Coal House
Coal House

Coal House (NaN)

0.02 seasonsDocumentary

Coal House is a Welsh television series made by Indus Films for BBC Wales, and broadcast on BBC One Wales, with a subsequent UK wide repeat of both series on BBC Four. Series 1 was set in the depressed economic coalfields of 1927, while Series 2 was set in 1944 as World War II draws to a close. Series 2 was broadcast on BBC across the UK from October 2009

📺 Seasons & Episodes

Specials5 episodes
The Bevin Boys and Evacuees Story

1. The Bevin Boys and Evacuees Story

In 2008, a group of young people joined three Welsh families in BBC Wales's landmark living history series Coal House at War. They were transported back in time to 1944 to face the hardships of life in a World War II mining community. This programme looks back at the experiences of the four Bevin Boys and the young evacuees, and reveals how they felt when they returned to modern life.

The Griffiths Family Story

2. The Griffiths Family Story

In 2008, three Welsh families took part in an extraordinary social experiment - they were transported back to 1944 to experience life in a World War II mining community. In this programme, we take a look back at the Griffiths family's time in Stack Square and reveal how Rose, Hywel, Mandy and the boys felt when they returned to modern life.

The Tranter Davies Family Story

3. The Tranter Davies Family Story

In 2008, the Tranter Davies family from Merthyr Tydfil took part in BBC Wales' landmark living history series Coal House at War. For a month, they were transported back in time to 1944 to face the hardships of life in a World War II mining community. In this programme, we look back at their time in Stack Square and reveal how Laura, Geraint and the five girls felt when they returned to modern life.

The Paisey Family Story

4. The Paisey Family Story

In 2008, the Paisey family from Cardiff took part in BBC Wales' landmark living history series Coal House at War. For a month, the Paiseys and two other families were transported back in time to 1944 to face the hardships of life in a World War II mining community. In this programme, we see how Natalie, Stephen and their four children coped with their time in Stack Square and how they felt once they returned to modern life.

Dance House 1944

5. Dance House 1944

Dance House 1944 takes a look at how people faced the music and danced during the Second World War despite bombs falling and bad news from abroad. Veterans of the fighting front and the home front describe how important dancing was for them and chart the changes in fashion from strictly ballroom to jitterbug and jive.

Coal House10 episodes
Coal House at War12 episodes
Episode 1

1. Episode 1

30 min

Deep in the Welsh valleys, three families give up their 21st century creature comforts and time-travel back to 1944 to face the hardships of life in World War II. Will the community survive without a microwave, mobile, fast car or fast food?

Episode 2

2. Episode 2

30 min

The families settle into the punishing routine of 1944. The men face a tough training period to equip them for life at the coal face and in the Home Guard. The children cope with school and discipline, and the women face the dangers of the munitions factory as well as running the home.

Episode 3

3. Episode 3

30 min

Three Welsh families time travel back to 1944 to face the hardships of life in World War II. The women struggle to impress at the factory and the children find it tough at school.

Episode 4

4. Episode 4

30 min

At the end of the first week in the Coal House, how are the children coping with no playstations or mobiles to occupy them? There's a strict school system to contend with and a daily dose of cod liver oil to swallow. Will they pass the school cleanliness inspection, and how will they get on with the animals at Stack Square?

Episode 5

5. Episode 5

30 min

The weekend arrives, and with it, a welcome break from work. While the men go to football training, the women go to the hair salon. Just as they start to think they are adjusting to life in the Coal House, however, there are more arrivals..

Episode 6

6. Episode 6

30 min

Tensions run high when the workers turn up late to the mine and munitions factory. Whilst their bonuses are under threat, wartime shortages take a grip and the families battle to cope without electricity.

Episode 7

7. Episode 7

30 min

The women take on a secret mission at the munitions factory, while the men struggle down the mine. Just as it seems things are looking up with a variety show, the families are brought face to face with the grim realities of war.

Episode 8

8. Episode 8

30 min

The new arrivals are settling in as the second week in the Coal House draws to a close. Home sickness is rife, school exams are looming, and the Bevin Boys are learning to cook. But who will give the best performance in the variety show?

Episode 9

9. Episode 9

30 min

It is the last week in the Coal House, and the threat of air raids and sleepless nights are taking their toll. The women are charming the butcher for black market meat, while the rivalry between the men and the Bevin Boys is resolved on the football pitch. And there is a surprise visit over Sunday lunch for some of the evacuees.

Episode 10

10. Episode 10

30 min

With victory nearing, the pressure is on to fuel the frontline in the mining community of the Coal House. Will the men in the mine and the women at the munitions factory hit their deadlines? The scholarship exam looms at school, and a testing day in the mud leads to promotion for one of the Home Guard.

Episode 11

11. Episode 11

30 min

It is time for the men to hang up their lamps, the women to take off their uniforms, and the evacuees to return to their parents in the city - but not before everyone gets in the swing at the community dance for a final send-off.

Episode 12

12. Episode 12

30 min

The children take the dreaded school exams as they spend their last week in the square. Who will receive the coveted trophy, and how will they feel about leaving their wartime lives behind?

Cast

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