Mark ‘‘Welshy’’ Davies of Ashburton is commonly found operating heavy machinery or organising jobs, not starring in a television show.
But for four days last month, the Welshy Contracting operator took time out from his bulldozers, diggers and cellphone to talk to the crew of Welsh series Cefn Gwlad.
The programme is a like a Welsh version of Country Calendar. It profiles farmers in Wales, and occasionally expatriates in other countries such as New Zealand.
Welshy, 61, is from Wales. He said it was ‘‘really exciting’’ to be among the three Kiwi properties the show visited on its October trip to Aotearoa. Presented by Mari Lovgreen, Cefn Gwlad focused on what life was like for him and his family in New Zealand, and why they wanted to stay.
Welshy and wife Andrea and their two children, Thomas and Megan, moved to New Zealand about 20 years ago. ‘‘We had had enough of the wet weather and everything at home, and my wife wanted to travel and see the world.’’
They had thought about going to Australia, but New Zealand’s attractions pulled them to this side of the Tasman. These included the association between New Zealand and Wales in terms of shearing (Wales is a popular destination for Kiwi shearers) and a similarity of passions, including beer and rugby, between the two countries.
When the film crew visited, they enjoyed mostly sunny days. This had worked well for a boating trip of family and friends to Lake Coleridge, where the crew was amazed at the scenery.
‘‘It was an awesome day,’’ Welshy said.
There was also a visit to Welshy’s local, Kelly’s Irish Bar and Cafe in Ashburton. Here he had organised to meet up with about 15 fellow Welsh expatriates from the Ashburton area. They had a fun night, which involved a few pints of Guinness, nips of Jamieson’s Whisky, and a sing-along which included an enthusiastic rendition of the Welsh national anthem.
Welshy himself is a fluent speaker of the Welsh language. He had worked as a contractor in Wales for 15 years, and for many of his customers in the countryside it had been their only language.
Meanwhile, Welshy is planning his retirement long-term from his business, as his daughter Megan and partner Michael begin to increase their involvement, towards taking it over,
‘‘It will be nice to see the business carry on and not see a clearance sale at the end,’’ Welshy said.
The Cefn Gwlad episode is expected to air in Wales over Christmas.
