BBC HomeExplore the BBC

4 December 2009
Accessibility help
Text only
South WestLand of Dreams

BBC Homepage
Wales Home

Wales SW Mid SE NE NW
»

Local BBC Sites

Neighbouring Sites

 

Contact Us

Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

 

Programme 5: Mounting Pressure

Longhorn Cattle This BBC Wales series, narrated by Huw Edwards, looks at a county which, over centuries, has charmed generations of inhabitants and visitors alike.

This programme first broadcast Tuesday 22 Feb 2005

The Vaughan family live and farm high on the hillside of the Gwaun Valley. Their farmland encompasses the rounded peaks of the Preseli hills, and this is where Land of Dreams - Mounting Pressure' takes us in the fifth programme of the series.

Robert VaughanIt's a harsh existence but one that the Vaughan family has taken as a challenge, rising to it with innovation and sheer hard work. In the 80s, farming's buzz-word was diversification, and this is what the Vaughan family did. Where other families diversified into catering, tourism or conservation, they moved into all three, creating a wonderful, colourful country garden and tearoom. Considering the remoteness of the farm, and the fact that it stands 600 feet above sea level, it was a bold move, but one that worked. Today, this is an award-winning tourist attraction, drawing up to 10,000 people a year from all over the world.

It's a valuable source of income, and so are the other ventures the family share between them. Unusually, the father Dilwyn Vaughan is the one in charge of the home, the housework and the cooking. He cares for his grand-daughter and does the catering for their tea shop and gardens. His heart is in farming, but ill-health has forced him to take a less physical role. His wife Susanne is a carer, the eldest son Robert farms at home and younger son Richard is a full-time ranger for the National Park, as well as helping out in the farm and garden in the evenings and weekends. Robert's wife Sam also goes out to work as a teacher.

"The garden started out as a part-time business - farming being the most important - but it's now developed into a full-time business, really, so it's very important to us," says Richard.

Robert VaughanIt's not an easy life but it's one they wouldn't change. Even when they're one pair of hands down, as Richard decides it's time he needs to leave for six months to see the world.

What keeps the family together is a deep attachment to the land, the community and to each other, as this programme clearly shows.

  • 'Land of Dreams' is an Element production for BBC Wales.


  • more from South West Wales

    Culture

    Wood sculpture of Owain Glyndwr by Simon Hedger
    Local Visions

    Getting creative near you - profiles & galleries from local artists.

    Nature

    Image shows a sea lavender flower
    Flowering of Burry Port

    Explore a rich diversity of wild flowers which migrated here.

    Outdoors

    Great Gower

    Get out and about on Gower before the winter arrives.


    Lleol
    Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr

    Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr yn 25 oed!

    Nodi achlysur Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr yn Abertawe yn 25 oed.


    About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy