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Reuben Life in the Dales (2024) Season 3 Episode 1
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00:02Tell you what, this is hard. This sheep's definitely going to get bullied for a tackle.
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 cheers.
00:19Now he's building a business and a remarkable life in his Yorkshire home.
00:24We need a lot more in here, yeah. Going faster.
00:26We're going, we're going faster than time.
00:27They're a great team, even on a job like this, where there's a bit of pressure to get it done.
00:32They're brilliant.
00:33We'll continue to follow him as he takes on new challenges with the support of friends and family.
00:38Do you want to give us a hand putting the wheel on?
00:40Right, I 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 bond?
00:47Brilliant, son. He's just brilliant.
00:49And witness him at work and play.
00:55As he leads a new generation of young people choosing to live and work in the idyllic Yorkshire Dales.
01:02No, I'd rather be.
01:03Oh, I love you too.
01:07My business has been going from strength to strength over the last four years.
01:11My brothers, Miles and Sid, are a real help, but they love farming too.
01:16Sunny and Capa are a great crack to work with, and they're the muscle of the operation.
01:21Jess, my girlfriend, is from a farming family like me, and 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 in there.
01:44I know, you're right, honey. I'm going mad.
01:46I'm so confused.
01:48When a sheet pen job fails...
01:50They're some miles away. 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 here?
02:03I didn't have the tape measure.
02:05Because someone, we're going to have to sack someone here.
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.
02:20Stick to it if you can.
02:21And 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 Ruben her mark of approval.
02:34We'll keep this one as well. This is a keeper.
02:37This is a good one.
02:38In that case, hit you in half.
02:41And there's a milestone celebration for Clive.
02:45It just seems like five minutes since I was on my push bike.
02:48You know, life just goes so fast, doesn't it?
02:51Cheers. All the very best.
02:53Cheers. Have a birthday.
02:56Ruben's base of operation is in his childhood home of Swaledale,
03:00in the north of the Yorkshire Dales.
03:05Come on.
03:07It's early summer, and just across the border in Cumbria,
03:10Ruben is helping Jess on her family's idyllic Brough Castle farm.
03:16You keep walking them forward, Ruben,
03:18because he's, like, trying to get out.
03:19Oh, aye.
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 Ruben, size matters.
03:43I 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.
03:51That is a big lamb.
03:51I like this one here.
03:53I also picked mine,
03:55because the other one was too fast to catch.
03:59Ruben 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.
04:09Grown up the same sort of upbringing,
04:11you know, around animals and farming life.
04:13It'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.
04:32We both understand that jobs need to be done.
04:35Both outdoor-y 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 let...
04:43Keep this one as well.
04:44This is a...
04:45This is a keeper.
04:46This is a good one.
04:46Well, in that case,
04:48I'll take you an arm.
04:50Just for good, Reggie.
04:51You're not going to sell me?
04:53No, I don't think so.
04:55No.
04:57We can keep you.
04:57Yeah.
05:00Ruben and Jess's shared work ethic
05:02was something that first drew them together.
05:06Earlier this year,
05:07Ruben 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.
05:18Sort of hard to imagine.
05:20Oh, yeah, you've got a big bank in to work with, haven't you, heck?
05:22Yeah.
05:23So how far are you going back?
05:24Right through,
05:25so you can come round the far end with the sheep.
05:27Yeah.
05:28Do you want a drawing of it?
05:29Yeah.
05:30Am 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 doing that.
05:51It was so fun.
05:52That was good.
05:52Let's file that.
05:54Keep it safe.
05:56Just like Ruben, Jess also grew up with machines,
06:00and Ruben was impressed by his new girlfriend's capabilities.
06:05We're always working together on all sorts of different things,
06:08you know, she'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, what Ruben 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 to make room for the new sheep pens,
06:28and Jess was a massive help.
06:34Today, they're back, and the site in Angram has been cleared,
06:37ready for the sheep pens to go in.
06:39Well, it's looking good, isn't it?
06:40Yeah, we've got all this ground dug out.
06:42You know, last time you were here, you'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,
06:52which is a bit of a fiddle, because we've all got to be roughly level.
06:56Tricky task.
