Raploch Stories: 15 Years Later | Where Are They Now?

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:09]Raplock is a neighborhood on the outskirts of Sterling.

[00:00:16]It was a council housing scheme with a tough reputation.

[00:00:22]16 years ago, we filmed here for over a year to find out about the aspirations of people from this community.

[00:00:31]see the queen.

[00:00:33]>> I don't like her. She's an angel supporter.

[00:00:36]>> 5 years later, we went back to see how things had changed.

[00:00:41]>> I thought that I would like to change the school uniform. So purple it was shoot through.

[00:00:46]>> And at first there was a bit of that's a lassie color from the boys.

[00:00:53]Over the past 10 years the area has been transformed. There's a new community campus for both local primary schools and a lot of the old houses have been replaced.

[00:01:05]Now in 2017, we return to catch up with some of the contributors.

[00:01:12]>> Go home.

[00:01:13]>> If I pick up one drug, it releases my addiction and there's no way back. I'm just grateful to be clean so I'm not going to use.

[00:01:20]>> Pull the straps down. Sometimes I can get really really stressed with them, but my family always comes first.

[00:01:26]Always.

[00:01:29]>> Some of the P7 class of 2002 are now parents themselves.

[00:01:36]>> There wouldn't be any break to set for lunchtime >> and others are surpassing all expectations.

[00:01:43]>> My passion is speaking up for these for these young people who didn't have a voice.

[00:02:07]Today, local children attend the new community campus.

[00:02:13]Back in 2002, pupils from both local primaries came together for the Tuesday club.

[00:02:20]together and then you take someone else's hands, you get a big note and then we've got to try and get out the note. Okay.

[00:02:24]>> This was an initiative to provide extra support away from the classroom for vulnerable children.

[00:02:30]>> We think we think that you've got something to say about schools, but nobody ever asks you.

[00:02:38]>> The Tuesday Club was run by youth workers Gordon Griffiths and Jerry McGarvey.

[00:02:45]It's probably the same price to keep a kid in care for a year that we ran a youth project uh and catered probably for about 100 kids in ratlock.

[00:02:53]>> You kind of do wonder what happened to a lot of the people uh that were here. I was at a party conference in in Perth.

[00:03:00]This voice screamed across uh the foyer, Jerry. And I hadn't a notion. I hadn't a clue until she said it's Ashley.

[00:03:09]>> Good.

[00:03:10]>> I think school's excellent because you get to do math and language. It's got an opportunity here to find out what you want the school to be like.

[00:03:16]>> My idea would be a boarding school and it would be a swim and pool around an area for pets.

[00:03:25]>> Right.

[00:03:26]>> Can I ask you a question?

[00:03:27]>> It was so so good to see see you actually having done so well on way way down the line. They often hear and feel that you're you you've done something maybe worthwhile and that was one of those occasions when that happened. I'm genuinely thrilled.

[00:03:46]Ashley went to three different secondaries, leaving school age 16 with four standard grades. She's now age 26.

[00:03:56]I'm now a thirdyear student at University of Sterling. I study history and politics, which for me is fascinating. So, it's a really exciting time in my life. Um, and I'm just really glad to be here.

[00:04:08]I never ever believed that I would ever get to uni because it was what I was told growing up. Um, primarily because of my background.

[00:04:17]>> My name is Jack. I'm the leading role of the pantomine and I hope it's going going to go all right.

[00:04:27]>> When I was in Raplet Primary School as Jack and Jack the meanstock, I was a really troubled young girl. Um, I come from a care background, which means that I don't live with mom and dad. I left care when I was 17. Flitted about bed and breakfast and homeless accommodation and things like that. Um, which was a really dark time for me.

[00:04:51]It hasn't been easy. I'm not going to lie. I feel like I'm literally having to work three times as hard just to keep up with everybody else, you know? I just keep dreaming in my head of that graduation day and walking up and shaking hands with the principal and getting my my certificate. Um, and I think that's what's keeping me going in this crucial final fourth year. Um, because by the the end of next year, by the end of June, I can turn around and go, all those people that told me I wouldn't get to where I am today, I got here. And I got here because of hard work and determination and ultimately the support from all my care family in Scotland as well.

[00:05:36]>> What about that there? Can you explain that to people? Okay, then go and explain that. See if who gets this first.

[00:05:42]>> You saw it.

[00:05:44]>> Back in 2002, two members of the Tuesday club who always kept busy were twin sisters Kimberly and Susie.

[00:05:51]>> Oh, of course not. Oh, how would I know lines like that?

[00:05:54]>> Got three rabbits and two guinea pigs.

[00:05:57]>> Two hamsters and two birds and a dog >> and a dog >> and fish.

[00:06:01]>> I would like school to have a swimming pool in it.

[00:06:08]>> When you watch it back, it's like a we reminder.

[00:06:12]>> It's weird. It was strange.

[00:06:14]>> Um, a lot really a lot has changed. Um, obviously I've had we both have braces and things so we look a bit better.

[00:06:22]Yeah, good.

[00:06:22]>> I like school because you get to go out and play.

[00:06:26]>> I think it was helpful. It made us more confident, I think, and socialized better.

[00:06:35]>> I've been to college as well as Kim has.

[00:06:37]I studied horses for 3 years at Oidge and then I came home to work and now I've got my two kiddies.

[00:06:45]I've got Lucy who's three and Erin who's two and this we one will be June the 13th of August. So we're quite close together. I got interested in childcare and went to college and I graduated 4 years ago for that.

[00:07:02]>> An essential part of the support was a home visit to the twins mom by one of the community work team.

[00:07:09]>> Do you think the group helps you?

[00:07:11]>> I think it helps me. It learned you how to be nice and everything and not to be bad in that.

[00:07:17]>> I've brought the girls up to take people as they find them.

[00:07:22]>> A few weeks later on Susan and Kim's 10th birthday, sadly their mom passed away, leaving their dad Jim to bring them up alone.

[00:07:32]>> I don't think we saw a future as much cuz it was so hard at that time. But I think we stuck together, didn't we? Cuz we had to help each other in the house.

[00:07:38]Like as I say, we did our home washins.

[00:07:41]We did the house. So, it depends how you adapt and how people cope around you.

[00:07:45]Some people use excuses like a parent dying or something and that's why they go off the rails, but >> it's not really an excuse cuz we were totally fine.

[00:07:54]>> You make a mess all the time.

[00:07:58]>> It was just after a bit of rough time at that time because the wife had just passed away.

[00:08:03]>> Yeah. Because she was around.

[00:08:05]>> Kids are resilient. It's me. It's >> no.

[00:08:10]>> Well, was hard at the beginning. It would probably been harder if they couldn't cope as well as what they did, but >> and they were able to cope well. So, I was able to feed off of them, you know, able to cope a little better. So, >> Oh, dad is doing a pee.

[00:08:33]>> There's your hands.

[00:08:35]Jim is now a dad and a granddad. With Susan also living in the rat lock, they see each other often. And now it's the grandchildren who love their pets.

[00:08:47]They're starting managerie like they grew up with.

[00:08:52]Toughest things was well being a single wage coming in is like just banking the money. But you I always had plate panels, you know, around about here in the area and that I mean that was a handy thing, you know, people could keep an eye on the kids for me, you know, if I was at my work running late, something was gone wrong or whatever the walk was.

[00:09:11]There's more a community.

[00:09:15]It was somebody that that could step in.

[00:09:23]The twins started life early when their mom went into premature labor.

[00:09:29]>> We're 3 months premature, weren't we?

[00:09:31]So, we're born between 26 and 28 weeks of my mom's pregnancy.

[00:09:35]>> And we just weighed a pound, which is so tiny. My dad said we were just the size of his hand. So, just fitted nicely in his hand.

[00:09:43]>> So, we're really lucky to be here with obviously no medical problems as well because we've both been up until now very healthy. So, we're so lucky as well. We are so lucky.

[00:09:55]>> It's like having a best friend as well as a sister.

[00:09:58]>> You never tell me that really rap music keeps me sane today.

[00:10:18]Steven McGawan looks down from Sterling Castle Hill onto the Raplock estate where he used to live.

[00:10:25]I >> I used to come up here on Mon just for a bit of peace and quiet.

[00:10:30]It doesn't look like the raplock anymore.

[00:10:34]I've knocked most of the houses doing so. Brings back memories.

[00:10:39]It's a different place now. But they all still get on. They get on great. And it's always been like that. Okay.

[00:10:45]Everybody helps each other in times of need.

[00:10:50]Couldn't leave this place.

[00:10:53]>> Definitely not. My heart's in Sterling.

[00:10:58]>> I want to get on this right.

[00:11:06]be right at the back of his right.

[00:11:08]>> 10 years ago, Steven was involved in a football project to help unemployed young men stay away from drugs.

[00:11:15]>> I was a heroin addict, >> but now I'm drug free and I've been drug I've been drug free for 17 and 1/2 months. Uh, which is a bonus because at the end of the day I can spend more money on the kids. they can spend their money on the house and also I conquered that affliction there.

[00:11:45]>> Just get a we space along the line.

[00:11:46]That's it.

[00:11:47]>> The last time I told you I was taking drugs and I I was still taking drugs and uh basically I just lied to get get where I wanted and um to get what I wanted. Brilliant.

[00:12:02]>> When I watched that, I could see and everybody else could see that I was a drug user. And Dylan and Jerry Lee suffered because of that.

[00:12:13]>> Steven was a single dad looking after 12-year-old daughter Jerry Lee >> and 15year-old football crazy son Dylan.

[00:12:24]>> Should have dropped it. things got really bad and uh I would hide in the room. I would take drugs and I took a I had a psychotic episode and I ended up uh getting locked up in hospital for a few weeks. I woke up 7 weeks later in a prison cell and uh I didn't even know who I was. I got eventually D and J weren't there. They they they ran away. They just I g them a really big scare. They had to walk away. They had to teach me that this is what you're going to lose. you're going to lose us.

[00:12:56]I was on a substance one or another for the age of 14 and I'm 44. So that was 30 years on drugs.

[00:13:10]>> And then I got an appointment with the the head doctor and she asked me what I wanted and that I just put it as blunt.

[00:13:17]I says I just didn't want to die.

[00:13:21]I just chased recovery. I went to everything. I'd done what it took. I done what was asked. And I started going to the recovery cafes.

[00:13:32]>> I'm passionate about helping others.

[00:13:35]>> Yeah, it's it's not every day is a good day. There's not many more mistakes I can make.

[00:13:42]>> Steven is now a volunteer with Fourth Valley Recovery Community. He's trained as a volunteer facilitator to lead meetings helping other recovering addicts like himself.

[00:13:54]Hi guys, I'm Steven. I have had a an interesting couple of weeks. Done 81 meetings in 65 days. And I think I'll smash 90 meetings in probably an hour 90 because that's what's keeping me clean.

[00:14:09]If I do a meeting a day or two meetings a day, that's medicine for me. And that's 12 13 129 days clean a day.

[00:14:17]>> Well done, bro. As addicts, we need somebody to show us what they've done to do things differently.

[00:14:26]>> Even though it's 16, 17 months now, I'm still getting nervous at the thought of going to psubs. You know what I mean?

[00:14:31]So, >> I'm like juggling plates all the time.

[00:14:33]I'm trying to keep everybody happy.

[00:14:35]>> Me as an addict, if I pick up one drug, it releases my addiction or again, and I'm off and running. There's no way back. And this time, cuz in the world say it's jails, institutions, and death.

[00:14:47]And I've done the first two and I didn't fancy the last one.

[00:14:53]>> Just two days off opiates now. So I'm in a I'm in pain.

[00:14:59]The reason that I dragged myself down here today and it was really hard to get down to walk down the hill. Had to pass a dealer's door. It was just touchy passing. But I made it here. I've been through heroine and alcohol and to the brink of death.

[00:15:18]>> We're always here for you, T.

[00:15:21]>> Thank you. You're there on the phone or during it.

[00:15:24]>> We're here for you, mate. We get the feelings. I didn't trust people outside here apart from my kids.

[00:15:30]>> I love you, bro. I love you, too.

[00:15:35]>> Oh, man.

[00:15:37]>> Thanks for having tears, man. Cheers.

[00:15:42]I love you too. I love you too.

[00:15:54]>> The building work in Raplock continues today with new houses under construction.

[00:16:00]Work on the regeneration program began over 10 years ago and as part of the project, local teenagers were recruited as apprentices.

[00:16:09]Stay >> finished. No.

[00:16:13]>> In 2007, one of the team building the new houses was 22year-old Stephanie.

[00:16:20]>> It's challenging. Definitely different for any women. So challenging and you're always working. That's what I want.

[00:16:27]Something to keep me busy. Definitely.

[00:16:30]It's good with the light. And then just check to see if it goes in there. And it doesn't.

[00:16:41]Today, Stephanie has moved a few miles away from the rat block, but her building skills still come in handy.

[00:16:49]>> If you're going to do a job date, right, because I picked all that up when I was doing paint and decorating, so it's got to be perfect or nothing.

[00:17:01]I had an apprenticeship with Sterling Council. That's came an end. I've been married. I've been divorced. I've had another two we buns. So, life's been quite hectic.

[00:17:13]Yeah, there's me. There's Bruce. There's Maya Kai and my partner David that live here.

[00:17:21]That yummy Maya. You're a mom. You're a carer. You're a bouncer.

[00:17:28]Sometimes I can get really, really stressed with them. But at the same time, that's part of being a mom.

[00:17:35]Me and David are decorating the house at the minute.

[00:17:37]>> He was a bit smoother than the last >> and David obviously helped me that keeps him off the alcohol.

[00:17:46]>> I was in the homeless and that for a while 4 years on and off. I had a drink problem there. I'm kind of aware of that now. So hopefully >> it came to a right head. Um he had lost his driving license because he drank in uh and he went off on a two-day bender and I decided enough is enough.

[00:18:11]Get B.

[00:18:14]>> It was practically death story and for me that was a scary sight. I've seen it before with my dad. That was a long process trying to get over what happened.

[00:18:24]Saturday something >> but both my parents they were alcoholics and I don't know if it's folks say it's hereditary >> but I don't know I've done well but >> 12 weeks >> long way to go while she served her apprenticeship in the building trade. Stephanie lived at home in the wrap lock with her mom who helped take care of her son Bruce.

[00:18:57]However, help with looking after Bruce during the day which can be a bit of a handful at times. Can you hopefully get a house of her own one day soon out from under my feet?

[00:19:13]Biggest change has been Stephanie away out here in the sticks and I'm on my own now the wrap look. I'd prefer her nearer, but it's her life, so she's got to get on with it.

[00:19:28]>> Right. You be at the corner, Maya.

[00:19:31]>> Right.

[00:19:33]>> Hey, Maya. Let's go.

[00:19:36]Hey, >> Stephanie and David are determined to make a family home in a village a few miles from the Raplock and are now planning for the future.

[00:19:47]Well, we're looking forward to wedding night.

[00:19:50]>> We've got a lot of planning for that to do >> and get changed and then you can go out and play if you want.

[00:19:57]>> Stephanie's birthday the went out for a meal.

[00:20:00]>> Mhm.

[00:20:01]>> Went through there up to >> castle.

[00:20:04]>> Stalin castle esplanade and I went r to her side of the door with the car opened it just went down in one knee proposed and you were shocked there.

[00:20:14]>> Mhm. I think you knew something was happening. But >> no, I knew something was happening because he had been off his secret birthdays. But >> no, it was a nice surprise.

[00:20:23]>> So, we got engaged.

[00:20:27]>> You going out the front?

[00:20:28]>> I'm going out.

[00:20:29]>> Bye.

[00:20:32]>> I've got Maya. She's seven. She's partially sighted.

[00:20:39]>> And then she was six before we actually found out what was wrong there. That's when we were told she was blind in her right eye.

[00:20:50]>> I can't go yet.

[00:20:53]>> Crazy.

[00:20:54]We've only just recently found out about a motor neuron problem. So for me, you know, all these problems come up and then it's a case of you just need to deal with them.

[00:21:07]>> Maya, your legac, >> but it's heartbreaking. If I could change things for a I would when I was out in the building site, you know, I was I only have Bruce and now I've got three me on no job. So for me it is it's totally different. But at the same time, I wouldn't have changed the way things hangs up.

[00:21:35]Watch your date. Bruce, that's not something that you should be teaching them.

[00:21:47]All we want you is returns.

[00:21:49]>> Ear birds coming. Ear birds. Here's birds.

[00:21:58]>> Radlock has had a pigeon club for as long as anyone can remember. In 2002, the club was thriving with members competing in federation races throughout the season. 5 95.

[00:22:10]>> One of the keenest members back then was Andy McCartney.

[00:22:16]>> That pigeon of mine is like a skeleton.

[00:22:19]So, we'll see how he goes. We just hope he does well in the race. Fingers crossed.

[00:22:25]>> Boys, right, boys? Clocks.

