- 14 hours ago
Reuben Owen Life in The Dales S03E01
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00:02I'll tell you what, this is hard.
00:04This sheep's definitely going to get bullied for its hike up.
00:07We've watched Reuben Owen grow up on his remote hill farm with his eight siblings.
00:12Do you want to do the honours, Sid? Buck her out.
00:14That was the old school way of doing it, Dad.
00:16That's where we used to start with the old sheers.
00:19Now he's building a business and a remarkable life in his Yorkshire home.
00:24We need a lot more in here, yeah. More faster.
00:26We're going. We're going faster than that.
00:27They're a great team, even on a job like this,
00:30where there's a bit of pressure to get it done. They're brilliant.
00:33We'll continue to follow him as he takes on new challenges
00:36with the support of friends and family.
00:38Do you want to give us a hand putting the wheel on?
00:40Righto, will do.
00:41I love working with Sid.
00:42He has always been helpful in his own little way.
00:45How do you get someone unstuck at the side of a pond?
00:47Brilliantly, just brilliant.
00:49And witness him at work...
00:52..and play.
00:55..as he leads a new generation of young people
00:58choosing to live and work in the idyllic Yorkshire Dales.
01:02Who I'd rather be?
01:03Oh, I love you too.
01:07Me business has been going from strength to strength
01:10over the last four years.
01:12Me brothers, Miles and Sid, are real help,
01:14but they love farming too.
01:16Sonny and Kappa are great crack to work with,
01:19and they're the muscle of the operation.
01:21Jess, me girlfriend, is from a farming family like me,
01:24and she can turn her hand to just about anything.
01:27And together, we're a great team.
01:35This week, the team is flat out with Summer's work.
01:39Let's work out what we need.
01:40A three-foot gate here.
01:41Well, not a three-foot there. You're doing 15 now.
01:44I know you're right, honey. I'm going mad.
01:46I'm so confused.
01:48When a sheep pen job fails...
01:50It's miles away, really. How's that happen?
01:53..Sunny and Jess take a hammering from the boss.
01:56You two are some team.
01:58We just measured it. We just measured it.
02:01Have we decided who made the mistake, Jess or Sunny, are you?
02:04I didn't have a tape measure.
02:05We're going to have to sack someone, are you?
02:08Tell you what, this is hard.
02:10All three Owen brothers learn to shear under the watchful eye of Dad Clive.
02:15Miles, how are you feeling?
02:16There's a lot of steps to it.
02:17Yeah, hopefully we both get it.
02:20Yeah, stick to it if you can.
02:21..and soon realise it's no easy task.
02:24It's currently on the loose, running around with a mullet,
02:27but we'll get it back.
02:28While selecting the best of her flock...
02:30That's not bad.
02:32..Jess gives Reuben her mark of approval.
02:34We'll keep this one as well.
02:36This is a keeper.
02:37This is a good one.
02:38Well, in that case, hit you and all.
02:41And there's a milestone celebration for Clive.
02:45It just seems like five minutes since I was on my pushbike.
02:48You know, life just goes so fast, doesn't it?
02:51Cheers. All the very best.
02:53Cheers!
02:54Happy birthday.
02:56Reuben's base of operation is in his childhood home of Swaledale
02:59in the north of the Yorkshire Dales.
03:05Come on.
03:07It's early summer, and just across the border in Cumbria,
03:10Reuben is helping Jess on her family's idyllic Brough Castle farm.
03:16You keep walking them forward, Reuben,
03:18because he's, like, trying to get out.
03:19How are you?
03:20This time of year is particularly busy,
03:22and today Jess and her dad, David,
03:25are selecting the best stock from this spring's crop of lambs.
03:30I've had my eye on this one since he was born.
03:32I really like this one.
03:34He's just a star, aren't you?
03:35He's a very handsome young man, is this?
03:37They're carefully choosing three of the best males
03:40which they'll keep and breed from,
03:42and for Reuben, size matters.
03:44I've picked this one, because he is the 20-ton digger of sheep.
03:48He's a big lamb.
03:49He's the biggest one.
03:50That's a big lamb.
03:50Big lamb.
03:51That is a big lamb.
03:51I like this one here.
03:53I also picked mine, because the other one was too fast to catch.
03:59Reuben and Jess have been dating for almost a year.
04:02That's not bad.
04:04They both grew up on family-run farms,
04:06where they learned to be resourceful and hard-working.
04:09Growing up the same sort of upbringing,
04:11you know, around animals and farming life,
04:14it's part of our connection.
04:15They both understand, you know, we've got work to do,
04:17and if I can help her with that and get her done a bit quicker,
04:20she can come and give me a hand,
04:21so I think that is a real big part of our relationship.
04:25By helping with each other's workload,
04:27they're spending more and more time together,
04:29and their relationship is blossoming.
04:33We both understand that jobs need to be done.
04:35Both outdoory people love to just get on.
04:37We both just get on, get stuck in.
04:39We just match.
04:40Keep that one.
04:41Keep that one.
04:42It's a good one.
04:43We'll keep this one as well.
04:44This is a keeper.
04:46This is a good one.
04:47Well, in that case,
04:48I'll keep you in half.
04:50Just for good, make it.
04:51You're not going to sell me?
04:53No, I don't think so.
04:55No.
04:57We'll keep you.
05:00Reuben and Jess's shared work ethic
05:02was something that first drew them together.
05:06Earlier this year, Reuben started a job in Angram
05:09building sheep pens for a fellow farmer.
05:12And even though it was early days in their relationship,
05:15he asked Jess to lend a hand.
05:18It's sort of hard to imagine.
05:20Oh, yeah, you've got a big bank here to work with, haven't you?
05:22Heck. Yeah.
05:23So how far are you going back?
05:24Right through so you can come round the far end with the sheep?
05:27Yeah.
05:28Do you want a drawing of it?
05:29Yeah.
05:31Am I drawing it?
05:32Yes.
05:33It was the first sheep pen Jess had ever designed,
05:35but having worked in her own pens for years,
05:38it was easy enough homework.
