0:00:02 > 0:00:05Caravans - a fibreglass palace or a bank holiday road menace.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09Love them or hate them, in Wales we simply can't avoid them.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11We spend almost 11 million nights
0:00:11 > 0:00:14and £300 million a year holidaying in them.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But what is it about caravans
0:00:16 > 0:00:19that makes us a nation happiest on wheels?
0:00:24 > 0:00:27For years, the highlight of the caravanning calendar
0:00:27 > 0:00:30has been The Caravan Club Welsh National Rally.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Organised by a different Welsh centre every year,
0:00:35 > 0:00:39700 caravans from the seven centres across Wales meet in a field
0:00:39 > 0:00:44to do battle for the Olympic Gold Medal of the caravanning world, the Inter-Centre Cup.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49This year the National is to be held at Laleston, just outside Bridgend
0:00:49 > 0:00:53as the honour of hosting has gone to the South Wales Centre.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56And the organising starts months in advance.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01It's a blustery Friday evening at the BP Social Club in Sully,
0:01:01 > 0:01:02just outside Barry.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06A small, but dedicated, bunch of adventurers
0:01:06 > 0:01:08are arriving for their weekly rally.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Every weekend, come rain or shine,
0:01:10 > 0:01:14this group of enthusiasts turn up with their caravans
0:01:14 > 0:01:18and, well, practise caravanning.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Leading the organising committee for the National Rally is Chairman Vince Owen
0:01:27 > 0:01:30who along with his wife, Liz,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32will be responsible for the entertainment,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35the ceremonies and all the competitive events of the Cup,
0:01:35 > 0:01:40as well as making sure that all the rules and regulations of the Caravan Club are adhered to.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43And rule and regulation Number One is?
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Cos you're a Caravan Club, you've got a flag pole and flags which...
0:01:49 > 0:01:54To cover us under the Caravan Club insurances and exemption licences,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57you've actually got to fly...
0:01:57 > 0:02:00It's a bit wet, it is, from last week.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03As you can see, Caravan Club, South Wales.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08Hmm. Isn't the standard supposed to set the standard?
0:02:08 > 0:02:11I think we'd better get some new flags.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Luckily for Vince, the standard of volunteering
0:02:14 > 0:02:17is in a different class to the flags.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20He's got a committee of willing helpers,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22determined to ensure everything goes smoothly
0:02:22 > 0:02:26but that also they bring home the Inter-Centre Cup.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Annette Murphy and her husband, Steve, will be at the national
0:02:29 > 0:02:31and this year, she will be field announcer.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34So what sort of people join a caravan club?
0:02:34 > 0:02:38I mean, we're from all over - the Rhondda, Caerphilly...
0:02:38 > 0:02:41None of us would have met each other if we hadn't started rallying.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45And we've got all different types of people that rally.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48One of the guys is a chiropodist. We've got opticians, nurses,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50we got all sorts, haven't we?
0:02:50 > 0:02:53In the end, we've all got our fleeces and wellies
0:02:53 > 0:02:56and we're all the same. Just have a bit of fun!
0:02:57 > 0:03:02But the competitions at the National get competitive. Very competitive,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05so a little game-head practice never goes amiss.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08And for Eileen and Phil Barr of Pontypridd,
0:03:08 > 0:03:09it's this sort of social fun
0:03:09 > 0:03:13that has kept them members of the South Wales Centre for 37 years.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17We've got so many friends, come Christmas time,
0:03:17 > 0:03:22I'm writing 100 cards out, to people all round the country.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24It costs us a mint for stamps.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44Every year, Phil and Eileen attend The National
0:03:44 > 0:03:47and each time, their preparation follows the same routine.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Any caravan cleaning secrets you'd like to share with us. Phil?
0:03:51 > 0:03:54More or less every weekend, you get insects...
0:03:54 > 0:03:57you know, just splatted on the front of the caravan.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00The best time to clean them really is as soon as you get back.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03They tend to sort of bake on if you leave them too long,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06but you'd be surprised how dirty they get
0:04:06 > 0:04:10and obviously they're not the best of colours to hide the dirt.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14And Eileen what's your approach?
