A TV show has transformed the bedroom of a Gwynedd schoolboy who’s mad about cars and bikes – with a bit of help from Europe’s biggest trailer maker.
Cai Owen, 13, from Deiniolen, near Caernarfon, was “absolutely thrilled” with the spectacular makeover by the team from the hit S4C children’s programme, Hip neu Sgip.
Presenter Alun Williams explained they had gone for an “industrial, mechanical theme” which even included a bright red Vespa scooter in the corrner.
To complete the look, they secured two large pieces of aluminium treadplate from Ifor Williams Trailers to create attractive, hard-wearing flooring.
The programme was shown on Stwnsh, the S4C service aimed at children between the ages of seven to 13.
Alun, who took over as the main presenter from Alex Jones when she joined the One Show, explained: “We had three days to transform the room with the help of Cai’s friend, Richard Evans.
“We reveal the room to the child at the end of the third day and usually the reaction is favourable and I’m glad to say that Cai was absolutely thrilled.
“It’s always a challenge because it’s a race against time and as the series has progressed the challenges have become more ambitious.
“We have even brought a motorbike with us into this room which is something we’ve never done before.
“We’re extremely grateful to the people who have made this possible including Ifor Williams Trailers who supplied the aluminium treadplate.
“Although it’s been designed for trailers, it’s actually perfect for flooring to underline the theme of the bedroom – it’s attractive and extremely hard wearing.
“Cai’s dad works as a mechanic in a garage so we’ve we’ve gone down there and we’ve borrowed a few things such as the old spanners, old wheels and speedometers and we’ve set them around his room.
“The programme is a lot of fun to do and we always get a warm welcome from the families and Cai’s family have been fantastic.
“It’s not easy for them because we take the house over for three days – it’s like an invasion.
“It’s pretty full on but by the end of the programme they get an amazing bedroom so I am sure it is worth it in the end.
It certainly was for Cai who said the transformation was beyond his wildest dreams.
He added: “I think the world of the room, it’s much more grown up now – my mate Rich has done the hardest work.
“I love the floor and the old motorbike they’re brilliant.”
Mum Beverley was amazed that the team had been able to achieve such a complete transformation in just three days.
She said: “The bedroom is fanastic. They have worked so hard in just a short amount of time. It’s incredible.”
According to Andrew Reece-Jones, the Design Engineering Manager of Ifor Williams Trailers, said they were only too pleased to be able to help.
He said: “Hip neu Sgip is a lovely programme that makes a lot of children and young people very happy and we’re delighted that Cai was so pleased with the end result.”
