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

Llys-y-frân Lake to launch Wales’s largest inflatable aqua park

Published

1 day ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW ATTRACTION WILL OPEN AT WEEKENDS BEFORE THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

LLYS-Y-FRÂN Lake is set to make a splash this summer with the launch of what is being billed as Wales’s largest inflatable aqua park.

The new attraction, at the popular reservoir and visitor destination near Clarbeston Road, will feature a floating obstacle course with slides, launch towers, blast bags and other inflatable challenges.

Visitors will be able to enjoy one-hour sessions on the water, with safety equipment included in the £25 ticket price.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, which runs Llys-y-frân Lake, completed the acquisition of the aqua park from Aqua Parks Group in March. Work is now under way to inflate and anchor the multi-component course in the lake ahead of its opening.

The aqua park will open at weekends before the start of the six-week school holiday period. It will then operate daily during the school holidays, with the season expected to finish in early September.

James Thompson, Head of Visitor Attractions at Dŵr Cymru, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of an Aqua Park at Llys-y-frân Lake.

“We look forward to welcoming both holidaymakers and local residents from across West Wales and beyond to experience the Aqua Park.

“This new addition enables visitors to enjoy the water in a safe, fully lifeguarded environment.”

Llys-y-frân Lake, situated north of Haverfordwest in the foothills of the Preseli Mountains, has become one of West Wales’s best-known outdoor attractions.

The site, which includes 350 acres of woodland, grassland and open water, benefited from major investment in 2021 with the opening of a new visitor centre and activity centre. A four-star campsite was added in 2023.

Dŵr Cymru said environmental surveys had been carried out and indicated that the aqua park was unlikely to have a negative impact on local wildlife. The company said measures were being put in place to protect the lake’s habitats and species.

Recent inland bathing water assessments have also confirmed that Llys-y-frân Lake has excellent water quality. Welsh Water said monitoring would continue throughout the summer bathing season.

A community open day will be held at Llys-y-frân Visitor Centre on Sunday, May 17, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, where plans for the aqua park will be on display and staff will be available to answer questions.

The new attraction will add to the existing activities at Llys-y-frân, which include bike hire, walking and cycling trails, mountain bike routes, a pump track, lakeside café and gift shop.

Further updates on opening dates and the full summer timetable will be published on the Llys-y-frân Lake Facebook and Instagram pages.

Charity

Milford Haven Beer Fest set for Bank Holiday return

Published

2 days ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Festival promises live music, Welsh ales and community spirit at the waterfront

MILFORD HAVEN Beer Fest is set to return later this month, with organisers promising another packed day of live music, craft drinks and festival atmosphere.

The popular annual event will take place at Milford Waterfront on Saturday, May 23, inside the Ascona Group Marquee, with doors opening at 12:00pm.

Organisers say no advance tickets will be available, with entry operating on a first come, first served basis. Another sell-out is expected and early arrival is strongly advised.

A wide range of Welsh breweries and drinks producers will be represented, including Tenby Harbwr Brewery, Bluestone Brewing Company, Gethin’s Cider, Mantle Brewery, Gower Brewery and Core of the Poodle.

Tiny Rebel Brewery will also be serving lagers, IPAs and its new stout, Coal Drop, while Barti Rum will showcase its latest canned drinks. Prosecco and Pimm’s will also be available.

Entertainment throughout the day will be hosted by Pure West Radio, with headliners 4th Street returning to the waterfront.

The line-up also includes a DJ set from former Welsh rugby international and British and Irish Lion Josh Navidi, alongside performances from Steve Bartram, Big Chicken, Jake Taylor, Function 22 and Natalie O’Brien.

Festivalgoers will also be able to enjoy a street food zone featuring Grub Tacos, Junkyard Dogs and Reeves BBQ.

Community support

Nathan Rees, chairman of Milford Haven Round Table said: “The Beer Festival is a huge highlight for us – not just for the atmosphere, but for the impact it has.

“Every penny raised goes back into the community, funding events like our Carnival and Fireworks and supporting local causes.

“We’re also incredibly grateful to The Ascona Group for their continued sponsorship and to the Port of Milford Haven for their ongoing support as our Major Events Partner, as well as all the Beer Festival sponsors for 2026.”

Ticket information

Entry costs £25 and includes four drink tokens, a festival cup and live entertainment throughout the day.

Additional drink tokens will cost £2.50 each, with cash and card accepted.

The event is strictly over-18s only.

Organisers say there will be a 100 per cent bag search policy, with visitors strongly advised not to bring bags. Free water will be available, and dogs will not be allowed.

Entertainment

Dinosaurs set to take over Milford Waterfront

Published

3 days ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PREHISTORIC FUN COMES TO MILFORD HAVEN

DINOSAURS will be roaming Milford Waterfront later this month as Dinomania brings a day of prehistoric entertainment to the town.

The popular dinosaur attraction will take over the waterfront on Wednesday, May 27, with three interactive shows taking place throughout the afternoon.

Each show will last around 50 minutes and promises plenty of audience participation, prehistoric facts, and family-friendly fun.

Before the ticketed shows begin, visitors are being encouraged to keep an eye out around Milford Waterfront, where Dinomania’s dinosaurs will be out and about during a free walkabout performance between 10:30am and 11:30am.

The walkabout will give families the chance to see the dinosaurs up close and enjoy some entertainment around the waterfront before the main shows get underway.

Milford Waterfront said: “Dinomania will be taking over Milford Waterfront on Wednesday, May 27, with three exciting shows taking place throughout the afternoon.

“Each show lasts approximately 50 minutes and is packed with interactive moments and prehistoric fun.”

Tickets can be booked through the Milford Waterfront website.