0:04:14 > 0:04:16I like my van to always look nice.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19You know I don't mind when people come in, it's used.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22But once you come home, I like to put it all back.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Sometimes, we come home and it's full of mud.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29You know, that's why I've taken my mats out and put old ones in.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33So you know I do like to enjoy myself when I go away then.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37You know I don't like to say. "Oh, watch my mats," like some people or don't leave you in.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41I think it's home and that's what I like about it.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43# March winds and April showers... #
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Whilst their caravan valeting roles are defined,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49this year for Phil, its different.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51He's on the organising committee.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54This year, in particular, what excites me
0:04:54 > 0:04:58is that we will be going a week early on the working party.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04I am helping this year in preparing the plans
0:05:04 > 0:05:06for the layout of the caravans and the field,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10so I will be there the week before.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14It's something I enjoy, perhaps got a warped sense of humour,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17maybe, but it is good.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21Whilst the National Rally for Phil is about the joys of organisation,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24for Eileen, it's all about the taking part.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26She loves the competition.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Back in the day, netball was her thing.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Yeah, the National is great, really nice.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33I look forward to it every year.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Meet friends, you know, socialise in the night.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42Netball, tug-o-war, it's just nice, you know? It is nice.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47The caravan club has given me and Phil and the family
0:05:47 > 0:05:49a lot of interest and love.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54Oh it's just lovely, it is. I love it, I love it.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Phil, if you've finished, we can have a cup of tea
0:05:56 > 0:05:59and call it a day. All right?
0:05:59 > 0:06:01So she's quite good at organising as well.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Back in Sully, the committee is struggling
0:06:04 > 0:06:07to provide refreshments for 60 caravanners.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10At the National, they'll have to cater for 700.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Why are the arrows pointing that way, then?
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Just to take it on and off.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18The one thing guaranteed to enrage caravanners
0:06:18 > 0:06:20is the lack of a hot beverage.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Tea rage. This is serious.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27How do you manage to run a rally when I'm not around?
0:06:29 > 0:06:31And they're not the only ones with a problem.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35Chairman Vince is suffering flag trauma.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38The flag has come adrift,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41so I'm just going to try and reset it in the wind.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46The lack of kettle facilities has reached crisis point
0:06:46 > 0:06:48but luckily, someone is on hand
0:06:48 > 0:06:50whose knowledge goes back several generations.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53As the head of a Tonyrefail caravanning dynasty,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Barry English is The Fixer.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57I got to try and work my magic now
0:06:57 > 0:07:01and try and get it into a creamy, nice, milky coffee.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Right. So we got some milk...
0:07:03 > 0:07:06This is what we like, this is what we want.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Some coffee...
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Anybody got a spoon, Bev, got a spoon?
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Stir it, mix it together.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Ah, what could possibly go wrong?
0:07:18 > 0:07:20That's not strong.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Oh, everything!
0:07:26 > 0:07:27Strong!
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Vince, how's the rest of the prep going for The National?
0:07:30 > 0:07:36We've got to find the venue, organise the concerts,
0:07:36 > 0:07:37get everything in place.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Hopefully all the bookings will come in to help us pay for it
0:07:44 > 0:07:48because it is quite a big event
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Ah, well, at least you got your flag up
0:07:51 > 0:07:56and we're just hearing there's a development back at the coffee.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00It's going down very well. Watch their faces.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03It will be like nectar from the Gods.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07Look at Mark over there now. He loves it! See the pleasure we give him for a cup of coffee?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11And that's it...
0:08:11 > 0:08:13So, in summary - bulk coffee making, check.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Quality flag raising, room for improvement.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Literally everything else you need to stage
0:08:19 > 0:08:22a logistically complicated, multi-event caravan rally - to-do list.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24With the Sully weekend over,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28it's only got a matter of weeks until the National Rally. Good luck!
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Safe as houses.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43It's the day before the National.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46And the past few weeks has seen the committee frantically
0:08:46 > 0:08:49preparing to make sure the show will be up and running on time.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Vince is still hard at it...
0:08:51 > 0:08:55and the strain of it all is beginning to show.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59I am very stressed actually.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Still get late nights, can't sleep, off your food.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06But as I say, over the weekend it should get a bit better,
0:09:06 > 0:09:11and then on Monday night I can actually say, time to relax.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15At midday on Friday, the gates open.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Caravans from the seven Welsh clubs
0:09:20 > 0:09:23arrive at Upper Park Farm in Laleston near Bridgend,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25ready for the biggest rally of the year.
