Wales Feed

BBC Wales Commissioning Brief Highlights

2018-06-27T15:03:02+00:00

The extraordinary story of the past couple of months in drama is well known. ‘Keeping Faith’ and ‘Hidden’ continue to break all sorts of records. The summer looks set to be a belter with a raft of series making their mark – ‘Factory Girls’ and ‘Hidden Wales’ confirmed as nation to network projects amongst many others. We’re also buzzing about the prospect of comedy returning to BBC Wales in the Autumn.

In a couple of weeks’ time we’ll send out a briefing note specifically focussed on the commissioning opportunities and our ambitions for 19/20 but first a quick reminder of specific steers mentioned at our last briefing;.

There are two kinds of show we’re still interested in for 19:30 -

First, we’re after factual pre-watershed observational documentary series that will delight our heartland audiences. They have to nail that sense of place and include a rich mix of character led stories that can play out across a run.

Second, we’re up for playing with form in this slot. What does fixed rig look like on BBC One Wales? What have you got cooking that sits at the lighter end of factual? We’ve commissioned plenty of landscape and plenty of food so what else are you developing?

Further updates and steers shortly, but do submit your 19:30 ideas in the next couple of weeks (at the latest by 16th July) and/or work with the Commissioning team to get your ideas match-fit for submission.

Cheers and thanks very much.

Nick

Mae’r stori anhygoel ym myd drama teledu dros y misoedd diwethaf yn siŵr o fod yn gyfarwydd i lawer ohonoch. Mae 'Keeping Faith' a 'Hidden' yn parhau i dorri sawl record o ran ffigurau gwylio. Mae'r haf yn argoeli i fod yn un cyfoethog o ran rhaglenni gyda llu o gyfresi newydd yn cyrraedd y sgrin cadarnhawyd y bydd 'Factory Girls' a 'Hidden Wales' yn trosglwyddo yn syth o’r sianelau lleol i’r sianelau rhwydwaith ymysg llawer o brosiectau eraill. Rydym hefyd yn edrych ymlaen yn fawr at weld comedi’n dychwelyd i BBC Cymru yn yr hydref.

Mewn ychydig o wythnosau, byddwn yn anfon nodyn briffio yn canolbwyntio'n benodol ar y cyfleoedd comisiynu a'n dyheadau ar gyfer 19/20 ond yn gyntaf hoffwn eich hatgoffa’n gyflym o’r anghenion penodol y soniais amdanyn nhw yn ein briff diwethaf;

Mae dwy fath o raglen o ddiddordeb i ni ar gyfer y slot 19:30 –

I ddechrau, 'rydym yn chwilio am gyfresi dogfen arsylwi ffeithiol, i’w darlledu cyn 9.00 o'r gloch, fydd yn diddanu ein cynulleidfa craidd. Rhaid iddynt hoelio’r ymdeimlad hwnnw o le a chynnwys cymysgedd gyfoethog o storïau a arweinir gan gymeriadau difyr ar draws cyfres.

Yn ail, rydym ni’n fodlon chwarae gyda ffurf yn y slot yma. Sut mae rig sefydlog yn edrych ar BBC One Wales? Beth sydd gennych i’w gynnig sydd ychydig yn ysgafnach? Rydym wedi comisiynu amryw o raglenni tirwedd chyfresi bwyd, felly beth arall sydd ganddoch chi mewn datblygiad?

Byddwn yn anfon diweddariad a syniadau pellach o sut y gallech lywio’ch syniadau yn fuan, ond am nawr, os fydde chi cystal â chyflwyno’ch syniadau ar gyfer 19:30 yn ystod yr wythnosau nesaf (erbyn yr 16eg o Orffennaf ar yr hwyraf a / neu weithio gyda'r tîm Comisiynu i sicrhau fod eich syniadau yn cyd-fynd â’r hyn sydd ganddom mewn golwg.

Diolch yn fawr iawn a chofion,

Nick

CALLING ALL #SQUADGOALS!

2018-01-10T14:00:57+00:00

Are you and your friends the epitome of #SQUADGOALS?

Fancy taking part in a new comedy pilot for social media? …of course you do!

We're looking for quick-witted, sassy girl squads who aren’t afraid to voice their opinions.

To apply please email with a short, one minute application video with your group (2-5 people).
Introduce yourselves! We want to know names, ages, where you're from and what's great about your squad on a night out!

(Get creative and have fun with it, we want to see your personality!)

Phone quality videos will be absolutely fine, as long as you're all audible!

Please send your video application to: sophie.parrett@bbc.co.uk

Aged 18+
ALL genders are welcome to apply
Deadline: 31st January 2018

We tested out the sassiness of some ladies on Halloween... the bar has been set pretty high!

Autumn update - and breathe...

2017-11-21T16:40:16+00:00

There are so many fantastic projects currently in production.

In specialist factual we’ve commissioned two living history series and a landmark natural history series. In drama two eight-part series are sitting on the horizon. At our comedy launch I eluded to a six-part mock documentary series which will move into production in the spring. Whilst Valley Cops was definitely a documentary highlight it’s just one of a number of series being made. ‘Wales Live’ and ‘The Hour’ represent a fresh new line up for Welsh Affairs

We’re making real progress in nation to network co-commissioned projects and enjoying network repeats on a weekly basis.

Earlier this week we launched ‘Find Me Funny’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/find-me-funny a new comedy initiative from BBC Wales, BBC Comedy and Writers Room. It was superb to see so many writers, producers and performers packed into Cardiff’s Glee club to hear the plans.

It was also brilliant to hear that over 100 people had applied to be part of our New Director’s Scheme which you can read all about here http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/wales-documentary-scheme.

Rolling commissioning has brought a real energy and pace to our work but occasionally we signal bespoke commissioning moments. The opportunity to produce our Royal Welsh Agricultural Show is one of them. Please do get in touch if you want to know more.

