Episode 2 Snowdonia 1890

'In spring 2010, two families volunteered

'to go back in time.'

Bye bye!

'The Joneses from Denbigh, North Wales

'and the Braddocks from Abergavenny in South Wales.

'Their destination - 19th Century Snowdonia

'and a unique way of life.'

Get them all together!

It's getting a bit stressful now.

If they come asking for the rent, we're finished.

How do you move a cow?

'For one month they faced a battle for survival that combined the farm

'and the quarry.'

You will not talk of unions here, I tell you now.

SINGING

We do not speak Welsh in school.

I'm just frightened to eat in case we haven't got anything left.

If you give me respect, you'll get it back.

It is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

'Coming up -

'With cash running low, it's sheep heads for supper.'

I can't believe people eat it.

'There's a showdown with the quarry owner.'

They're trying to make fools out of us.

This isn't a joke, this money's coming out of my pocket.

'And the minister makes a big entrance.'

You will learn the ways of temperance

otherwise you will not last long in this community.

'The Braddock and Jones families are in their first week of life

'in 1890s Snowdonia.'

Do you want to hold the bucket for me so I can...

'The morning routine revolves around seeing to the animals,

'feeding the family and getting the men off to work

'and the children to school.

'Alisa Braddock's working her way through the chores.'

Just hope she'll be good for me on my own.

'There's no sign of the men of the family.'

I've got no doubts they're going up the quarry

and they are working really, really hard.

But I've got to get up at six, I'm helping them with the animals,

I've got to do all the food, do all the washing

because they're just chucking clothes at me.

And I've got to help them with the animals again at night

so where is that fair?

They, you know... I don't know.

'The clock's ticking and Alisa needs to rustle up breakfast

'for her hungry family.'

-Does anybody like scrambled egg?

-Me.

'Mark helps out by preparing the men's quarry lunch.'

Ham for lunch.

You're taking cake as well?

You've got cake? You'll have to leave two slices of cake.

'It's time to leave for the quarry but they're still hungry.'

Well, it's a long walk. It's a two-and-a-half mile walk.

We don't get lunch until about half twelve.

Do you want pancakes?

-It's not cooked.

-I've just given you a pancake.

-I've ate it.

I just asked, "Did I give you a pancake?"

-I thought you said, "Do you want a pancake?"

-No.

They're not going to cook in time for them to go to work.

I suppose at home you could probably microwave it, couldn't you.

Ding!

'A field away, there's a surprise for their neighbours, the Joneses.'

Ooh, we have a letter.

We have a letter.

-Gan Nain.

-Your Nain?

'David's mother, known as Nain, is planning to visit them.'

I'm looking forward to seeing you all so much.

Life always has ups and downs and the ups will make the downs disappear.

I wish you all... BREAKS DOWN

Is Dad crying?

'The stresses and strains of 1890 life are getting to everyone.'

Sorry. The man of the house shouldn't cry.

What time's it? Ten to?

'The Jones men and Mark Braddock leave for the quarry.

Bye.

'Teenagers, Jamie and Jordan Braddock stay behind

'for a second helping of breakfast.'

They're just eating everything.

They've taken it all to work and the kids have got nothing, really.

I'm just frightened to eat in case we haven't got anything left.

So... Sorry, it's just been a rough morning.

Their portions are just too big, really.

But I don't want to be the one to tell them that

because they'll give me a hard time over that.

But if I can find some recipes, that I can, oh I don't know,

find some recipes that's not going to use a lot of food...

But I've got to make bread and even if it is rubbish

they're going to have to eat it.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Come in.

-Hi, good morning.

-Good morning.

'It's time for the children to leave for school.'

-Are you having a bit of a morning?

-Yes, and I'm going to cry.

Do you want a hug? Are you OK?

We were like this yesterday.

The boys have taken all the food.

Oh, don't worry.

Oh, I know how you feel.

Right. Do you want a hand to do anything now?

'Catrin helps the children along and finally they're ready to go.'

There we go, you look lovely now.

-Bye.

-Bye, Mummy.

Have a good day. Behave. Good luck, good luck.

Be a good girl.

I haven't had a very successful morning this morning.

Everything went wrong.

So I thought rather than have another disaster like that

I thought I'd put a few pointers down.

I've written some notes to myself because it's been so hard.

I've got, 'Stop getting upset, woman.

'You have to be strong for the men and the children.'

I have to give myself a telling off and a good talking to.

So...that's what I'm going to do.

'The men have a hard two mile walk to Moel Tryfan Slate quarry.

'The Braddock teenagers have caught up with the others

'but Jamie is on no rush to get to work.'

You're not even at work and you're falling asleep. Come on.

-Get up. Let's have a head start.

-We'll catch you up.

'Mr Humphreys, the steward, is waiting.'

-Morning.

-Good morning.

So, you are late again this morning.

Jamie, you made all the other men late.

-I'm going to fine you a ha'penny.

-Oh, my days!

-OK?

'It's Jamie's third fine in three days.'

OK, the rest of you, I want you to split down these slates now

to take them into the quarry.

Let's get going, lads.

'In 1890 the steward controlled who worked and didn't work at the quarry

'and there was little job security.

'But worse was the slate dust the men inhaled.

'The industry was actually more dangerous than coal mining

'with many quarrymen dying before they even reached 50.'

You take your mask off even for a short while

and you can feel the dust all around.

After a while, your mouth is dry so there's a lot of dust around.

They were hard people back then very, very hard people.

To do this every day, day in day out,

summer, winter, rain, shine, they must have been tough back then.

'At school, the children's day begins with drill.

'The 1890 version of PE.'

Out and in, out and in.

And out and in, out and in.

Forward and back, forward and back.

Up and down, up and down and rest.

Now then children, do you think you've worked harder on the drill?

-ALL:

-Yes, sir.

What is the saying we have learned? All together.

Healthy minds and healthy bodies.

'Today, while the boys are being taught by Mr Williams,

'the girls have a visiting teacher, Miss Jones.'

We're going to learn life skills which you'll use

as mothers, wives, in service perhaps.

This is part of an old blouse that we will be cutting up

to make our rag rugs.

'While the girls are taught to be good wives and mothers

'Mr Williams gives the boys the Victorian equivalent

'of a science lesson.'

-Brass is what?

-A metal?

It's a metal. Brass is a metal. Feel it.

-Is it cold?

-Yes, sir.

-Yes.

'In 1890, the gender divide was very real.

'Jack and Tommy are quick to grasp the situation.

Because the man was seen to be more important than the woman.

-Because...

-The woman wasn't really seen to be...

The man got all the money.

Yeah, the men got the money to feed the family.

'Leah has a different take.'

They say we don't do anything.

They do all the work and everything.

But we're all day cooking and everything.

If they didn't have us, they'd come back from the quarry starving

with no food and they wouldn't have nice, warm blankets

because there'd be no-one to knit blankets or rugs

or sew up their trousers if they ripped.

So, ladies are actually very important in the 1890s.

I think that's why they're more intelligent than the boys.

'Back at the smallholding, Catrin and Alisa get a visit

'from local farmer's wife, Margaret Davies.

'In 1890, quarrying families lived from hand to mouth.

'They couldn't rely on the variable income from the quarries

'so the smallholding had to be productive.

'Eggs, butter, cheese and cakes were sold to raise additional income.'

-You want to sell things in the shop?

-We do.

-You need to get more money?

-Yes, definitely.

-Welshcakes? They're dead easy, really.

-Yes, yeah.

'Thrifty smallholder wives knew all there was to know about budgeting.

'Catrin and Alisa have a lot to learn.'

The woman's role is very important.

We should realise we are here to bring money in to feed the family.

-And also you pay rent, don't you?

-Yes. Rent is due.

You need to know exactly how much is coming in.

I know the men don't tend to tell the women that much, possibly.

Or do they not know, maybe?

No, they said they'd struck a bargain for,

-I'm sure it was 30 shillings.

-30 shillings?

-Yes.

We need to do the maths on that.

They lost half a day yesterday because of the rain.

They had to stop so they lost half a day pay.

-Do they not get paid?

-No. They did yesterday.

I hope they did a lot of chores for you then.

Make them help you. Why not?

What's wrong with that?

-That would be a good idea.

-You need to know how much is coming in

and far more important, how much is going out.

You'll starve otherwise.

'As the day draws to a close

'the men begin the long walk back from the quarry.'

After a hard day's work this bit is no fun.

I wonder what our mother's have cooked us today?

Something decent, I hope.

'When they arrive back at the smallholding

'Alisa takes Margaret's advice and ropes in her men

'to help with the milking.

'Mark's not altogether happy.'

Every hour is filled with something. There's no relaxation time.

You don't have down time.

It must have been hard on couples as well

because there's no time for couples to spend together

relaxing or doing anything together.

You're so tied up with everything else that needs to be done

that there is no time to be a couple.