0:09:25 > 0:09:32And before long, the four fields are a sea of 700 caravans from all over Wales.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34And finally, after a quick speech
0:09:34 > 0:09:38at the Opening Ceremony, Vince will be on easy street... well, easy-field.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43OK...easy-designated drive route set out by Phil.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46On behalf of the members of the South Wales Centre Caravan Club,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48I am delighted to extend a warm welcome...
0:09:48 > 0:09:50'All our intention is to win that big cup.'
0:09:50 > 0:09:55On my first time as chairman, I actually did pick that big cup up for the first time.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59It's a good feeling, and I want to feel it again, especially for our centre members.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04And the competitions are under way!
0:10:04 > 0:10:08Netball, football, volleyball...
0:10:09 > 0:10:12More netball, dog shows,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14a...decorated car?
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Best old man, Welsh girls, Smurfs...
0:10:18 > 0:10:20and a small dog!
0:10:20 > 0:10:23And entering this year's
0:10:23 > 0:10:26"Cooking Scones in Your Caravan" competition, representing
0:10:26 > 0:10:29South Wales and assisted by granddaughter Teagan, is Eileen Barr.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34- You confident, Eileen?- All the competitions now have started.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Netball, you name it, everything. This is where it gets serious.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42I've never entered a cooking competition in 38 years I've been caravanning.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- My first time.- Right...
0:10:45 > 0:10:48It looks like loads of milk...
0:10:51 > 0:10:56I'm not going to put all that in. No way. See how this goes in first.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Can I have a look at the recipe book?
0:10:58 > 0:10:59Well, that's what it says,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02but that can't be four ounces...
0:11:02 > 0:11:05I don't know if this is going to be ruined now, look.
0:11:05 > 0:11:06It can't be four ounces. Look at it.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11Let's look at that again.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14A quarter, not four ounces, a quarter.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16That's a quarter there, innit?
0:11:16 > 0:11:19And I went up there, I've done it wrong, boys.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22I'll have to start again. Sorry! Start again!
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Effort one - fail.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28But, as the saying goes, "If at first you don't succeed..."
0:11:28 > 0:11:29Eileen, you silly bugger.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32"..insult yourself."
0:11:35 > 0:11:36Maybe the South Wales Centre
0:11:36 > 0:11:39will have more luck in the next competition -
0:11:39 > 0:11:41the Decorated Car.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Leading the team is Dean Smith.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Unfortunately, we should have started this yesterday
0:11:46 > 0:11:48but we were swept off our feet.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52With only two other teams entering, this should be a banker.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57Hopefully, if we haven't broken any rules and everything's gone to plan,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59we might come out with a winning car.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Every year there is a theme,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06and each team's design is always a highly guarded secret.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09The kids made all the mushrooms, all the flowers.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Our mushroom is a parasol and one of the site bins,
0:12:12 > 0:12:15along with a water barrel inside with about 50 litres of water in
0:12:15 > 0:12:17to stop it blowing away.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21So, any thoughts on what this year's theme is?
0:12:21 > 0:12:26Yes, it's the South Wales Caravan Centre's Smurf-themed Magic Mushroom Mobile.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31In he goes, Lewis Hamilton.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32Not brilliantly dignified, but...
0:12:34 > 0:12:35And that's how we do that.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39It's showtime.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40How you feeling, Dean?
0:12:40 > 0:12:42I don't know what I'm up against.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46I've heard West Wales have fielded something very impressive.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Yeah, you heard right.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Still, course, it's all subjective.
0:12:51 > 0:12:52CHEERING
0:12:52 > 0:12:55That was the judges.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59And the chances are at least you won't come last.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03The judges deliberate for a whole three minutes.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Have Dean and the kids done enough?
0:13:07 > 0:13:08No.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11But they have come second.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13SOUNDS CAR HORN
0:13:13 > 0:13:16I'll take second place, they were all good entrants.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17Yeah, glad of one point.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Here we are, the man who does it all.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22- That's not bad, is it? - No, not bad at all, first attempt
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Yeah, that's not bad at all.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- Yeah, very happy. - I'm pleased for the kids.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Whilst the Decorated Car Challenge
0:13:34 > 0:13:36may not be the most fiercely fought competition,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39there's one that most certainly is.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47The most hotly contested event at the National is the tug of war -
0:13:47 > 0:13:49the event for the caravanner's man's man.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Pride is at stake, it's all or nothing.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56And the South Wales Centre really want to win.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59For a whole year, they've been training every Tuesday
0:13:59 > 0:14:02towards taking the glory at the National.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05This is serious stuff,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08and, knowing the humiliation a loss will bring,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10the team are pushed hard by head coach Russell Davies.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24We've won it the last couple of years,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27so the sides will all be out to get us.