Tymor yr Hydref - y diweddaraf

Ac anadlwch...

Ychydig llai na blwyddyn yn ôl, mi wnes i amlinellu fy nghynlluniau ar gyfer BBC Wales. Mae’r ymateb oddi wrth y sector wedi bod yn anhygoel.

Mae cymaint o brosiectau ffantastig ar waith ar hyn o bryd.

Yn y maes ffeithiol arbenigol, rydyn ni wedi comisiynu dwy gyfres hanes byw a chyfres byd natur flaengar. Ym maes y ddrama, mae dwy gyfres wyth-rhan ar y gweill. Wrth lansio ein harlwy comedi, fe gyfeiriais at gyfres chwe rhan o ffug-raglenni dogfen (mock documentary), y cynhyrchu i gychwyn yn ystod y gwanwyn. Er bod Valley Cops yn sicr wedi bod yn uchafbwynt ym maes rhaglenni dogfen, dim ond un ydy'r rhaglen hon o sawl cyfres sy’n cael eu gwneud. Mae ‘Wales Live’ a ‘The Hour’ yn rhaglenni newydd gyda wynebau newydd a fydd yn edrych ar faterion sy’n berthnasol i Gymru.

Rydyn ni’n gwneud cynnydd arbennig gyda phrosiectau ‘gwlad i rwydwaith’ sy’n cael eu comisiynu ar y cyd ac yn mwynhau ailddarllediadau rhwydwaith yn wythnosol.

Yn gynharach yn ystod yr wythnos, fe lansion ni ‘Find Me Funny’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/find-me-funny, menter gomedi newydd gan BBC Wales, BBC Comedy a Writers Room. Roedd hi’n wych gweld cymaint o awduron, cynhyrchwyr a pherfformwyr yn llenwi clwb Glee Caerdydd i glywed am y cynlluniau.

Roedd yn braf iawn hefyd clywed bod dros 100 o bobl wedi gwneud cais i fod yn rhan o'r Cynllun Cyfarwyddwyr Newydd y gallwch ddarllen amdano yma http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/wales-documentary-scheme.

Mae comisiynu treigl wedi dod ag egni go iawn i’n gwaith ond yn achlysurol rydyn ni’n cael cyfleoedd comisiynu unigryw. Y cyfle i gynhyrchu Sioe Frenhinol Cymru yw un o’r rheini. Cofiwch gysylltu os hoffech chi gael rhagor o wybodaeth.

Hedd Wyn: The Lost War Poet

2017-08-02T10:57:01+00:00

The main challenge that faced us as we began the process of structuring the documentary was obvious, to do justice with one of Wales’ most enduring stories. It’s a story that has been pored over for generations, one that generated an Oscar nominated film during the early nineties, followed by an excellent biography written by its screenwriter, the poet Alan Llwyd.

We decided to try and strike a balance between the obvious drama inherent in Hedd Wyn’s life story and a more factual analysis of his life and work; but without forgetting the man himself. Who knew that Hedd Wyn used to compete in local eisteddfodau in order to get his hands on the not insubstantial cash prizes offered at the time, providing him with beer money with which he would indulge his mates in speed-drinking sessions? Having grown up on the Hedd Wyn ‘myth’, this was definitely one aspect of his character I hadn’t heard of; and more’s the pity. I suppose it sort of made him more ‘real’, somehow less hallowed.

The ‘myth’ referred to is one that began to be cultivated almost immediately after his death. In an uneasy parallel to the intrusive tendencies of today’s popular press, The Daily Sketch sent journalists to his home less than two weeks after the official announcement of his death. Almost unbelievably, they had all his eisteddfodic chairs carried out in front of the house, and had his mother and sisters pose next to them for the article’s accompanying photograph. Hundreds of commemorative poems were published in the local and national press and letters of condolence flooded in to Yr Ysgwrn, by people the family had never met. His death had touched the national psyche – it became the symbol for the tragic waste of young Welsh talent.. As his biographer Alan Llwyd stated memorably, and I paraphrase, he seems more alive in death than when he was alive.

A question often asked about Hedd Wyn is “What would he have achieved had he lived?”, and while it is one that we ask in the programme, it is of course rhetorical, an impossible one to answer. One thing that can be said is that “Rhyfel” (War), the poem Hedd Wyn is mainly remembered for today shows the hallmarks of a new, modernist approach, a style he would no doubt have further explored had he lived. His winning poem “Yr Arwr” is often cited as the last great Romantic poem in the Welsh language. After the horrors of WW1, there would be no going back.

So what will we all remember from the filming?

Seeing the work being carried out over the past few years at Yr Ysgwrn, Hedd Wyn’s home, and its outbuildings has been hugely impressive. The Snowdonia National Park Authority staff have been extremely accommodating with our numerous last minute requests to film; on what was essentially a building site! The amount of work that has gone into transforming the site into a visitor centre has been astonishing, but you would never guess, such has been the sensitive way in which it has been conducted.

It was of course a privilege to film the Black Chair at Hugh Hayley’s workshop in St.Clears, the restoration work having just been completed on it. Another humbling experience, undoubtedly, was bearing witness to the futility and waste of war in amongst the hundreds of stock still gravestones at Artillery Wood cemetery in Ypres.

Hedd Wyn: The Lost War Poet will be broadcast Saturday 5 August at 9pm on BBC Two Wales. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

BBC Radio Wales' sports output

2017-07-21T13:47:41+00:00

As we head into another season of sport, BBC Radio Wales Editor Colin Paterson blogs about the station’s sports output.

BBC Radio Wales is a proud supporter of Welsh sport. As the national radio station for Wales, we want to ensure that we prioritise the moments involving our national teams and beyond.