06:57Yeah, and lots of stones are grounds quite hard.
06:59Yeah.
07:02There are 15 different sized gates to fit squarely,
07:05so Ruben's workmates, Sonny and Kappa, are 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 pens have to have the right gaps in to shut properly,
07:26and not too much gap that the sheep can get through.
07:30Getting 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 a 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 sized.
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.
08:17Swing that gate round, see what it looks like.
08:20Yeah.
08:21Up 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.
08:29Yeah.
08:31We won't get our clothes.
08:32One bit more.
08:33A little bit more.
08:36That'll be right, yeah.
08:37Kappa is 19, and Sonny, Ruben and Jess are all 21.
08:42Now how long have you been on for us now Sonny?
08:4313 months.
08:45Still enjoying it?
08:46Yeah, I love it.
08:47You'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.
09:04The metal posts need to go deep,
09:06so Ruben'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.
09:30Somehow it's smooth.
09:32Their measurements are way off.
09:34It's miles away, Ruben.
09:35How's that happen?
09:36And after spending hours lining up,
09:38Ruben's frustration is starting to show.
09:41Jesus Christ, you two...
09:43Has it gone that far?
09:44...some team.
09:45We've just measured it.
09:46We've just measured it.
09:48Push it that way.
09:49I don't think it will.
09:51It needs to go a long way.
09:52It's miles...
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.
09:57I'm sure we set off over here.
09:59Yeah, we did.
10:00I bet it's hitting on a stone.
10:01How much do 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 over there,
10:14we'll not get it in the spot, will we?
10:16Could be a problem.
10:29How far is it out?
10:3150, 60, 70.
10:33It's moved 80 mil this way.
10:37Can't leave your staff to do anything on their own?
10:40It's moved, because we're on very hard ground.
10:42On the sheep 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, Jess or Sonny here?
10:52I didn't have to take 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, look into it.
11:05Let me wiggle it.
11:05Oh, it comes quick, it's coming.
11:09There we go.
11:11Yeah, look.
11:13Oh, 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?
11:19It'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 it's a 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.
11:40Now, 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 bigger.
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, but 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 of 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 rim.
12:32I don't know why.
12:32It's not going to go.
12:33Let's not start this.
12:35I don't know why I bother buying diggers.
12:37I wouldn't want to dig it out there.
12:38No.
12:40Not them stone.
12:41Anyway, come out.
12:43Today's been challenging, but the young team have pulled together and the pens are almost complete.
12:49There you go.
12:50One more metal page again and we're about there.
12:52Oh, you know.
12:53Marvellous job.
12:59The friends are ending their day on a high, but the job's not finished as Ruben still needs to lay
13:05a concrete base in a few days' time.
13:15It's a glorious day in Cumbria.
13:18At Brough Castle, the meadows are ready to receive the cow herd for summer.
13:23And Jess's dad, David, is preparing for this momentous milestone in 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, see 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.
13:5030, do you know what's happening today?
13:52Do you know what's happening?
13:53You're going outside.
13:55You're going for a run outside.
13:56It is, isn't it?
13:58Nice sunny day for it, isn't it today?
14:00Yeah.
14:01You'll enjoy the sunshine.
14:02You will.
14:03Some Bertherts.
14:04Mmm.
14:04Are you 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.
14:18And your nice shades.
14:21You're all cute, aren't you?
14:24The family has spent the harsher winter months caring for the dairy herd inside and 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.
14:37It's going to be good, aren't it, darling?
14:38Yeah.
14:39It's the best day of the year, this.
14:40Best day of the year?
14:41Mmm.
14:42I can't really explain.
14:43It's just amazing to watch.
14:45Just playing around, play fighting, doing some jumps in the air.
14:49Are you ready?
14:50Yeah.
14:52Right.
14:53Come on!
14:54Hour!
14:55Jess and David milk their cows twice a day and have built a bond with every one of the herd,
15:00knowing each of them by name or number.
15:03Who do you think is 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 your sweet pea.
15:15Woo-hoo!
15:16Let them go!
15:17You can almost see them smiling, can't you?
15:20Got that!
15:21Woo-hoo!
15:22There you go!
15:23He's 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, and she was keen to follow him into
15:52farming.
15:53She's always wanted to be a farmer.
15:56When she left school, she didn't want to do anything, nothing but farming, so now she works full-time on
16:02the farm.
16:02You don't want to come back out!
16:04Come on, Howie!
16:04Shh!
16:05She's just a fantastic hard worker, and really good.
16:08Come on!
16:09Whoa!
16:11I didn't know what she was 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 when my dad was thinking about letting
16:22the cows out, so I always said to him, no, no, wait until the weekend when I'm here and
16:25I can see them go out, because it's just so fun to watch them go out.
16:28They all start dancing and running around, it's just great to see.
16:31Have a look!
16:31How was that?
16:32Did they enjoy that?
16:33Good, yeah.
16:34Hey, Blue!
16:35What a picture!
16:35Is it good?
16:36Oh, look at this princess!
16:38That's what we've all been waiting for!
16:44Oh, you're sassy.
16:46I like your attitude.
16:48Sassy.
16:49Eva is the youngest in the family, and at nine, she's just starting to think about her
16:53future.
16:54She's very caring, is Eva.
16:56She likes the cows and the calves, but 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 we prank you?
17:08I don't know whether Eva will be a full-time farmer, but I would like her to be.
17:12Shall we go and have a look at them then, see 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 that gives the family's farm its name,
17:26the hard-working sisters take a moment to reflect on their unique home.
17:31It's a lovely view, isn't it?
17:33Yeah, very nice.
17:34We're lucky, haven't we?
17:35We've been born here, haven't we?
17:36Yeah, really 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, when sometimes we have ups and downs, but...
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?
17:59Let's roll down the hill first, shall we?
18:01Roll down, go on then.
18:03Wee!
18:04Wee!
18:05Wee!
18:06Wee!
18:08Are you dizzy?
18:09I'm so dizzy!
18:11Come on then, let's go and milk the cows.
18:24The dream of being a farmer in these beautiful hills may be a way off for Eva.
18:30How are we?
18:30Wee!
18:31But Clive, another proud dad, is no stranger to the demands of a traditional shepherd's
18:36way of life.
18:37Good luck.
18:38And today, he's once again preparing to shear his flock.
18:43Back in the day, shearing was a big event in the summer, and men from all the farm far
18:49wide used to come and shear at the farm, and it was almost like a party thing.
18:53And those kids used to bring them, used to make a massive tea and a massive dinner,
18:57and 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, to 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, everybody sheared with hand shears,
19:19and they all sheared on stools in them days, so guys sat on a stool and had sheep laid on
19:25stool and sheared them like that.
19:27And us lads used to bring them the next and drag them to them, you know?
19:31Why?
19:32I sound old now, don't I?
19:34But as you guys haven't done a lot of clipping, we're lucky enough today to have an expert
19:40with us that goes around teaching young fellas how to shear.
19:43What do you think, guys?
19:44Well, give it a go.
19:45You 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.
20:07Clive, how are you?
20:08Very good.
20:09Miles and Sid?
20:10Miles, okay, pleased to meet you, Miles.
20:12All right, Sid, how are you?
20:13Yeah, good, thanks.
20:14Clive has invited Richard from the British Wool Association to teach his sons the esteemed
20:19bowing 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
20:28mid-50s.
20:28Really?
20:29So, you know, and there's been a lot of thought into how it is better, and I think it's basically
20:35for the welfare of the animal, and also trying to protect the shearer.
20:39Because it's tough on your back, shearing, it is, you know, it isn't it, I mean, it's your
20:44back gets some sticks.
20:45Are you going to show us the old school way of doing it then, Dad?
20:48Do we have to?
20:49I'll give it a go, at least.
20:51All right, if you insist, I start here, because that's where we used to start with the old
20:58shears.
20:59My way of shearing, it's nothing like as tidy as theirs, but this air, there's only a week
21:06between a good air-cutting a button.
21:11So I'm pulling on that leg, and that's putting a lot of pressure on your arm, again onto your
21:17back.
21:18Exactly.
21:19Exactly.
21:19Yeah, exactly.
21:20So you can see that.
21:21We've tried to avoid that if we can.
21:22See that argument exactly.