0:14:27 > 0:14:34They tend to measure themselves how they pull against us.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Our main competitors will be West Wales.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37They'll be training hard now.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42North Wales are coming up the ranks, they're improving every year.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44'Left, push, left, push, left...'
0:14:44 > 0:14:49There's always a bit of banter on the weekends when we see other sides,
0:14:49 > 0:14:53how they're going to give us a hammering this year.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57The stories go round how everybody's hardest training
0:14:57 > 0:14:58and everybody gears up.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Nobody, nobody goes there to lose, we really want to win.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Quite confident we will win, but, like I said,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06we've just got to do the hard training here.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11It's all done here, and up there then enjoy it.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Well done, boys!
0:15:14 > 0:15:18They've done all they can, so how will they fare on match day?
0:15:20 > 0:15:21CHEERING AND SCREAMING
0:15:25 > 0:15:26Badly.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30The team are losing in Round One to arch-rivals West Wales.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38And then, suddenly, their loss turns to controversy -
0:15:38 > 0:15:43there's confusion as to whether the rope marker crossed the line properly.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45ANNOUNCER: I have the judges' decision -
0:15:45 > 0:15:46a no-pull.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51The decision is that it's a no-pull,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54so both teams will have to pull again.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57But then controversy turns to protest, as West Wales,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00unhappy with the decision, refuse to pull in the re-pull!
0:16:00 > 0:16:02It's all kicked off!
0:16:02 > 0:16:03..sort of.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05They feel that they actually won in the end,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08and they won't pull the final end.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12Really speaking, they did win, but the ref's decision is final
0:16:12 > 0:16:15and we turned out to pull the last end.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18They refused to pull, so that meant we had 2-1.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Morally, I suppose they won, but we got the points.
0:16:22 > 0:16:23Steady!
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Pull!
0:16:25 > 0:16:27South Wales go through by default.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30West Wales's only chance of making the final now
0:16:30 > 0:16:33is if they beat the team from North Wales...
0:16:33 > 0:16:35..which they do.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37There's a grudge match brewing.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40It's more of an even competition this year between us.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44It's just getting our heads together now for Monday
0:16:44 > 0:16:46and hope for the best.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53Back at Eileen's caravan, and the second attempt at Scone Quest has been more successful.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Time to get them out.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Oh, lovely looking.
0:16:57 > 0:16:58Not bad, are they?
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Bit of all sorts here.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03That's a bit burnt, that is, but you know...
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Rules state that the scones have to be presented on a white plate,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10so it's select the beauties, add a little bit of caravan garnish...
0:17:10 > 0:17:13There's that one there a bit small, but not too bad, these, are they?
0:17:13 > 0:17:16..then it's off to be judged at the main marquee.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Oh, look at hers, better, yours is!
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Oh dear, scone perfection.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Ah.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Right, I'm going to do it!
0:17:28 > 0:17:31I hope!
0:17:33 > 0:17:35For Barry English, a trip to the National
0:17:35 > 0:17:38has been a part of his life for 25 years.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42So, after being the main cause of the coffee debacle back in Sully,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44has he learned his lesson?
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I've got to put that finishing touch to it,
0:17:47 > 0:17:48coffee and stuff like that.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51You've just got to put that secret ingredient in.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Just tell them it's good although it tastes terrible.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Power of persuasion, they call it.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Clearly not.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01But someone who wants to get by on more than bluff
0:18:01 > 0:18:02is Barry's sister, Angela,
0:18:02 > 0:18:07as she attempts to win the Caravan Reversing Competition for South Wales.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09What's your realistic hopes, Angela?
0:18:09 > 0:18:15I really would love to be able to crack this car and caravan reversing.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19My best time at the moment is two minutes something.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23I'd love to get that down to under a minute,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26which is why I'm trying to work out some strategies
0:18:26 > 0:18:30and tactics as to which way to turn when I come out of the garage.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32And if I can imprint that in my mind tonight,
0:18:32 > 0:18:35I'll think about it as I'm going, and instead of stopping,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38looking where the caravan's going and adjusting,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40if I can think, "Right, left hand down,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43"right hand down, right hand down, left hand down and I'm in."
0:18:46 > 0:18:49So, basic flour, salt and margarine.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51There's no baking powder in there.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54They shouldn't be like a big risen....