05:40Sheepies come in here, into there, into there,
05:43then split down the race.
05:44Come off the race.
05:46Oh, into the big pen.
05:47Yeah.
05:48So, we have a plan.
05:50I really enjoyed it.
05:51That was so fun.
05:52That was good.
05:52Let's file that.
05:54Yeah.
05:54Keep it safe.
05:56Just like Reuben, Jess also grew up with machines,
06:00and Reuben was impressed by his new girlfriend's capabilities.
06:05We're always working together on all sorts of different things,
06:08you know,
06:08she's absolutely brilliant on any piece of kit, really.
06:11I haven't found anything that's beaten her yet.
06:15At home, I've been used to driving diggers and machinery for different jobs.
06:19Well, Reuben class is non-digger jobs like fencing or whatever,
06:22which we have a bit of a laugh about.
06:24Hundreds of tonnes of soil had to be cleared
06:26to make room for the new sheep pens,
06:28and Jess was a massive help.
06:34Today, they're back,
06:35and the site in Angram has been cleared,
06:37ready for the sheep pens to go in.
06:39It's looking good, isn't it?
06:40Yeah, we've got all this ground dug out.
06:42You know, last time you were here,
06:43you'll be way up on that top bank.
06:45I think the soil was, like, here, wasn't it?
06:48So, what are you planning to do today, then?
06:50Try and get all the gate posts in and gates set,
06:53which is a bit of a fiddle,
06:54because we've all got to be roughly level.
06:56Tricky task.
06:57Yeah, and lots of stones, the ground's quite hard.
06:59Yeah.
07:02There are 15 different sized gates to fit squarely,
07:05so Reuben's workmates, Sonny and Kappa,
07:08are also on the job.
07:10Does that not look miles across?
07:12Yeah, it does.
07:14It's miles out.
07:15Yeah, it's too far this way.
07:17Because this is a ten foot where we should have an eleven.
07:20It's quite a fiddly job,
07:21as the hens have to have the right gaps in to shut properly,
07:26and not too much gap that the sheep can get through.
07:29Getting these giant jigsaw pieces in order
07:32is giving the young boss a headache.
07:35Let's work out what we need.
07:36A three-foot gate, another three-foot here.
07:40That's right.
07:42Well, not a three-foot there.
07:43You're doing 15 in there.
07:44I know, you're right, sorry.
07:46I'm going mad.
07:47We've got a lot of different sized gates.
07:49There's odd ones that are funny size.
07:51I'm so confused.
07:53You know when you're, like, snow blind?
07:55I'm like that one with gates now.
08:00Ruben's gate blindness is causing problems.
08:03So that post now needs pulling out and shifting across.
08:07And this post is in the wrong place.
08:10Go on, darling, you got it.
08:13The friends make a good team
08:15and are used to problem-solving on the job.
08:18Swing that gate round, see what it looks like.
08:20Yeah.
08:21About there?
08:22Yeah.
08:22It's quite a lot of messing around.
08:25Two have had to be cut down,
08:26so Sonny's on cutting them and welding them.
08:29You know what?
08:31You're not getting that close.
08:32What, one bit more?
08:33A little bit more?
08:36That'll be right, yeah.
08:37Capper is 19,
08:38and Sonny, Reuben and Jess are all 21.
08:41Now, how long have you been on for us now, Sonny?
08:4413 months.
08:45Still enjoying it?
08:46Yeah, I love it.
08:47I mean, you've nearly been going a year now, Jess.
08:49Yeah.
08:49Time flies, doesn't it?
08:50Yeah.
08:51Try that with the tape now.
08:53Posts in the wrong place are costing the team time,
08:56so they're perfectly positioning this one
08:58before the hammering starts.
09:01Think we're all right at that?
09:02Yeah.
09:03The metal posts need to go deep,
09:06so Reuben's using a supersized hammer
09:08to smash his way through the rocky ground.
09:12I think it's stuck on a stone,
09:14because it's not gone.
09:16Genuinely not moving, isn't it?
09:19It's not catching on there, is it, Sonny?
09:21No.
09:23I think it's moving.
09:26It's going that way when you're bringing it in.
09:30It's about to smooth.
09:31Their measurements are way off.
09:34It's miles away.
09:35How's that happen?
09:36And after spending hours lining up,
09:38Reuben's frustration is starting to show.
09:41Jesus Christ, you two...
09:43How's it gone that far?
09:44Some tape.
09:45We're just measuring it.
09:46We're just measuring it.
09:48Push it that way.
09:49I don't think it will.
09:52It's come miles out.
09:53Because you can tell where it's...
09:54I bet it's stuck on a stone,
09:56and it's pushing it.
09:57We set...
09:57I'm sure we set off over here.
09:59Yeah, we did.
10:00I bet it's hitting on a stone.
10:01How much are we out by?
10:03Moved about 50 mil.
10:04If they can't figure out how to get this post in place,
10:07the pens aren't going to work.
10:09It's a rocky start for the young boss.
10:12The thing is, though, if there's a stone under there,
10:14we'll not get it in the spot, will we?
10:16Could be a problem.
10:29How far's it out?
10:3150, 60, 70.
10:33It's moved 80 mil this way.
10:37Can't leave.
10:38You stopped doing anything on their own?
10:40It's moved because we're on very hard ground.
10:42On the sheet pen job in Angram,
10:44the debate continues on how to solve the problem
10:47of the troublesome gate post.
10:49Have we decided who made the mistake,
10:51Jess or Sonny here?
10:52I didn't have the tape measure.
10:54Because someone...
10:54We're going to have to sack someone here.
10:57Having been blamed for the setback,
10:59Jess and Sonny have a point to prove to the boss.
11:03Come on, we can do it.
11:04Let me wiggle it.
11:05Oh, it comes quick.
11:06It's coming.
11:10There we go.
11:11Yeah, look.
11:13Well, it's mangled the edge up, Jess.
11:15Yeah.
