About the �� Feed

�� Sesh - brand new social media service from �� Wales

2018-04-24T18:00:00+00:00

Chris Walsh-Heron is producing a new Social Media service for �� Wales, called �� Sesh. Here he explains how the idea developed and who he hopes will get most out of the platform:

TV didn’t kill the radio star and the vlogging generation hasn’t killed off TV either, but the rise and rise of social media platforms has completely shaken up the media landscape.

No longer do you have to be a broadcasting giant to win huge audiences. With great ideas and a compelling personality, you can do it by yourself.

�� Wales is collaborating with this exciting band of content creators for a brand new social media service called �� Sesh which is firmly aimed at the country’s 18-34 year olds.

Inspired in part by the huge success of �� Scotland’s The Social, the idea is that through collaboration, we’ll help develop emerging talent in Wales - like Llanelli YouTuber Bethany Davies & Wrexham performance poet, Evrah - offering them help, guidance and exposure to different, broader audiences.

And it’s not just content creators we’re working with, but the nation’s brightest, boldest stand-ups too, as �� Wales looks to foster and grow new comedy talent. Look out for Josh Elton's cheeky songs and Ignacio Lopez's half-Welsh, half-Spanish take on us as a nation.

We want to give a platform to the issues that matter to young people – and all our content is aimed at provoking an emotional response, be that to laugh, think, or be inspired.

No topic will be off limit as we do this, and the language - put simply - will be frank, passionate and outspoken. �� Sesh is a service that will take risks and push boundaries.

But it’s not about being controversial for the sake of it. It’s about reflecting the issues, concerns and humour of a generation, in a way that’s authentic to them. A generation that’s arguably more diverse, inquisitive and candid than any that’s gone before it.

We chose a name for the platform that feels Welsh, but also reflects the wide range of passions and interests of the young people we spoke to, and Sesh fitted that description - whether it’s a gaming sesh, a surfing sesh, or any other activity that brings people together.

�� Sesh aims to ensure that young adults in Wales are better served and their lives better reflected – by giving them a powerful and authentic voice.

Follow �� Sesh on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram

�� Wales gets the keys to new home

2018-04-16T23:01:00+00:00

Charlotte Moore, Paul McCarthy (from developer Rightacres), Tony Hall and Rhodri Talfan Davies inside the new, empty, �� Wales' Broadcast Centre

Today marks an exciting landmark in �� Wales’ journey to relocate its operations to Central Square in the city centre of Cardiff. Almost two and a half years after building work began, the new broadcast centre is being handed over to the �� from the developers, Rightacres, and the long process of fitting it out ready for production, broadcasting, and for staff to move in, begins.

Since the beginning, our focus has been on building a home for �� Wales that in addition to working well for those who inhabit it, provides benefits to our audience and the area as a whole. The current centre in Broadcasting House in Llandaff has been a happy home for �� Wales for more than fifty years, but the need to invest in new technology and upgrade our broadcasting infrastructure meant it was time to move on.

The current �� Wales HQ in Llandaff

Central Square will give �� Wales the flexible modern base it needs to accommodate the demands of 21st century broadcasting. It will be one of the most advanced broadcast centres in the UK including state of the art technology that will not have been implemented to such a scale elsewhere. The Live IP core we are installing, means that the infrastructure will be in place to allow us to adapt more easily as technology advances, helping future-proof our broadcast facilities for years to come. This means our staff will have the facilities to build upon the brilliant work that has been done in �� Wales for many years, and through the building and use of new technology, we’ll be able to engage with our audiences in a way we haven’t been able to before.

It will also be one of the ��’s most efficient buildings to date. Like the ��’s other production centre in Cardiff, the drama studios in Roath Lock, it is being built to meet the highest BREEAM environmental standards. It will be extremely energy efficient, and because it’s around half the size of the current Llandaff sites it’ll be less expensive to operate on a like-for-like basis.

Central Square will be one of the ��’s most open and transparent buildings. The layout of the building and the way in which facilities have been built incorporating glass mean there are views right across the building.

Time lapse footage from December 2015 of the early stages of the Central Square creation

And this openness extends beyond the ��. Set on a public plaza, the ground floor of Central Square will be open to the public. Accessed from the outside there will be shops and cafes whilst the publicly accessible atrium will have windows into production areas and screens highlighting activities within the building. It will also be home to some of the ��’s creative partners. Welsh language broadcaster S4C will have a presence there, whilst independent production companies will also have access to the building.

New figures released today show that �� Wales’ decision to move to Central Square is not just important to �� Wales but to the sector and area as a whole. An economic impact report shows that Central Square is on track to add £1.1 billion to the area and create 1,900 jobs over the next decade.

But this is just one milestone and whilst it’s great to have reached it, there’s still a long way to go. Now that the �� has taken ownership of the building, the interior and technical fit out can begin – that’s a long eighteen months or so of rigging, lighting, fitting out studios and production facilities, as well as setting out the interiors. There’s a great deal of work left to do, involving many people across the organisation, but today we’re an important step closer to marking the next chapter in Wales’ broadcast history.

�� Cymru yn derbyn allweddi ei chartref newydd

Mae heddiw yn nodi carreg filltir gyffrous yn nhaith �� Cymru i symud ei hadnoddau i’r Sgwâr Canolog yng nghanol Caerdydd. Bron i ddwy flynedd a hanner ar ôl i’r gwaith adeiladu ddechrau, mae’r ganolfan ddarlledu newydd yn cael ei throsglwyddo i’r �� o’r datblygwyr, Rightacres, a’r broses o osod y tu fewn i’r adeilad yn dechrau - yn barod ar gyfer ein staff ac yn barod i ddarlledu.

Ers y dechrau, ry’n ni wedi canolbwyntio ar adeiladu cartref i �� Cymru lle gall ein cynulleidfaoedd a’r ardal gyfan elwa ohono yn ogystal â’r rheini fydd yn gweithio yno. Mae’r ganolfan bresennol – Y Ganolfan Ddarlledu yn Llandaf – wedi bod yn gartref hapus i �� Cymru ers dros hanner can mlynedd, ond roedd yr angen i fuddsoddi mewn technoleg newydd a diweddaru ein systemau darlledu yn golygu ei bod hi’n amser symud ymlaen.