[00:22:28]>> Race today. I'm pleased. Still have a few points tonight to celebrate hopefully.

[00:22:35]Over the past 10 years, there have been many changes. A number of lofts are boarded up and empty. But Andy still here getting his champion pigeons ready for the racing season.

[00:22:58]>> Fed athletes. carbohydrates at the beginning of the week and a Friday you give you a lot of protein freelock and I started pigeons just around the corner there when I was 7 years old I've kept pigeons for 59 years a long time like that's what keeps it get that's what gets me up in the morning my birds 8:00 every morning my birds are warmed up at 6:00 at It's not a hobby. It's a disease. Once it's in your blood, I couldn't think my pigeons.

[00:23:37]>> Even with membership much reduced, there is new blood getting involved with the pigeon club.

[00:23:43]>> I'm foggy. He's comfortable.

[00:23:46]>> Like local teenager Kevin.

[00:23:49]>> Come on.

[00:23:51]>> I'm the only one around there that's really interest. One thing that doesn't interest me is drugs and alcohol.

[00:23:59]I know want to go down as one of them.

[00:24:01]So this is what I do in my spare time.

[00:24:03]Come to the pigeons. It's what I love.

[00:24:12]>> 157.

[00:24:14]>> It's the end of April and members prepare to send the pigeons away for one of the first races of the year. six.

[00:24:23]>> I'll be feeling anxious and a bit nervous just cuz it's the first race of the season again. Want to do well, want to get the birds home.

[00:24:38]The Liy will take pigeons from clubs across central Scotland and drive 70 mi south to Cold Stream, where tomorrow morning they will be released to find their way home.

[00:24:50]You guys climb up.

[00:24:51]>> In the meantime, Kevin and Andy wait anxiously.

[00:25:07]The Scottish Parliament, Hollywood, Edinburgh.

[00:25:15]Ashley doesn't just study politics.

[00:25:17]She's an activist who wants to make sure her voice is heard here in the seat of power.

[00:25:25]I've been working in the Scottish Parliament since the 1st of March this year and it really is a dream come true.

[00:25:32]In 2013, Hooker Scotland launched the the time to listen campaign which I was one of the the keynote speakers for. My passion is speaking up for these for these young people, these vulnerable young people who at that time looked after young people in Scotland didn't have a voice.

[00:25:52]The most exciting part for me was being able to to share my lived experiences of the care system, which for the most part it was largely negative.

[00:26:00]>> I just said I want to play a game.

[00:26:02]>> It's not this is not a game, actually.

[00:26:04]>> I know, but it's still stupid.

[00:26:06]>> Do you want to go back to class? It's a choice. It's yours.

[00:26:08]>> My life was horrible. I was stealing food from other kids pack lunch boxes just to get by because I wasn't being fed properly. So for me, my escape was school.

[00:26:19]>> It's a load of crap like everyone else.

[00:26:23]>> I see this very forceful, unsure little girl who is absolutely lost.

[00:26:31]>> I bet it's too boring in the class.

[00:26:33]>> A big part of who I am is that I want to see change and I want it to be positive change. And just because you've had a rough start in life doesn't mean to say that you can't be involved in that change because you can.

[00:26:48]First time I came to Scottish Parliament I believe was to meet with Kzia Dougale and you're like how can they achieve health issue >> the poorer you were the less likely you were to get the help that you needed.

[00:26:59]I'd like to do more digging into it.

[00:27:01]Yeah.

[00:27:01]>> Ashley came into my office with Who Cares Scotland, the leading campaign organization around looked After Children, and she arrived in my office quite agitated, um, quite angry, kind of like you could see it in her physicality. I literally said to her, um, you know, there's been 17 legislative documents all looking at the outcomes for looked after young people.

[00:27:21]And to me, they just read like an apology because nothing substantial, no fundamental change has come out of that.

[00:27:28]She wanted me to ask lots of questions and start doing things in parliament.

[00:27:32]And I decided, do you know what, Ashley, rather than you tell me what needs to be done, why don't you come and work for me and do it yourself? And I just remember bursting out crying. Um cuz I I still get emotional about it cuz I never ever thought like that would that would ever happen to me. When you look at Ashley's life and the journey that she's traveled to to go from where she was to sitting in parliament making sure nobody ever has to experience what she did, what a story.

[00:28:04]She's easily the most effective campaigner I've ever met and ever worked with.

[00:28:10]>> My aspiration, I would say, is to definitely become an MSP. I'd love to become an MSP.

[00:28:16]I think in 10 years time you could absolutely see Ashley sat here where I am.

[00:28:23]It's scary having so much control now where I didn't have any control over my life when I was in care. So now to have that control and be able to carve out my own future, my own destiny um is scary but absolutely exciting at the same time.

[00:28:50]This is the daily routine.

[00:28:55]>> I mean, it's so unfair.

[00:28:58]Oh, she's hungry.

[00:29:00]>> 15 years ago, life for Holly and her new baby was bleak. She was homeless and living in her mom's overcrowded house in the wrap lock.

[00:29:09]>> Going on a daily. Hey, it's my mom's accommodation. If it wasn't for her, I'd be on the street. I'm actually out here.

[00:29:17]I can't possibly look to the future. I don't know where my future lies. I would love to say that one day I'll be happy in a we house in my own. I'd love that.

[00:29:24]That's just a dream, you know. Just a dream.

[00:29:32]>> 5 years later, the dream had come true.

[00:29:35]Holly and her family had moved into their own house in the heart of the wrap lock.

[00:29:40]>> I love it. Love my house. Love it here.

[00:29:43]>> I wouldn't move at the raplock in a million years. It is a really really nice place to be.

[00:30:00]We're in Ken now and we've been here 3 years. moved away for the lock. Left about that left behind. Yep. Moved forward.