We cover the whole of Wales and deliver a wide range of content – news, current affairs, politics, sport, music, entertainment, factual and drama. The challenge is to do this in a way which brings the radio station together in a cohesive way. While the future of digital technology provides huge opportunities in how we deliver our content there is a debate about the future of traditional methods of transmission, which are likely to change or even be phased out altogether. As Editor, my job is to think about the future of how we deliver our programmes.

In recent years, we’ve broadcast a weekday evening programme - Radio Wales Sport. We’re going to bring this programme to an end and put our resources into key sports programmes during the week. For Swansea and Cardiff, commentary for every game will be available on FM/digital radio in the south west and south east respectively. Some Swansea and Cardiff games will be available across Wales, rights restrictions allowing. For Wrexham, every game will be available via the BBC Sport Wales website, and on FM/digital for key games. For Newport, we will provide match updates and will broadcast key games in the south east on FM/digital radio. Due to league restrictions, the online commentary rights for Newport are not available to us, but it is a conversation we continue to pursue. We believe this move towards delivering commentary online reflects the future of sports broadcasting, and also allows us to provide a more consistent offering on BBC Radio Wales.

Janice Long will continue to present her music-driven programme, live from Wrexham, between 7pm and 10pm, Monday to Thursday. On Friday, The Friday Night Social will continue between 7pm and 10pm, providing in-depth coverage, a round-up of the week, a preview of the weekend and key football and rugby commentaries. On a Saturday afternoon, BBC Radio Wales sport continues with live sports updates and commentaries from around Wales. Furthermore, the very popular Call Rob Phillips returns for the new season.

Breaking sports news and sports journalism continues in Good Morning Wales and our sports bulletins across the day. In addition, in-depth sports news and analysis is available on the BBC Sport Wales website.

As well as the sport you can hear on the radio, we will begin the new season with three Welsh sport podcasts: Scrum V (rugby), BBC Radio Wales Football (football coverage from all leagues across Wales) and The Friday Night Social (a shortened version of the Friday night programme). We also have more ideas for future on air and podcast programmes – watch this space.

A radio programme for deaf people? It actually makes total sense.

2017-07-13T13:30:09+00:00

As a producer of BBC Radio Wales’ Eye On Wales programme, I’m always on the lookout for ideas. So when a colleague told me about a service that was helping deaf people to break through barriers and get in to employment, I was convinced there was a possible programme.

I called up Action On Hearing Loss Cymru and learned that deaf people who are skilled and capable, are struggling to get into employment in Wales. Wales has the highest rate of unemployment for deaf people in the UK, and currently there’s only a service in South East Wales to assist deaf people into work. The rest of Wales is not covered by any service.

I realised this was a story worth telling. So I asked Katie Chappelle of Action On Hearing Loss Cymru if there was someone whose experience highlighted the problems that deaf people face. She told me about Jack Griffiths, a young, motivated and highly skilled construction operative who was also profoundly deaf. I saw the potential for a good programme.

The aim was to tell Jack’s story from all the different perspectives involved. We spoke to Jack himself of course and to construction boss Paul Cachia who had the vision to see that Jack could be an excellent employee.

The programme also spoke to two people from the specialist employment service run by Action on Hearing Loss Cymru. Matt Skinner was tasked with helping to get Jack a job. Despite his qualifications, it took over 2 years for Jack to get a job. At times it was soul destroying. We also spoke to Audrey Whyte who is profoundly deaf herself, and who manages the service.

When I first planned the programme, I had to think about how it would work for hearing people. This is after all a radio show. The important thing was to get a good male interpreter for Jack. Male interpreters are hard to come by in Wales, but we were extremely fortunate to get hold of Tony Evans. As I watched him interpret the questions for Jack and then interpret Jack’s answers back to the microphone, I was relieved to see that Tony completely captured Jack’s personality and passion. It was truly mesmerising to see such a skilled interpreter at work.

Whilst recording the programme, it was Audrey Whyte who pointed out to me that deaf people would not be able to access it. She asked if we could produce a version that they could access. It made complete sense - after all, this is a programme about the deaf community and yet they wouldn’t be able to ‘hear’ it. I suggested a transcribed version, but Audrey pointed out that English is a second language to many deaf people whose first language is British Sign Language. It took me a while to comprehend that BSL is a language in its own right with its own syntax and grammar. We agreed that it was a priority to get the programme interpreted into BSL.

Luckily for me, I work in a professional organisation with some great people. With the help of the crew who manage the studio where Wales Today is made, we were able to record a BSL interpretation of the show. Tracy Pycroft, who interprets Wales Today news bulletins, did an amazing job. I have a greater appreciation of the skills of the BSL/English interpreter after making this show. The Radio Wales web team then uploaded the video before the radio show was broadcast. You can see the end product here. I think it was well worth doing.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SINGERS RECEIVE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PRAISE!

2017-06-27T09:11:07+00:00

Well, there goes another Cardiff Singer - and what a great week it was.

Just over a week after Cardiff had hosted the biggest sporting event in the city’s history, we had the pleasure of welcoming some highly talented competitors of a very different kind!

20 brilliant singers – some with their very young families in tow – arrived from various countries around the globe. And our prestigious judging panel also travelled from far and wide. The judges were certainly tested this year; with the startlingly good quality of the singing, none of their decisions was easily arrived at.

This year there has been an unprecedented volume of output across the BBC – the extensive coverage of the Grand Final taking over BBC Four, BBC Two Wales, Radio 3, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru – all still available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Radio iPlayer app. And for the first time we’re posting long form content on our website, not just on the UK iPlayer, but also available free of charge to international fans of the competition wherever they may be.

I suppose we say it after every competition, but the talent of this year’s finalists was phenomenal, and any one of them would have been a deserving winner. 2017 was a year of quite a few firsts for us: we had our first-ever joint winner; our “wild card” fifth finalist won the main prize title. And of course, we had our first Scottish and indeed first British winner in the superbly talented Catriona Morison.

