News

China’s farmers take on TV challenge

Published

12 years ago

October 22, 2013

THE series Fferm Ffactor has recruited a new audience in the world’s most populated country, as the format is sold to a Chinese broadcaster.
The popular farming challenge series – which sees farmers tested on all aspects of agriculture work – has been licensed by Chinese broadcaster CCTV 7 by the Welsh production company, Cwmni Da. CCTV 7 has commissioned an eight part series.
The Fferm Ffactor brand was established by Irish producers Good Company Productions for TG4. Cwmni Da developed the format and the first Welsh series was broadcast on S4C in 2009. Since then Cwmni Da has been working with the Irish company and distributors Nordic World to sell the format to other countries.
This latest sale will introduce the format to an Asian audience for the first time – in the world’s most populated country, which employs over 300 million farmers, and has the most sheep of any country in the world!
“It’s obvious that agriculture is very important in China,” says Fferm Ffactor producer Non Griffith. “We’re not sure yet what sorts of tasks the Chinese producers will set for their farmers, but we look forward to finding out more during the next few months.”
It’s an exciting development as S4C viewers prepare for the start of the latest series on Wednesday, October 16 7.30 (English subtitles). Each year S4C’s Fferm Ffactor expands and grows, moving up a gear and turning up the heat. And the same is true about the new series as it extends to an hour long programme for the first time ever – more time for quizzing, testing and challenging the farmers!
Gaynor Davies, S4C Content Commissioner says, “Fferm Ffactor has a strong following among S4C viewers and we look forward to welcoming the series back to the screen for the fifth time. The format has wide appeal and it has the potential for development and adaption for the audience, which makes it an attractive prospect for international broadcasters. We’re proud that programmes made and developed in Wales are recognised in this way, and entertain audiences across the world.”
In 2012, it was announced that producers in six European countries had bought the rights to develop their own versions in France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. The Danish channel DR will broadcast their series during autumn 2013, and the format has also been sold to New Zealand.
Go to s4c.co.uk/ffermffactor to find out about the new series on S4C and get to know the 10 farmers taking on this year’s challenge.

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

10 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

10 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

10 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.