News

New funding for Wales based companies to develop bilingual content for young audiences

Published

3 years ago

March 4, 2023

MORE Welsh language animation and live action programming is set to be developed for children and young people in Wales thanks to a funding boost from the Welsh Government, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden announced today.

The Deputy Minister has confirmed eight projects will receive a combined £352,545 in funding from Creative Wales’ Young Content Fund, which will see Wales-based companies develop new bilingual content for children and young people.

The fund, which is part of the co-operation agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, is designed to stimulate the provision of programming for children and young people.

The projects include an animation and game inspired by the myths and legends of Wales; a comedy sketch show aimed at a preschool audience featuring an eclectic band of characters made from buttons and thread; to a fun-filled, water-based children’s gameshow that combines mental and physical challenges.

Familiars is the latest idea from Cloth Cat who have produced over 100 hours of animation on a variety of international broadcast series such as Boj, Dave Spud, Luo Bao Bei and Olobob Top. Cloth Cat has become a thriving animation and games production studio based in Cardiff. It has expanded its core crew to 6 full time staff and regularly employs over 25 skilled staff per project.

Jon Rennie from Cloth Cat, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the new Young Content Fund and it continues investment by Creative Wales in local companies looking to reach international audiences. Our project is a CG animation series and game idea that weaves together modern Wales and Celtic mythology to tell a new adventure story for 7 to 11 year olds.”

Caernarfon based Cwmni Da have been awarded funding for the development of a programme idea called ‘Act your Age’. Act Your Age is a situation comedy aimed at children in Key Stage 2 (age 6 to 11) and their parents. It uses the stereotypical style of a traditional situation comedy to create a familiar world, while at the same time, offering something completely new.

Barry “Archie” Jones, author and producer of Act your Age, said: “Act Your Age is an idea we’ve wanted to develop for some time. We really believe that the concept has potential to appeal to international audiences, and this Welsh Government support will help the dream become reality.”

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, said: “We have a vibrant and well-established creative sector in Wales which has an excellent track record of producing world class and award-winning content for young audiences. Some of the most iconic animations such as SuperTed and Fireman Sam were born in Wales and went on to make a lasting impression on a whole generation of children and young people.

I’m delighted we’re able to support the development of more original content which will support Welsh creative businesses and be about Wales – and from Wales. This will engage our young people in our history and culture as well as being a way of hearing and then using the Welsh language in a way that’s relevant and interesting to them.

I’m confident this investment will boost to our efforts to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050.”

Designated Member, Cefin Campbell said: “Ensuring that children and young people across Wales have access to fun, engaging content is vital and a vibrant creative sector has a crucial role to play in this. We are supporting our creative businesses to create stories, images and content made in Wales, about Wales and in Welsh for the benefit of all.”

Crime

Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van

Published

4 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.

The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.

Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.

“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.

“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”

Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.

“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.

“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”

Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Crime

Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system

A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.

“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Crime

Pembroke Dock motorist banned after driving with cocaine in system

Published

5 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving with more than seven times the legal cocaine limit in her system.

Naomi Grant, 47, was stopped by police on the night of February 6 as she drove her Vauxhall Astra along the A477 near Pembroke Dock.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Grant, of Cheriton Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was taken for further tests.

Blood analysis showed she had 74mcg of cocaine in her system. The legal limit is 10mcg. She also had 1,200mcg of benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, where the legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Grant, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

She was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court that his client is currently prescribed a considerable amount of medication for a number of medical issues.

“She also has her own personal assistant as a result of her medical needs,” he said.

“She has done everything that has been asked of her in relation to this offence and has engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her move forward.”

Magistrates disqualified Grant from driving for 12 months and fined her £120.

She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.