Catriona Morison

Catriona, even while she was flying home first thing on Monday morning to her day job at Wuppertal Opera House in Germany, has been inundated with national and international media requests, appearing on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune, BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, and in the Times and New York Times to name but a few!

Catriona Morison Song Prize Winner

Word has spread far and wide, and like wildfire, thanks to social media. Not only did her joint Song Prize winner Ariunbaatar Ganbaatar receive a public congratulations from the Mongolian President but, following Sunday’s victory, Catriona was very proud to have received a tweet from Nicola Sturgeon and now there have been two motions in the Scottish Parliament congratulating her on her success!

Ariunbaatar Ganbaatar Song Prize Winner

Mucking out and mucking in: fancy a new life as a farmer?

2017-05-15T14:11:44+00:00

Want to find out what it’s really like living and working on a busy hillside farm?

If you long to escape the city for a change of scene, or want to know if your passion for food can earn you a living, this is your chance!

Over the course of three weeks in August 2017, your new home could be a working farm in beautiful Snowdonia.

Under the watchful and expert eyes of farmers and presenters Kate Humble and Gareth Wyn Jones, you’ll face the challenge of making a living from the land and the 24/7 responsibility that comes with managing livestock and food production on Gareth’s family farm in the Carneddau mountains.

We’re looking for families who are fired up and ready for a change from the usual routine.

We’ll make four one-hour long programmes - to be shown on BBC Television and BBC iPlayer next Spring.

Our cameras will follow life on the farm as you set up home together in a purpose-built yurt camp, and start taking full responsibility for the pigs, cattle, poultry and sheep.

You’ll live in close quarters with other families and face daily challenges which will test your new skills and attitude to farm life.

You’ll get plenty of support from Kate, Gareth and the wider farming community along the way, but this will also be a test in a tough profession and an unique opportunity to realise your dreams and ambitions as a farmer and food producer. No previous experience necessary!

We’d love to hear from you if you dream of a simpler life in the country and are interested in spending a life-changing few weeks on a hillside farm in Snowdonia.

How to get in touch

Email familyfarm@folkfilms.tv to tell us a little about you and your family, and why you’d like to be considered, alternatively give us call on 02920 727 801 or send a letter to:

Folk Films
17 Cathedral Road
Cardiff
CF11 9HA

Your contact details will need to include a phone number.

The closing date is Sunday 11th June.

Please follow us at #bbcfamilyfarm

For full terms and conditions please go to http://folkfilms.tv/casting-terms-conditions

The story behind Sweet Sixteen: A Transgender Story

2017-05-10T16:07:31+00:00

In spring 2015, I made my way to a private house in the Tawe Valley to meet Sadie, a transvestite who had set up a transgender support group called ‘Tawe Butterflies’.

I’d noticed that while there was an increasing number of transgender stories and issues appearing in the press, very few, if any, were coming from south Wales and I wanted to explore why.

I didn’t really know what to expect from the meeting. The Tawe Butterflies’ monthly meetings were always held at Sadie’s house. When Sadie wasn’t dressed as Sadie, she was a tough talking ex-builder, in her late 60s, called Paul.

That meeting opened my eyes to the diversity of the transgender world. There were transvestites and transgender members, as well as some wives and partners. It was clear that they all found these meetings a great source of friendship, laughter and support. For some, the meetings were also a life-line and the only time they were able to really be themselves. Some were there alone and hiding the truth from their families.

This initial, enlightening meeting set me on a path that would ultimately lead to two documentaries, filming over the best part of two years, to new friendships and a steep learning curve about the diverse individuals who come under the transgender umbrella.

Attending the 2016 Bafta Cymru Awards where ‘Swansea Sparkle: A Transgender Story’ was nominated for best single documentary. From left to right: Rhian, Paul (Sadie), Molly, Llyr, Diane

With Sadie’s help, I started exploring whose stories to tell in the first documentary - ‘Swansea Sparkle: A Transgender Story’- and that’s when I first made contact with the family of 15 year old Llyr Jones from near Aberystwyth in west Wales.

Llyr comes from a traditional Welsh-speaking farming family and had only recently identified herself as transgender. I realised how courageous it was for Llyr to take this step in such a rural community where her situation was certainly not ‘the norm’.

Her mum Diane had contacted Sadie asking for advice and in the first programme we saw Llyr dress as a girl in public for the first time when she attended ‘Swansea Sparkle’, Wales’ biggest transgender event. This shy girl made quite an impression that night, winning the title of ‘Miss Swansea Sparkle 2015’. It boosted her confidence enormously.

We also saw how her mum, Diane, and father, Huw, were coping with the changes. Diane was taking a very practical approach and Llyr had confided in her early on. She was determined to support Llyr and learn about the transition process.

Llyr Jones and her mum Diane share a joke during filming for ‘Sweet Sixteen: A Transgender Story’

For Huw, a traditional cattle farmer, I could see it was a baptism of fire. The word ‘transgender’ was alien to him. He was struggling to come to terms with the thought of his son becoming his daughter and he feared the reaction from the community. He thought they would all be ostracised.

My first interview with Huw in his cattle shed really moved me. You could see the dilemma etched on his face. Llyr being transgender had blindsided him and yet he said he always knew that Llyr was ‘different’ and that all of the things he had noticed about Llyr growing up weres now starting to make sense. I knew that having Huw in the programme was vital. He truly embodied the internal ‘dilemma’ faced by parents and his questions and concerns would likely mirror those of some of the audience who would also be learning about transgender.

After the first programme was broadcast in March 2016, Huw realised that his fears had been unfounded. The community generally reacted well and the various generations of his own family have slowly accepted Llyr too.

Soon after that programme, I pitched a follow-up documentary that would continue to track Llyr’s transition in the year that she turned 16: ‘Sweet Sixteen: A Transgender Story’.

