0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:19 > 0:00:22- I'm here in one of the last dairies - in London.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26- The Jones Brothers family have sold - milk here for over a century.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30- It was a Mecca for Welsh families - to make their fortune.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35- But today, it's not just London's - milk businesses that have gone.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39- The number of farms in Wales - has also fallen.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45- The dairy industry has changed - substantially over the last century.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- Until the Milk Marketing Board - was established in 1933...- - https://www.peoplescollection.wales/node/491971
0:00:52 > 0:00:56- ..the industry in Wales was made up - of a collection of small farms.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- They produced enough - for the family...
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- ..and a little extra to sell as - butter and cheese in local markets.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- In just - three quarters of a century...
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- ..the milk production industry - has experienced a revolution.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15- It's changed from being small - and local to large and global.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- Gwynfryn Evans, a former manager - at a milk production factory...
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- ..witnessed these changes - first hand.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- I'm mostly familiar - with the early 1960s.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28- There had already been - a lot of changes even then.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31- Since the industrial revolution...
0:01:31 > 0:01:36- ..after the population migrated - from the countryside to the town...
0:01:36 > 0:01:39- ..the milk had to follow.
0:01:39 > 0:01:46- It was no longer sufficient for - local farmers to supply the village.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50- Many farmers moved their herds - into the towns.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55- They were supplying milk directly, - milking in the backstreets...
0:01:55 > 0:01:59- ..and taking the milk - around the streets twice a day.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- Everything changed again - when the railways were built.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- They could milk in the countryside - and transport it to the cities.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- Pasteurisation - was the biggest change.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15- As soon as that happened...
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- ..it was possible to keep milk fresh - for days.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- As the situation improved, - the product increased as well.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- The Milk Board was formed in 1933.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29- That brought confidence - to the industry.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35- Every farmer had confidence in the - market and was guaranteed an income.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40- A cheque arrived from the Milk Board - every month for 61 years...
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- ..on the correct date.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47- The milk cheque transformed - the lives of many farmers.
0:02:47 > 0:02:53- One of those was Brian Thomas, - from Gelliddu, near Carmarthen.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- I was raised on a small farm - on the outskirts of Carmarthen.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- My father had around 25 acres - and milked 15 cows.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- He delivered milk around town - with his pony and trap...
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- ..and later on with his van - and milk bottles.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11- Until I came here...
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- ..I helped him with the milk round - every morning and on weekends.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- There were 10-12 of us delivering - milk around Carmarthen at that time.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25- I think they're down to two or three - today. Times have changed.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- When the Milk Board was created, - they introduced lorries.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- They had a fleet of lorries - themselves as well as contractors.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- They'd collect milk from the farms.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- That's when we saw the creation - of the milk stand.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- There was a wood stand here, - a stone stand there...
0:03:45 > 0:03:49- ..and the odd posh farmer - built a concrete stand.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- Then the tankers came. - That was a big change.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57- The intention of the milk lorries - was to ensure that local milk...
0:03:57 > 0:04:03- ..was collected and taken - to the closest possible factory.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- There was huge opposition - in Ceredigion.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11- Small farmers were supplying - perhaps two milk churns daily.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17- They couldn't see the point - in investing in a tank.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- I was delivering to the milk factory - in Pensarn...
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- ..up until the churns - came to an end.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- Then I had to get a milk tank - and build a milking parlour.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- Like every other milk farm, - it expanded.
0:04:32 > 0:04:38- The facilities weren't quite enough - so I had to reinvest.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- That's still happening now.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- Do you have to expand - or are you choosing to?
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- If you don't expand, you go - backwards. That's the problem.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- The reason we've expanded...
0:04:52 > 0:04:57- ..is because my son, Gareth, does - the farming and makes the decisions.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02- He wants to earn a living for his - family and so he's had to expand.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- One of the most disturbing times - for Welsh dairy farmers...
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- ..was when milk quotas - were introduced in 1983.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- European countries - were given a milk quota.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- They weren't allowed - to produce more than the quota.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- In Britain, our quota only - corresponded to 80% of demand.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30- The Government was keen to protect a - share of the market for New Zealand.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- New Zealand was supplying - a lot of butter to Britain.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- Completely intentionally, - our quota was limited to 80%.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43- This was to protect butter imports - from New Zealand.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48- To make things worse in Wales, - milk production on English farms...
0:05:48 > 0:05:53- ..had increased around five years - before the quota was introduced.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58- As is usual in Wales, we waited - to see what worked elsewhere...
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- ..before embarking on it ourselves.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- At the same time as the quotas - were introduced...
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- ..Welsh farmers - began to produce more milk.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- But the quotas they were given...
0:06:10 > 0:06:14- ..were based on their production - two years previously.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- Many Welsh farmers - were caught out at that time.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- Milk quotas - were abolished in April last year.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27- But the low price of milk - remains a problem for dairy farmers.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36- Since milk quotas were abolished, - milk prices have varied.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- There have been long periods - of very low prices.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- Many claim their selling price - is less than the cost of production.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- The profit isn't as it should be.
0:06:46 > 0:06:52- In my opinion, the profit goes - to the people who sell the milk.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- It doesn't go to the producers.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- One business leading the way - in adding value to milk...
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- ..is Daioni - from Ffosyficer, Abercych.
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- Going back over ten years ago, - in 1999...
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- ..we turned to the organic method - of farming.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- We were promised a lot of money, - but many people did the same thing.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- After the first two or three years - of becoming organic...
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- ..we weren't getting the price - we were promised at the beginning.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- My husband and two friends - decided to sell their own milk.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- Then we discovered - it wasn't that easy.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39- For the first two years or so, - we just sold fresh milk.
0:07:39 > 0:07:45- Then with help from the Assembly, - we created Daioni flavoured milk.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- Of course, that's able to travel.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- Fresh milk lasts only days, - but UHT lasts for months.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- That makes all the difference.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- We have to make - constant improvements.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- We either change the flavours - or the sizes.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- Now we're looking at the Far East.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- They're not so fussy on flavour.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- There's been a lot of fuss in China - about milk.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13- They want it in litre containers.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- They want it in litre containers.- - You've added value to your product.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20- What's your advice to somebody who - may be thinking of doing similar?
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- There's not enough room - in the market for everything.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- There's already cheese, milk - and cakes out there.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32- When you're starting out, you're - full of enthusiasm and drive.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- You have to continue building - and that costs money.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- The farm is the backbone - of our company.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- If you start out on your own, - it can be hard.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- You need money to sustain yourself.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- I left the kitchen - and travelled the world.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- I've met new people, had lots of fun - and hopefully made more money...
0:08:53 > 0:08:57- ..than if I'd just watched - the milk leave in the tanker.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- At one time, there were a large - number of milk factories in Wales.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- This number has decreased.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09- This means that a high percentage - of milk is processed outside Wales.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- The milk must travel further - these days.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- It travels a lot further now.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- I used to deliver milk in churns - to the factory in Pensarn.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24- That was until the tankers - were introduced.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- Now the milk is transported - straight to London in a tanker.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- That's the difference.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35- Very similar to how Welsh people - travelled to London years ago.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- Very similar. In those days, - milk was transported by rail.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41- I remember it going to London - by train.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- But a lot of milk was processed - in Wales.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- There were two milk processing - factories in Carmarthen...
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- ..one in St Clears - and one in Whitland.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- Now there's none.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- Before that, our big cities, - especially London...
0:09:57 > 0:09:59- ..were a Mecca - for Welsh milk producers.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05- Reminders of this era are still - visible across the city today.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- Join me in the second half to hear - why London's former milk workers...
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- ..decided to put the milky way - into the archives of history.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- Don't go away.
0:10:25 > 0:10:25- Subtitles
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- Ceredigion has a unique relationship - with London's milk industry.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- Although thousands of them - relocated to the city...
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- ..historical records are very rare.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- Megan Hayes - is originally from London...
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- ..but has now returned - to her Ceredigion roots.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- She has written a book about - the history of the milk industry.
0:10:56 > 0:11:02- My mother and father - were farmhands.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- My mother went to night school - to study dairying.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10- Although they both left school - before the age of 14...
0:11:10 > 0:11:15- ..she was awarded a scholarship - to do a diploma in Aberystwyth.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- But the romantic notion - of streets of gold called.