[00:30:12]It's a big difference in the rat lock.

[00:30:18]I wish I'd got this chance over 20 years ago. I' loved to have brought my kids up here. No, that I didn't think it would have made much of a difference, but it would have to my life. I wouldn't change them now. But it would have been nice to see. I I love killing. I miss my family in the Rook. I don't think I could live there now. Same miss to my friends for the Rook. They're dead. They're They've passed away.

[00:30:43]I've got five kids at the moment. Child free. Child free at the moment. Apart from me, apart from him. I met Ryan 7 years come the 13th of August. And we're It's tighter than a Jubilee clip. That is my best pal in the world. Well, I she's my best friend. She's got my back.

[00:31:03]>> I love that lady more than >> And I love her on my heart. I do.

[00:31:06]>> More than anything. You better believe it.

[00:31:08]>> I love love stronger than any drug.

[00:31:11]>> Oh, I Oh, I >> when I met Ryan, Ryan was an alcoholic and I was an addict. Me and Ryan getting together was like juggernaut train cuz he's bonkers meal mad and so but not in a bad way. Just in a friendly. We just like a good laugh and spar me out. But I'm picking up the pieces bit by bit and I'm I'm I'm getting there now. Every day is a bonus.

[00:31:40]>> I was a heroin addict for a lot of years. Um drug depended I'm clean. God long long time. I've never ever brought heroin to killing. Never ever.

[00:31:50]You didn't realize that when you're going through an addiction or something you think cuz your kids didn't see anything, they didn't know anything. And that's not that's not true. No.

[00:32:02]>> Being a good mom's based on how much you love your beard and saying I'm the best mom in the world. But it takes so much more than love.

[00:32:08]>> Number one.

[00:32:13]>> Who is it?

[00:32:15]We're getting a new three-piece suite delivered today. Well, it's not new.

[00:32:18]It's second time, but it's new to me.

[00:32:20]It's coming in from the Salvation Army.

[00:32:23]I got it for £100. All systems go. And I'll always be a bit take out the app, but I didn't think you'll take the apple look at me. Oh, he's an absolute gems.

[00:32:32]Thank you very much. Thank you.

[00:32:38]You don't want to be fun for it. Just kick out, son. Just break out to get out. Break into it. It's gone in the bucket. Dylan booted to it.

[00:32:48]>> There's no side.

[00:32:50]>> Thank you, lads. All for the help of the community. the good old Rapot community.

[00:32:57]>> Oh, Ry, it's solid.

[00:33:03]>> With the new sofa in place, Holly and Ryan are now searching for more secondhand bargains in the local charity shop.

[00:33:11]>> We've got loads of great bargains.

[00:33:14]Love it. Me and Ryan love our eating charity shops.

[00:33:18]>> 10. Ryan, will we take the two cushions for the couch? The >> bra. Ah, yeah. You go on new couch >> and fight change. Thank you.

[00:33:26]>> Thank you.

[00:33:27]>> And we receive >> my future and well me and Ryan's future cuz there isn't me and Ryan now. Their future I see and killing >> fresh and family and friends. Fresh and fun.

[00:33:38]>> That's it. Bang on.

[00:33:41]Mhm.

[00:33:51]The old Raplock Primary School, which stood for over 70 years here at the heart of the community, has now been knocked down.

[00:34:01]Former head teacher Anne Stewart is now retired and lives in a nearby village.

[00:34:07]This is a book that was given to me when I was retiring from Rat Primary. I started in an infant teacher. Never looked back really. Just enjoyed it from day one.

[00:34:20]>> Morning everyone.

[00:34:22]>> Morning.

[00:34:23]>> The great day has dawned. Raplo, it's a great place.

[00:34:27]>> Of course, I'm biased. I've been here since 1970. It's true to say that the school probably has been a constant um and and a source of stability for the children.

[00:34:37]So, I think that they do regard this the school as as a sort of rock in the middle of it all. That we're here and we'll still be here.

[00:34:46]You're all silly, foolish children to be out playing in this kind of weather without a jacket on. What is between your two ears?

[00:34:55]Mint.

[00:34:57]Rap was really quite innovative in some of the things that we did like the careers day for example and that was great. Kids loved that.

[00:35:10]I think it's brilliant getting to put the hearts on.

[00:35:13]>> Lives revolve around a school and it's you you don't realize that until you're away from it. I don't think >> we've been talking about achieving your personal best and this bunch are probably the best we've had FOR SOME TIME.

[00:35:38]THE SCHOOL IS and always will be a big part of the community and so it should >> of the new report on mental health in terms >> Miss Stewart likes to follow the progress of former pupils like Ashley Cameron.

[00:35:52]>> Ashley had a very very difficult time. I was always so concerned at how these early experiences had affected her and continued to affect her all through her life. You don't realize that that happens and who knows where she'll go from here.

[00:36:20]A future housing development is planned for the site of the old primary school.

[00:36:26]Ashley is here to meet Miss Stewart.

[00:36:29]>> Hello there. Been here.

[00:36:30]>> Good to see you.

[00:36:35]>> You can't believe this is what this was the school.

[00:36:39]>> Oh, there's that old school.

[00:36:41]>> So, talking about highlights of Rat Primary, I'm sure for you there's many.

[00:36:46]Oh, >> I'm Jack.

[00:36:51]>> I hope it >> and I want to do this forever and ever.

[00:36:54]>> That's it.

[00:36:56]>> Well done, everyone. That was splendid.

[00:37:03]>> I feel like I want to date and again, just want to date forever.

[00:37:09]>> You know, for me, school was my escape.

[00:37:12]>> From kind of everything that was going on. Um, so for me, this was kind of my place.

[00:37:18]>> Yeah.

[00:37:23]>> I remember coming back for the the work experience.