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Back at the main marquee, the scone judging is underway,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00and there are strict rules that, if broken,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02will mean instant disqualification.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Sadly, Eileen is about to innocently stumble
0:19:05 > 0:19:09into the alliterative scandal of 'Plate-gate'.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11So anything like that plate,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15they haven't been down to the marquee to get a plastic plate.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17It's a disaster - out on a technicality.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Never mind what?
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Who's the winner then?
0:19:21 > 0:19:23I don't know, Phil. I don't know.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26All the glitz and glamour of the scone-baking world
0:19:26 > 0:19:29is about to crash down around Eileen's ears.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Number two, look at that, number one I am.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34No, I haven't won.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Number 11 and number two.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Oh, I haven't won! Ohhhh!
0:19:40 > 0:19:43And now Eileen wants to challenge the verdict.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- What's wrong, Eye? - I haven't won, Pete!
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- Why's that, love?- I even put my little Welsh girl on it!
0:19:49 > 0:19:53And it was on a china plate and not a paper plate.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- Nobody told me about this, Pete! - I know, it's the first time...
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- Up there, look at it! - I know, disqualified, though.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02- They weren't on these plates... - Nobody told I needed them!
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Next year you'll be able to win it, won't you?
0:20:04 > 0:20:08No, people didn't tell me I've got to have a paper plate. It wasn't in the book.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- Well, it's been announced all weekend.- Well, I've not heard it.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Paper plate!
0:20:13 > 0:20:14Unlucky.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Good effort, though.
0:20:16 > 0:20:17Thanks, Pete.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Right, off.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21And Eileen's disappointment
0:20:21 > 0:20:25marks the end of the first day of competition
0:20:25 > 0:20:29and as the South Wales Centre settles down for a beer and a scone,
0:20:29 > 0:20:31they can only hope they've got enough points in the bag
0:20:31 > 0:20:34and that they're on their way to victory.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Good morning, ralliers.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41This is the final day for all the competitions
0:20:41 > 0:20:45so we'd just like to wish you good luck.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49At the information tent, Field Announcer Annette
0:20:49 > 0:20:52is charged with keeping a tally of the points scored so far.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54..from the West Wales Centre for tomorrow.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57This is the last day now, this is the final.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59This is the time now when you've just got to
0:20:59 > 0:21:01rack up your points to get the winner.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05All I can say at the moment, it's between South and West, OK?
0:21:05 > 0:21:07That's enough that I can tell you, for the moment.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11- But it's not all showbiz. - This is an announcement.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Please can we remind all ralliers
0:21:14 > 0:21:20they need to empty their caravan toilet in the designated areas.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Thank you.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23KLAXON SOUNDS
0:21:24 > 0:21:29The first competition of the day - Caravan Reversing.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31This is, at best, nearly impossible
0:21:31 > 0:21:33and there were some early casualties.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39Sadly, he went into the back of the garage so he was disqualified.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43KLAXON SOUNDS
0:21:43 > 0:21:47But some people struggle less than others.
0:22:00 > 0:22:01KLAXON SOUNDS
0:22:01 > 0:22:02APPLAUSE
0:22:02 > 0:22:05A time of 15:47.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Yeah, pretty good, but you wait to see what Angela can do.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- CROWD:- Go on, Angela! Woo!
0:22:12 > 0:22:16Now remember, Ange. Left hand down, right hand down, right hand down,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19left hand down...and you're in.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20# Take it easy. #
0:22:20 > 0:22:25That's it. Left hand do...
0:22:25 > 0:22:32(YAWNS) left hand down, right hand down, le...
0:22:32 > 0:22:34That's it. No, don't brake.
0:22:35 > 0:22:36HE SIGHS
0:22:37 > 0:22:39OK, start again.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Left hand... Ah, I'll just leave you to it.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51Well, as you can see, I lost it as we came out of the garage.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Those tactics I did last night in the caravan
0:22:54 > 0:22:55went completely out of the window.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59It's totally different when you're thinking, "right hand down,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01"left hand down...whoops! No, that's the wrong way."
0:23:01 > 0:23:06But I managed to get out and turn it round and a few shunts and whatever.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10Not my best, but hey, you enter for fun. So, well done.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14I done all right to get it in cos there's a few that's hit the bollards there,
0:23:14 > 0:23:16so I'm quite all right with that.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17KLAXON SOUNDS
0:23:17 > 0:23:21A total time of four day... four minutes, 37 seconds.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24So that's the longest I've ever taken, I think.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26But, no pressure, eh? Ha!