I’m so glad that BBC Wales supported the idea, as over the last year I have seen Llyr flourish from a shy 15 year old to a confident young woman who is bravely carving out her own destiny.

Throughout, my goal was to reflect the truth; the joy and the uncertainty that they all experienced. Huw remains a very honest voice about the struggle he has faced. There is no ‘handbook’ on how you react and cope in their situation but Huw and Diane have done the very best they can for Llyr. The three of them are such strong and contrasting individuals but together they are a robust family unit.

When you spend this much time with a family, you get to know them, care about them and there is a real trust formed. I feel privileged to have been able to tell their story. I will be staying in touch with Llyr, Diane and Huw and I very much hope that Llyr’s future will be as she hopes, “surrounded by people she loves and happy”.

Sweet Sixteen: A Transgender Story is available now on BBCiPlayer

Could your experience of disability inspire a Casualty storyline?

2017-05-05T12:56:50+00:00

Telling stories about real people in real situations, with integrity and truth, is something that matters to all of us at Casualty. And as the show moves forward into its fourth decade (series 32 is just round the corner) it’s a principle that still inspires our team of writers, producers and actors at the BBC’s drama village at Roath Lock in Cardiff Bay. We are very proud that the show is made in Wales.

It’s estimated that 1 in 4 people in Wales are disabled or have a long-term health condition. This summer, Casualty is trialling a new scheme, funded by BBC Wales, asking disabled people here to share their stories with us. We would love you to get involved.

We are asking disabled people living in Wales to write or record their personal experiences, both the extraordinary and the everyday, and send them to the Casualty team. The people whose stories are shortlisted will be invited to spend time with our team of scriptwriters at Roath Lock. Working together, some of those real-life tales will be turned into storylines, which may be filmed and broadcast in future episodes of Casualty.

We are interested in hearing from disabled people, and people with long term health conditions, and/or their friends, families and carers. You don’t need to have any previous media experience – just an interesting story to tell.

To send in your story, please complete the story submission form that you can download from this page. It also contains more information about the scheme.

Email your completed form, including your story, to casualtysubmissions@bbc.co.uk or post it to:
Casualty One in Four Campaign, Zone 5, BBC Cymru Wales, Roath Lock, Porth Teigr, Cardiff, CF10 4GA.

You can also share your story by emailing a video or audio recording, along with the completed form.

The deadline for submissions is Friday 19th May 2017.

Please note we will only be able to consider applications from people currently living in Wales. If the scheme is successful, we hope we might be able to expand it in future.

For info: We are hoping to meet contributors whose stories have been shortlisted on Monday 5th June 2017.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Gall eich profiad chi o anabledd ysbrydoli stori ar Casualty?

Mae adrodd straeon am bobl go iawn mewn sefyllfaoedd go iawn, yn ddidwyll a gyda gwirionedd, yn rhywbeth sy’n bwysig iawn i ni i gyd yn Casualty. Ac wrth i’r rhaglen symud yn ei blaen i’w phedwerydd degawd (mae cyfres 32 ar y gorwel), mae’n egwyddor sy’n dal i ysbrydoli ein tîm o awduron, cynhyrchwyr ac actorion ym mhentref drama'r BBC ym Mhorth y Rhath ym Mae Caerdydd. Rydym yn falch iawn bod y rhaglen yn cael ei gwneud yng Nghymru.

Amcangyfrifir bod 1 o bob 4 o bobl yng Nghymru’n anabl neu mae ganddynt gyflwr iechyd tymor hir. Yr haf yma, mae Casualty yn treialu cynllun newydd, sy’n cael ei gyllido gan BBC Cymru Wales, yn gofyn i bobl anabl yng Nghymru rannu eu straeon gyda ni. Byddem wrth ein bodd pe baech yn cymryd rhan.

Rydym yn gofyn i bobl anabl sy’n byw yng Nghymru ysgrifennu neu gofnodi eu profiadau personol, boed yn rhai rhyfeddol neu gyffredin, a’u hanfon at dîm Casualty. Bydd y bobl â’u straeon sy’n cyrraedd y rhestr fer yn derbyn gwahoddiad i dreulio amser gyda’n tîm o sgriptwyr ym Mhorth y Rhath. Trwy gydweithio, bydd rhai o’r straeon gwir hyn yn cael eu troi’n straeon yn y gyfres, a’u ffilmio a’u darlledu o bosib ar gyfer penodau o Casualty yn y dyfodol.

Mae gennym ddiddordeb mewn cael clywed gan bobl anabl, a phobl sydd â chyflyrau iechyd tymor hir, a/neu eu ffrindiau, eu teuluoedd a’u gofalwyr. Does dim angen unrhyw brofiad blaenorol o’r cyfryngau - dim ond stori ddiddorol i’w dweud.

I anfon eich stori atom ni, llenwch y ffurflen cyflwyno stori sydd ar gael i’w lawrlwytho o’r dudalen yma. Mae hefyd yn cynnwys mwy o wybodaeth am y cynllun.

Anfonwch eich ffurflen wedi’i llenwi, gan gynnwys eich stori, i casualtysubmissions@bbc.co.uk neu ei hanfon drwy’r post i:
Ymgyrch Un Mewn Pedwar Casualty, Parth 5, BBC Cymru Wales, Porth y Rhath, Porth Teigr, Caerdydd, CF10 4GA.

Hefyd cewch rannu eich stori drwy anfon fideo neu recordiad sain ar e-bost, gyda'r ffurflen wedi’i llenwi.

Y dyddiad cau ar gyfer cyflwyno yw dydd Gwener 19eg Mai 2017.

Sylwer mai dim ond ceisiadau gan bobl sy’n byw yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd fyddwn ni’n gallu eu hystyried. Os bydd y cynllun yn llwyddiannus, rydym yn gobeithio gallu ei ehangu yn y dyfodol o bosib.