[00:37:26]>> Uh-huh.

[00:37:27]>> You know, some of these kids that come from such disadvantaged backgrounds.

[00:37:32]It's not challenging behavior as such.

[00:37:34]It's them trying to release the frustration and the anger that they're feeling.

[00:37:39]>> Really nice to see you. Give me a hug.

[00:37:42]>> You're looking great.

[00:37:43]>> Thanks. I never really got a chance to thank you for letting me come for my a workplace that well you enjoyed that week, didn't you? Brilliant. But I think I kind of realized how bad I'd been. I don't obviously get paid enough. I remember getting these all in the staff room and kind of being, you know, I'm really sorry for the way that I acted in primary school um for being so tough.

[00:38:06]Feels weird sitting on the naughty chair again. If the teachers know and understand what the background is makes a big big difference.

[00:38:14]>> Yeah.

[00:38:14]>> Because they can then judge what is you know behavior that is coming from your background behavior that is just coming because you you've had a bad day or whatever you know and and act accordingly.

[00:38:27]>> It was the the teachers often say to me it was more like a family. Oh >> big big family.

[00:38:53]Archie Wilson has lived in the wrap lock since he started working in this small engineering company.

[00:39:00]>> I've worked for the company for 45 years. So I left school when I was 15 and I came here.

[00:39:08]A lot of the trade now it's all computers. I'm still oldfashioned. I still do the old way.

[00:39:16]Different perfect. Oh, I would rather be up the hill. That's a dead center. I'd rather I'd rather be with the dogs, go fishing, hunting, shooting. You know, when you're outside, all you have to do is breathe the fresh air, watch the dogs, and enjoy.

[00:39:33]15 years ago, we filmed Archie training his gun dogs in the countryside only a few miles from the rap. No, come on then.

[00:39:41]>> And followed his passion for outdoor pursuits.

[00:39:45]>> My father bought me my first gun.

[00:39:47]>> I thought it was brilliant. You know, I was like Davy Crockett going out into the wilderness and shooting your first rabbit. It was brilliant. And then you come home and you get It's Friday evening and the minibus is about to leave the wrapllock for an adventure weekend in the tex.

[00:40:09]>> We're doing kaying fish >> tomorrow.

[00:40:12]>> As a volunteer helper with the explorers, Archie is passing on his love of the great outdoors to local youngsters.

[00:40:20]>> Be 30 years next year when Stevie started the club.

[00:40:24]>> It started off with two or three and then it was four or five and that's when they decided to start the club. too nosy and want to see what >> it's getting together as a group and it's good for them to get away for their home, get away from their moms and dads.

[00:40:40]>> What was wrong with you?

[00:40:41]>> I'll see you on TV.

[00:40:42]>> Thank you.

[00:40:43]>> There you go. It's good for them. Get them out outdoors.

[00:41:02]Within a mile of the Rattler, you're basically in the countryside. There's hills, there's woods, forests, there's rivers. There's plenty to do if you use your imagination.

[00:41:15]I didn't want to sit in the hole all night, watch Ty playing on a boat. Get outside, play games.

[00:41:22]Last night we built a zip wire for me.

[00:41:24]Go.

[00:41:26]>> Looks quite scary here. But >> tell me when you're ready, Joe. Right.

[00:41:29]Go. Hey, >> that's a scraper.

[00:41:37]I'm for a go at that. Anyway, What I wanted to do is I wanted to make your boat do a figure eight like this.

[00:41:54]Be a big circle.

[00:41:58]>> You put three or four in a canoe. Do you want them to work as a team? Look at the front. Where's the boat going? Why is it going that way? You try and change it.

[00:42:10]>> The water's a bit cold as if it was warmer.

[00:42:13]>> You know, get them out in the fresh air.

[00:42:15]Let them see what they can do. A lot. I can't do that. I don't want to do that.

[00:42:20]It's too cold. It's too high. You'll not know until you try it.

[00:42:47]Get dinner ready for granddad.

[00:42:51]>> Today Susan is preparing a hot meal to take to her dad who has been suffering ill health.

[00:42:57]>> For granddad? Yeah. Is that for your granddad?

[00:43:01]Yeah. It's been a lot to get used to and it's quite it's quite hard work just a bit like stress wise.

[00:43:09]>> Jim suffers chronic diabetes which affects both his vision and his mobility.

[00:43:14]>> A hard day's work. My diabetes was out of control. So my body's kind of shut down pretty badly over the last couple of years.

[00:43:26]And if I go in bright lights or whatever or look at light coming in, it's really sore eyes. It blinds me as well. My trouble is I've really reclused myself into sitting in this prison. Oh, but daughters help me. Susan comes along. They'll make me if they made a big meal, they'll bring some stuff up for me.

[00:43:54]cows.

[00:44:09]>> How are you?

[00:44:10]>> Oh, rough.

[00:44:11]>> Worse. Do you nails tonight?

[00:44:14]>> No. Be all right.

[00:44:17]>> I think he feels terrible. So, I think that's the hardest part, getting up and feeling sick all the time. Right.

[00:44:25]>> It's kind of like you're not switching roles yet. It's kind of like you're switching roles sometimes. Like we worry so much more about him than he has to worry about us.

[00:44:33]>> Mhm.

[00:44:34]>> Like we do a lot of worrying, don't we?

[00:44:36]And forever saying, "How's dad?" And so many times we'll run along the road at whichever time just to check that he's all right. If he's not answered his phone cuz his phone is his only form of contact. So if I never stayed as close by, I think we'd be very worried all the time.

[00:44:50]There's days when I'm rough where going to the cooker and cooking and that is I just couldn't do it. Oh no.

[00:45:01]It'd be hard if I never had the family coming around.