21:23Yeah.
21:50All right.
21:53So the next one, look at the old school.
21:53First of all, the old school'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.
22:01How far?
22:01Pull it down, and then the second hole, put it in to the second hole.
22:04Adjustable?
22:07adjustable I admire that it's just such a talented guy you can do anything really
22:13what dad can make on the farm like even a surprise is Reuben you know making a
22:17clipping trailer Wow from nothing it's just and getting every single bit
22:23perfect just phenomenal yeah I'm very impressed Dave's unbelievable can make
22:30anything have a go at making anything it's brilliant whether it works we'll see
22:34you in a minute won't we I love wandering around your family I haven't seen bits and
22:37stuff you've made and he's very good dad's just been a type that if something breaks
22:43down he can fix it well that's the same as Reuben like they're just handy men to have
22:47you know that's what you need on the farm the world it can do anything Jess is full
22:51of admiration for her dad and Reuben but she's not without her own talents just
22:57how long you've been cheering to darling how long yeah probably yeah would you say
23:01that yeah you started when you were just small didn't you side with Whale Dale that
23:07would a bit smaller I don't know whether I'll ever be as fast as dad you will be one
23:12dad yes I don't know when I'm retired and old credit to you darling for for doing it
23:26despite growing up around thousands of sheep on their family hill farm Miles and Sid are new to
23:32shearing starting there you're finishing here you're aiming for my house with 59 ewes waiting
23:38to be clipped today is going to be a baptism of fire for the budding shepherds although they've
23:44worked with sheep and dragged them to me to shear they've never sheared anything but before and so
23:48it's good for them to start at the very beginning without any awful bad habits and just to learn
23:53properly I think it would be better shearers forage your right foot will start to slide back and your
23:59left foot will come forward because what you're trying to do now is every time you do a blow you
24:03want to be turning towards the machine right there are multiple specific blows intricate foot positions
24:12and safety techniques to learn so now you're going to step up the neck so your left hand will go
24:18through between your legs and it'll get a handful of wool just reach for a handful well through
24:22between your legs handful of wall and got a handful of wall yeah this left foot will come to here
24:29where my hand is after their lessons Richard will test the brothers on their technique this point now
24:35you really want to be facing the trailer so just spin round a little bit more if they make the
24:41grade
24:41he'll award them a Clippers certificate but for beginners miles and Sid there's a lot to take
24:46in they slide the sheet down your leg and you want your tool links his shoulder now you start in
24:54here
24:54yeah to there your first stop miles how are you feeling the water steps to it yeah hopefully we
25:00let's get it I'll definitely need reminding me where to go didn't it looking on it looks complicated
25:07but you kind of it explains itself as you go because that's the obvious next place to go you know
25:12what
25:12I mean that's it that's it well done Marley that's your first of many was it as hard as it
25:18looked miles
25:18yeah it's just a lot taking a lot of steps but no I think it's your turn now Sid 58
25:24left to go
25:28that's beautiful well done you're coming in to my hand so this left hand now is going to be just
25:33holding that skin coming on top of the leg shearing is very physical work and at only 13 Sid is
25:42starting
25:43young and so we'll find this skilled job much harder well done that's good contact really good
25:49you just want that little bit extra Sid isn't as old or as strong as Miles the stronger you are
25:57the
25:57better it is it's tough on your back and yeah it's a tough thing to do give your handpiece to
26:01Miles
26:01oh Marley get out of her head that's it Sid how's it going yeah a lot harder than I thought
26:07oh harder than you
26:09think that's right oh yeah it's one of them things practice makes perfect back on Brough Castle farm
26:17Reuben's also taking lessons from Jess how close to the skin do you go yeah you go across the bend
26:24that way and then it's stretching the skin out yeah so then it's been a bit stubborn but yeah like
26:29his
26:31brothers it's the very first time machine-minded Reuben has picked up a pair of shears that must feel so
26:37nice for that team mustn't it to have all that off like taking your jumper off on a hot day
26:43I don't know how my brothers are getting on but we're taking a bit of learning
26:48oh it's an arse definitely an arse it's not like driving a digger this sheep's definitely
26:53going to get bullied for its haircut but even like driving a digger you don't pick it up on the
