News
Campaign launched to fund Rhod’s Work Experience


Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience in drag: An episode featuring Ceri Dupree at Milford Haven’s Pill Social Club
THE PRODUCTION company behind Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience, Zipline Creative, has kickstarted a campaign to fund the DVD release of the award winning show, with the help of the public.
The BAFTA award winning BBC TV series has been beamed into our homes since 2010, and sees Carmarthen comedian, Rhod Gilbert, take on many different job roles across Wales over the four series, including a drag queen in Milford Haven, and a reporter in Lampeter.
Although Rhod, along with Rhys and Nathan of Zipline Creative produced the shows, none of them have total control of the format. However, they have now reached a solid contractual agreement with the rights holder, which will allow them to use Kickstarter to raise the funds needed to release series 3 and 4 on DVD.
Aside from the rights fee, there’s a huge amount of costs associated with releasing Work Experience on DVD. Without the help of the fans, there is a good chance that Rhod Gilbert’s work Experience will never be available in any format.
Due to having such a loyal fan base, it is possible to be able to raise funds to pay for the DVD release, which they otherwise wouldn’t be able to do.
Series 3 and 4 contain four hours of “Rhod fun”, along with extras and deleted scenes. The episodes include Rhod as a Primary School Teacher, Zoo Keeper, Drag Queen, Police Officer, Wedding Planner, Scout Leader, Coach Tour Guide and a Male Model.
Thanks to the Kickstarter campaign, they are also able to cram in some extra funny bits that couldn’t be fit into the 30 minute TV shows.
So far, the campaign at www. kickstarter.com has 51 backers, with a total of £1,876 raised. Rhod is in complete support of the project, and although not directly involved has wished the boys luck with their campaign. To help it along,
Rhod has offered to sign a limited edition of Kickstarter DVDs to those who donate large amounts.
Speaking exclusively to The Herald, Rhod Gilbert said: “Rhys, Nathan and I have made all episodes of my work experience programme since the very first one on the bins in Barry. Series one and two are out on DVD, with loads of extras and interviews and stuff on them, but for boring reasons the other series haven’t been made available.
“So I am chuffed that the boys are now like little piggies trying to bring series three and four to market on DVD. If they manage to get enough support with the crowdfunding there’ll be DVDs with coach tour guide, scout leader, teacher, wedding planner and many more episodes on, plus loads of extras and deleted scenes from the two series.
“For those who invest, there’s loads of goodies, like signed DVDs, memorabilia and props from the series and private viewings with me. So I wish them all the best”
If the goal is reached, it is hoped the limited edition version will be with those who Pledged in September this year.
Rhys Waters, producer and director of the show, said: “We’re trusting in the support of our fan base to help us get them the DVD they’ve been craving all these years!
“It’s been frustrating because we’ve repeatedly had to tell eager fans ‘we don’t know’ whenever they ask us when they might be able to buy the DVD.”
“Kickstarter felt like the natural choice, as aside from working with the incredibly talented and funny Mr Gilbert, the one thing that’s always brilliant about Work Experience is it’s loyal fans. So we’re creating something that allows the fans to become part of the show.”
He added: “We can offer a lot more than just a copy of the programmes, they’ll have their names on the credits, DVD’s and posters signed by Rhod, alongside some genuine props and costumes.”
Some of the goodies that the team hope to offer backers include:
- Special Kickstarter limited edition design DVD Box sets of series 3&4 with Bonus features SIGNED BY RHOD.
- An invite to the exclusive screening of 4 selected episodes of Work Experience.
- Rhod / Rachel’s Wig from the ‘Drag Artist’ Episode.
- The original Give a S#!t Weddings T-Shirt from the Wedding Planner Episode.
- Give a S#!t Weddings Car Signage from the Wedding Planner Episode.
- Rhod’s ‘finger gym’ from the Male Model episode.
- Rhod’s ‘Rhod Squad Scout’s Camp Badge’ from the Scout Leader episode.
- One of Rhod’s ‘Edwards Coaches Ties’ from the Coach Tour Guide Episode.
- A Rhod Signed original limited edition promotional poster for the series.
- Limited edition collage wall art piece featuring all Patrick Olner’s amazing photographs commissioned for Series 3 & 4
Crime
Waste dumped at recycling centre leads police to drug factory near Cardigan