Bydd y Sgwâr Canolog yn rhoi sylfaen fodern a hyblyg er mwyn i �� Cymru allu diwallu gofynion darlledu yr 21ain ganrif. Bydd yn un o'r canolfannau darlledu mwyaf datblygedig yn y DU, gan gynnwys technoleg o'r radd flaenaf fydd heb gael ei gweithredu yn unman arall ar y raddfa hon. Mae’r IP Live ry’n ni’n ei osod yn golygu y bydd y seilwaith yn ei le er mwyn i ni allu addasu’n haws wrth i’r dechnoleg ddatblygu, a’n helpu i sicrhau bod ein cyfleusterau darlledu yn addas ar gyfer y dyfodol. Mae hynny’n golygu y bydd gan ein staff y cyfleusterau i adeiladu ar y gwaith gwych sydd eisoes wedi’i wneud yn �� Cymru dros y blynyddoedd, a thrwy’r adeilad a’r defnydd o dechnoleg newydd, byddwn yn gallu ymgysylltu â'n cynulleidfaoedd mewn ffordd gwbl wahanol.

Bydd hefyd yn un o adeiladau mwyaf effeithlon y �� hyd yma. Fel canolfan gynhyrchu arall y �� yng Nghaerdydd, stiwdios drama Porth y Rhath, mae'n cael ei adeiladu i fodloni safonau amgylcheddol uchaf BREEAM. Bydd yn hynod o effeithlon o ran ynni, ac oherwydd ei fod tua hanner maint safleoedd presennol Llandaf, bydd yn llai costus i’w weithredu o gymharu.

Y Sgwâr Canolog fydd un o’r adeiladau mwyaf agored a thryloyw yn y ��. Mae diwyg yr adeilad a’r ffordd y mae’r cyfleusterau wedi’u hadeiladu drwy gynnwys gwydr, yn golygu y gallwch weld ar draws yr adeilad cyfan.

Ac mae'r natur agored yma yn ymestyn y tu hwnt i'r ��. Wedi’i leoli ar plaza cyhoeddus, bydd llawr gwaelod y Sgwâr Canolog ar agor i'r cyhoedd. Gyda mynediad o’r tu allan, bydd siopau a chaffis, tra bydd yr atriwm, sy’n agored i’r cyhoedd, yn cynnwys ffenestri yn yr ardaloedd cynhyrchu, yn ogystal â sgriniau fydd yn hyrwyddo’r gweithgareddau o fewn yr adeilad. Bydd hefyd yn gartref i rai o bartneriaid creadigol y ��. Bydd gan S4C ofod yn yr adeilad a bydd gan gwmnïau cynhyrchu annibynnol fynediad i'r ganolfan hefyd.

Mae ffigurau newydd a ddatgelwyd heddiw yn dangos bod penderfyniad �� Cymru i symud i’r Sgwâr Canolog nid yn unig yn bwysig i �� Cymru ond i'r sector a'r ardal yn gyffredinol. Mae adroddiad effaith economaidd yn dangos bod y Sgwâr Canolog ar y trywydd iawn i ychwanegu
£1.1 biliwn at yr ardal a chreu 1,900 o swyddi dros y degawd nesaf.

Ond un garreg filltir yn unig yw hon, ac er ei fod yn wych cyrraedd y garreg filltir honno, mae llawer iawn o waith eto i’w wneud. Nawr bod y �� wedi cymryd perchnogaeth o'r adeilad, gall y gwaith o osod y tu fewn a’r agweddau technegol ddechrau - gwaith fydd yn cymryd tua deunaw mis o rigio, goleuo, gosod stiwdios a chyfleusterau cynhyrchu, yn ogystal â’r dylunio mewnol. Mae llawer iawn o waith ar ôl i'w wneud, fydd yn cynnwys llawer o bobl ar draws y sefydliad, ond heddiw ry’n ni gam pwysig yn agosach at nodi’r bennod nesaf yn hanes darlledu Cymru.

Alun Jones is Programme Director, �� Wales.

Read the related press release 'Building work completed at �� Cymru Wales’ new broadcast centre in Cardiff' on the �� Media Centre website

�� successes at the Celtic Media Awards

2017-05-08T15:30:07+00:00

The Celtic Media Festival is an annual celebration of broadcasting and film from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany. As part of the festival, the Celtic Media Awards ceremony was held at Villa Marina in Douglas on the Isle Of Mann from the 3-5 May. The �� picked up accolades in 15 of the 23 catagories:

Arts

The Greatest Poem of World War One: David Jones's In Parenthesis - �� Wales & �� Four

Factual Entertainment

Wil, Aeron a'r Inca/Wil, Aeron and The Inca - S4C

Comedy

Still Game - �� Scotland

Factual Series

Scotland’s Game - �� Scotland

Kieran Hegarty Award for Innovation

Voices 16 - �� Northern Ireland

Drama series

Line of Duty - ��

Radio Documentary

Aberfan - �� Radio Cymru

Radio Magazine Show

Rhaglen Aled Hughes/Aled Hughes Programme - �� Radio Cymru

Radio Music Programme (Live)

Blas Ceoil - �� Radio Ulster

Lynette Fay presenter of Blas Ceoil with her award

Sports Documentary

Crash and Burn - �� NI and RTE

Spirit of the Festival & History

Eoin Mac Néill: Fear Dearmadta 1916/Eoin MacNeill: The Forgotten Man of 1916 - �� Two NI and TG4

For the full list of winners visit the Celtic Media Festival website.

Caniadaeth y Cysegr- the ‘grandmother’ of Songs of Praise celebrates 75 years

2017-02-14T18:50:17+00:00

The congregation singing during during the latest recording of 'Caniadaeth y Cysegr' on Sunday

Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs celebrated its 75th anniversary by casting away a global star. Who then, is the David Beckham of Welsh language hymn singing? If you know the answer, let us know and we’ll be straight on the phone because at Radio Cymru, we have some celebrating to do this week. Caniadaeth y Cysegr, a hymn singing series first broadcast on the �� Service 75 years ago, is still going strong.