0:23:28 > 0:23:31This weekend couldn't have been any busier for Vince,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33but at last, the hard bit is over.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37Actually now starting to get changed, ready for closing ceremony.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Where all the trophies, and medals, cups
0:23:40 > 0:23:43for all the winners and runners up.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Get their plaques, trophies, medals
0:23:45 > 0:23:49and hopefully we will get the big cup at the end of it.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52After all the hard work everybody's put into it over the weekend,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56it would really seal it to win it back and bring it home to mother.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01But for Vince's dreams to become a reality,
0:24:01 > 0:24:05there's a very important competition to get through.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09At captain Russell's caravan, thoughts of the bitter rivalry
0:24:09 > 0:24:11between South and West fill the air.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15They were better than us last Saturday
0:24:15 > 0:24:17but we've got to reverse it today.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Mentally...it's all level.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24They think they've got the edge on us, they're going for the win,
0:24:24 > 0:24:26they're going to go for it.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28I think they're going to have shock.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31It's do or die today now.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34It certainly feels like that on the rope!
0:24:35 > 0:24:36Having got himself psyched up,
0:24:36 > 0:24:40it's time for Russ to inspire the boys.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43We're going back to our proven method, all right?
0:24:43 > 0:24:44We're going to go tight.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Right, we're not going to have this nonsense of "Ripping them out,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50"we're going to do it as quick as we can."
0:24:50 > 0:24:53That's not our style. We proved that, Saturday.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57It's not our game, all right? Tight. Tight is our game.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Tight is right for us, all right?
0:25:04 > 0:25:09For Russell and his tug-of-war team, it's time.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Time to prove their hard work has been worth it.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Time to prove they can beat their West Walian rivals.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Time to prove that tight is right.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28CHEERING AND CHANTING
0:25:46 > 0:25:49The first pull goes their way,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52but that's only half the battle won.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55With lungs bursting out of their chests
0:25:55 > 0:25:59and a few bellies bursting out of their belts, it is again...time.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Can they do it?
0:26:04 > 0:26:06CHEERING
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Woo woo!
0:26:23 > 0:26:24Yes!
0:26:29 > 0:26:35South Wales Centre have won. It is their time.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Fantastic, wasn't it? I told you all about it!
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Better attitude, a tighter rope.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Knowing that the opposition was there so we gave it all
0:26:46 > 0:26:49and as you see, we took that 2-0 then.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54The Olympics of the caravan world draws to an end
0:26:54 > 0:26:57and it's time to award the prizes.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02All weekend, old rivalries have been renewed.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06But finally, it's time to announce the winner.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08For Russ...
0:27:08 > 0:27:09For Eileen and Phil...
0:27:09 > 0:27:11For Annette...
0:27:11 > 0:27:13For Angela...
0:27:13 > 0:27:15For Vince...
0:27:15 > 0:27:18this is the moment of truth.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Winners... South Wales!
0:27:21 > 0:27:23CHEERING
0:27:28 > 0:27:32They've done it. South Wales are the winners.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35It's a chance for the region of caravanners
0:27:35 > 0:27:38to bask in the glory of success.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42I told you all about it, fantastic! It's been...
0:27:42 > 0:27:46Honestly now, this is what caravanning is all about.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Seeing children, parents, you know,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53getting together. It's nice.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57I think so and I'm proud of myself.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Even if it's pulling the rope,
0:27:59 > 0:28:01playing volley ball, playing netball.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Whatever the sports are, we all try our best.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07But at the end of the day, win or lose, we get together
0:28:07 > 0:28:09and we have a bit of fun.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Fantastic. I mean, what a result. I can't believe it's all over.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16It's been a lot of preparation. We've pulled it off.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20We've got so many, many friends in the centre and in other centres
0:28:20 > 0:28:24and that to me means an awful lot because you know you've got people
0:28:24 > 0:28:28around you that care and people that understand your love of caravanning.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32I'm the proudest man in the centre. I feel 9ft tall.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Glad the weekend's been such a good success
0:28:34 > 0:28:37and we've actually won the cup, which tops everything.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41I would not give up caravanning for anything else in the world.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Really proud.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47MAJESTIC HORN MUSIC PLAYS
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:58 > 0:29:01E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk