PIECE OF PIE
The Radfords deal with a huge life-changing decision as two kids go head-to-head in a battle for the pie shop
BRITAIN’S biggest family were back on our TV screens tonight, with the eighth episode of the third series of their hit show, 22 Kids & Counting.
Sue Radford and her husband Noel, have 22 children, nine grand-children and six dogs.
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Last year the family had their busiest year to date, but this year is sure to be full of more challenges and tribulations.
In their new series, they’re facing a wave of super-sized family dramas, unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before.
In tonight’s episode, we saw the family experience the age-old dilemma of work-life balance, as when Noel missed the start of another family holiday, Sue decided she’s had enough.
Sue decided to take some of the children away in their motorhome for the half term break, but Noel didn’t trust anyone to cover him at work.
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He said: “I’d love to join them but I’ve got too much going on at work, it’s too busy.”
Noel has been a baker since leaving school and 23 years ago he bought a traditional sandwich and bakery shop in Morecambe and has grafted hard ever since, moving the bakery to new premises and transforming it into a business focusing on pies.
Noel made his first pie in 1999 and has made them every day ever since, as he claimed: “I’ve made about two and a half million pies.”
Now, at 52-years-old, workaholic Noel’s work-life balance is in the spotlight and he was thinking about putting family first and potentially retiring.
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He explained: “I’ve been dreaming about walking away so much recently, but I just don’t know how things will go.”
Sue replied: “You need to let things go a bit before you can even think about retiring.”
But letting go is Noel’s big problem and he won’t head to the campsite for the family’s holiday until the last batch is complete.
He explained: “Every time I want to get away, something gets in the way.”
To which Sue responded: “We do try and have holidays together but quite often we end up playing second fiddle to work.”
Noel then added: “People are not going to stop eating pies so I can have a week off.
“I’d rather be on holiday with you guys rather than at work because one I’m missing out, and two it’s a lot more for you [Sue], isn’t it.”
Sue then replied: “It is upsetting because obviously the kids aren’t going to be little forever and I feel like you’re missing out on family time.”
Thinking about his decision, Noel added: “I need to do something drastic to free up my time.
“Maybe I can take a step back, or even retire.
“It would be difficult, it’s my baby [the shop] isn’t it, but something’s got to give somewhere.”
Noel was forced to think about his priorities, leading to a major life-changing decision.
Noel decided to take the plunge, but before he could retire, he had to make the biggest and most difficult decision of all - who would be in charge of his pie business.
Deciding between two of his children, Chloe and Luke, Noel was put in a very challenging position.
He summoned the pair to the bakery for a meeting and explained: “Chloe has been there a long time. Luke has got big ambitions.”
To the duo, he noted: “You might be wondering why I’ve got you both in. I’ve got some news. I’m wanting to retire to enjoy life.
“We’ve had the place for 23 years so I’m thinking now to step back and do nothing.
“I just want one person running the business, I think it’s easier that way.
“I don’t want to say, ‘Chloe it’s your job’, without giving Luke a chance. I want it to be fairly done.”
As a result, Chloe and Luke went head-to-head in the battle for the bakery, both with their eyes on the pies.
Noel noted: “It’s going to be a tough decision, it’s going to be a case of them selling themselves to me.”
Luke decided to re-brand the shop, which still has the same name as when Noel bought it, over 20 years ago.
Luke explained: “The Faradays sign is plain and boring and needs to be changed. It’s so basic. It’s not good, it needs replacing.”
He pitched his idea to rebrand the shop to match the pie’s packaging to his dad, to prove that he would be capable of taking over.
He asked Noel: “What would you say to let me rebrand it all to Raford’s Pie Company?”
To which Noel replied: “That’s a really good idea Luke. I’m quite happy to get you loose on that. But I don’t want half a job. You see it through from start to finish.”
While Luke was keen to improve the shop window, Chloe was eager to improve its cyber-equivalent and social media.
Chloe highlighted: “I always say to dad, ‘you need to put something on the Facebook page’, but it’s very rare that he will post.”
Chloe wanted to hire someone to ensure that the family's social media account was regularly updated with slick photos and videos.
After the duo pitched their ideas and got to work, Noel had a long and hard think about his decision.
Later in the programme he gathered the kids together again and explained: “It’s been a really tough decision on who to give it to.
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“I’ve decided, both of you. Luke I’m giving you the shop to run, Chloe the bakehouse to run. That way, I’m not upsetting either of you I hope.
“Because you’re both Radfords, I think you will look after it just the same as us.”
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