Er gwybodaeth: Rydym yn gobeithio cyfarfod y cyfranwyr y bydd eu straeon wedi cyrraedd y rhestr fer ddydd Llun 5ed Mehefin 2017.

Edrychwn ymlaen at glywed gennych chi!

Judgement Day V - “plenty of intriguing sub plots to keep a rugby purist enthralled”

2017-04-13T14:29:41+00:00

Now let’s be honest with ourselves Judgment Day is not a great name. It’s certainly not the name I would have chosen to describe a Welsh regional double header. To be fair, given the opportunity to right the wrongs of my parents I probably wouldn’t have called myself Gareth either.

Judgment Day has become an event that attracts ‘eventers’. Supporters who might not attend regional rugby matches on other occasions and who are in the market for an experience beyond the actual matches being played in front of them. Attendances have grown year on year and indications are that Judgement Day V on Saturday will get within touching distance of a sell out.

Whilst Judgement Day V is not apocalyptic in its urgency there are plenty of intriguing sub plots to keep a rugby purist enthralled. Warren Gatland names his Lions squad on Wednesday and whilst it would be foolish to suggest that he’s about to make significant changes to his plan this late in the day, a performance on Saturday could well seal a players’ fate.

As for consequences, both the Scarlets and the Ospreys are within touching distance of the top-4 play offs and a win is a must if they’re to keep their post-season hopes alive. The Ospreys – for much of the season the embodiment of consistency – are in freefall having lost 3 consecutive matches, all of which they could and should have won. They face a rejuvenated Blues side in the Scrum V game for what appears to be the closest of both matches.

As for us on Clwb Rygbi we feature the Scarlets against the Dragons. Beyond the clichéd concept of unpredictable derbies it’s nigh on impossible to make the case for a dragons victory. An uncertain future off the field is coupled by a series of depressingly predictable results on it. They face a Scarlets side who have won 13 of their last 15 league matches.

So back to that name. In 2001 the Royal Mail became known as The Post Office. The rationale being that the new branding was clearer, crisper and less, well, regal. It was a disaster. The public had grown accustomed to the original name and cared little for what the words meant in a literal sense, rather what the brand represented. A year later the company reverted back to the Royal Mail. Judgment day is now a brand and as much as I’d like to suggest “The Welsh Regional Derby Double-Header Spectacular” is far more representative of the actual product, let’s stick with Judgment Day and see what happens.

BBC One Wales presents the first of two huge Welsh Pro12 derbies on Saturday with Scrum V Live: Blues vs Ospreys from 2.30pm
S4C provides live coverage of the second showdown from 5pm Saturday on Clwb Rygbi as the Newport Gwent Dragons take on the Scarlets

Dydd y Farn V

Na nid rhaglen gwis ar ITV2 na ffilm diweddara Arnold Schwarzenegger mo Dydd y Farn, ond y teitl a ddewisiwyd ar gyfer darbis rhanbarthol Cymru bnawn Sadwrn. Â phob parch, baswn i wedi dewis enw gwahanol, ond wedi dweud hynny, o gael y cyfle eto basw’n i ddim di galw’n hunan yn Gareth chwaith.

Gêm y Dreigiau yn erbyn Y Scarlets fydd yn cael ein sylw ni ar Y Clwb Rygbi. Nawr, ma’ na ystradebau di-ri yn cael eu defnyddio wrth ddisgrifio gemau darbis ‘da’r mwyarfif yn awrgymu bod calon ac angerdd yn golygu cymaint os nad mwy na thalent a safon tîm. Dyna i ni’n ei obeithio fel darlledwyr di-duedd sydd eisiau gweld gem gystadleuol oherwydd, ar bapur, ma’n ffinio ar yr amhosib i roi unrhyw obaith ar obeithion y dreigiau. Mae’r rhanbarth yn wynbeu dyfodol ansicr oddi ar y cae, tra bo’ na sicrwydd cyson i’w canlyniade ar y maes chwarae: colli, tro ar ôl tro. O rhan eu gwrthwynebwyr: ma’r Scarlets ‘di ennill 13 o’u 15 gem ddiweddara’ ac yn targedu lle yn y pedwar uchaf.

Mis yn ôl, ro’dd gweld Y Gweilch yn gorffen yn y pedwar ucha ‘na yn ymddangos fel sicrwydd cadarn i’r Gweilch. Ond ma’r rhanbarth yn bagu o un clwyd i’r nesa. Fydda nhw’n wynebu’r Gleision yn fyw ar Scrum V. Er bod tymor tîm Danny Wilson ar ben i bob cyrfi’ ry’ ni di gweld adfywiad diweddar yn eu perfformiadau. Ma’ proffwydo canlyniad y gem yma lawer anoddach.

Ac i ychwanegu at speis y penwythnos, dyma’r cyfle ola un i greu argraff ar Warren Gatland cyn ei fod e’n cyhoeddi carfan Y Llewod. Bydd chwaraewyr megis Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams a Justin Tipuric yn ymwybodol y galle perfformiad ar y penwythnos sicrhau eu lle ar yr awyren.

Felly, yn ôl at yr enw. Yn 2001 newidiodd y Royal Mail ei enw The Post Office. Y meddylfryd oedd fod y brandio newydd yn gliriach, symlach a llai brenhinol. Roedd hyn yn benderfyniad trychinebus. Roedd y cyhoedd wedi arfer â’r hen enw ac yn poeni dim am ystyr llythrennol y geiriau, dim ond am yr hyn oedd y brand yn ei gynrychioli. Blwyddyn yn ddiweddarach, aeth yr enw nôl i The Roayl Mail. Mae Dydd y Farn bellach yn frand, ac er y bysai rhai ohonom ni’n dymuno gweld enw ychydig yn fwy teilwng a disgrifiadol - y gorau sy’ gen I i’w gynnig yw “Diwrnod gemau derbi rhanbarthol Cymru yn Stadwim y Principality”. Dydd y Farn amdani.

BBC One Wales sy’n cyflwyno’r ornest cyntaf o’r Pro 12 Cymreig ar ddydd Sadwrn gyda Scrum V Live: Gleision v Gweilch o 2.30pm.
S4C sy’n darparu’r ail ornest yn fyw ar Clwb Rygbi dydd Sadwrn am 5pm wrth i’r Scarlets wynebu Dreigiau Gwent.

Living life on the coast: Glamorgan Coastal Lives

2017-04-06T08:42:45+00:00

Working on a series like Glamorgan Coastal Lives, you have to be prepared to throw yourself into anything and everything from filming fishing in the most remote parts of the Glamorgan coast in torrential rain and wind (in August), following young lifeguards on their first day of patrol in baking hot sunshine (also in August) to riding the big wheel in Barry Island Pleasure Park when you’re scared of heights! It also involved tasting weird and wonderful craft beer brewed with ingredients from the coast (including seaweed!), making friends with hundreds of little four-legged dachshunds, to filming in a unique lived-in castle dating back to 1180. These are just a few stories you’ll see in the series.

Leanne (Producer and Director) and I (Assistant Producer) had never met each other, let alone worked together before we started on this series! But over four months last year, the coast became our playground and the contributors, our friends.

During our time filming we found that the Glamorgan Coast was home to some truly spectacular landscapes, charming and historical buildings as well as wonderful, kind and funny people. All of our lovely contributors let us film with them from morning to night, during ups and downs, from planned events to some unexpected catastrophes (watch out for the giant veg!) they let us in and trusted us, the film crew, to tell their story.

One young couple making their mark on the world who feature in the series are Craig and Aimee from Barry Island, aka ‘Kinging It’. ‘Kinging-it’ is their approach to life, they rule their own lives by being their own bosses, they travel the world and document everything via vlogs, they’ve become incredibly well known all over the world, with thousands of followers across all social media.

Their pure determination to be who they want to be and do what they want to do stems from the two of them experiencing difficult times. In 2008 when they first met, Aimee was diagnosed with cancer and Craig broke his neck when in New Zealand. Thankfully they both recovered, decided life is too short and took the world by storm! And they haven’t stopped since. After travelling in 2015 they took a short break in 2016 and returned to Barry Island to save money, before jet setting off again. Thankfully for us, they were home just at the right time.

They worked with different local authorities around Wales, and with Visit Wales vlogging from different Welsh attractions including when we followed them around the Vale.

Filming with Craig & Aimee was a lot of fun! Their enthusiasm and love for life is both inspiring and intoxicating. They threw themselves into all kinds of experiences from paddle boarding for the first time, paint balling, karting and they even went under the needle for tattoos! They showed us around Barry Island in all its glory, proved how hard they work to get what they want, and illustrate what you can do when you set your heart and mind to it. They’ve introduced Wales to the vlogging world. (They worked so hard in Wales they’re now vlogging from The Philippines!)

Filming an observation documentary like this takes a lot of time and effort from both the crew and contributors, but when you have a mixture of the right stories and characters it makes life that little bit easier, especially working on a beautiful coastline.
Be wary though, if you venture out to visit the Glamorgan Coast, take a tip from us – remember your muddy walking boots, sun cream, wet weather gear, picnic rug, umbrella, sandals (you’ll never be able to second guess the weather – believe us, we’ve been there!) and don’t forget your camera.

Glamorgan Coastal Lives begins on Friday 7 April at 7.30pm on BBC One Wales.

BBC Cymru a Phrifysgol Caerdydd: Pam bod dod at ein gilydd yn newyddion da i newyddiaduraeth

2017-02-27T17:23:36+00:00

Dydi rôl newyddiaduraeth mewn cymdeithas agored erioed wedi bod yn gymaint o destun trafod. Mae hawl dinasyddion i gael mynediad at newyddiaduraeth diduedd, sydd yn mynd ar ôl y gwir gydag egni a dewrder yn bwysicach nag erioed. A’r hyn sy’n bwysig i’r BBC yng Nghymru, yw ein gallu i ddenu a datblygu unigolion sydd â dawn dweud â’r awydd i ddod o hyd i’r hyn sy’n annisgwyl ac yn gudd.

Felly, dwi wrth fy modd ein bod heddiw yn cyhoeddi partneriaeth newydd sylweddol gydag Ysgol Newyddiaduraeth, y Cyfryngau ac Astudiaethau Diwylliannol Prifysgol Caerdydd - gyda’r ddau sefydliad yn adleoli ochr yn ochr yn Sgwâr Canolog yng nghanol Caerdydd i greu un o’r canolfannau newyddiaduraeth mwyaf cyffrous ac arloesol yn Ewrop.

Yn ogystal â bod yn gymdogion, byddwn yn rhannu gwybodaeth, profiad ac arbenigedd gwerthfawr yn ogystal â’r cyfleusterau, ymchwil a’r adnoddau diweddaraf. Byddwn yn cydweithio i hyrwyddo gwerthoedd a moesau newyddion wrth gwrs, ond bydd y campws newydd hefyd yn ein galluogi i gydweithio i ddatblygu dulliau newyddiadurol newydd, arloesol - ar draws cyfryngau cymdeithasol, llwyfannau cymunedol a phlatfformau a dyfeisiau symudol.

Mae’n ddatblygiad amserol hefyd. Mae’r ffordd y mae pobl yn cael eu newyddion yn fwy cymhleth ac amrywiol nag erioed o’r blaen. Yn ôl Ofcom, mae 36% bellach yn derbyn eu newyddion yn bennaf ar eu ffonau symudol - technoleg oedd yn gofyn i chi gario pac ar eich cefn pan ddechreuais i fy hyfforddiant newyddiaduraeth gyda Phrifysgol Caerdydd bron i 25 mlynedd yn ôl.

