Trehilyn Farm - The TV Series:
The farm consists of a 200-year-old house with traditional outbuildings and 70 acres of land. In a five-part television series, 'A Pembrokeshire Farm' (Thursday, November 2, BBC One Wales), viewers will see Griff's story unfold, from deconstructing the roof and replacing with individually hand-crafted Welsh slate to the final finish of white lime render to the stone walls.
For Griff - who has won awards for previous restoration projects which include London's Hackney Empire and a 1920s factory in Clerkenwell, part of the appeal was a return to his well-buried Welsh roots.
"I was born in Cardiff but at six months old my family moved away and I was brought up in Essex," he says. "I came to Wales while making Restoration but I didn't really know it very well at all. Then I started making (ITV drama) Mine All Mine in Swansea. Suddenly I was starting to feel more Welsh than ever before.
"With Trehilyn, I thought what I'd like to do is put some money from other projects back into Wales."
To make sure he got it right, Griff enlisted a team of Welsh experts to argue with. Architectural historian Professor Greg Stevenson of Lampeter University advised on which authentic materials to use, specialist Llandysul builder Gill Wickenden directed her team on traditional methods while specialist Pembrokeshire architectural designer Martin Davies worked on the plans.
your comments
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Colin from Worcester
I thought this was an excellent programme but in common with all this type of show the ratio of looking at people's faces rather than what the craftsmen are actually doing is far too high in favour of the faces. Shall we get to see the fate of the out-buildings and particularly the mill?
Tue Aug 28 10:47:56 2007
Mike Stagg Portishead
Griff may well be concerned about rubble 'neath the lands of Pembroke and the need for advanced decision about location of hard standing, slate rock and sequences in shifting. The last thing anybody wants to do is move rubble twice in an operation and I personally never want to shift earth twice; even double digging by Geoffrey, Alan and Monty gives me the creeps, but then from my parent's place on sand marl I lived on clay. Thank you for the Cambridge Architecture campaign support, Griff.
Thu Aug 23 16:01:11 2007
DocHuw from the Isle of Wight
I worked in Fishguard for 10 years and used to walk round Strumble Head with my dog regularly, no matter what the weather. I miss it dreadfully and can only envy G R-J. The memories that the programme brings back are wonderful.
Wed Aug 15 12:25:15 2007
Loz from Tenby
Just watched the last episode. Well done to everyone. I must admit, I didn't like the look of the red going on the walls, but it looks great. Must visit the next time I'm up in Fishguard.
Tue Feb 6 10:14:12 2007
Bernise Williams Cardiff
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole series and was very envious of the expertise Griff had to call on. We restored a tiny two up two down in Pembroke Dock and unfortunately had to do it all ourselves. Well done to the whole team,we hope to get to see Trehilyn in the summer.
Wed Dec 6 08:43:13 2006
Steve & Eileen Bisby, Llanfairfechan
We too missed the final episode and would like to know if it is possible to see it. Will the series be repeated on BBC1?
Tue Dec 5 09:29:35 2006
Janet Hughes
Enjoyed this series very much , unfortunately missed the last episode. How or where can I view it?
Mon Dec 4 10:55:16 2006
Mo Bartram
Hello. It's Mo here. I fenced at Trehilyn Farm for Mr Jones. They reckon that I am the best fencer that has ever been. Hope all is well - MoJo. (:
Fri Dec 1 09:23:17 2006
Darren Roberts
Missed a few programmes but watched last nights and last weeks and it looks perfect. Is it for rent as a holiday home?
Fri Dec 1 09:16:53 2006
Bill & Jill Reynolds, Freshwater East
We have been watching this series with great interest and have enjoyed every minute of it. Unfortunately we missed last nights' episode and would like to know if it is going to be repeated or if it is possible to get a recording of it?
Fri Nov 17 12:51:58 2006
Lesley Walton, Derbyshire
I too saw the first programme whilst on holiday in Wales and am certainly hoping that it will be shown on English TV.
Wed Nov 15 08:56:45 2006
Jeff Hubble
Missed the program on the 9th is it being repeated any time?
Mon Nov 13 09:11:33 2006
Gwyn Williams, Pontardawe
Missed the programme on 9th Nov. Any chance it'll be repeated?
Fri Nov 10 09:45:23 2006
Karen & Clive Thomas Pontyclun
It is nice to see these buildings being renovated. We regularly go to Fishguard all through the year. We hsve a caravan in St Davids and love the area. We live just outside Cardiff and it is nice to go to West Wales for the peace and quiet. Anyone born in Wales and had to move away, will always return. Good Luck Rhys.
Wed Nov 8 08:54:46 2006
Claire and Bob Phillips, Pembrokeshire
Having bought a farm in Llangwm Pembs that we are renovating, we watched egerly to see if Griff was on the same steep learning curve as we are, and we cheered out loud when they decided not to have a damp course and to repoint using lime, we have been met with looks of astonishment from our friends and we are delighted all our research has proved right, good luck and we will watch each week with delight as you progress.
Mon Nov 6 09:09:39 2006
Gary Smith from Norfolk
On holiday in Wales this week,noticed and watched this great programme. Is this to be repeated on English tv at all?
Mon Nov 6 08:54:33 2006
Helen Williams, Denbighshire
Great programme which gives us as viewers an inspiration to renovate our property.
Fri Nov 3 13:46:24 2006
Helena Worthington, Liverpool
It was wonderful to see to work being carried out on our beautiful Trehilyn. We stayed at Trehilyn during the summer for the past twenty years, my children have grown up on the farm, with Harry, Joyce and Morgan. We were devastated when the farm went up for sale, as so many memories were there,( my husband and I even honeymooned there)we totally adore the place.
We were so delighted when Griff bought it, as we knew it would be restored to its former glory. We visited while the work was in progress, and were made very welcome by Griff's family. The only complaint that we have got is,why is the series not being aired in England, we were so looking forward to watching the whole project step by step. Good luck Griff with future projects.
Fri Nov 3 10:49:40 2006
christian and jo from tufton
Brilliant show. Griff was great entertainment to watch. an interesting project in our homeland, with a happy go lucky smiling attitude from griff. at the end of the show we immidately added it to our viewing planner list ready for next weeks show !
Fri Nov 3 08:54:04 2006
Ian Darlington-Roberts Ferryside
Just watched the first episode on tv great fun and makes me rather proud to see the good old welsh rain at the end! We too have been in the process of renovating a Farm house but without a budget, so things are slow, and we have had to undo a lot of previous work. Looking forward to following your progress Mr Jones.
Fri Nov 3 08:53:17 2006
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