Series Synopsis

As 1999 drew to a close, Raw Charm traced seven young families who although they came from different backgrounds and parts of Wales, did have one thing in common. They were all expecting a baby close to the Millennium. Six programmes were filmed in 1999 and two more followed in 2002.

It is planned that Raw Charm will follow the families every few years or so as their Millennium Babes grow up.

The Families

Amanda & Chris  
Amanda and Chris Pugh lived in Swansea. Amanda was a Chartered Engineer and worked for the local council. Chris was a Medical Representative. They had two children with
a third on the way. And just to make matters worse they were about to move house. It wasn't long after baby Jasmin was born that Chris changed his job and then changed his wife, leaving Amanda to cope with three young children and a mortgage of £80,000.00. Amanda was not bitter… She picked herself up, brushed herself off and is starting all over again.

Cheryl
Cheryl Hocktey is a single mum living in Bangor. She lives alone with her young son Connor. Connor's father although not living with Cheryl is an active and caring parent. To support herself and Connor, Cheryl works as an auxiliary at the Glan Clwyd Hospital. Her mum Caroline who lives just down the road is always there to help out and is the perfect doting Grandmother.

Edna & Gareth
Edna and Gareth Esprit-Griffiths had been married several years before a 'planned' but slightly unexpected Nia Ingrid arrived on the scene in 1999. While Edna's physical pregnancy had been without trouble, the death of her sister Ingrid from Cancer of the Bone deeply upset her. But Edna's close knit family rallied around to ensure that Nia Ingrid's birth would be as trouble free as possible.

Emma & Chini       
When we met Emma Beasley in 1999, she had a history
of miscarriages and she was experiencing a difficult pregnancy. Chini who is a foreman for a scaffolding company was however very supportive. Emma at the time was working in a Fish & Chip shop. Thankfully there was
no miscarriage and Ellis was born in December. When we returned in 2002, Emma's 42 year old mum had surprised everybody with a baby boy of her own. However tragedy had struck Emma and Chini when she lost a baby in 2001. They are still trying for a brother or sister for Ellis, although they have no plans to marry.

Ruth & Glynn                 
Ruth Stannier and Glynn Jones live near St. Asaph. Ruth works as a medical secretary and Glynn was a Farm Contractor. They have a volatile relationship, but stick together. Ruth had a son, Christopher from her previous marriage when she became pregnant with William, who was born in December 1999. Since then, Glynn dissatisfied with his work as a farm contractor has now all but qualified as a Quantity Surveyor.

Clare & Neil                       
Nothing was ever easy for Clare and Neil Truman of Porth in south Wales. Neil is 50 and 20 years Clare's senior and she is his second wife. After some ground breaking fertility treatment and a difficult pregnancy, Clare gave birth to Abby Rosa. But it wasn't a perfect ending for Clare, as within weeks she was suffering from Post Natal Depression. This wasn't helped by the fact that Clare's Mum and Dad split up just before the baby was born. Two years on and Clare is at last getting over her depression and is able to enjoy her baby. Neil has been her rock, being there to support her all the way through.

Sonia and David             
When we met Sonia and David they had set up home together in Rhyl and baby Jack was on the way. Sonia worked for a Peugeot dealership and David was a busy decorator. Before Jack arrived Sonia was determined to be a working mother. Once he arrived, she was equally determined not to go back to work. When we revisited the family in 2002, Sonia and David had finally married at Gretna Green and David talked about his ambitions. Sonia is still content to stay at home and look after her family.

       New Generation - 6 x 25 mins for HTV Wales 1999.
       2 x 25 mins for HTV Wales 2002

       Producer / Director Kate Jones-Davies