.

0:57:580:58:00

You can't beat a Welsh choir.

0:58:000:58:02

Just the fact that all this has come to Pentre,

0:58:080:58:11

it's been marvellous to have this tonight. It's out of this world.

0:58:110:58:15

It's been a wonderful experience.

0:58:180:58:20

They've enjoyed every single minute of it.

0:58:200:58:23

Like I said, nothing like this ever happens here, does it?

0:58:230:58:27

This event will be spoken about for years to come.

0:58:270:58:31

# Walking in a winter wonderland! #

0:58:310:58:37

APPLAUSE

0:58:370:58:39

I'm a snowman!

0:58:420:58:45

MUSIC: Baby, It's Cold Outside

0:58:450:58:47

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