[00:45:05]They're always there for me. So if he needs anything like shoes or slippers or any goods like that, we we buy them for him, don't we? He doesn't ask, but we obviously we can see what he needs >> and we both chip in, don't we?

[00:45:17]>> Mhm. just try to support him as much as we can.

[00:45:22]>> But say don't be a shift.

[00:45:24]>> I do worry about my dad is cuz obviously it's not something that's going to improve. Um but yeah, we have a good a good outlook for the future.

[00:45:33]>> Okay, grandad.

[00:45:35]>> Despite his ill health, the little ones still keep grandad busy.

[00:45:43]>> They were there basically in my life anyway. If I never had the girls, I don't think I'd be here.

[00:45:48]>> 1 2 3 >> 1 2 3.

[00:45:51]>> Yay. Two boys.

[00:45:53]>> I'm glad I've had them cuz I've gave him the chance to be a granddad and you never know what's going to happen. So, I think it's been good for me to have had the kids when I did.

[00:46:03]>> We do this all day.

[00:46:08]>> You know, like I've got something to live for now, you know, the kids and grandkids. So, not I couldn't deal with them. Keep That's what keeps me going. Oh, >> don't push me.

[00:46:23]>> And then she's got another one on the way. So, I don't know if this is going to be another we girl or another we boy.

[00:46:28]Another surprise. So, that's another thing you look forward to. Another weird wee.

[00:46:36]>> Oh dear.

[00:46:45]Early Saturday morning at the Raplock Pigeon Club, 74 miles away, the pigeons were released to find their way home.

[00:46:57]Now members wait anxiously to find out which birds are fastest back to their home lofts.

[00:47:05]>> Just patient, patiently waiting. It's a waiting game now for the birds coming home. That's just a little fancy pigeon that I use to drag them down. It lures them in. I see the birds coming in. If they're swinging towards my way, I'll quickly blow the whistle and then throw throw her onto the board. She lures them in quicker. And there's no cheating, but it's a way to get them down quicker.

[00:47:29]>> You got to try everything. You got to try and motivate them. Can you mean >> g them up?

[00:47:32]>> G them up. Jealousy system.

[00:47:34]>> You keep them separated and then you just >> keep them separated. applying for sexual papers. Come clean the day and they'll get their hand for a couple of years. I think it's great.

[00:47:43]>> Come on. Come on. Come on.

[00:47:48]>> The first birds are back, but the race isn't over until they cross the line into the loft. But for Kevin, getting them inside isn't proving to be easy.

[00:47:58]>> You come on.

[00:48:02]>> Just wouldn't come in. It's just one of these things that happens. Does anyone want to come in? You can check everybody else. Come on.

[00:48:12]>> Come on. Come on. Come on.

[00:48:16]Come on.

[00:48:24]>> Andy with all his years of experience is a little more persuasive.

[00:48:31]>> There you go. Come on. The results come in from the other clubs.

[00:48:36]The news is disappointing for Kevin.

[00:48:39]>> Thanks. Thanks, Paul.

[00:48:40]>> And for Andy.

[00:48:43]>> Well behind.

[00:48:46]>> Robert and Bruce. If at first you don't succeed, >> try try again.

[00:48:58]15 years ago, Steven Mcgown was a single dad living in the raplock, bringing up seven-year-old daughter Jerry Lee and 10year-old son Dylan.

[00:49:13]>> I want to tell that to him later.

[00:49:20]>> Are you ready to order your food?

[00:49:21]>> Now do the chicken, please.

[00:49:23]>> The chicken?

[00:49:23]>> Yeah.

[00:49:24]>> Sure. What time you went up the golfer?

[00:49:26]>> After a difficult period of estrangement, when Dylan and Jerry Lee lived away from their dad, the family are now back in regular contact.

[00:49:35]>> Oh, you can get the steak burger as well, though.

[00:49:37]>> I never thought when I was I moved out and away from my dad that me, my dad, and my sister would spend time together around our table and having a meal. I never thought I would see the day. Since my dad's paying, I might go for a steak.

[00:49:51]>> How does that sound?

[00:49:55]It's on you.

[00:49:56]>> Dylan's doing really good. I'm really proud of Don.

[00:49:59]>> Like I'm spending a lot of time with Don and I watch him playing football. I watch him playing golf and like he's walking ahead of me and I'm like I really love them. No.

[00:50:08]>> Have you told you earlier about me beating you at golf?

[00:50:11]>> You never beat me. They never beat me.

[00:50:14]>> He's getting to an age where the party life's over. So I'm I'm really happy with that.

[00:50:20]>> Remake it for you as well, by the way.

[00:50:22]No, I want to start.

[00:50:27]>> 10 years ago, Dylan was a star in a local football team and starting to think about his future.

[00:50:35]>> I've got the brain, if you know what I mean, to be a footballer, but I didn't really know if I want to be that cuz like I think I want my education me important to me and what fit is, you know.

[00:50:52]got a summer job down in Credential where I still am just now. To be honest, the people were excellent. The environment, I just loved the environment. I never thought I would work in an office. I'm at a really good really good point in my life just now.

[00:51:12]>> Jar is just a breath of fresh air now. I used to get this feeling when she was singing. It would be like a car going over a bump and you get that weave and I would get that feeling but it was gone for a long time.

[00:51:26]>> Jerry Lee developed her talents in musical theater when she was a regular in a local stage school.

[00:51:33]>> I want to make it like to make something of myself because I didn't want to be like somebody that's just like living in a house just staying in all day got a job. I'd rather be like performing and stuff, >> please.

[00:51:51]>> Okay.

[00:51:54]>> I was doing musical theater, but now I've managed to get a place doing a three-year musical theater course in Leeds. Um, so that entails just getting prepared for the to have a career in musical theater hopefully West End.

[00:52:09]>> I've not had a craving and I'm really surprised the obsession was gone. And the pain was gone and the weight on my back. It was it was gone. Like I've been counting the days I'm clean because you get key rings and stuff when you've been clean a certain amount of time. Couldn't believe that was 5 months clean. I couldn't get a day clean for drugs. So I'm 5 month.

[00:52:30]What's today's date? 15th.

[00:52:33]>> 15th.

[00:52:34]>> 156 days a day.

[00:52:36]>> Know that you're counting.

[00:52:39]I think the good thing is new that everybody's realized that how well you've done what you've achieved.

[00:52:44]>> You just thought I'd be using it.

[00:52:45]>> Yep. Definitely.

[00:52:47]>> But then do you blame us?

[00:52:50]>> No. No. No. Definitely not.

[00:52:51]>> Do you blame us? That that was the the thing for me was I said you weren't going to last and so did Jerry Lee. But you'd done it because you wanted to do it.

[00:52:59]>> I never done it for you.

[00:53:00]>> No, you done it for yourself. I >> just thought I'll go and do it and that's it. I've never ever said I've been proud of you in my life until this year and then all of a sudden I'm talking about you 24/7. I'm putting things on Facebook that I'm going to play golf with you and that. So it's cuz I'm proud of you. So you're doing amazing. And the thing is one thing I always say is no matter what the tough times I know you've always been there.

[00:53:20]So to me you've been an incredible dad and I'm proud to obviously call you my dad.

[00:53:26]>> I appreciate that.

[00:53:28]>> That's true. Like that came through the heart there.

[00:53:31]>> It did came through the heart there.

[00:53:32]Like honestly, >> people look at me and go, "Wow, like how did you turn out the way you have?"

[00:53:40]>> He's lifting the World Cup.

[00:53:44]>> It was really tough obviously with my dad and his problems and coming home from school and you don't know what to expect sometimes.

[00:53:52]>> How was your day? Your homework?

[00:53:55]>> You know, I've done it all. Finished it.

[00:53:59]>> I felt ashamed if I'm being completely honest. like gutted, embarrassed, a lot of negative things to say about my dad obviously. But for me now, I just everything like actually when I say his name, I just have a smile on my face. So that that means everything.

[00:54:13]Close your hands. Right. Put your hand around there. You can pray for for the house to get a new house or you can pray for daddy to get better. Right? It's up to you there.

[00:54:25]>> You finished that. You said your prayer.

[00:54:27]>> What my dad's doing is unbelievable.

[00:54:29]Like I don't know how someone can do that to be that strong and have that addiction for that amount of time and come out the other side.

[00:54:47]Ashley met Frank 6 months ago and found they had a lot in common.

[00:54:53]>> Um so we met online, didn't we?

[00:54:55]>> Yeah. And then we kind of realized that um we were both in the Labor Party.

[00:55:01]>> I work for Neil Finley MSP two days a week.

[00:55:05]>> I got a ball.

[00:55:06]>> And then we were both at Liber Party conference together and we had a nice weekend together and kind of grew from there.

[00:55:15]>> Since Frank started going out with Ashley, he has had the chance to see her younger self by watching the old Raplock stories programs.

[00:55:25]It's strange. It's certainly not something you normally get to do in a relationship. You don't get to see that kind of documentation of somebody's life progressing. Do >> you want to go on the stage in front of hundreds of people?

[00:55:36]>> My name is Ashley. I'm 11 years old and I've been in lots of other plays and I'd really like to be part of Forefront.

[00:55:48]>> I was very much into theater arts. you know, my success as a public speaker.

[00:55:53]Um, a lot of those skills have stemmed from doing theater arts when I was younger.

[00:55:57]>> Give me 110%.

[00:56:05]>> I think you've got more ambitious, I would say, in terms of what you want to do. You've got more ambitious >> and you certainly don't sing or dance as much as you did when you were little.

[00:56:18]>> Yeah.

[00:56:19]But she can throw a mean ball and the strike. Another one.

[00:56:26]>> Well done.

[00:56:27]>> Good.

[00:56:35]>> It's the day of the general election and Ashley is out in the pouring rain searching for Labour voters in the Raplock Ward.

[00:56:44]>> Trying to imagine Jeremy Corbin walking up to number 10.

[00:56:50]The rat will never change. It will always be a very strong and vibrant community where everybody looks out for each other. So yeah, the rat still holds a a we soft spot in my heart.

[00:57:03]You all right?

[00:57:04]>> Chris Kaine is the Labour Party candidate. Ashley joins him canvasing on the doorsteps.

[00:57:10]>> Let's do it.

[00:57:12]>> Oh, always on election day.

[00:57:14]>> Mr. Mat, thank you very much. Your father was a minor.

[00:57:19]>> Well, I hope you do well because I've been watching everything that's going on.

[00:57:22]>> Forget the rain. Get out and vote.

[00:57:24]>> Pleasure to meet you, sir.

[00:57:26]>> Yes.

[00:57:26]>> It's been long. It's been hard. There's been times where, you know, I've wanted to give up. The important thing for me is coming back to a place like the Ratwalk. It kind of shows a positive example in terms of if I can do it, you can do it.

[00:57:42]A lot more parents in the Rat Block want even better for their children.

[00:57:48]Unfortunately for Ashley, the Labour candidate lost. The MP for Raplock is now a Conservative.

[00:57:57]Who knows what the future holds.

[00:58:03]Over the past 15 years, we've seen some of the children of the Rat Lock grow up.

[00:58:08]>> Sometimes she'll grab the food dish, flute.

[00:58:14]We've followed families who have come through tough times with resilience and now look forward to the future.

[00:58:23]>> Perhaps in another 15 years, the rebirth of this area will be complete.

[00:58:49]You're the