11:16Because it's hit a stone.
11:17It's not going to go in, is it?
11:18It's going to take more than muscle to get this post in.
11:23Luckily, Ruben's brought his fleet's latest addition to site.
11:27Well, is this your new favourite digger?
11:29The best thing about this is its seat.
11:35It's as close to being like a professional sat in an office chair
11:38as I'm ever going to get, I think.
11:39You know, like, you get the man in charge at the top that...
11:43Sits and spins.
11:44Sits and spins round on his spinny chair.
11:46I've got a spinny chair now.
11:47But it just goes...
11:48I have to go backwards and forwards rather than right round.
11:52Maybe you could show the rock who's boss, Ruben,
11:54with your fancy new spinning chair.
11:58Oh, it's a big one.
12:03Got him.
12:09That's a few good stones, darling.
12:11The tricky rock's been removed.
12:13Do you want this big one to hold it up?
12:15It may have caused a headache,
12:16but it's a handy size to fix the post into place.
12:20Ruben's making some 10-10 aggregate.
12:23Leaving Kappa and Jess the unenviable task
12:25of filling the hole back in by hand.
12:28I think Jess is getting bigger shovel holes than Kappa.
12:31We've got a bigger shovel room.
12:32That's how I lie.
12:32Look at it go.
12:33Let's not start this.
12:35I don't know why I'd bother buying diggers.
12:37I wouldn't want to dig it out there.
12:38No.
12:40Not them stones.
12:40Anyway, come out.
12:43Today's been challenging,
12:45but the young team have pulled together
12:46and the pens are almost complete.
12:49There you go.
12:50One more metal piece again and we're about there.
12:52Yeah, it's marvellous, John.
12:59The friends are ending their day on a high,
13:02but the job's not finished
13:03as Ruben still needs to lay a concrete base in a few days' time.
13:15It's a glorious day in Cumbria.
13:19At Broth Castle,
13:20the meadows are ready to receive the cow herd for summer.
13:24And Jess's dad, David,
13:25is preparing for this momentous milestone
13:27in the family's farming calendar.
13:30Today we're letting the cows out.
13:32They've been inside all winter.
13:33It's one of the highlights of the year.
13:35Everyone comes to watch,
13:37see the cows galloping about and having fun.
13:39Are we going out today?
13:40Should I take you out?
13:42Yes.
13:44Everyone has come to help
13:46and Jess's little sister, Eva, is particularly excited.
13:49Bertie, do you know what's happening today?
13:52Hmm?
13:52Do you know what's happening?
13:53You're going outside, eh?
13:55It's all day for you.
13:55You're going for a run outside.
13:56It is, isn't it?
13:57Yeah.
13:58Nice sunny day for it, isn't it, today?
14:00Yeah.
14:01You'll enjoy the sunshine.
14:02You will.
14:03Sun Berthert.
14:04Mmm.
14:04You're going to get your tan on.
14:06Put some sun cream on, Bertie.
14:09Eva, she's my youngest daughter.
14:11She's nine.
14:12She's got a tremendous sense of humour
14:15and she loves being outside.
14:17She loves farming.
14:18Any nice shades?
14:19Any nice shades.
14:21You're all cute, aren't you?
14:24The family has spent the harsher winter months
14:26caring for the dairy herd inside
14:28and knows the warm summer weather
14:30is a welcome change for everyone.
14:33Are you excited?
14:34I'm excited.
14:34I can't wait.
14:35I'm so excited.
14:36You see your little face?
14:37Yeah.
14:37You're going to be good, aren't you, darling?
14:38Yeah.
14:39It's the best day of the year, this.
14:40Best day of the year?
14:41Mm.
14:42I can't really explain.
14:43It's just amazing to watch us playing around,
14:46play fighting, doing some jumps in the air.
14:49Are you ready?
14:50Yeah!
14:52Right.
14:53Come on!
14:54Out we're!
14:55Jess and David milk their cows twice a day
14:58and have built a bond with every one of the herd,
15:00knowing each of them by name or number.
15:03Who do you think's going to be first?
15:04Do you think it'll be 30?
15:05I'm saying it'll be 336.
15:08Look, they are!
15:09Here it is.
15:10Who's leading?
15:11The other cow you said!
15:12336!
15:13Well done!
15:14Here's a sweet pea!
15:15Woo-hoo!
15:16Look at them go!
15:17You can almost see them smiling, can't you?
15:20Got that!
15:21Woo-hoo!
15:22They're doing a little run!
15:24Woo-hoo!
15:25They're all out!
15:26That is it!
15:27No, there's a cow in there!
15:29Oh, yes!
15:30Missed one!
15:31Typical!
15:33Sorry!
15:34Oh, Blue!
15:36What has he done to you?
15:38Wait for me!
15:39What's going on, Cheeky Cheek?
15:41Look at this on it!
15:46From an early age, David saw Jess was a natural with animals
15:50and she was keen to follow him into farming.
15:53She's always wanted to be a farmer.
15:56When she left school, she didn't want to do anything.
15:59Nothing but farming.
16:00So now she works full-time on the farm.
16:02You don't want to come back out?
16:04Come on, Howie!
16:04Shhh!
16:05She's just fantastic.
16:06Hard worker.
16:07And really good.
16:08Come on!
16:09Whoa!
16:11Do you know what she's going to do?
16:14As a child, Jess didn't want to miss out on any farmyard fun.
16:18Whenever I was younger, I would be at school, usually,
16:21when my dad was thinking about letting the cows out,
16:23so he always said to me,
16:24no, no, wait till the weekend when I'm here
16:25and I can see them go out,
16:26because it's just so fun to watch them go out.
16:28They all start dancing and running around.
16:30It's just great to see.
16:31Have a look.
16:31How was that?
16:32Did they enjoy that?
16:33Good, yeah.
16:34Hey, Blue.
16:35Little picture.
16:35Is it good?
16:36Oh, look at this, Princess.
16:38That's what we've all been waiting for.
16:40Yeah.
16:41Oh!
16:44Oh, you're sassy.
16:46I like your attitude.
16:48Sassy.
16:49Eva is the youngest in the family,
16:50and at nine, she's just starting to think about her future.
16:54She's very caring, is Eva.
16:56She likes the cows and the calves,
16:58but she likes the lambing.
16:59She's been a great help this lambing time.
17:01How's your baby doing today?
17:04Oh, he's adorable.
17:06Should be proud, you.
17:08I don't know whether Eva will be a full-time farmer,
17:11but I would like her to be.
17:12Shall we go and have a look at them then,
17:13see where they've gone to?
17:15And if she learns off Jessica, she'll be excellent.
17:21Sitting in the shadow of the beautiful ruined castle
17:24that gives the family's farm its name,
17:26the hard-working sisters take a moment to reflect
17:29on their unique home.
17:31It's a lovely view, isn't it?
17:33Yeah.
17:33Very nice.
17:34We're lucky we've been born here, haven't we?
17:36Yeah.
17:37Really lucky.
17:38Yeah.
17:39Do you want to be a farmer when you're older?
17:41Yeah, I think I would.
17:42Yeah?
17:42It's really entertaining sometimes,
17:44when sometimes we have ups and downs work.
17:46We do?
17:46Yeah.
17:47Do you like sheep, cows, or tractors, machinery?
17:51I'd say I like sheep and cows the most best on the farm.
17:54Yeah, baby ones as well, like you, don't they?
17:57Yeah.
17:57Yeah.
17:58Should I race you to the gate?
17:59Well, let's roll down the hill first, shall we?
18:01Roll down, go on then.
18:03Whee!
18:04Whee!
18:05Whee!
18:05Whee!
18:08Whee!
18:08Are you dizzy?
18:09I'm so dizzy!
18:11Oh, come on then.
18:13Let's go and milk the cows.
18:24The dream of being a farmer in these beautiful hills
18:27may be a way off for Eva.
18:30Howie?
18:30But Clive, another proud dad, is no stranger
18:34to the demands of a traditional shepherd's way of life.
18:37Good lesson.
18:38Whee!
18:39And today he's once again preparing to shear his flock.
18:43Back in the day, shearing was a big event in the summer
18:47and men from all the farms far and wide used to come and shear at a farm
18:51and it was almost like a party thing.
18:53And those kids used to bring them, used to make a massive tea
18:56and a massive dinner and it was a lovely thing.
19:00At almost 70, he has a wealth of experience he's looking to pass on.
19:05So, this summer, he wants his youngest sons, Sid and Miles,
19:09to learn the art of shearing.
19:11When did you start shearing, Dad?
19:13What happened back in my day, everybody, when I was a kid,
19:17everybody sheared with hand shears and they all sheared on stools in them days.
19:22So, guys sat on a stool and had sheep laid on stool and sheared them like that.
19:27And us lads used to bring them the next and drag them to them, you know?
19:31Why?
19:31I sound old now, don't I?
19:34But as you guys haven't done a lot of clipping,
19:37we're lucky enough today to have an expert with us that goes around teaching young fellas how to shear.
19:43What do you think, guys?
19:44Well, give it a go, you know, it'll be good to learn properly.
19:47I mean, there's no need learning the old way like you do it, is there?
19:50No!
19:51No!
19:55Miles and Sid, like Reuben before them, have shadowed their parents around the farm
20:00and both enjoyed husbandry from a young age.
20:03Richard!
20:04How are you doing?
20:05All right, how are you?
20:06Not so bad, thanks, Clive, how are you?
20:08Oh, good.
20:08Very good.
20:09Miles and Sid.
20:10Miles, OK, pleased to meet you, Miles.
20:11All right, Sid, how are you?
20:13Yeah, good, thanks.
20:14Clive has invited Richard from the British Wool Association
20:17to teach his sons the esteemed bowing method, as he's keen they learn from the best.
20:24You keep saying the new way, but the bowing method obviously has been about since the mid-50s.
20:28Really?
20:29So, you know, and there's been a lot of thought into how it is better,
20:34and I think it's basically for the welfare of the animal
20:36and also trying to protect the shearer.
20:39Because it's tough on your back, shearing, it is, you know, it isn't it.
20:43I mean, it's your back gets some sticks.
20:45Are you going to show us the old school way of doing it then, Dad?
20:49Do we have to?
20:49I'll give it a go at least.
20:51All right, if you insist.
20:52I start here, because that's where we used to start with the old shears.
20:59My way of cheating, it's nothing like as tidy as theirs,
21:03but they say there's only a week between a good haircut and a band.
21:11So I'm pulling and...
21:13Yeah, that's right, pulling on that leg,
21:15and that's putting a lot of pressure on your arm, again, onto your back.
21:18Exactly.
21:19Yeah.
21:20Exactly.
21:20So you can see that...
21:21We're trying to avoid that if we can.
21:22See that argument, exactly.
21:23Yeah.
21:26On the other side of the Dales, Jess and David are also about to start shearing their flock,
21:31and Ruben has offered to help.
21:33Get all the owls out of here, yeah?
21:35To make this tough job a little easier, David has handmade a new shearing trailer.
21:41Er, yeah, that way around, that's it.
21:43Something that's usually only reserved for the professionals.
21:46How many sheeps are here to do, do you think?
21:50126, I think there is here.
21:51It should take no time, because we've got Dave's creation, your ultimate clipping trailer.
21:56My new trailer.
21:57Have you read the instructions?
21:58The instruction manual is in the Land Rover.
22:00How far?
22:01Pull it down and then the second hole, put it to the second hole.
22:04Adjustable?
22:06Adjustable.
22:08I admire that.
22:09He's just such a talented guy.
22:11He can do anything.
22:12Really?
22:13What Dad can make on the farm, like, even surprises Ruben, you know, making a clipping trailer.
22:18Wow.
22:19From nothing, it's just, and getting every single bit perfect.
22:24It's just phenomenal, yeah.
22:25I'm very impressed.