Yeah. There were children born so there must have been some time!

-Have we finished here?

-She needs to be mucked out.

I'll muck her our later.

'The Braddocks's neighbour, David Jones,

'is adamant that everyone in the family should lend a hand.'

Good girl, good girl.

Good girl. Stay, stay.

I think we've all got to muck in.

You can't be exactly as it was in 1890

where we're expecting the wife to do everything

after we come home from work.

It's not fair.

What could be better than sitting down and milking a cow?

'When they arrived almost a week ago,

'both families were given a small sum of money

'enough in 1890 for very basic subsistence for one month.

'But looming over the families is the prospect of paying the rent

'at any moment.'

Two pounds, seven shillings and one pence.

We were just speaking to Margaret, the farmer's wife,

and she was asking us, do you get paid weekly or...?

We get paid at the end of the month.

At the moment it's 30 shillings.

We might get a bonus if we produce enough slate.

The only other money we're going to get is from what we can sell.

Yes. I need to get going on that then, don't I?

If they come round asking for the rent we're finished.

'The Braddocks are in the same predicament.'

How much is actually there?

We've got three pounds and three shillings.

'But not all the family members appreciate they need to be prudent.

'Well, my body needs food.

It tells me I'm hungry so I say, "I'm hungry", and I eat food

because my body needs it.

My Dad doesn't understand that and he's doing my head in over it.

COCKEREL CROWS

Morning, piggies.

Oh! OK.

Are you a bit nervous I'm going to take you off to the butchers?

'In the Jones household it's a very special day for David.'

There's the birthday present.

'David is 41

'and the children have given him an embroidered handkerchief.'

Happy birthday.

Tell you what, I'll take the hanky to work with me today.

I'll blow my nose. I'll blow my nose all the way to work.

Diolch.

Fat chance.

Diolch am hwn.

'The world of the smallholding was a narrow one.

'While the men trudged the now-familiar route to the quarry

'the women, for the first time in a week, leave their cottages.

'Alisa and Catrin are off to buy supplies.'

SHOP BELL RINGS

My husband has told me not to go mad today in the shop.

-Money's short?

-Very short at the minute, yes.

Waiting for wages to come in.

Right, how much is a pound of the eating apples?

Ninepence.

'It's the women's first experience of using the old money,

'pounds, shillings and pence.'

How much am I up to now, Mr Evans, with my apples and flour?

One shilling and four pence ha'penny.

Ugh. OK.

A penny?

That's a penny, yes.

How many pennies...shillings, sorry?

-You want a shilling and four pence ha'penny.

-Four pence.

-OK.

-And a ha'penny.

-I want sweets.

-I don't think I can afford that luxury

until, maybe, the men bring in some more money.

'Whilst Catrin is careful, Alisa can't resist the confectionary.'

-They'll love me if I get them pear drops.

-Pear drops?

They'll be mine forever, the children. Go on, then.

-A quarter?

-Yes, please.

Have I got enough?

-Do you want a bit of help?

-Yes, please.

Let's see what you've got.

'Back then there was no refrigeration

'so shops relied on nearby farms for all their fresh produce.

'Mr Evans the shopkeeper sees an opportunity.'

If you do make homemade cakes we buy them here in the shop.

-OK.

-Right.

What type of cakes are most popular, Mr Evans?

Apple pies are popular, any fruit pies are popular.

And like a Madeira or a fruit cake, something like that.

-OK. Bara brith?

-Bara brith, definitely, bara brith.

-Have you got eggs on your farm?

-Yes, we have, yes.

-And you do your own butter?

-Yes, we're trying.

If you've got surplus stock we will buy some off you.

-Right.

-Aaah, of butter?

The butter has got to be fresh, freshly churned.

-Right.

-We'll fix a price with you.

David told me not to overdo it.

But that's what he tells me in normal, everyday life anyway.

He keeps shouting, 'Don't overdo it'.

So, it's the same in 1890, unfortunately.

-Yes.

-But I think I've been a good girl, hopefully.

Yeah? There's a bit more choice in the 21st Century.

I sort of went in and thought, O-K.

There's not really a lot there.

Train young minds.

I have noticed that some of you...

need to practice your handwriting.

Fill the page. Fill the page.

Train young minds.

'At the school, the children are having a lesson

'in Victorian penmanship.'

I told you earlier that you have a neck for holding up your head.

Use your arm to hold the paper steady.

'Having a good hand would enable a child to secure a clerical job

'and escape the quarry or domestic service.'

Right.

-Good. You have very neat handwriting, Leah.

