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Press Releases
Coal House families return to the reality of 2007
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From the depths of poverty-stricken 1927, the three families who have taken part in 91Èȱ¬ Wales's Coal House TV series have returned to the reality – and luxury – of 2007.
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After four weeks of life packed into tiny mining cottages in Stack Square, Blaenavon with no heating, electricity or running water, all they wanted was a bath.
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But the three families – the Cartwrights from Penarth, the Griffiths from Cardigan and the Phillips from Cowbridge – were thrilled when they were taken to the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport for some pampering and a reunion with their families and friends.
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Although all three families said they were looking forward to enjoying the comforts of 21st Century life, they admitted that disbanding their tight-knit community and leaving Coal House behind was emotional.
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"I'm looking forward to going home, but to be honest I've got really mixed feelings about leaving," said Debra Griffiths, whose straight-talking humour has endeared her to viewers over the last few weeks.
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"It was just so peaceful and safe – it really felt like home. I love our little community, and the bond we've built up. Nobody judges you and once we go home it's straight back to the real world."
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Stephanie Phillips, who viewers saw break down in tears on more than one occasion due to the hardship involved, agreed that the Coal House experience has changed her outlook.
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"We've talked to each other a lot more over the past few weeks, because there was nobody else to talk to, really," she said. "It's made me realise we're all quite happy just having our families, food and a fire, and that's what's important.
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"There were times when I was really frightened and genuinely worried – times when I thought I'd put my family in danger. We've just had a taste of life in 1927 – there are so many things we haven't had to deal with."
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Through the series, astrophysicist Annabel Cartwright has transformed from high-flying career woman to servile domestic goddess, but now it's time to go back to normal.
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"My whole day was geared to the moment when he walked through the door. I had to have the fire going, the kettle boiling and a bowl ready for his feet and make sure his dinner was ready. I started to dream about things like washing up liquid – we had to use flaked soap to do the dishes and nothing ever seemed to get really clean.
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"What I've really enjoyed is spending time with a bunch of women all day long. I've never laughed so much in my life. In my career I've always been the only woman in a group of men."
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The Coal House series, made by Indus Films, has been an unprecedented success for 91Èȱ¬ Wales, with hundreds of thousands of viewers tuning in for each episode shown on 91Èȱ¬ One Wales, as well as many more catching the
91Èȱ¬ Two show each Saturday.
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"Coal House has been one of the most exciting projects I have ever been involved with," said 91Èȱ¬ Wales Head of English Programmes Clare Hudson.
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"It has captured the imagination of people right across Wales and beyond – from very young children to grandparents with their own stories to tell about lives built around the coal industry. The series has got the whole of Wales talking – we could not be more thrilled with the impact it has had.
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"And it's great that CADW has decided to keep one of the furnished cottages intact so that people can come to see for themselves what life was really like in the Coal House."
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Notes to Editors
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For more information, including clips and outtakes from the series, go to bbc.co.uk/coalhouse.
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To hear interviews with the Coal House families, as well as comment from the show's psychologist, historian and food advisor, visit bbc.co.uk/radiowales and listen again to today's (9 November) Jamie And Louise Show.
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As the three families taking part in 91Èȱ¬ Wales's Coal House series adjust to life back in 2007, figures suggest that Welsh people enjoy spending time with their families (source: BMRB/TGI):
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- 77% of adults in Wales surveyed agree that their family is more important to them than their career.
- 86% of adults in Wales agree that they enjoy spending time with their family.
- 17% of adults in Wales agree that they rarely sit down to a meal together at home.
- 70% of adults in Wales agree that their favourite pastime is spending time with their family.
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Coal House, Saturday 10 November, 6.05pm, 91Èȱ¬ Two
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KS2
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