22:27Dave's unbelievable, can make anything.
22:30Have a go at making anything.
22:32It's brilliant.
22:33Whether it works, we'll see in a minute, won't we?
22:34I love wandering around your farm yard and seeing bits and stuff you've made.
22:38He's talented, isn't he?
22:39He's very good.
22:41Dad's just been a type that if something breaks down, he can fix it.
22:44Well, that's the same as Ruben.
22:45Like, they're just handy men to have, you know.
22:47That's what you need on the farm.
22:48He can weld.
22:49He can do anything.
22:50Jess is full of admiration for her dad and Ruben.
22:54But she's not without her own talents.
22:56Jess, how long have you been tearing teeth, darling?
22:58How long?
22:59Yeah.
23:00Couple a year, would you say, Dad?
23:02Yeah, you started when you were just small, didn't you?
23:05Yeah.
23:06You started with swirled hills, it was a bit smaller.
23:08I don't know whether I'll ever be as fast as Dad.
23:11It will be one, Dave, yes.
23:12I don't know.
23:14When I'm retired and old, credit to you, darling, for doing it.
23:17I'm sweating just watching.
23:21I'll get one of you to shear and I'll try and talk me through with it.
23:25I'll give it a go, mate.
23:26Despite growing up around thousands of sheep on their family hill farm,
23:30Miles and Sid are new to shearing.
23:32Starting there, you're finishing here.
23:34You're aiming for my hands.
23:36With 59 ewes waiting to be clipped,
23:39today is going to be a baptism of fire for the budding shepherds.
23:43Although they've worked with sheep and dragged them to me to shear,
23:46they've never sheared anything before.
23:48And so it's good for them to start at the very beginning
23:50without any awful bad habits and just to learn properly.
23:54I think it would be better shearers forage.
23:56Your right foot will start to slide back
23:58and your left foot will come forward
24:00because what you're trying to do now is every time you do a blow,
24:03you want to be turning towards the machine.
24:05Right.
24:08There are multiple specific blows,
24:11intricate foot positions and safety techniques to learn.
24:15So now you're going to step up the neck.
24:17So your left hand will go through between your legs
24:19and it'll get a handful of wool.
24:21Just reach for a handful.
24:22No, three between your legs, a handful of wool.
24:24Have you got a handful of wool?
24:25Yeah.
24:26This left foot will come to here with my hand is.
24:30After their lessons,
24:31Richard will test the brothers on their technique.
24:34At this point now, you really want to be facing the trailer.
24:38Right.
24:38So just spin round a little bit more.
24:40If they make the grade,
24:41he'll award them a Clippers Certificate.
24:43But for beginners Miles and Sid, there's a lot to take in.
24:47Slide the sheep down your leg
24:49and you want your toe underneath his shoulder.
24:52That's perfect.
24:52Now you're starting here.
24:54Yeah.
24:55To there.
24:56Your first stop, Miles.
24:57How are you feeling?
24:58The water steps to it.
24:59Yeah.
25:00Hopefully we both get it.
25:01I'll definitely need reminding me where to go.
25:12That's it.
25:14That's it.
25:14Well done, Marley.
25:15That's your first of many.
25:17Was it as hard as it looked, Miles?
25:19Yeah, it's just a lot to take in, a lot of steps.
25:21But no, I think it's your turn now, Sid.
25:2458 left to go.
25:28That's beautiful.
25:29Well done.
25:30You're coming in to my hand.
25:31So this left hand now is going to be just holding that skin.
25:35Coming on the top of the legs.
25:36Here they are.
25:37OK.
25:38Shearing is very physical work.
25:40And at only 13, Sid is starting young and so will find this skilled job much harder.
25:46Well done.
25:47Well done.
25:47That's good contact.
25:49Really good.
25:49You just want that little bit extra.
25:53Sid isn't as old or as strong as Miles.
25:56The stronger you are, the better it is.
25:57It's tough on your back and it's a tough thing to do.
26:00Give your hand piece to Miles.
26:02Come on, Miley.
26:02Get on of her head.
26:03That's it.
26:04Sid, how's it going?
26:05Yeah.
26:06A lot harder than I thought.
26:07A lot harder than you think.
26:09That's right.
26:09Oh, yeah.
26:10It's one of them things.
26:11Practice makes perfect.
26:15Back on Brough Castle Farm, Reuben's also taking lessons from Jess.
26:20How close to the skin do you go?
26:22Yeah, you go closer.
26:24Then they're that way and then it's stretching the skin out.
26:27Yeah?
26:27So then it's been a bit stubborn, but then the neck.
26:30Like his brothers, it's the very first time machine-minded Reuben
26:34has picked up a pair of shears.
26:36That must feel so nice for that sheep, mustn't it?
26:39To have all that off.
26:41Like taking your jumper off on a hot day.
26:43I don't know how my brothers are getting on,
26:45but it'll be taking a bit of learning.
26:48It's an arse.
26:49Definitely an arse.
26:50It's not like driving a digger.
26:52This sheep's definitely going to get bullied for its haircut.
26:56But even like driving a digger, you don't pick it up on the first day,
26:59do you?
26:59Say what?
27:00It takes time.
27:01This is hard.
27:03It's hard, isn't it?
27:04Don't worry.
27:05It's all practice, Reuben.
27:06You'll get there.
27:07You're doing a brilliant job.
27:08Thank you, darling.
27:09The big thing is that the yow hasn't got up on you.
27:12That is a tremendous start.
27:14At over six foot seven, Reuben has the muscle to manhandle the hefty ewes.
27:19That's it.
27:21Sid, on the other hand, is finding keeping hold of the sheep a challenge.
27:27They're fighting for their lives.
27:29They believe that their end has come.
27:31They want to be gone.
27:32Good lads.
27:33They get up.
27:33Even on the best of Clippers, they get up.
27:35You can see now.
27:37Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum.
27:38Stick to it if you can.
27:39It may be common, but wayward ewes are a Clippers nightmare.
27:44Aye.
27:45They got away from me.
27:47Won't get away on Sid, but, you know, they still get away on me.
27:51In that split second, they just get a bit of leverage on someone and wham, they're gone.
27:55Right, let's cast this sheep, boys.
27:59Sid's customer may have broken loose, but at least it's sporting an in vogue trim.
28:04It's currently on the loose, running around with a mullet, but we'll get it back.
28:10Despite a tough day...
28:14He's gracious enough to have some reassuring words for his older brother.
28:19You're definitely improving, Miles.
28:20Your first sheep was fairly horrific.
28:24The wool's off it, which is the main thing.
28:26It's hard on your body, because I've only done, like, I don't know, four.
28:29You know, I'm feeling it.
28:30It's hard work.
28:31I'm finding it hardest to control the sheep and stop them from trying to run off.
28:36It seems like you've been getting much better since in these last sheep.
28:40Have you been picking it up well? Have you been paying them to behave or something?
28:44You know, all this clipping malarkey is old technique.
28:46Fingers crossed that they keep behaving.
28:49The brothers have learned all they can and will return to be tested to see if they can make the
28:54grade.
29:05Forward.
29:06Keep going forward.
29:07Forward, forward, forward.
29:09Yeah, all of it there.
29:10Reuben is back to finish the sheep pens in Angram.
29:15Today, he's concreting the base of the pens and needs all the help he can get for this demanding job.
29:21Need a lot more in here, yeah?
29:23Yeah.
29:24This is, like, the final floor of the sheep pens.
29:27We've got the full team with us.
29:28We've got Jess, who's going to be helping me tamp.
29:30The boys are going to be shoveling, then Capper's going to be on the dumper,
29:32bringing the concrete backwards and forwards.
29:35The concrete must be poured and levelled before it goes hard,
29:38so the team are trying to keep up with Capper as he brings each load to the yard.
29:43Yeah, this gateway here is the reason I'm sat on a dumper,
29:47because the wagon won't get in because it's so long and wide.
29:50There's no chance of it actually getting turned off the road,
29:53but I'm not complaining. I'm happy about my dumper.
29:56He's going to be here in no time.
29:58We're going. We're going. It's fast and terrible.
30:03I enjoy concrete when it's done.
30:05It's a hard job always stressing me out.
30:09I think Father Clive made me have a hate for concrete.
30:12Really?
30:13Every time I've concrete with Dad, I'm always in a stress,
30:16and it's rubbed off to me.
30:18Now I have, like, a nervous twist.
30:20Though they've all grown up on farms learning the building basics...
30:24I'm asking you guys why things are down here,
30:27strutting around like an old hench.
30:28You're doing great.
30:29Trained welder Sonny thinks he's developed a more nuanced knack for precision.
30:34So you're a bit of a spot-on kind of person, aren't you, Sonny?
30:37Yeah, a little bit. I like stuff right.
30:39So us at home, we don't have a spirit level.
30:41You're just using our farmer's eye.
30:44You call me a cowboy the other day.
30:46Yeah. Yeah. Farmers are just cowboys.
30:50What do you call Ruben as? A bit of both, maybe?
30:53He's actually not too bad for a farmer.
30:56Is he not too bad? He's a bit of a perfectionist-like.
30:58Is he? Yeah.
30:59No, I'm quite actually surprised you said that.
31:02Right.
31:03Shall we get the tamp on it?
31:06Once each load has been raked into place,
31:08Ruben levels the wobbly mass in a process called tamping.
31:12See you already.
31:13Come on, faster.
31:14It takes two to tamp, and working in unison is a must for a flat and even floor.
31:20Jess, do you want to jump on and tamp here? I'll just tidy up them rough edges.
31:26Ready? One, two, three.
31:29And it seems Jess and Sonny are the dream tamping team.
31:33Tell you what, we've definitely got rhythm.
31:35We should have done this from the start, weren't you, doing this?
31:38Lovely stuff, guys.
31:41Where do you want to get that little bit there?
31:44Is this pose fastened in well?
31:46Sorry?
31:46Yeah.
31:47Perfectionist Ruben is taking levelling to the next level with a risky manoeuvre.
31:52Happy.
31:54If he fell in that, I would have to do it all again.
31:59I don't think I'll have to do it again, I'd be laughing that hard.
32:03After months of work and planning,
32:05who can blame the young boss for taking pride in his work?
32:08She want to get the edge done and then it's finished.
32:11And he doesn't want anything to mess up the final finish.
32:15It would take all day for it to set, won't it?
32:17It's time to get hard up at the top, so, you know,
32:20everyone stay off it until...
32:25He's keen.
32:26Straight on concrete.
32:27But one rogue resident wants to leave a permanent print.
32:30Help, he's back.
32:31He's going to end up in that concrete.
32:33Right, darling.
32:34Sheet proof it.
32:36Now his precious concrete is safe, the base is finished.
32:41Well done.
32:42Sigh of relief.
32:44It's been a tricky job, but now complete,
32:47Ruben is pleased with the result.
32:49That went really well.
32:50Really happy that we've got it all in.
32:52And they're a great team, you know.
32:54Like, all of them can work so well together.
32:56And even on, you know, a job like this,
32:58where there's a bit of pressure to get it done,
33:00I reckon they're brilliant.
33:12It's the day of Sid and Miles's shearing test.
33:16So Ruben, Jess and David have come to support the budding clippers.
33:20What's the test then, Richard?
33:22What do they have to do?
33:24You need to shear three sheep unaided.
33:26Ideally half an hour.
33:27I don't want to be here when it goes dark
33:29and they're still shearing the second one.
33:31Yeah.
33:31Yeah, it's quite a tough thing, especially with everybody watching on.
33:35But it does kind of make you nervous.
33:38Credit to you, you boys, for having a go and just getting on with it.
33:43I did one sheep and wow, it really does take some doing.
33:47How are you getting on with his head?
33:48How are you finding holding them?
33:50Yeah, that's the hardest bit, innit?
33:52Yeah.
