Entertainment

BBC Wales announce whole raft of activity for BBC Children in Need

Published

2 years ago

October 24, 2024

BBC WALES has announced a range of activity this year to raise money for BBC Children in Need, with presenters including Aled Hughes, Jason Mohammad and Derek Brockway all getting involved in the action.

From making a splash with the Thousand Mile Challenge to tackling a gruelling seven-day hike along the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way and joining our resident weatherman for an extra special walk, teams across BBC Cymru Wales are facing some of their most ambitious challenges yet.

BBC Radio Cymru’s Aled Hughes is undertaking an extraordinary 135-mile hike from Holywell to Aberdaron, retracing the steps of pilgrims from centuries ago. Aled will be attempting to walk over 20 miles a day, covering particularly challenging terrain between Bangor and Nantlle Valley, as well as climbing the Carneddau mountains in Eryri.

Accompanying Aled on the week’s walk is mountain leader and expert, Merfyn Jones, along with guests including comedians Tudur Owen and Katie Gill-Williams, and presenters Gerallt Pennant and Dilwyn Morgan.

Aled Hughes said: “Since joining Radio Cymru in 2016 I’ve taken on lots of different challenges to raise money for Children in Need, from climbing up Yr Wyddfa five times in five daysto cycling from Bangor to Cardiff, but I can say hands down this will be the toughest challenge I’ve ever attempted. But across the seven days there will be plenty of fun, banter and storytelling, and we’ll learn from the people who live in and are part of the communities along the trail.”

Aled’s walk will take place across the week leading up to the BBC Children in Need Big Night of TV (9-15 November).

From one gruelling challenge to another, BBC Radio Wales’ Jason Mohammad and BBC Radio Cymru 2’s Dom James will be taking part in an epic swimming challenge with colleagues from across BBC Local Radio in England, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle to swim a combined 1000 miles for BBC Children in Need.

As part of the Thousand Mile Challenge for BBC Children in Need, Jason will attempt to swim a total of 12 miles across five days (4-8 November), accompanied each day by fellow presenters; Lucy Owen, Molly Palmer, Behnaz Akhgar, Ian Hunt, Eleri Sion and Dom James, who will endeavour to swim 12 miles between them to reach the combined attempted BBC Cymru Wales distance of 24 miles.

***BBC Radio Cymru’s Aled Hughes will be walking over 135 miles for BBC Children in Need***

The presenters will be cheered on and supported by former Team GB swimmers and Olympians, Rebecca Adlington and Mark Foster. The pair of seasoned swimmers and multiple medal winners will be on hand to share all their experience, training tips and words of encouragement as the presenters dive into the challenge.

Jason Mohammad said: “BBC Children in Need is so important and has played a big role in my broadcasting life. From hosting the big concerts for BBC Cymru Wales to the Swim Challenge I completed in Salford Quays for BBC Radio 2 a few years ago. So to have been asked to do a few more miles this time around is an honour, although I have to admit, slightly daunting. I will take on this challenge with everything I’ve got, and I’m already training hard for it, so bring it on.”

Elsewhere, Derek Brockway will be in Pembrokeshire for a special episode of Weatherman Walking as he walks from St David’s to Whitesands while celebrating some of the incredible work done by charities and projects from across Wales which are supported by BBC Children in Need.

Throughout the episode we will hear from organisations including Ruthin-based Calon RDA, which offers children and young people the opportunity to build their confidence through a connection with horses, and RAY Ceredigion, which gives children and young people living in rural areas of west Wales new opportunities, along with a range of charities and projects from across Wales.

The special episode of Weatherman Walking for Children in Need will TX on Wednesday 13November at 8pm on BBC1 Wales.

Rhuanedd Richards, Director of BBC Wales, said: “BBC Children in Need is something we’re proud to support year after year, but we’re so pleased to announce a wealth of activity coming from our teams in BBC Wales this year, with our continued aim to help support vital charity projects in communities across Wales and the rest of the UK. These endeavours might be more ambitious than ever before, but we’ve got no doubt that Aled, Jason, and everyone else taking part will give it their all, and we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.”

Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive at BBC Children in Need, said: “We’re thrilled to see the BBC Nations and Regions get behind BBC Children in Need’s 2024 Appeal. Right now we are only able to fund 1 in 8 organisations who ask us for support. Only with the generosity of the public can we continue help to lighten the load for hundreds of thousands of children and young people across the UK and help change their lives.”

To find out more, visit https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/

Entertainment

Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod

Published

3 days ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.

Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.

She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.

Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.

Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.

Caption:

Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.