Man jailed after drug discovery sparked by vigilant staff
A TIP-OFF from staff at an Aberystwyth recycling centre has led to the discovery of a large cannabis factory in a derelict property near Cardigan — and landed a 20-year-old man behind bars.
Manuel Nerguti was sentenced to six months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (July 11) after pleading guilty to producing a class B drug.
The court heard that on May 1 this year, workers at the Aberystwyth recycling centre reported a suspicious delivery: four to five bags of cannabis stalks, apparently dumped by men in a hired Ford Transit van.
Police acted quickly and intercepted the van later that afternoon on the road between Aberystwyth and Cardigan. Nerguti and two other men were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cannabis, but were released without charge at the time, as no grow site had been located.
However, a month later, acting on new intelligence, Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at a derelict house in Bridell, near Cardigan. Inside, they discovered a sophisticated cannabis cultivation operation: 260 mature plants spread across five rooms and an attic, with the electricity supply illegally bypassed.
During the raid on June 7, Nerguti attempted to flee but was found hiding behind a washing machine in the garage.
He was charged and later pleaded guilty to producing cannabis.
Detective Constable Sam Garside, who led the investigation, praised the recycling centre staff for their quick thinking.
He said: “This result is thanks to the staff at the recycling centre for recognising that criminal activity was taking place and for alerting police quickly.
“We rely on the public to inform us of anything suspicious going on in their communities and we encourage people to get in touch if they suspect anything. We were able to use our local knowledge and police intelligence to execute a successful warrant and shut down an illegal cannabis factory.
“We are committed to continuing our drug operations across Dyfed-Powys and bringing offenders like Nerguti to justice.”
Police estimate the cannabis seized had a potential street value of up to £242,000.
More information on Operation Scotney — Dyfed-Powys Police’s campaign to tackle cannabis cultivation — including how to spot signs of a drug grow, can be found on their website.
News
Pembrokeshire County Council group to review ‘climate emergency’

A CALL for a group to review Pembrokeshire County Council’s decision to declare a climate emergency some six years ago has been backed by councillors.
In May 2019, the council declare a climate emergency following a notice of motion by Cllr Joshua Beynon calling on the authority to back the global consensus that climate change poses a risk to the well-being of future generations.
He had urged county councillors to back a motion to take “bold, decisive action” to fight “truly, catastrophic” climate change.
He called on the council to commit to becoming a zero-carbon local authority by 2030.
At the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, a notice of motion by Cllr Mike Stoddart called for the establishment of a working group to review the decision made by the council to declare a climate change emergency.
Cllr Stoddart’s motion said: “Given the turbulence on the global financial markets; the parlous state of the UK’s public finances; Pembrokeshire County Council’s projected funding gap; and the government’s softening of its policies on the switch to EV vehicles and heat pumps, this council establishes a seven person, politically balanced working group to review the authority’s decision to declare a climate emergency at its meeting on May 9, 2019.
“The working group will be asked to: (a) examine the effect of the emergency declaration on the level of council tax in Pembrokeshire and particularly the extent to which any such increases militate against the authority’s anti-poverty policies.
“(b) The cost of decarbonising the council’s housing stock and the effect this has had on the authority’s ability to finance the building of new housing.
“(c) The extent to which the council’s decarbonisation programme has contributed to a reduction of the risk of runaway global temperature increases, and (d) any other effects that the working group considers may have adversely impacted the wellbeing of the residents of Pembrokeshire.”
Cllr Stoddart’s notice of motion was previously supported at the June meeting of the council’s corporate overview and scrutiny committee, with a recommendation to full council in July meeting, to reinstate the Net Zero Working Group to review the contents of the notice of motion and, subject to the outcome of this review, review the future delivery of the Net Zero Action Plan.
Cllr Stoddart’s call was backed by Cllr Steve Alderman, and Cllr Rhys Jordan, who said: “I fully support this, it couldn’t come sooner; around England and Wales councils are looking at this, there’s been a huge push for a ‘net zero’ agenda at any cost, I don’t think we’re in a position to drive that.”
Cllr Aaron Carey said: “We’ve set ourselves some lofty goals, but we haven’t got the money to back it up.”
Members overwhelmingly agreed to back the June committee recommendations.
News
Urgent appeal to save 1,000 hens in Pembrokeshire and beyond

British Hen Welfare Trust seeks homes before Friday deadline
AN URGENT appeal has been launched to find homes for more than 1,000 hens due to be rehomed next weekend – including from a rescue centre in Boncath, Pembrokeshire.
The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) is coordinating the rehoming effort on Saturday (July 26), aiming to rescue ex-caged hens from slaughter and instead place them into loving homes. The appeal also covers rehoming centres in Locking, near Bristol, and Kineton in Warwickshire.
The charity says the hens have come to the end of their commercial egg-laying lives, but remain healthy and can thrive as pets. However, they must be rehomed by Friday (July 25) to avoid being needlessly killed.
“This is a time-sensitive and visual story that resonates locally,” said Andy Hill, Marketing & Communications Officer for the BHWT. “These hens have worked hard their whole lives and deserve a second chance.”
The organisation recently marked the rehoming of its one millionth hen – which was adopted by King Charles III – and the upcoming effort is part of its continued mission to improve hen welfare across the UK.
Local spokespeople are available for interview, and high-resolution images are available for media use.
For more information or to register interest in adopting hens, visit: www.bhwt.org.uk
Image for illustration purposes only
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