26:58first
26:59day do you so you know it takes time this is hard it's hard isn't it don't worry it's all
27:05practice
27:06Reuben you'll get there you're doing a brilliant job thank you darling the big thing is that the
27:11yowl hasn't got up on you that is a tremendous start sat down already at over six foot seven
27:16Reuben has the muscle to manhandle the hefty hooms
27:21Sid on the other hand is finding keeping hold of the sheep a challenge
27:27handpiece they're fighting for the lives that they believe that their end has come they want to be
27:31gone good lads they get up even on the best of clippers they get up
27:39it may be common but wayward ewes are a clipper's nightmare
27:44ah i got away from me one got away on sid but but you know they still get away on
27:50me in that split
27:51second they just get a bit of leverage on summit and wham they're gone right let's cast this sheep
27:56boys sid's customer may have broken loose but at least it's sporting an invoke 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 your first sheep was
28:22fairly horrific the wool is off it which is the main thing it's hard on your body because i've only
28:27done like i don't know four you know i'm feeling it it's it's hard work i'm finding it hardest to
28:33control the sheep and stop them from trying to run off seems like you've been getting much better since
28:39in these last sheep been picking up well have you been paying them to behave or something it you know
28:44all
28:45this clipping malarkey is old technique fingers 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
29:06keep going forward forward forward forward yeah all of it there reuben is back to finish the sheet
29:12pens in angren today he's concreting the base of the pens and needs all the help he can get for
29:19this
29:19demanding job we need a lot more in here yeah yeah this is like the final floor of the sheet
29:27pens
29:27we've got the full team with us we got jess who's going to be helping me tamp the boys are
29:31going to
29:31be shoveling then kappa's going to be on the dumper bringing the concrete backwards and forwards
29:35the concrete must be poured and leveled before it goes hard so the team are trying to keep up with
29:40kappa as he brings each load to the yard yeah this gateway here is the reason i'm sat on a
29:47dumper because
29:47the wagon won't get in because it's so long and wide there's no chance of it actually getting turned
29:52off the road but i'm not complaining i'm happy i'll be dumper he's gonna be here in no time we're
29:58going
29:59we're going fast and careful i enjoy concrete when it's done it's a hard job always stresses me out
30:08i think father clive's made me have a hate for concrete every time concrete with dad
30:14he's always in the stress and it's rubbed off to me now i have like a nervous twist though they've
30:21all
30:21grown up on farms learning the building basics i'm asking you guys why things you don't
30:26you're strattling around like an old hen you're doing great trained welder sonny thinks he's
30:31developed a more nuanced knack for precision so you're a bit of a spot-on kind of person like you
30:36sonny yeah a little bit i like stuff right so us at home we don't even have a spirit level
30:40you just
30:41use you know farmer's eye you call me a cowboy yeah yeah farmers are just cowboys what are you
30:50past reuben that's a bit of both maybe he's actually not too bad for a farmer is he not
30:56too bad he's a bit of a perfectionist like is he yeah you know i'm quite actually surprised you said
31:01that right should we get the tamp on it once each load has been raked into place reuben levels the
31:09wobbly mass in a process called tamping it takes two to tamp and working in unison is a
31:18must for a flat and even floor yes do you want to jump on and tamp here i'll just tidy
31:22up them
31:23rough edges ready one two three and it seems jess and sonny are the dream tamping team tell you
31:34what we've definitely got rid of them should have done this from start weren't you doing this
31:38lovely stuff guys really want to get that little bit there
31:44is this post fastened in well sorry yeah perfectionist reuben is taking leveling to the
31:49next level with a risky maneuver happy if he fell in that would have to do it all again
31:59i don't think i'll have to do it again i'll be laughing that hard
32:03after months of work and planning who can blame the young boss for taking pride in his work
32:08so you want to get the edge done and then it's finished and he doesn't want anything to mess up
32:13the final finish it'll take all day for it to set won't it it's time to get hard up at
32:18the top so
32:19you know everyone stay off it until
32:25he's keen straight on concrete but one rogue resident wants to leave a permanent print
32:30help he's back he's gonna end up in that concrete right darling sheet proof it down
32:37now his precious concrete is safe the base is finished well done sigh of relief
32:44it's been a tricky job but now complete reuben is pleased with the result that went really well
32:50really happy that we've got it all in and they're a great team you know like all of them can
32:55work so
32:55well together and even on you know a job like this where there's a bit of pressure to get it
32:59done
32:59they reckon they're brilliant
33:12it's the day of sid and miles's shearing test
33:16so reuben jess and david have come to support the budding clippers what's the test then richard
33:22what do what do they have to do you just shear three sheep unaided ideally half an hour i don't
33:28want
33:28to be here when it goes dark and they're still shearing the second one yeah yeah it's quite a tough
33:32thing especially with the with everybody watching on it does it kind of make you nervous credit to you
33:39boys for having a go and just getting on with like i did one sheep and wow takes some really
33:45does take
33:46some doing how are you getting on with this head is it how are you finding holding them yeah that's
33:51the hardest
33:51bit innit yeah uh you need to wait a few more years till i'm stronger but yeah i'm doing a
33:59few
34:00like how are you feeling miles yeah you'll be great nervous i think i was more chilled out doing my
34:04driving tests and i failed that six times but it just says as long as it clipped at the end
34:08of the
34:08day then it's right in it so yeah you only get better right down two there you go today's test
34:19could earn the brothers the blue seal a world-renowned entry-level shearing certificate
34:27many of the world's most talented clippers have started with this qualification
34:31and both owens are keen to claim it well done guys you're doing really well well done said it's
34:37not easy holding them is it but until you get the technique it's you know yeah miles is away yeah
34:43miles is doing really well yeah well done miles you're doing really well there's a lot to remember
34:49from their lessons but the flighty use are making the task almost impossible
34:57she's fighting a little bit some do some relax and go really floppy and some don't these will
35:02fight more than the decks all i see fighting loud things just really aren't they miles is off to a
35:09flying start she was a fighter that was exactly five minutes good one well done good job just get the
35:18legs clear and then spin around but sid's struggling without richard's guidance which could spell
35:24failure for this young clipper stop you a little minute because you want your knee at that side
35:30of the brisket let me have your sheep's head
35:34and then this leg wants to be here richard's helping him a lot more anybody's yeah
35:42someone learned here you know you've got to be learned don't you you've got to be taught how to do
35:45it
35:45good job good job good job that was about eight minutes for sid no good lads yeah i'll check it
35:56miles is flying is miles now yeah he's doing really well yeah he's on his third yo now is miles
36:04he's about there really he's got to be the one his size compared to that yeah he's doing well he's
36:14as big as him yeah yeah good lad well done miles really good you've done two in 24 minutes this
36:23this is your final one of the three my three don't have been half an hour so let's see how
36:28Sid gets on now he's uh he'll be pushing it time wise beautiful yeah really good that good contacts
36:35at skin come on sid you got this one sit above seat now i think yeah well it's calm and
36:41dry Sidney
36:43calm and dry hey well done well done good lad good lad 28 minutes well done man thank you
36:55it's the moment of truth for the brothers start with you then miles you've worked really really
37:00hard you've done three sheep you've done them in the half an hour you didn't have much of an aid
37:04you nobody's stepping in you nobody really helping you your quality you know we could we could be
37:08better you know you was a little bit away with your pattern but i'm more than happy to offer you
37:13a
37:13blue seal thank you very much well the miles it was your two days achievement thank you very much
37:19and we've got to see it obviously your height's a little bit against you you know you're a younger
37:24person a younger body we don't want to do a lot of sheep but i do really appreciate your enthusiasm
37:29thank you absolutely fantastic and you're meticulous you 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 you found
37:39it
37:39quite tough i think i can't really say that you couldn't do it without anybody you know i help you
37:45through it and i talk you through it and so i can't really give you a seal but you've got
37:49everything that you need and i think in two or three years time and i think you could do that
37:52quite easily so thank you very much indeed to both of you you'll only get better though you know like
37:57that everyone has to start somewhere i think they'll have passed the qualification to share at ravensea
38:01well done absolutely absolutely i'm very pleased with you well done despite walking away empty-handed
38:12sydney has learned a new skill for life and will be a welcome hand come next summer's clipping season
38:18i'm pretty confident with actually like cutting the wall but it's more holding it and where you move it
38:25next that'll do it's something i can do a quick raven seat and help dad out when he's doing it
38:32so
38:33yeah new experience i've never done it before so yeah it's definitely worth it
38:49thank you very much thank you bye they're not going to blow off are they right can you manage
38:54so i put these in the back reuben and jess are out getting some special supplies as this evening
38:59they're throwing a party for clive's 70th birthday no this is actually quite i think i need some help
39:06this is quite hard actually i'm stuck can you help me please right this is actually more of a task
39:13than expected yeah but going out faster than you're putting them in right there oh are we in might take
39:21off now as reuben is most comfortable in high vis and willies jess wants to know if he's planning to
39:31shock their guests with a glow-up are you going to um fake tan or put some fake eye so
39:38my hair either
39:38long or short yeah my outfit clean or mucky yeah what's what about your legs shaving and tap
39:48do you wax or do you shave i wax you wax i wax must be quite brave then i know
39:54you just wax your legs
39:55that's the only thing no i wax everything you wax everything it's got wool on it i wax it i'll
40:00ask no
40:00more let's change the conversation nice balloons yeah the party is being held at tan hill the highest pub
40:12in england here we are here we are right we need to get the balloons out without losing them and
40:18at
40:18this altitude it's always windy quick reuben quick but the one's gone run run run run run run run
40:32right it's okay i've got him
40:40right right have i got all the shrinks have i got them all reuben and jess are excited to make
40:46this a
40:46party to remember and as evening falls over the dales lovely to see you clive's friends and family
40:55have arrived to celebrate with him for his milestone birthday how far off send you you then i've got two
41:01years to catch you have you really yeah i am but a boy and i'm 68. can't do anything about
41:08it i'm 70
41:08whether you like it or not no absolutely and i don't like it but you'll look older but thank you
41:14that's
41:14it was great to be here tonight for dad's 70th yeah i think he's enjoying himself isn't he i think
41:20he is
41:20a better look after him but uh thank you very much for helping me with the balloons i love nice
41:25yeah i love
41:26working you whether we're on with balloons or farming or quarrying it's always a good time and
41:32when something does go wrong we eventually get it started so he deserves a good party doesn't it oh
41:37he does been 70 like you wouldn't think so would you if you know he's still in his prime oh
41:41all right
41:42still in his prime 70 after 21 like yeah right well here i am on my 70th birthday
41:50yay i can't believe that uh i've got to 70. it just seems like five minutes since i was on
42:00my push
42:00bike and you know life just goes so fast doesn't it and um i've been coming to tan hill for
42:08a fair
42:08old while we always came on a sunday night there was a few characters a few locals used to sit
42:14around
42:14that fire um sadly they're all gone now but um but i'm still here and so so there you go
42:27thank you
42:27very much dad for well keeping us three on the straight and narrow thank you very much good luck
42:33yeah well it's been great fun no right top man thank you very much miley thank you all for coming
42:40and um cheers all the very best happy birthday
42:49over the years clive supported miles and sid with their farming ambitions
42:53and reuben with his growing company and hopes to continue helping his sons fulfill their future plans
43:02it's been lovely tonight for people to come and and help me celebrate my 70th birthday
43:08the same time flies well it certainly does it's been great fun watching reuben build his business
43:14and we have a lovely relationship and uh so that's a great privilege
43:26in all the years and i've never known him stopping to celebrate his birthday once you know he's always
43:30been too busy so everyone's come together you know just his family and our family and all his friends so
43:36it's been really nice to you know celebrate your 70th birthday he's great he's been a great father to us
43:42lot and uh he's a legend if i turn out half as much like dad that'll be grand for me
43:47because he's a
43:47man next time reuben digs deep at an idyllic country house
44:11clive miles and sid set sail to ireland
44:14are you getting your ceiling yeah where veteran shepherd clive is invited to judge ireland's take
44:21on his native swaledale sheep just remember the judge is always right oh whatever
44:27so
44:39so
44:40so
44:47you
44:48you
44:48you
44:48you
44:57you
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