Entertainment

Harbour Fest to bring music, food and maritime magic to Milford Waterfront

Published

4 days ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Free family festival will celebrate Milford Haven’s seafaring history and coastal community

MILFORD WATERFRONT will burst into life on Saturday, June 27, as the first Harbour Fest sails into town for a day of music, food, family fun and maritime celebration.

The free event will run from 10:00am to 6:00pm at Mackerel Quay and across the waterfront, bringing together local traders, live entertainment, coastal organisations and independent businesses for a packed day beside the water.

Organisers say the festival will celebrate everything that makes Milford Haven special, from its seafaring history and working harbour to its growing reputation as a destination for food, shopping, culture and family days out.

Visitors will be able to browse stalls from local makers and producers, enjoy street food and live performances, and explore a Marine Zone featuring organisations involved in sea safety, marine conservation and coastal life.

The Marine Zone will include Seagrass Network Cymru / Project Seagrass, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Dyfed-Powys Police, NCI Wooltack Point, Rudders Marine Training, RNLI Milford Haven and RNLI Angle Lifeboat.

RNLI Angle Lifeboat is expected to be based on the Mackerel Stage, while the Sea Cadets will be giving rope-tying displays at Milford Haven Museum, where craft activities will also be taking place.

Live entertainment will run throughout the day, with performances from Tom & Abz, Will Scott, Ryan Bristow, Milford Haven Town Band, Kyle Kirkhouse and ShantyJacs Sea Shanties.

Businesses across the waterfront are also joining in. All Pets Vet Care will hold a family-friendly open day with a bouncy castle, treasure hunts, quizzes, craft activities and behind-the-scenes tours. Aurora Artisan Crafts will host vocal performances, Biffy’s Bar & Restaurant will feature solo acoustic music from Laurence Lewis, and Martha’s Vineyard will offer seafood street food with live music from Ryan Bristow and Steve Bartram.

At Tŷ Milford Waterfront’s outdoor plaza there will be face painting, children’s activities, pop-up artists and an afternoon DJ set, while Phoenix Bowl and Pirate Pete’s Adventure Play will have inflatables and glitter tattoos outside.

The Waterfront Gallery will host introduction to felt-making workshops with textile artist Carole Fletcher, giving participants the chance to create a woollen felt flower pin brooch or phone/glasses case. The workshops start at 10:30am, 1:00pm and 3:30pm and cost £5 per person.

A wide range of traders will also be attending, including 5th Flock Spirits Co, Cinnamon Grove Distillery, Cwm Deri Wines & Liqueurs, Ferncraft, Get Loaded, J.J. Pottery, Major Nuts, Orange Garden Design, Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm, Pembrokeshire Gold, Pembrokeshire Lottery, Plumstone Welshcakes and SlateArtSJ.

With music drifting across the marina, food stalls lining the waterfront and lifeboats, sea safety teams and coastal groups adding a strong maritime flavour, Harbour Fest is expected to bring a lively summer atmosphere to one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known waterside destinations.

Organisers say the event is suitable for families, friends and visitors of all ages, with plenty to see and do throughout the day.

Photo caption: Harbour Fest will take place at Milford Waterfront on Saturday, June 27 (Pic: Milford Waterfront).

Entertainment

Filming begins on new Welsh BBC comedy starring Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs

Published

4 days ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HEARTWARMING new Welsh BBC comedy co-written by Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs has started filming in South Wales.

Better Later, a six-part series for BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC One Wales, will explore the unexpected joys of an unlikely friendship.

The comedy stars Jones and Speirs as two people who meet at a knee trauma clinic. Retired teacher Clive, played by Speirs, is 60, widowed and facing a new chapter in life. Shelley Anne, played by Jones, is a 55-year-old environmental health officer going through a bitter divorce.

The series is being filmed in and around South Wales, including the Brecon Beacons, and is set in the fictional village of Brynfach.

Ruth Jones said: “In a funny way this show has been 35 years in the making, which is when I first met Steve. It’s not that we’re slow writers, it’s just that we’ve been up to other things. It’s fantastic to be back in front of the camera with him again.”

Steve Speirs said: “Our first time acting together for quite a long time. Ruth makes me laugh more than anyone and I’m a terrible giggler. This could be a long shoot.”

Better Later has been commissioned by BBC Cymru Wales and BBC Comedy and is being made by Tidy Productions in association with BBC Studios Comedy, with support from Creative Wales.

The series was commissioned by Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning at BBC Cymru Wales, and Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy at the BBC. The commissioning editors are Emma Lawson and Paul Forde.

Executive producers are Sarah Fraser for Tidy Productions and Josh Cole for BBC Studios Comedy. The producer is Owen Bell and the director is Simon Massey.

Transmission details will be announced in due course.