0:11:19 > 0:11:20- My father was going to London.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26- They both went into service to learn - the business before marrying.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- Afterwards, they established - a business in Shoreditch.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33- I was born in 1929 in Shoreditch.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37- My mother said I was a cockney if - the wind was blowing the right way.
0:11:38 > 0:11:44- Throughout my childhood in London, - our home was a Welsh-speaking one.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46- Even the maids were from Wales.
0:11:46 > 0:11:53- Our entire social life - was based around the chapel.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58- In the 1930s, - milk sales were at their strongest.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04- When war broke out, - many people lost their businesses.
0:12:05 > 0:12:11- After the war, large companies - bought the milk rounds.
0:12:11 > 0:12:18- People weren't able to make - a decent living from their shops.
0:12:18 > 0:12:23- There was then a tendency - to sell shops...
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- ..and open guesthouses.
0:12:26 > 0:12:32- Some kept cattle in town - until after the war.
0:12:32 > 0:12:38- Our business was saved when - the Jews arrived in the East End.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- They wanted kosher milk.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- We had to milk the cows - under the supervision of a rabbi.
0:12:47 > 0:12:54- The milk was blessed before - Orthodox Jews would drink it.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- There are just - three milk businesses left.
0:12:59 > 0:13:06- They sell to companies and hotels - rather than individuals.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- At the turn of the last century, - a member of Dai Morgan's family...
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- ..went to work - in the London milk industry.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- Originally this was a dairy farm...
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- ..but its connection with milk - is no more.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- Dai, there's a strong connection - between you and London.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- Yes, there is.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- My great-great aunt - moved to London in 1901.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- I believe she was born in 1878.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- I didn't know much about the story - until recently.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- A relation of yours, Sarah, - was an influential figure in London.
0:13:50 > 0:13:51- Yes, as far as I can tell.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- She was a very kind woman - and was very popular.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- They say after she passed away, - she was brought home on the train.
0:14:02 > 0:14:09- At the station, there were around - 200 people singing a hymn.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- After her passing, - they changed the company's name.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- They changed it from City of London - Dairies to Jones Brothers.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22- I've been to the shop, - but not for a number of years.
0:14:22 > 0:14:28- Henry Jones was my grandfather - and Sarah Morgan was my grandmother.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32- My grandfather started the business - in Jewry Street...- - http://www.londontown.com/LondonStreets/jewry_street_6e7.html
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- ..in The City of London in 1877.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- By 1898...
0:14:41 > 0:14:46- ..he'd sold that business and bought - another business in Stoney Lane.- - http://www.londontown.com/LondonStreets/stoney_lane_906.html
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Where are you today?
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- Where are you today?- - We're still in Middlesex Street.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- The offices and the shop - are still there.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- We've got two freehold warehouses...
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- ..on the edge of Limehouse - next to Canary Wharf.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07- With the demise of the milk market, - the pricing went out the window.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- The supermarkets - drastically cut the cost.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- Consequently, it's difficult - with the profit margin.
0:15:14 > 0:15:20- They're selling it - extremely cheaply.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- It's quite difficult profit-wise - because of what they're selling at.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- It's the end of an era - for London's dairies.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- The Welsh connection with the city - is weakening.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40- However, - the memories are as alive as ever.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43- Somebody who remembers - this golden era...
0:15:43 > 0:15:48- ..is one of our most famous - presenters, Mr Dai Jones, Llanilar.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- Dai was born in London.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- Although he left aged three...
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- ..he spent much of his childhood - at his parents' shop.
0:16:02 > 0:16:08- It was the golden age - of the London Welsh at the time.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- Every Welshman had a milk round.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- There was a grocers shop - on the corner of every street.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- There was a large number - of Welsh people.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- The Welsh were praised for - introducing water to the English.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- They said people from Ceredigion - put it in the milk.
0:16:27 > 0:16:28- I don't believe that!
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- Milk was everything.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35- There was a very close-knit - Welsh community.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39- The chapel was - at the centre of everything.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- Mam and Dad went to chapel by bus...
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- ..in case their customers - thought they could afford a taxi.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- They went by bus - and came home in a taxi.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- We walked the last half a mile.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- If a taxi was heard in the street, - curtains would open...
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- ..and they'd say, "If they can - afford to go out on Sunday night...
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- "..they can pull the milk down."
0:17:02 > 0:17:09- My grandfather - worked as a main stable man.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13- In those days, horses pulled - the milk carts to the dairies.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- He was the main man - at one of the stables.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- There were around 100 horses there.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- They'd go out on rounds every day, - starting at 4.30am.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- During holidays, - I'd go around with my grandfather.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- He'd go for a pint - and I'd look after the corgi.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- He'd shout at the horses - on the street.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- Bill! Jack! - All the horses knew him.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- It was a very happy time.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- It was the way many families - earned a living.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- If you were willing to work. - You had to work.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56- And you helped to carry the bottles.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01- I'd learn from the boys - how to handle the bottles.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06- The first job you'd have, - "Bring the empties, Dai."
0:18:06 > 0:18:07- "Bring them up."
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- You'd have one in your armpit...
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- ..one in your pocket, - one down your trousers.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- These boys would have five fingers, - five fingers, lift ten bottles.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19- By the end I could do it.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- At the end, before my parents - retired, I hurt my finger.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- I hurt this finger on a tractor - a long time ago.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- It's thicker than the others...
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- ..and the devil would get stuck - in the bottles.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- But five and five, - that was the way the boys did it.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- The sweet memories of milk - production in Wales and London...
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- ..is still important - to many in Wales.
0:18:48 > 0:18:54- The days of small-scale, - local processing have long gone.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- Because of milk quotas...
0:18:59 > 0:19:03- ..we've lost three quarters of - milk producers in England and Wales.
0:19:03 > 0:19:08- We've lost 30,000 - milk production businesses.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- They've decreased in number - from 40,000 to 10,000.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- Only a small amount of the milk - produced in Wales is processed here.
0:19:16 > 0:19:23- It all goes over the Severn Bridge - to be processed in England.
0:19:23 > 0:19:30- I think Wales loses a lot of profit - because our milk has to travel.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35- The dairy farmer - is keeping agriculture going.
0:19:35 > 0:19:41- The places - that sell tractors and cars.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46- Over the years, it's the dairymen - who've kept them going.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51- I have confidence - in small companies...
0:19:52 > 0:19:58- ..specializing in local - Welsh cheese and yogurt.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- They'll succeed.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- I hope the Welsh Government - will help them to succeed...
0:20:04 > 0:20:09- ..and that they receive the support - and encouragement they need...
0:20:09 > 0:20:14- ..to ensure that we have - the best quality Welsh food.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- Milk is very important to us.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- It's still the main core - of our business.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- But we've diversified - quite a lot now.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28- I can see a good future - for Jones Brothers.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- We shouldn't talk the industry down. - There is a future.
0:20:32 > 0:20:38- What we produce doesn't last days. - It has to be used straight away.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43- Perhaps by making cheese and butter, - it will keep.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- Drinking milk - has to be produced constantly.
0:20:48 > 0:20:54- Milk consumption across the world - is increasing.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59- Because of that, many people who - export produce to this country...
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- ..also export it to other countries.
0:21:02 > 0:21:08- There'll be more opportunities - for young farmers in this country...
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- ..to produce milk.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12- I think the future's bright.
0:21:13 > 0:21:19- It's clear that milk is as important - to farmers as it has always been.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24- Although the relationship - with London has weakened...
0:21:24 > 0:21:30- ..the milk industry's history - lives on in Megan Hayes' book.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38- Llwybr Llaethog is the only book - that literally follows...
0:21:38 > 0:21:44- ..the timeline from the drovers - to the present day.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- The name came - from the last sentence...
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- ..of my parents' wedding report - that appeared in the paper.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- It was written by one - of the Ciliau family, Isfoel.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- The last sentence was...
0:22:01 > 0:22:07- .."I wish them the favour and fate - that follows all on the Milky Way."
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- It wasn't so much the best wishes...
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- ..but the fact the sentence - took for granted...
0:22:19 > 0:22:21- ..that success would come to them.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- I was aware my parents worked hard.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- I was aware of the fine summers - in Llwyndafydd.
0:22:31 > 0:22:37- I'm now aware of the need to record - everything before it's forgotten...
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- ..from Cardiganshire's history.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:00 > 0:23:01