Look back at the Radio Times for February 15 - 21 1942 and you’ll find the Black-Out times noted prominently, alongside programmes such as Marching Songs of Britain and Sincerely Yours Vera Lynn. There too was Newyddion – a news bulletin in Welsh at 5pm, followed by the first ever edition of Caniadaeth y Cysegr, described rather bluntly as ‘Hymn Singing in Welsh’. Back then it did what it says on the tin and to this day and it’s proved to be a big hit across the UK, ‘in Welsh’ or not. Caniadaeth remains a ‘must listen’ programme on Sundays for those who enjoy and respect the tradition of Welsh language four part hymn singing and can surely claim to have played a part in keeping that tradition alive.

As a child, I remember standing next to my parents in chapel just about every Sunday struggling to keep the soprano line going, while listening to Mam and Dad singing alto and tenor. Mam used to sing, well, confidently and there was more than one Sunday my brother and I set off for the vestry with red faces, muttering that ‘everyone had turned round to look at our family!’

It was years later, when I joined a quite different kind of congregation supporting Wales at the Arms Park, that I realised singing ‘SATB’ wasn’t the norm everywhere. English fans just didn’t do it. It was then that it dawned on me that this was an inherent part of my Welsh heritage and that loud maternal altos aside (a mantle I suspect my daughter would say I’ve now adopted) it was a tradition to be appreciated.

And it is still appreciated. Chapel doors are closing, the number of Cymanfa Ganu festivals are waning and the tradition of four part choral hymn signing is weakening, there’s no doubt about that - but Caniadaeth y Cysegr remains a Radio Cymru favourite, not just a Radio Cymru stalwart. It was the success of Caniadaeth that led, nearly twenty years later, to the creation of a Welsh language hymn singing television series by �� Wales in January 1961, Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol. In the same year, the format was adopted in English by the �� in London, which in my hymn book makes Caniadaeth the ‘grandmother’ of Songs of Praise.

So we’ll celebrate. There’ll be no David Beckham. I doubt whether there’ll be much talked-about news lines or tattoos either but there will be pride that Caniadaeth y Cysegr continues to bring out the best in communities throughout Wales and more than anything, continues to inspire.

Caniadaeth y Cysegr is broadcast on Radio Cymru, Sunday afternoons at 4.30pm, online and on �� iPlayer Radio

How we’re shaping Sherlock into the world’s biggest live mind game

2017-01-10T15:09:55+00:00

It’s something we’ve never tried before – the first of its kind – and keen eyes and ears around the world will be waiting in anticipation to interact with the great detective himself. Tonight’s #SherlockLive promises to be an adrenalin-pumping rollercoaster ride for more than just the fans enjoying it!

At 8pm, fans of �� One’s famously eccentric detective will get the chance to solve a live and exclusive 30-minute Sherlock case on �� One Twitter and bbc.co.uk/sherlock. In a �� drama first, Sherlock writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss will be tweeting live as Sherlock Holmes, interacting directly with the audience as they help to solve the case. Audiences will pit their wits against the world’s finest sleuth as they use their powers of deduction to take part in their very own moment of �� Pure Drama.

At �� Wales’ digital drama team, we’re used to creating interactive experiences for drama fans, but this takes things to a whole new level. We’ve never before had the co-creators putting their brilliant brains together live in front of the whole world. These masters of character creation will join writer Joe Lidster, who’s dreamed up tonight’s plot, fully aware this could take off in any direction. Exciting? Yes. Terrifying? Absolutely – in a good way.

It’s an idea we’ve had for some time – I’ve just been waiting for the right opportunity to try it out. What could be better than bringing together sheer genius and testing Sherlock against the rest of the world? Sherlock Holmes’ unique style of deduction offers a fascinating format to play with, and social media means anything’s possible.

Sian Davies, who has spent the past month producing this, spent hours working with Joe and the Senior Producer Alice Rothwell to work out the painstaking structure of the script. Christmas was put on hold for us, as we worked non-stop to make sure we went live before episode three goes out on Sunday. What exactly could we achieve in approximately 30 minutes? What would give us enough depth for everyone to be stretched, while keeping it entertaining? Don’t forget, Sherlock Holmes is notorious for being easily bored.

When I approached Steven and Mark with the idea, with Hartswood Films’ Series Producer Sue Vertue, they swiftly saw the chance to have some real fun with this. For them, it’s also a chance for Sherlock Holmes to show his true character as he responds to the tweets that interest him. We don’t know what people will ask and we have no idea yet how he’ll respond.

We do know the demand for more Sherlock is sky high. We also know people want to test themselves and compete with him – but he’s the world’s most brilliant mind, so can they come anywhere near? We’ll find out tonight.

#SherlockLive is a exclusive Sherlock case specially written for @��One. It will be available to follow as a live blog on bbc.co.uk/sherlock from 8pm on Tuesday 10 January.
It is written by Joe Lidster and produced in conjunction with Hartswood Films. It is made by �� Wales.

From the Valley to Ordinary Lies

2016-10-18T11:30:00+00:00

James King as Chester Monk in Pobol y Cwm

Tonight at 9pm, young actor James King stars in the first episode of a new series of �� One drama Ordinary Lies; but he started in the Valley - Pobol y Cwm (People of the Valley) to be precise – the Welsh soap made by �� Wales for S4C.

Pobol y Cwm is the longest-running television soap opera produced by the ��, and has been on screen for nine years longer than EastEnders.

James is just one of a select number of famous names who’ve walked the streets of the fictional village of Cwmderi, home to Pobol y Cwm. After four decades on the small screen it’s no surprise that the series has nurtured a whole host of up-and-coming actors with some becoming international names.

Iwan Rheon as Macs White in Pobol y Cwm

Any Games of Thrones fan will recognise Iwan Rheon as the twisted Ramsay Bolton. Rheon credits his stint playing Macs White in Pobol y Cwm - which he says challenged him as a young actor - with helping him achieve roles like Simon Bellamy in the E4 series Misfits before going on to star in the global HBO hit.