33:54Er, you need to wait a few more years till I'm stronger,
33:57but yeah, I'm doing a few, like.
34:00How are you feeling, Miles?
34:01Yeah.
34:01You'll be great.
34:02Nervous.
34:03I think I was more chilled out doing my driving test
34:05and I failed that six times.
34:06But just as long as it clipped at the end of the day,
34:08then it's right, innit?
34:10That's it.
34:10Yeah.
34:10You only get better.
34:13Right.
34:14Round two.
34:16There you go.
34:18Today's test could earn the brothers the Blue Seal,
34:21a world-renowned entry-level shearing certificate.
34:27Many of the world's most talented clippers
34:30have started with this qualification
34:31and both Owens are keen to claim it.
34:34Well done, guys, you're doing really well.
34:36Well done, Sid.
34:37It's not easy holding them, is it?
34:39No.
34:39Until you get the technique, it's, you know...
34:41Yeah.
34:42Miles is aware.
34:43Yeah.
34:43Miles is doing really well.
34:44Yeah, he is.
34:45Well done, Miles.
34:46You're doing really well.
34:48There's a lot to remember from their lessons.
34:51Steady on, lad.
34:53But the flighty ewes are making the task almost impossible.
34:58He's fighting a little bit.
34:59Some do.
34:59Some relax and go really floppy and some don't.
35:02These will fight more than the Dexel.
35:04Ah, I see.
35:05They're fighting a lot of things.
35:05He's a swirly, aren't they?
35:08Miles is off to a flying start.
35:11Yay!
35:12Well done, Miles.
35:12He was a fighter.
35:14That was exactly five minutes.
35:16Good one, well done.
35:17Good job.
35:18Just get the legs clear and then spin around and drop on his toe.
35:20But Sid's struggling without Richard's guidance, which could spell failure for this young clipper.
35:26Yeah.
35:26Stop you a little minute.
35:28You want your knee at that side of the brisket.
35:31Let me have a sheep's head.
35:34And then this leg wants to be here.
35:36Richard's helping him a lot more, isn't he, but he's...
35:39Yeah.
35:40Took your leg over.
35:41That's it.
35:42Someone learned here, you know.
35:43You've got to be learned, haven't you?
35:44You've got to be taught how to do it.
35:46Good job.
35:46Good job, Sid.
35:47Good job.
35:48That was about eight minutes for Sid.
35:50No.
35:52Good lad.
35:53Yeah.
35:53I'll fix it, did you?
35:55Miles is...
35:56Miles is...
35:57Miles is flying.
35:58Miles now.
35:59Yeah.
35:59He's doing really well.
36:00Yeah.
36:02He's on his third yell now, is Miles.
36:04He's about there, really.
36:06Yeah.
36:06The lad's mildly.
36:07The lad.
36:08This is going to be the one.
36:12Yeah.
36:16Yeah.
36:18Good lad.
36:19Well done, Miles.
36:20Really good.
36:21You've done two in 24 minutes, Sid.
36:23This is your final one of the three.
36:26My three done it in half an hour, so...
36:28See how Sid gets on now, he's, er...
36:30He'll be pushing it time-wise.
36:31Beautiful.
36:33Yeah, really good, that.
36:34Good contact, that skin.
36:36Come on, Sid, you got this one?
36:38A bit of boss feet now, I think.
36:39Yeah.
36:40Well, it's home and dry, Sid, isn't it?
36:43Home and dry.
36:44Hey!
36:45Well done.
36:45Well done, Sid.
36:47Well done, Sid.
36:47Well done, Sid.
36:48Good lad.
36:49Good lad.
36:5028 minutes, Sid.
36:51Well done, mate.
36:52Well done.
36:55It's the moment of truth for the brothers.
36:58Start with you then, Miles.
36:59You've worked really, really hard.
37:00You've done three sheep.
37:01You've done them in the half an hour.
37:02You didn't have much of an aid.
37:04You had nobody stepping in.
37:05You had nobody really helping you.
37:06Your quality, you know, we could be better.
37:08You know, you was a little bit away with your pattern.
37:11But I'm more than happy to offer you a blue seal.
37:14Thank you very much.
37:15Well done, Miles.
37:15It was your two days achievement.
37:18Thank you very much.
37:19And we've got to see, obviously, your height's a little bit against you.
37:23You know, you're a younger person, a younger body.
37:25We don't want you to do a lot of sheep.
37:26But I do really appreciate your enthusiasm.
37:30Absolutely fantastic.
37:32And you're meticulous.
37:33You really want to make a good job.
37:35And I think you've done an excellent job on the last two or three sheep that you've done.
37:39You've found it quite tough.
37:40I can't really say that you couldn't do it without anybody.
37:44You know, I help you through it and I talk you through it.
37:46And so I can't really give you a seal, but you've got everything that you need.
37:50And I think in two or three years' time, I think you could do that quite easily.
37:53So thank you very much indeed to both of you.
37:55Yeah.
37:55You'll only get better though.
37:57You know, like everyone has to start somewhere.
37:58I think they'll have passed the qualification to share at Ravensea.
38:01Won't they die?
38:02Absolutely.
38:03Absolutely.
38:04And Ruffcastle.
38:07Good for them.
38:08I'm very pleased with them.
38:08Well done.
38:10Despite walking away empty-handed, Sydney has learned a new skill for life and will be
38:15a welcome hand come next summer's clipping season.
38:17I'm pretty confident with actually like cutting the wool.
38:22But it's more holding it and where you move it next.
38:26That'll do.
38:28It's something I can do up at Ravensea and help dad out when he's doing it.
38:32So yeah, new experience.
38:34I've never done it before.
38:36So yeah, it's definitely worth it.
38:49Thank you very much.
38:51Bye.
38:51They're not going to blow off are they?
38:53Right.
38:53Can you manage?
38:54Should I put these in the back?
38:55Reuben and Jess are out getting some special supplies as this evening they're throwing
39:00a party for Clive's 70th birthday.
39:03No, this is actually quite hard.
39:04I think I might need some help.
39:06This is quite hard actually.
39:08I'm stuck.
39:09Can you help me please?
39:10Right.
39:11This is actually more of a task than I expected.
39:14Yeah.
39:15They're coming out faster than you put in the moon, right?
39:17There.
39:18Oh, are we in?
39:20Might take off now.
39:22Might take off.
39:23I don't have heavy in balloons.
39:24As Reuben is most comfortable in high vis and willies, Jess wants to know if he's
39:30planning to shock their guests with a glow up.
39:33It worked!
39:34Are you going to fake tan or put some fake eyelashes on?
39:37Yeah.
39:37So my hair either long or short.
39:40Yeah.
39:40My outfit clean or mucky.
39:42Yeah.
39:43But what about with your legs?
39:45Shaving and tan.
39:48Do you wax or do you shave?
39:50I wax.
39:51Do you wax?
39:52I wax.
39:53Must be quite brave then.
39:54I know.
39:55Do you just wax your legs?
39:56That's the only place.
39:56No, I wax everything.
39:57You wax everything?
39:58It's got wool on it, I wax it.
40:00I'll ask no more.
40:02Let's change the conversation.
40:05Right.
40:05Nice balloons.
40:06Yeah.
40:09The party is being held at Tan Hill, the highest pub in England.
40:13Here we are.
40:14Here we are.
40:15Right.
40:15We need to get the balloons out without losing them.
40:18And at this altitude, it's always windy.
40:21Quick, Reuben.
40:23Quick.
40:23The one's gone.
40:24Right.
40:25Hang on.
40:26Run.
40:26Run.
40:27Run.
40:27Run.
40:28Run, Fred.
40:32Right.
40:33It's okay.
40:33I've got him.
40:36Yep.
40:37Oh, Jess.
40:40Right.
40:41Right.
40:41Right.
40:42Have I got all the shrinks?
40:43Have I got them all?
40:44No.
40:44Reuben and Jess are excited to make this a party to remember.
40:49And as evening falls over the Dales.
40:52Lovely to see you.
40:54Clive's friends and family have arrived to celebrate with him for his milestone birthday.
40:59How far off 70 are you then?
41:01I've got two years to catch the off.
41:02Have you known it?
41:03Yeah.
41:04I am but a boy.
41:06Now I'm 68.
41:07Can't do anything about it.
41:08I'm 70 whether you like it or not.
41:10No.
41:10Absolutely not.
41:11And I don't like it.
41:12But you look older.
41:13Better thank you.
41:14That's all.
41:15It's great to be here tonight for Dad's seven year.
41:18Yeah, I think he's enjoying himself, isn't he?
41:19I think he is.
41:20We better look after him.
41:22But thank you very much for helping me with the balloons.
41:24That's nice.
41:25Yeah.
41:25I love working with you.
41:26Whether we're on with balloons or farming or quarrying.
41:30It's always a good time.
41:32And when something does go wrong, we eventually get it started.
41:35He deserves a good party, doesn't he?
41:37Oh, he does.
41:37Been 70 like.
41:38You wouldn't think so, would you?
41:39He's still in his prime.
41:41All right.
41:42He's still in his prime.
41:4370 after 21, like.
41:44Yeah.
41:47Right, well here I am at my 70th birthday.
41:50Yay!
41:53I can't believe that I've got to 70.
41:57It just seems like five minutes since I was on my push bike.
42:01And you know, life just goes so fast, doesn't it?
42:05And, erm, I've been coming to Tannehill for a fair old while.
42:09We always came on a Sunday night.
42:11There was a few characters, a few locals used to sit round that fire.
42:15Erm, sadly they're all gone now.
42:19But, erm, but I'm still here.
42:24And so, so there you go.
42:27Thank you very much, Dan, for, well, keeping us three on the straight and narrow.
42:32Thank you very much.
42:33Good lad.
42:33Well, it's been great fun.
42:35No problem.
42:36Top men.
42:37Thank you very much, Dan.
42:38A little Miley.
42:39Thank you all for coming and, erm, cheers.
42:42All the very best.
42:43Cheers.
42:44Happy birthday.
42:45Happy birthday.
42:49Over the years, Clive supported Miles and Sid with their farming ambitions and Reuben with his growing company
42:55and hopes to continue helping his sons fulfil their future plans.
43:02It's been lovely tonight for people to come and help me celebrate my 70th birthday.
43:08They say time flies, well, it certainly does.
43:11It's been great fun watching Reuben build his business.
43:14And we have a lovely relationship.
43:16And, er, so that's a great privilege for me.
43:26In all the years, I've never known him stop and celebrate his birthday once.
43:30You know, he's always been too busy.
43:31So, everyone's come together, you know, just his family and our family and all his friends.
43:36So, it's been really nice to, you know, celebrate his 70th birthday.
43:39He's great.
43:40He's been a great father to us a lot.
43:42And, er, he's a legend.
43:44If I turn out half as much like Dad, that'll be grand for me, because he's a gentleman.
43:48Rock ball without you.
43:50Rock ball without you.
43:52Rock ball without you.
43:52Let's just be in the trouble.
43:54CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
44:00Next time, Reuben digs deep at an idyllic country house.
44:06What's that, mate? How's it going, bro?
44:11Clive, Miles and Sid set sail to Ireland.
44:14Are you getting your sea, Lee?
44:16Yeah.
44:17Where veteran shepherd Clive is invited to judge Ireland's take on his native Swaledale sheep.
44:24Just remember, the judge is always right.
44:27Oh, whatever.
44:31And that's new Reuben Owen life in the Nails next Tuesday at 8.
44:35Thursday at 8, Sister Jane's up against it.
44:37It's flu season and there's not a bed left available.
44:40Every second counts in brand new Casualty 24-7.
44:44Next, fame comes with a heavy price tag for one daytime TV presenter.
44:47Sally Lindsay and Jill Hoffman, a star in brand new drama Number One Fan, continuing after the break.
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