-Thank you, sir.

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah.

Up...and down.

And then over.

-Can you see now how to do the 'N'?

-Yes, sir.

-Right.

This pen it's, it's like scratching when you...

When you scratch the paper too much it goes everywhere.

'The schoolmaster has news for Tommy.'

Tommy. You are of an age to become a pupil teacher.

I'm sure your parents will be very, very grateful

if you could supply additional income to the household.

I want to discuss with your parents the possibility

of attempting to become a pupil teacher.

'Pupil teachers were boys and girls of 13 and over, who

'after five years of apprenticeship, could become teachers.'

Now then, children, before long we shall be having our standard exam

which will tell me if you are ready to go up to the next standard.

Of course, it all depends on your ability.

You will be assisted by Tommy.

Therefore if you do not come up to scratch,

I'm afraid it will be reflected in Tommy's pay.

If the children are successful in the test,

the end of next week, you'll be given two shillings and eightpence.

He said I can do money out of it so I think I'll discuss it with my mum

and, hopefully, because I want to do it,

but whether my mum wants me to do it.

Yeah, I like the idea.

'With the men not due to be paid until the end of the month

'Tommy's earning will be very welcome.'

Mummy!

Did you have a good day?

-Yeah.

-Oh, wow. What happened her?

-I get to be promoted.

-Oh, right.

-To student teacher.

-A student teacher? Wow.

-I get to earn money.

-Do you?

Every little help, doesn't it.

'At the Joneses, Jac is not entirely happy.'

It is a bit unfair that, like, they've got more jobs than us.

They've got three men in the quarry, we've got two.

Literally, they've four jobs and we've got two jobs.

So, it's not quite fair.

'The families of 1890 made the most of every opportunity

'to bring home a wage.

'Our modern day families have agreed to live as closely as they can

'to the experience of the smallholders.

'But Jamie Braddock and Ben Jones have yet to realise

'that means they too must work hard.

'The teenagers derailed one of the quarry wagons.'

What's the meaning of this? Come here.

This is quarry property. Look!

Listen lads, if there's any damage to this tramway,

you're paying for it out of your wages.

This is quarry property. You should be looking after this.

Come on. This childish behaviour has got to stop now.

Let's get back to work, lads, and stop this nonsense. Come on.

Very good, David. Thank you for that.

'The teenagers aren't the only thing slowing down productivity.

'The contract the men have made with the steward

'is turning out to be stacked against them.'

I think we've got a very hard boss.

He's not paying us a fair price for what we're doing.

The money's poor. The quality of the slate is poor.

I'm not happy but there's not a lot we can do.

I think we'll have to renegotiate at the end of the week.

See what we can get out of it.

OK, boys. End of the day.

Time to go. Make sure all the tools are in the caban.

'As the men return to the smallholding

'birthday boy, David Jones' mood is deflated.

See you boys. Take care.

It'd be nice to have a luxury.

Nice to have a cake or a sweet or some chocolate.

I realise we haven't got enough money for the rent at the moment

-let alone luxuries.

-Dad, Tommy gets paid for his job.

-Tommy gets paid?

-Yes, two shillings and eight pence.

-How much, er, how often?

-Every week.

How much money do you get in the quarry, Dad?

How much money do I get in the quarry? Not enough.

'David's birthday hasn't been forgotten.

'There's a celebration in the offing.

'Local farmer, Gareth Wyn Jones, risks all

'bringing beer to the smallholding.'

I've carried this barrel for a mile-and-a-half. It's killing me.

'In 1890, the majority of the smallholders

'would have been members of the temperance society.

'A powerful movement aimed at stamping out

'the drinking of alcohol.'

Is that what I think it is? I think it is.

As long as they've been good boys. Congratulations.

Very, very good boys.

I had a handkerchief from the kids this morning and that was lovely

-but I think this beats it slightly.

-I don't know!

You haven't tasted my beer yet!

Mm! Oh, God. That's good.

'Alcohol was seen as a threat

'to the morality and stability of family life

'especially amongst poor people.'

I've never had a barrel of beer for my birthday before.

# Penblwydd hapus...#

'The evils of the demon drink were a constant theme of chapel sermons.

# Penblwydd hapus i ti!#

It's right up my street and this tastes fantastic

but I can feel it after one of these, it's hitting already.

It's such a nice feeling.

Steady hands, we don't want to lose a drop.

It's really strong.

My head is just woozy!

I don't think I can milk the cow after this.

I'll be pulling on her tail going, 'What's going on, Ruth?'.

'With the party in full swing, Jac spies someone approaching.'

There's a fat guy in a suit here!

The minister! I think it's the minister!

-He's a minister.

-No, it wouldn't be a minister tonight.

-The landlord.

-Come here.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

'The local minister has had a tip-off

'and decided to pay them a visit.

'The revellers have just seconds to hide the evidence.'

-Get rid of that, quick.

-The smell!

Don't laugh.

-Afternoon.

-Good afternoon.

My I introduce myself. I am the Reverend Eliseus Owen.

And you are? Mrs..?

'They may have hidden the beer

'but they can't hide its aroma from the reverend.'

I am slightly...well, surprised

to come here today and find a brew. Am I right, Mr Jones?

No. I think what you're smelling is the bread, it's the yeast.

Do not think for one minute as I walked into this house

-that you could deceive me and never thinking...

-But...

..in the future you will deceive me! Do not interrupt!

Do not be a fool before God, young man!

You have many things to learn about the ways of this world.

That is why I'd like to see you in chapel.

You will learn the ways of temperance

otherwise you will not last long in this community.

-Good day to you.

-Good day.

-Good day.

It's typical. Typical I'm having a drink and the reverend turns up.

-But there we go. We'll have to be very polite...

-Get on his right side.

Get on the right side of him.

We've got a lot of hard work to do.

But there we go. There we go.

I don't care, I feel fantastic.

I am the minister. I hope I didn't disturb you.

Here's to the reverend!

'The Reverend Eliseus Owen has made quite impression.

'It's Saturday and the families' first weekend

'of living on their 19th Century Snowdonian smallholding.

'Nine-year-old Jac is supposed to be helping his Mam, Catrin,

'get ready for an important visitor.

'Their grandmother, or Nain as the Welsh speaking Joneses call her,

'is coming to stay.'

I feel it's important for the house to be spick and span

for when Nain arrives.

I don't want her to arrive into chaos and think,

'Oh God, what's going on here?'.

'The men are at the quarry.

'There's no school for the children but no escape from the toil either.'

It's not nice. Quickly and give it a wash round it.

It's not a nice job is it, Ela? That will be great, Jac.

Thank-you for helping.

It's a bit...careful with that, Jac. Don't spill it on the floor.

Jac!

Jac, leave it dry. I'll leave the door open.

She's making the house tidy for Nain but I don't know why

because it's only Nain.

We know her and we've seen her before.

'Finally, the cottage is looking like a 19th century show home

'and just in time!

'David's mother, Haulwen, has come to stay for the weekend.'

Nain!

Hello!

-Hello, Jac!

-Hello!

-Are you okay?

-Yes.

-It's nice to see you.

-Now, where is your kitchen?

Well, this is it.

-Do you want to see their room?

-Yes.

Jac can't wait to give Nain a tour of the cottage's facilities.

Oh yes, I know what that is. Yes.

It's very useful in the middle of the night when it's cold.

I'm going back to my past.

'When she was just thirteen, Haulwen's father was killed

'in an accident at Dinorwic Quarry.'

I think my father was the last person to be killed in that quarry.

It was an unfortunate accident. We had a week-long court case.

I was very young.

I was put in the witness box, I remember.

'70 years on and David Jones has the chance to find out

'about life in a Welsh slate quarry and what his family went through.'

It was harder to get compensation.

They decided they wouldn't get anything because they took the view

that my grandfather was somewhere he shouldn't have been.

He just didn't have a chance.

It must have been unbelievably hard.

I am now getting a sense of how hard it was.

'As the men's leader, David has to try and get a better deal for the gang.

What we are finding is that this slate isn't good quality.

It's hard to get the amount we need out of them.

We'll have to see what we can get.

'They only get paid for slates that are absolutely perfect.'

Not great slates but stick them in piles over there.

'But that's up to the steward to decide.'

Passable.

Here are some of the slates they've made this week.

'Knowing the men want to renegotiate their terms of pay

'the steward calls in the owner.'

-Damaged one here, Mr Cornwallis.

-I can see, yes.

They've hidden that. They are trying to make fools out of us.

-And again here. They are hiding some.

-Yes.

-I've set the bargain at 30 shillings.

-Yes.

But they want 35.

I don't think there's any reason to give 35.

'With Mr Cornwallis-West on side, it's time to confront the men.'

Can you stand up for him, please?

Take your hats off.

Morning.

Me and Mr Cornwallis-West have been out there looking at the slates

and we are very disappointed.

We are dealing here with very poor quality slate.

Mick and Bob have been doing this for years and they can tell

that we've got poor quality slate.

We are struggling to make slates from we have been provided.

I don't know where you get this poor quality from.

The only poor quality is the wasted and damaged slates

which is caused by yourselves, not the stone.

A minimum that we should be looking at is 35 shillings.

A lot of the problems have been self inflicted,

lateness and damage to quarry equipment.

It's inefficiency. Myself, I would be looking at less than 30 shillings.

Mr Cornwallis here has the final say.

This isn't a joke. This money is coming out of my pocket.

I don't like throwing good money away.

-It's 30 shillings and that's it.

-Good morning, gentlemen.

ALL: Good morning.

That went well(!)

'For now, the men have to accept their lot.

'30 shillings if they produce 3000 top quality slates.'

He could have given us five shillings more, it wouldn't have gone amiss.

'Standing up to the boss in 1890 was a risky business.

The quarry owner were often the smallholding's landlords.

They had all the power and could not only sack but evict troublemakers

and their families.

-See you later.

-See you later, Ben!

'At least, Saturday is a half day

'and David is soon reunited with his mother.'

Best boy in the world.

-Everything okay?

-Yes.

-Good to see you.

-It's very good to see you.

'The Braddocks too, have a visitor.'

How are you? I'm William the butcher.

'Bringing something anyone of a squeamish disposition

'might find shocking.'

I've got some nice lambs' heads.

Ideal for you! They are delicious. Two pence each.

I can't cook it, you can cook it.

You will boil them with carrots, potatoes, onions.

-It's good value, you wouldn't go wrong.

-I can't do anything with it!

'In 1890, they thought nothing of eating offal

'as well as pig's trotters and sheep's heads.

'It was a cheap source of protein that would have seen quarrying families

'through hard times.'

I don't believe people eat it! Disgusting!

You wouldn't be disappointed.

It's just not worth thinking about. It's just awful.

'The children are inquisitive.'

-The brain...

-Is that the brain?

-Yes.

-And then bits of meat all around it.

-Can you eat the tongue?

-Yes.

-Are you going to eat it?

-Yes.

-Of course you are.

-No!

I tell you what, I am going to be vegetarian after this experience!

Thank you very much. I'll see you in a couple of days.

That's fine! Sorry!

'The Braddocks decide to take a couple of heads.'

When you buy at a butcher's, you see meat not a body part.

-When you see it's a head, can't you?

-Yes.

It's a bit more grotesque.

'There's no escape from William's budget butchery for the Joneses.'

-Good afternoon.

-Come in.

-Please to meet you, William.

-Please to meet you.

Ideal!

'Eleven-year-old Ela, a vegetarian, makes a swift exit.'

It's cruel to kill animals but it's there. I can't change their minds.

So, yeah, as long as I am not there to see it, I'm fine.

'The Joneses take two of William's offerings.'

Could you take off the eyes for me? I don't fancy that job.

Yes and I'll split them for you.

Thank you. Hope you enjoy them.

'For smallholding families, there was no such thing as the weekend

'there was work to be done seven days a week.'

Tomorrow, everyone will attend chapel,

'and in 1890, cleanliness was next to Godliness.'

There's a reason why I've got no top on at the moment.

I am trying to get air into my body, I smell.

-And he does like to pose!

-No, honestly!

'So now, The arduous task of preparing baths begins.

'They have to carry all the water and boil it up on the range.

'Then there was the sharing of the bath water,

'The younger Joneses have already been in, now it's David's turn.'

Why, when I am head of the house, did you get a bath before me?

Jac, don't!

'Bath time is fun for some, not for David.'

No wonder people only had a bath once a week.

-What's the matter?

-The towel's in the bath!

-Sorry!

-Silly David!

Give her some air tonight.

Let's see yours!

Cold! Dirty!

How many times did you have to fill that?

It's great. I'm having fun! We must do this again.

Move towards the fire.

'Unlucky Ben is the last in.

My feet feel nice but the thought of what else has been in there

does not make it feel as nice.

Let's see your teeth!

'It's Sunday morning, the first time in six days when the men

'have a day off from the quarry.

'There's no chance for a lie-in. Chapel beckons.

I just can't get out of bed. It's too cold.

It's too comfy a bed. But I've got to.

'The weather has taken a turn for the worse

'and the temperature has plummeted.

'Ben Jones is looking forward to Sunday 1890 style.'

I'm going to chapel. Better than being in that slate mine.

I'm quite looking forward.

The minister seems to be a bit of a character.

Me and Jamie will get a few giggles going in the back.

'The smallholding community was tight knit

'with neighbours relying heavily on each other.

'Local poacher, Llywarch, pays the families a visit.'

-Hello!

-Hello! How are you.

Fine, thanks.

Friends of yours at work have seen some of my friends

-and saying you've been hard up.

-Really!

-We've struggled.

-They asked me if I could help.

I have a fishing rod for you so you can gets some fish.

If you hang it for a few days. Put it on the chair?

-That would be lovely.

-Gorgeous feathers.

-Will we get into trouble for this?

-Well, yes, really.

Because the estate think they own everything.

-We could be out on our ear.

-Well, yes.

We've got to be careful. How long have you being doing it?

-50 years now.

-Right.

-So you know the tricks.

-Hopefully.

-You've not been caught?

-No.

-So, you're the man to stick with.

-Yes.

That's not a problem, if it gives us more food on the table.

Do we need to get that out of the way?

Well, there's a lake behind you here, 20 minutes' walk.

That's on common land. That's out of the reach of the landlords.

-I'll see you when the weather's a bit better.

-OK.

We'll see you later.

'Despite the threat of eviction, with supplies low,

'the prospect of free meat is tempting.

'Out in the fields, Tommy and Jordan check their animals.

'As well as cows, chickens and geese,

'each family has a six strong flock of Welsh mountain sheep

'that are about to lamb.'

-Is she one of ours or the Joneses?

-One of the ours I think.

-It looks like it's dead.

-Yeah!

Probably the lamb inside it is as well.

We'll go and speak to Mark now and get him to come and have a look

and see what he can do.

'In the chill of the morning, Mark and Jamie take a look.

Don't worry! Oh, great.

Don't look like she's had any problems lambing either.

It doesn't look like anything's happening there.

Shame! She was due to lamb!

'For the 1890 smallholder, losing a sheep, a source of food and income,

would have been a serious blow.'

< Where are the things for the cufflinks?

'Everyone is running late

and there's a scramble to get into their Sunday best clothes.

I'm getting dressed for chapel.

I think we are going to sing.

I think after we are going to Sunday school, the kids.

I think we're going to Sunday school.

Have a singsong, a karaoke.

'By the mid 19th century,

'Wales was effectively a non-conformist country.

'For the quarrying families, who endured a hand to mouth existence

'in the harsh conditions of the smallholdings,

'their religion sustained them.

'After a week of relative isolation, Alisa Braddock is keen

to meet the other chapel-goers.

It's really great to get out and get together. It's like a party

but without the alcohol!

The alcohol, I really could do with a bottle of wine tonight!

MUSIC

'At the non-conformist chapel, much of the service is in Welsh

so the Braddocks are struggling.

Who taught us as we pray, as we pray together.

Ein Tad, yr hwn wyt yn y nefoedd sancteiddied dy enw.

'In 1890, the service would have been in Welsh.

And as we welcome new families to our midst,

I would want you to feel part of this community.

But let us consider our duties.

'Chapel was central to the lives of the quarrying families

'and the minister was seen as their community leader.'

We all have a responsibility to one another in Christ.

We cannot get through the desert...

'But the words of the Reverend Eliseus Owen

'are lost on the 21st-century families.'

Now, brothers and sisters, I will invite Mr Evans

to give us the notices for the week.

We have sad news this week,

due to a tragic accident at the local quarry.

Please be upstanding in memory of Mr William Roberts

of Rhos Uchaf in this community.

Oh Lord, our heavenly father...

'When men were killed quarrying, there was no social security

'so it fell on the community to help and support bereaved families.

'For Haulwen, the announcement stirs memories of her father's death.'

And all that he achieved in this life, Amen.

ALL: Amen.

'The children stay behind for Sunday school while the parents return home.'

That I have said so much, 'My father was killed in the quarry.'

He did. Him saying that, it was as if that saying belonged to me.

Yes, that did hurt when he said that.

-All right?

-Yes, fine, dear.

Welcome to Sunday school.

My name is Miss Roberts and I'll be your teacher.

'Along with the children, the teenagers must also endure

'an extra hour of religious instruction.'

I want to look at the seventh commandment.

-Thou shall not commit adultery.

-Adultery!

What are the sins forbidden by this commandment?

Filthy lusts in the mind.

Any of you got a girlfriend?

Jordan has a girlfriend.

-Jordan, you've a girlfriend?

-Yes.

-Ben?

-Not at this prior moment, no.

-What about yourself?

-No, I'm single.

I noticed you were a Miss!

Excuse me, I do hope you remember where you are.

You're in the house of God.

'Joking apart, Jamie's disappointed

the chapel didn't attract any potential female companions.'

I did hope a little bit that they'd be some girls about.

But they are either young or old, there's nothing in between.

I don't know how people got married.

-It was boring, wasn't it?

-It was quite boring.

Singing in Welsh. Might as well be in Chinese. Couldn't read it.

'At the smallholding, Alisa and Mark are home alone.

Just got back from chapel and I feel all cleansed.

But I also feel that I want to be naughty.

Erm, it's quite nice actually.

I've just said to Mark, "Gosh, we haven't got no children."

-I know.

-What are we going to do with ourselves?

-Clean up.

-I had other things in mind.

But we'll probably clean up, yeah.

'Chapels seems to have a sobering effect on Mark

and unlike Alisa, his mind is on Victorian values.'

With regards to temperance, I'm not 100% sure what it means.

I think it's some sort of abstinence from alcohol.

No, not from rudies.

You think we've got to refrain from sex.

I think it's abstinence from everything.

Including rudies?

Yep, and drinking and anything that's not Godly.

'But even the Victorians allowed themselves a little pleasure.

'The temperance movement was only about the evils of drink.

'The families return to the chapel for evening service.

'The adults are being asked to make a public declaration

'that they will give up alcohol and sign what was know as the pledge.

'In 1890 Wales, alcohol was seen as a threat to the morality

'and stability of family life especially amongst poorer people.'

I am sure I have no need to remind you

that we welcome at all times those who with a ready conscious

come forward to sign the pledge.

I shall be viewing with interest how many of you will come forward.

Are there anyone prepared to come forward this evening?

Would you like to come forward? Welcome.

'It's an easy decision for Mark to stand up and be counted.

'He doesn't drink.'

Thank you, brother. Thank you very much.

Anybody else?

'David, avid ale drinker, is next.

'As newcomers, the families are under scrutiny.'

And who else will come tonight?

'Catrin also follows and signs...'

This is a very welcome gesture on your first visit.

'..Leaving only Alisa.

'Those who didn't sign the pledge were looked down upon by the rest of the community.

'Alisa is taking a risk.'

-Have you signed the pledge?

-Yes.

-Delighted.

-Very good sermon, Mr Owen.

-My privilege.

I hope you're settling in our community.

I didn't sign Temperance because I could never go without alcohol.

That's basically why!

But also I grew up in church.

I didn't want to sign something when in the eyes of the Lord

when I knew that I wouldn't keep to it.

To me, even though we are living in the 1890s,

I've got to go back to my life in 2010 and I'll never live it down!

These lot, on the other hand, they have got to live with it.

'The families have experienced a full week of smallholding life.

'David Jones is in reflective mood.'

It's an experience I would recommend to anybody.

If I could use words, desperation, deflation, elation,

all the ations!

Joy, I don't know!

I find myself being more emotional here.

Certain things make me want to cry.

I've only cried once when I had a letter off my mum.

I'll be blubbing towards the end, which is sad for a grown man.

I think I will do that, definitely.

'It's time for Sunday dinner. On the menu, sheep heads with vegetables.

'At the Braddocks, they've thrown out the meat in disgust

'leaving slim pickings for their main course.'

-Boiled veg.

-We had non-cooked veg!

To be honest, a cup of tea fills me up!

We are filling up on tea.

I didn't sign Temperance, I've got ale. I stuck to my word.

'The sheep head stew may have defeated the Braddocks

'but at least the Joneses are game.'

Grandma told me there was no eyes or bones in it, just pure lamb meat.

I thought, why not?

I don't know whether there are any bones.

It smells good. It smells good.

Oh, God!

It doesn't taste like meat, it's like liver.

'This budget dish was common fare for the quarrying family of 1890.

-There you are! Needs must!

-Nice.

It just tastes like lobscouse doesn't it?

-It's very similar, isn't it?

-Very similar, yes.

It could turn you veggie!

I'm so hungry, I could a eat rotting badger!

Dave!

There you are, dear! OK.

I think I'll have a word with the chef!

'Next time on Snowdonia 1890, tempers flare at a football match.'

Concentrate or you won't play properly.

'Tommy takes centre stage.'

I was nervous. I was extremely nervous.

I've done really bad and let him down.

'And there's trouble at the quarry.'

There's the door, you can go now and you've lost everything.

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