Ioan Gruffudd as Gareth Wyn Harries in Pobol y Cwm

Ioan Gruffudd, who attended the same Welsh-medium school in Cardiff as Rheon, is also a household name. Ioan started his career as a schoolboy playing Gareth Wyn Harries in the soap before moving on to appear in Hornblower, Titanic and the Fantastic Four films.

There’s also Alexandra Roach, who went from playing wayward teenager Elin Owen in the series to starring as a young Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, to Meryl Streep's mature Thatcher. She also played Becky in Channel 4 thriller Utopia.

Ordinary Lies series two starts tonight (Tuesday 18 October) on �� One.

The tragedy of Aberfan - fifty years on

2016-10-14T14:44:16+00:00

Producer and director Steve Humphries talks about 'Surviving Aberfan' described in one newspaper as “one of the most heart-breaking pieces of television you are ever likely to watch.” It’s part of a series of commemorative programmes by �� Wales, marking 50 years since the Aberfan disaster, which touched people around the world.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster.

The people of this Welsh mining village, where life for more than a century revolved around the Merthyr Vale colliery, have rarely spoken at length about what happened to them on 21 October 1966, and for good reason.

On that morning, at the start of the school day, a massive tip slide careered down the mountainside, engulfing the village primary school and surrounding houses in hundreds of tonnes of rubble and coal waste. Twenty-eight adults and 116 children were killed.

Aberfan ranks high among the worst peacetime UK disasters of the 20th century - the loss of so many children in what should have been their safe haven shocked Wales, Britain and the world.

The impact was immediate, the public response overwhelming in messages of condolence and gifts in cash and kind.

Painful memories

As producer and director of the �� documentary film Surviving Aberfan, I had to persuade people to talk on camera about what was, for many, the worst day of their life.

It took months to build a relationship of trust with the community to make this possible. Inevitably, talking about the disaster brings back acutely painful memories and many survivors still cannot speak about it publicly.

But some did eventually agree to tell their story. This is probably the last significant anniversary we have to capture the experience from the widest number of surviving witnesses.

Some believed it was vital that the full story of what happened to their community should never be forgotten.

Others wanted placed on record the largely unsung role of the emergency services and the men who risked their lives in rescue operations in the most challenging conditions and lived thereafter haunted by regret that they couldn’t have brought out more alive.

Former fireman Len Haggett had never spoken about what he did on that day - even to his wife. As a result of telling us his story, of a dramatic rescue he was involved in, we were able to reunite him with Phil Thomas, the boy whose life he saved.

Len Haggett and Dave Thomas meet the boy they rescued, Phil Thomas

Recounting the stories of survival, rescue, loss and bereavement was a uniquely emotional experience for the people of Aberfan – and for me.

As a programme-maker specialising in oral history documentaries for many years, I found these some of the most affecting interviews I have ever done. It seems to me that no-one ‘gets over’ a disaster of the suddenness, scale and severity of Aberfan. There are only different ways of surviving.

Steve Humphries is producer and director of the �� documentary film Surviving Aberfan.

Surviving Aberfan airs on �� One Wales, Monday 17 October at 9pm, and on �� Four, Thursday 20 October at 9pm
Aberfan: The Fight for Justice,Tuesday 18 October, �� One, 10.45pm
Aberfan: The Green Hollow, Friday 21 October, �� One Wales, 9pm; Sunday 23 October, �� Four, 8pm
Aberfan; A Concert to Remember, Saturday 22 October, �� Two Wales, 9pm; Sunday 23 October, �� Four, 9pm

�� Wales HQ taking shape

2016-10-07T12:23:22+00:00

Construction of a new HQ for �� Wales is underway.

The 150,000 sq ft HQ building is located at the heart of the Central Square regeneration scheme in Cardiff. Work began just before Christmas.

Nine months later the floors are appearing. The building is scheduled for completion by 2018; the technical fit out required will see �� Wales' move in during 2019.

Time lapse footage from December 2015 of the early stages of the Central Square creation

Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of �� Wales said of the build earlier this year, “This £1bn economic boost underlines the difference �� Wales can make. We’re leaving a large, inefficient site in Llandaff and moving to a smaller, more cost-effective space in Central Square because we need to work smarter and leaner. But the £1.1 billion benefit triggered by the move is a big boost for the economy and for the people who live here.”

Visions of World War One on �� One Wales

2016-07-10T14:00:00+00:00

Boesinghe Chateau by Carey Morris (Photo Credit: The Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh, Brecon)

Former MP Kim Howells is presenting Visions of World War One on �� One Wales tonight (Monday 11 July), the programme considers how Welsh artists portrayed World War One, from the morale raising prints of 1914 to the poignant memorials that still stand in towns and villages across Wales. Here, in a blog originally posted on �� Wales, Kim shares his experiences of making the programme.

With the �� Wales film crew, I looked across a field at Mametz Wood on the battlefield of the Somme - a dark and sombre prospect in the February rain. Trees, tall and bare, grown from the seed of a forest obliterated by British artillery in July 1916, rise, now, from a tangle of bramble and hazel, rust-coloured in winter, like century-old barbed wire.

I walked up the gentle slope to the forest, over the claggy chalk soil, unable to imagine how young men, burdened with equipment and weapons could have made the same, short crossing of open ground under a deadly hail of German machine gun fire. There was nowhere to hide.

In the forest, hidden by the tangled thorns, is a floor pitted with the concave evidence of shell-holes. I wonder how any German soldier could have survived such a barrage. But they did and, when the British shells ceased landing, the German machine-gunners emerged from their bunkers and commenced their slaughter of the advancing Welsh and English infantry.

It was here that the artist and poet David Jones was wounded in the savage hand-to-hand fighting. Mametz Wood was the Welsh Division’s fiercest and most costly engagement of the Great War. Lloyd George commissioned the Maesteg-born artist, Christopher Williams, to paint a version of it – a huge, dramatic canvas of savagery and killing that was to hang in the drawing room of No.10 Downing Street, perhaps as a reminder to visiting generals, diplomats and politicians of the human consequences of failing to keep the peace in an age of industrial, total war. I doubt that any photograph could have fulfilled that function so vividly.

The paintings and drawings fulfil a different role, now. They give us an insight into the reality of life in the trenches a century ago – not just of the blood and guts, fighting and shelling but also of the long periods of sitting around, waiting and watching. David Jones and Carey Morris (an artist from Llandeilo) sketched their fellow soldiers in the dugouts boiling kettles, cleaning guns, preparing food or just sitting, smoking and chatting.

There is a small, dark painting by Morris of a ruined chateau on the front line, near Ypres in Belgium. It portrays the war continuing into the night. British soldiers are hidden in the darkness, their presence indicated only by the glow of their cigarettes, as the night sky over no-man’s land is lit by flares. Morris could only have painted it because he was there, as a soldier, seeing men seeking some solace from tobacco in the darkness. I know of no photograph that captures such a moment and such telling detail in the terrible years of battle around Ypres.

The tiny fragments of the wars that I saw first-hand in Iraq and Afghanistan and in countries torn by sectarian violence and civil war were enough to convince me that artists, writers and composers – as well as brave photographers, film-makers and journalists – can add greatly to our understanding of these events by communicating their own, special perception and interpretation of the conflicts into which they find themselves pitched. That is why it is so important to explore the work of these remarkable Welsh men and women during the Great War.

Visions of World War One, part of World War One from �� Wales.

Watch Visions of World War One on Monday 11 July, 10.40pm �� One Wales

(Even more) Wales at Euro 2016

2016-07-06T11:00:00+00:00

�� Wales Football Correspondent Rob Phillips has been following the Welsh team at Euro 2016 and, when he gets a chance, he’s been writing updates for his followers and friends on Facebook. We've put together a third set of edited highlights from Rob’s week at the Wales base in Dinard, Brittany, and on the road following the team. Can there possibly be a part four? Well it is Rob's birthday today so you never know...

Sunday 3/7/16 - two days after the quarter-final v Belgium

It's Sunday… So it must be the launderette in Dinard…

You don't know how good it feels to be able to write those words. 'Phenomenal' is one of the superlatives which springs to mind. What a weekend! I expect you might have heard Wales are through to the semi-finals of the European Championships (you really don't know how good it feels to be able to write those words - 'absolutely phenomenal' springs to mind).

Friday night was yet another unforgettable experience, something which appears to be happening every few days at the moment. And it's not just we Welsh who are enjoying it. After travelling back to Brittany from Lille yesterday we had a bit of a celebration last night, which involved a decent meal, watching the penalty shoot-out, and a few drinks with the rest of the media covering Wales. There was a slight air of disbelief among us all, but the barman was convinced Pays de Galles were heading to Paris…

Fast forward to the launderette and an elderly gentleman and I had a somewhat testing conversation (since he didn't speak much England and I spoke even less French - if only I had listened more to my French teacher Mr Burns in Pontypridd Grammar). Anyway, one phrase I did manage to pick up was ''Pays de Galles - Finale!'' - which I took to mean Wales are going all the way to the Euro 2016 final in Paris next weekend. We shook hands on it (so did his partner), so it's almost official.

Today marks a month on this journey now (started at Heathrow, on to Sweden and then France) and the little incidentals take on a new meaning. Whoever would have thought I'd need more toothpaste today? Be honest, you didn't did you? Neither did I. There we go, it must be historic! (Before you ask, yes, it's the same stuff they sell in Wales... Don't be so surprised!).

Gareth Bale spotted in a shop window in Dinard, Brittany

Anyway, on the way to get the toothpaste (for sensitive teeth, I'm that sort of soul), came across this extraordinary signed picture of Gareth Bale. Don't get distracted by the space suit next to it - Tim Peake has had his day in the sun - or should that be stars - the point is, there was no price on the stunning Gareth Bale picture. So I went inside and asked the shop owner, "how much?" ''Not for sale,'' he said....''not until after the final!''

Not dull, this feller. He had correctly worked out the price would rocket (sorry!) if Wales reached those heady heights or even won the whole thing.

His smile was almost as broad as that of the launderette owner who paid a visit while myself and Iwan Roberts were waiting for our respective tumble dryers to finish. As I have noted previously, I suspect his retirement plans are well in hand…

Off to a press conference soon and then to Lyon tomorrow for Wednesday's showpiece. I've given up trying to predict what will happen. You can put nothing past this amazing Wales squad, the new heroes of France. If Wales win on Wednesday, it'll be easy to go with the cliche 'over the moon'.

Maybe that shop owner was really onto something… How much was that space suit?

Monday 4/7/16 - two days before the semi-final v Portugal

This place - yes, and the launderette in town - has basically been home (Chez moi - as they say in France) for the last month. Dinard has been a joy, the people have embraced the Wales squad and all who follow them. Frankly, one of the many major decisions Chris Coleman and his staff have got right in this tournament was being based here on the beautiful Brittany coast. This community and its people will always have a special place in the memory of those who have been here.

I move to Lyon today and - hopefully - on to Paris on Thursday. If Wales can actually continue this fairytale journey all the way to the Euro 2016 final, then the squad will return to Dinard on Thursday - to a no doubt even more rapturous reception than they have had so far (and that's saying something). I am sure more than just myself want to return one day soon.

But for now I say "Farewell Dinard" - you and your charming people have been a delight. You have played your part in an already wonderful Welsh story. Thank you. Bon Chance!

Listen to Rob’s commentary on �� Radio Wales, followed by the regular post-match phone-in, Call Rob Phillips.
Read the first installment of Rob's Euro 2016 diaries on the About the �� Blog and the second installment
Read Jon Jacob's blog about how �� Radio Five Live introduced him to the world of football

(More) Wales at Euro 2016

2016-07-01T13:19:31+00:00

�� Wales Football Correspondent Rob Phillips has been following the Welsh team at Euro 2016 and, when he gets a chance, he’s been writing updates for his followers and friends on Facebook. We've put together a second set of edited highlights from Rob’s week at the Wales base in Dinard, Brittany, and on the road following the team. Will there be a part three?

Thursday 23/6/16 - two days before Northern Ireland

Well what an eventful first trip on the French railways! Arrived in Rennes to wait for train to Paris and suddenly an official looking gentleman wearing a cap - without any great fuss - started to cordon off part of the platform with rolls of tape.

Didn’t think too much of it, because the cafe continued to serve as normal and a few yards away there was a pianist in full flow. Yes, a bloke on the piano, later joined by a woman who started to sing! I have to say, this is not something I have ever seen at Ebbw Vale Parkway, or even Cardiff Central… but what a good idea.

So my colleague Dafydd Pritchard and I sat nearby and enjoyed a musical accompaniment to his chicken salad and coffee and my ham and cheese baguette (but no crisps), a glorified French version of a custard tart and coffee (grande).

That was until the girl who had served us our food appeared from the cafe and calmly suggested we might want to move, since this was a proper security alert and she wasn’t going to hang around…

Meanwhile the pianist played on!

Sunday 27/6/16 - the day after the Northern Ireland match

Back in Dinard after yet another memorable weekend watching this unbelievable Wales football team - backed by its joyous, slightly disbelieving fans.

I’ve said it previously, there really is a homely feel about the Brittany base Wales have chosen. After yet another tumultuous few days in the French capital, it's good to be back here (yet again) before heading for Lille later this week.

We had one special moment when outside our hotel in Paris on Saturday night, a rather tired and emotional Northern Ireland fan told our motley crew Wales had to go on and win the tournament, having beaten his side.

Then he was told he was talking to former Everton and Wales captain Kevin Ratcliffe. The gentleman bowed in adoration and suddenly a chorus of “Ratcliffe's on fire!!” (adapted from Northern Ireland’s ‘Will Grigg’ version) crackled through the Paris night time air!

Just another memorable moment on this adventure as Wales have made the quarter finals of the European Championships... Just take a while to think about that… the last eight of Euro 2016!

Wednesday 29 June - two days before the Quarter Final v Belgium

Dafydd Pritchard, Rob Phillips, and Dyfrig Gwent.

Forgive me, this is a strange feeling. I may, stress ‘may’, have left Dinard for the final time on my personal journey through Euro 2016.

I am writing this on the way to Lille with my colleagues Dafydd Pritchard and Dyfrig Gwent. Lille is, of course, where Wales meet Belgium in the quarter final, on Friday night.

A defeat and for me it’s ‘home’ the following day… the stakes are that high!

The point is, I have become quite attached to Dinard, from my favourite ice cream, the local Facebook blogger who was videoing himself while he played goalkeeper in the press football match on the beach last night (just one point on this game, the organisers ensured the English media were evenly spread among both sides - just in case those on the losing side thought the exuberant celebrations at the end were aimed at them) and, yes, even the launderette, which I visited on Monday evening, only to be disturbed by a TV film crew. It’s just a lovely place with a warm ambience.

Gareth Bale was speaking to us again today. Once more he exuded confidence and summed up the spirit within the squad. Asked about motivation to play well every game he looked at the Wales badge on his shirt and said “the Dragon” was all he needed.

Asked whether the squad got bored between games, he said ‘no’ - they were all mates and, tellingly, added: “It's like being on holiday”.

Now, I should quickly point out, this has been no holiday (honest!) but I know exactly where he’s coming from. My spirits were sent soaring. I’ve got two big suitcases in the back of the car and a few other bags, too, just in case the Belgians have a cunning plan to send us packing. But ten minutes in the same room as Gareth Bale and I am suddenly a lot more confident.

As you know the Welsh fans have excelled on the singing front, particularly with the anthem. They have chorused their way around France - making a delightful, tuneful impression.

So in our car, with Lille still a long way off, we’re breaking into: “Don't take me home!”

Listen to Rob’s commentary on �� Radio Wales, followed by the regular post-match phone-in, Call Rob Phillips.
Read the first instalment of Rob's Euro 2016 diaries on the About the �� Blog
Read Jon Jacob's blog about how �� Radio Five Live introduced him to the world of football

Wales at Euro 2016

2016-06-24T13:22:56+00:00

�� Wales Football Correspondent Rob Phillips has been following the Welsh team at Euro 2016 and, when he gets a chance, he’s been writing updates for his followers and friends on Facebook. Here are some excerpts from Rob’s week at the Wales base in Dinard, Brittany - and on the road following the team.

Friday 17/6/16 (the day after England match in Lens, 3 day to go until Wales v Russia)

Just had a meal and was joined by a group of England fans. Could not disagree they deserved to win the game. But the manner of the defeat - in injury time - just adds to the hurt. That said, as I prepare to return 'home' to Dinard tomorrow, I would ask you to bear in mind the following:

Wales are still well placed to make the last 16
Russia, by all accounts, are eminently beatable
Gareth Bale is extraordinary
My voice survived intact - ok not quite so important to you as me, but I'll throw it in anyway and the picture below proves how much medicinal aid I had in place!
Wales and England fans mingled so well in the stadium and outside, which said much about the reaction to the isolated, abhorrent violence which has marred this tournament

Saturday 18/6/16

Just watched Wales players training and happy to report Joe Ledley was looking fine. As you can see, the training was also watched by the pupils of Cwmtawe Community School, Pontardawe. One of their pupils was responsible for the best comment of the morning: ''Ledley! Your beard is amazing!'' Could not argue with that. But more amazing is surely the standard of school trips these days. Go to France and watch Wales train - how good is that?? Beats Longleat by a street!

Monday 20/6/16 - the day of the Russia match in Toulouse

(1) Had a quick stroll in the bit of Toulouse I find myself - saw this feller. Chap in a pram making baby noises… makes a living I suppose!!! PS - also saw many Welsh fans looking happy, but slightly nervous, about the game later.

(2) Don't know about you, but I am nervous and there's still 90 minutes to kick off.

Tuesday 21/6/16 - the day after Russia match

Thanks to my dad being a football supporter, I have watched Wales both as a fan - and professionally - for a lifetime. Reporting it has been nearly 30 years. And I can honestly say I have never experienced a game like that… I'm not name dropping but John Hartson and Kevin Ratcliffe were so emotional either side of me in the commentary box, it was difficult not to get carried away. When you have 110 caps worth of football talent stood up clapping their successors, it makes an impression and adds to the memory.

And there are other winners, too - notably the launderette in Dinard which will again do a roaring trade when I get back to Brittany.

Weds 22/6/16 - 2 days after Russia match, 3 days until knockout game vs. ???

So here it is!! The most famous "Welsh" launderette in the world!

Tomorrow I am leaving Dinard as part of an advanced party heading off to Paris, where Wales play an historic knockout game on Saturday against… Well, that's the point. As my shirts and smalls rotate at 40 degrees in machine number 5 ‪#‎creasedbutclean‬ - we just don't know who Wales will be playing…‬‬

Bottom line is - the Wales players probably won't care who they play. And neither will the Welsh fans who have been walking ambassadors for our great country and will love to bring their melodic presence to the French capital. Anyway, by the end of today, we should know.

In other words… it'll all come out in the wash!!

Rob Phillips is Football Correspondent for �� Wales.

Share Your Welsh in 2016

2016-02-09T14:00:00+00:00

What’s your aim for 2016? Climb Mount Kilimanjaro? Do a triathlon?Recreate a miniature Titanic using just lollipop sticks?

The new year sees many a resolution come and go so this January, �� Radio Wales made it their mission to help keep one aim on track by launching ‘Share Your Welsh’.

Born and bred in Wales, I’ve often lamented that I should have learnt my mother tongue, but so often distractions and excuses have got in the way.

It was this thought - bolstered by the admissions of fellow sheepish colleagues - that made us here at Audio Always think about how we could reach out to those who felt a similar draw. And as an independent radio production company, how could we engage with this audience?

Working with �� Radio Wales, we designed a campaign to inspire, encourage and support Welsh learners by sharing simple words and phrases every day, success stories from across Wales (and beyond) and helpful hints and tips to get us all on the right track.

We heard from so many incredible Welsh learners proving that learning a new language amidst a busy lifestyle can be done. Whether they be like Hugh from Ellesmere who wanted to learn a language that harked back to childhood holidays or 99-year-old Helena who is still winning awards for her Welsh at the National Eisteddfod.

We also featured helpful and sometimes inventive initiatives that can help people improve their vocabulary - such as welsh language walks around Barry with Ruth from Valeways to The Deck cafe in Cardiff Bay who play basic Welsh phrases in the loos of their café.

We quickly realised that learning Welsh isn’t just for those of us born here, as proved by surgeon Dr. Phillip Moore from Barbados who loves surprising the patients at Ysbyty Gwynedd with his Welsh skills. We also spoke to Lidia Lammardo who hails from Argentina, lives in Belfast and travels to Cardiff for Welsh classes.

The project also gave us a chance to explore how Welsh is developing alongside different industries including technology, leisure and emergency services.

For technology, we visited Canolfan Bedwyr in Bangor to check out their speech recognition software and even heard from Google Translate’s Chief Engineer, Macduff Hughes, about his love of the language and his efforts to represent Welsh online.

A huge part of Share Your Welsh was getting out and speaking to listeners across Wales. When I mapped everywhere we’d visited, it was great to see how many communities had been involved.

Map of Share your Welsh project

Whilst our main aim was to reach out to �� Radio Wales listeners, the campaign also stimulated activity across other areas of the �� including S4C’s Dal Ati, Pobol Y Cwm, Radio Cymru and more.

This external content is available at its source: https://twitter.com/��WalesSport/status/693040546017734657

It also allowed us to talk directly with people who were getting involved through social media. We encouraged those connected with the campaign to get involved using #shareyourwelsh which trended a few times during the project.

This external content is available at its source: https://twitter.com/AbbyPobydd/status/687632480346726405

This external content is available at its source: https://twitter.com/ffrwti/status/685551556461215744

This external content is available at its source: https://twitter.com/DaiBanjo/status/692342744786812928

Some of our posts got a lot of attention online, helping �� Radio Wales to connect with even more people.

This external content is available at its source: https://twitter.com/��RadioWales/status/691609740628103172

And even though Share Your Welsh was focused on the month of January, the content will remain a valuable online resource for learners in the future. So if you’ve a desire to brush up on your Welsh or learn from scratch: rhoi cynnig arni (give it a go).

Chelsea Dickenson, Content Producer, Audio Always producers of Share Your Welsh for �� Wales

Read also Share your Welsh in 2016 with Huw & Dot
Find out more at the Share Your Welsh website

Welcoming S4C to iPlayer

2014-12-04T12:13:21+00:00

The beadier eyed amongst you will have noticed that a new channel joined the new version of �� iPlayer family this week. That channel is called S4C or Sianel Pedwar Cymru, the Welsh Language Fourth Channel and its addition represents a big moment for audiences and iPlayer alike. So croeso, or welcome S4C to iPlayer.

Let’s start with S4C first. S4C has been in existence since 1982 as an independent channel and offers Welsh language TV programmes across a range of genres from News and Current Affairs to Sport through to Children’s programmes (Welsh language Peppa is a big deal for my kids). Some of the other really popular programmes include drama Cara Fi, Live Guinness Pro 12 Rugby and Football as well as entertainment from the likes of Bryn Terfel and Only Men Aloud.

The �� has had a very close relationship with S4C since those early days, with the Beeb providing some programming free of charge to S4C. But last year, things changed significantly with the �� Trust also taking over the responsibility for funding the larger part of S4C until March 2017. This change then made a lot of us think how both broadcasters could work together in a smarter fashion for the benefit of audiences and Licence Fee payers alike. On screen, that thinking is beginning to deliver a real dividend with the success of Y Gwyll/Hinterland – a crime drama originally shown on S4C, then later shown on �� One Wales and �� Four (it’s also been a commercial success internationally with a second series due in 2015). At around the same time as Y Gwyll/Hinterland was a creative glint in a clever director’s eye, S4C asked the �� for all of its content to be included on iPlayer. In many respects, it was a no brainer: S4C’s new Chief Executive, Ian Jones, wanted his channel’s content carried ‘anytime, anyplace, anywhere’; the �� also wanted to make the new ��-S4C relationship work, whilst at the same time we were thinking how to boost Welsh language online consumption.

We then set about the long process of making this unique request work, along with iPlayer colleagues. There were a lot of pretty tricky regulatory questions since S4C is an editorially independent channel; there were some even bigger technical questions with iPlayer for the first time integrating a third party broadcaster into its systems. But we did make it work and the deal is this: S4C joins iPlayer on a trial 18 month basis with S4C editorially responsible for their commissioned content. At the end of this period, we’ll evaluate the pilot’s technical and audience success.

From today onwards, therefore, S4C programmes (with English language subtitles for most programmes) will become available on over 1,200 different versions of new iPlayer by January – an amazing technical feat when you come to think of it. It’s very exciting (and not just for Peppa hungry kids) since it also offers some potent pointers to the future.

First of all, here in Wales, it demonstrates the depth of the ��’s longstanding commitment to not just making Welsh language programmes but making content available on the most modern devices in line with changing audience consumption. We did it in the 1920s with Welsh language radio, then with Welsh language television in the 1950s and now we’re doing it again with iPlayer. Second, and not just in Wales, it shows what the �� can do when it engages in big partnerships with others. Third and finally, it shows what iPlayer can do as it continues to evolve as it surely must.

Mwynhewch y gwylio (enjoy the watching), whatever your language.

Rhys Evans is Head of Strategy and Digital, �� Wales.

See S4C on �� iPlayer
Read the press release 'S4C comes to �� iPlayer' on the �� Media centre website

The ��'s role in Wales today

2014-12-03T10:43:20+00:00

Today, �� Wales' Director, Rhodri Taflan Davies, participates in a panel discussion at the Institute of Welsh Affairs’ Wales Media Summit. In this post he asserts that news must remain the cornerstone of the ��’s commitment to Wales.

Today’s summit in Cardiff is timely. It will debate some of the biggest and hottest issues in broadcasting – including commissioning, the role of the independent sector and the future of news provision in Wales.

In each of these, the tectonic plates are shifting quicker than ever before as content markets become increasingly globalised and digital devices put enormous power and control in the hands of the individual.

It is too easy for broadcasters to label all this change as ‘disruptive’. Well, it is not remotely disruptive for the public. They enjoy a level of access to knowledge and entertainment that previous generations could barely imagine. Last weekend, I tried and largely failed to explain to my son the purpose of the ‘Encyclopedia Britannica’: well, where do you start?

It is also too easy to regard a globalising content marketplace as a threat to Welsh broadcasting. The ��’s two biggest global exports are made in Wales – Doctor Who and Sherlock – and Fiction Factory’s hit series Hinterland shows that Wales has the creative and entrepreneurial nous to make it on the international stage. There are major opportunities out there for companies and programme-makers with ambition.

But it would be disingenuous to suggest that there aren’t challenges too. The ��’s Director General Tony Hall recognised this earlier this year when he described the funding squeeze that has faced the ��’s English-language programming for Wales over recent years. It has meant, as he set out pretty plainly, that some aspects of national life in Wales, including comedy and entertainment, are not being properly reflected on Welsh screens.

Following Tony’s speech, I was asked by some whether �� Wales’ decision to ring-fence its investment in news, current affairs and political coverage over the last four years had been mistaken as it had, surely, resulted in other areas being hit harder by savings.

There is no denying it was a tough decision at the time. But it was the right one for two reasons.

First, devolution has changed Wales profoundly. The decisions that shape the delivery of our public services are now taken in our own back yard – by our own parliament - so it is vital that we help the public make sense of these developments. A proper, vibrant democracy relies on informed, active citizenship and I believe our news services play an invaluable role in realising that goal. That is why, for example, we have invested in new specialist correspondents and created a news research unit to get under the skin of contemporary Wales.

The second reason is that the challenge of reaching Wales’ three million citizens is more complex and diverse than ever, and it has demanded new investment. Yes, �� Wales Today continues to be required viewing for almost half the population each week – with audiences at a 10-year high – but younger audiences increasingly expect news to be delivered wherever and whenever they choose. Already, some 2.5m devices access �� Wales’ mobile and online news services every week.

But despite the success and reach of our broadcast and online news services, I would recognise that there is still a great deal of work to do.

Our own research shows very clearly that the public’s understanding of politics and public policy in Wales lags considerably behind their grasp of UK-wide politics. Despite nine in every 10 adults saying they have a real interest in news about Wales, our latest survey found just half of adults in Wales could name which party was in government at Cardiff Bay, and only 31% could name Wales’ First Minister unprompted.

Addressing this alarming knowledge deficit should be a matter of priority for everybody who cares deeply about the proper democratic governance of Wales. For the ��’s part, our responsibilities are two-fold. First, we must continue to seek opportunities to extend and strengthen our news coverage of Wales: to ensure we deliver news services across all devices that properly reflect the realities of a changing and more fragmented UK.

And, in parallel, of course we need to ensure that everybody in Wales has full access to the ��’s national services. That’s why we prioritised investment in �� One Wales HD last year. This autumn, �� One and Two Wales became available as live streams on �� iPlayer and we’ve also been pushing hard to extend the DAB radio coverage of Radio Wales and Radio Cymru. We’ve made real progress there. By the start of 2016, coverage will have more than doubled to 86% of households in just two years and we’ll be rolling out DAB across north-west Wales very shortly.

These are important and necessary steps – and a demonstration of the ��’s commitment to help audiences in every part of Wales to make sense of our own nation, and to play a full and active part in the development of our youthful democracy.

Rhodri Talfan Davies is Director, �� Wales

Read also Asking awkward questions: 50 years of WIWO

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