Alla i ddim dychmygu partner gwell drws nesaf i ni yn y Sgwâr Canolog. ‘Da ni’n rhannu’r un ymrwymiad i newyddiaduraeth a chreadigrwydd, a’r swyddogaeth hanfodol sydd i’r ddau yn ein bywyd cenedlaethol. Bydd gweithio ochr yn ochr, mewn ffordd ymarferol iawn hefyd yn ein cynorthwyo i gryfhau’r cysylltiad wrth i ni gydweithio i hyfforddi a datblygu’r genhedlaeth nesaf o newyddiadurwyr a gweithwyr proffesiynol yn y cyfryngau.

A byddwn yn adeiladu ar berthynas waith sy’n ymestyn yn ôl ddegawdau, diolch i raglen o gyfleoedd hyfforddiant proffesiynol newyddiadurol. Edrychwch ar gyn-fyfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd sydd bellach yn newyddiadurwyr i’r BBC - Alan Johnston, Laura Trevelyan, Manish Bhasin a Ben Brown, yn ogystal â Jason Mohammad a Behnaz Akhgar yn BBC Cymru.

Wrth gwrs, nid dim ond i’r ddau bartner y mae’r bartneriaeth hon yn bwysig. Dwi’n credu y bydd yn cryfhau newyddiaduriaeth ddinesig gyda phwrpas cyhoeddus ar draws Cymru. A dyw hynny erioed wedi bod yn bwysicach.

BBC Cymru Wales and Cardiff University: Why joining forces at Central Square is good news for journalism

2017-02-27T09:43:17+00:00

The role of journalism in an open society has never been more hotly debated. The right of citizens to access impartial journalism that pursues the truth with real vigour and courage has never been more important. And for the BBC in Wales, what really matters is that we can attract and develop the finest storytellers with an appetite to dig out the unexpected and the hidden.

So I’m delighted that today we’re announcing the development of a major new partnership with Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies – with both institutions relocating alongside one another in Central Square in Cardiff city centre to create one of the most exciting and innovative journalism campuses anywhere in Europe.

As well as being next-door neighbours, we’ll be sharing valuable knowledge, experience and expertise as well as the latest facilities, research and resources. We’ll work together to promote and champion news values and ethics of course, but the new campus will also enable us to work together to develop innovative new journalism approaches – across social media, community-led and mobile devices and platforms.

It’s a timely development too. The way people consume news is more complex and diverse than ever before. According to Ofcom, 36% of people now get their news primarily from their mobile phones – a technology that required you to carry a backpack when I started my own journalism training with Cardiff University almost 25 years ago.

I really can’t imagine a better partner to have right alongside us at Central Square. We each share such a long-standing commitment to journalism and creativity, and the vital role both play at the heart of our national life. Joining forces in a very practical way will help us to strengthen our bond as we work together to train and develop the next generation of journalists and media professionals.

And we'll be building on a working relationship stretching back decades, thanks to a long-standing programme of professional training journalism internships. Just look at the Cardiff University alumni who’ve gone on to prominent roles as BBC journalists during their careers - Alan Johnston, Laura Trevelyan, Manish Bhasin and Ben Brown, as well as BBC Wales’ own Jason Mohammad and Behnaz Akhgar.

Of course, this partnership isn’t just important for the two partners. I believe it can help strengthen civic, public-spirited journalism across Wales. And that’s never mattered more.

Behnaz Akhgar, Gwenllian Glyn and Cardiff University Students

Of course, this partnership isn’t just important for the two partners. I believe it can help strengthen civic, public-spirited journalism across Wales. And that’s never mattered more.

Beti and David: Caring for someone with dementia

2017-02-13T10:07:47+00:00

Beti and David: Lost for Words - is a programme focusing on caring for someone with dementia

David (Parry-Jones) was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s over eight years ago. He’d been a journalist, news and current affairs presenter, and rugby commentator at BBC Wales - “The Voice of Welsh Rugby”. His life from a very young age had revolved around words. Ironically they were the first to go when the disease took hold.

I, Beti (George), David’s partner and carer, am so often lost for words at serious failings in dementia care. I’m a “veteran” broadcaster and with this programme I’ve been given a voice for the tens of thousands of family carers who save the UK billions of pounds a year. There are 55,000 people with dementia in Wales and the cost of caring for them is £700m a year, with two thirds of that being met by carers and families. (Alzheimer’s Society’s figures)

It’s a Sunday morning and I’m sharing my thoughts with you. I’ve had one of those very rare lie-ins because I over-indulged “my quality time” last night watching missed episodes of the Homeland series. It was way past midnight when I joined David, who’d gone to bed around 10 o’clock.

I knew there’d be a price to pay. He no longer gets up in the night to go to the toilet. He woke up this morning at around 7.30. But as I didn’t move he went back to sleep. Two hours later it was time to get up. Soaking pyjamas, bed pads and duvet cover. His personal incontinent pants and pads almost dry as usual! A mystery that no one seems to be able to solve, which is perplexing in this day and age of technical miracles! He’s provided with certain pads but a fortune is spent on buying others, that cost more and that claim “100% leakage proof”, and on waterproof duvet and pillow covers. Of course issues to do with toileting are not discussed enthusiastically!

Time to get the washing machine going for the first time today. There will be more.

David distressed. Tears rolling. Dignity challenged. Patience and hugs administered. All is well in the warm comforting shower and smiles and humour return.

An hour and a half later - breakfast. Feeling I’ve already done a day’s work! Thinking of professional carers who do this, day in day out, for a pittance. Until they’re paid a decent wage for one of the hardest jobs going, care services will always be second or even third rate.

He eats his cereal and fruit with gusto!

Now it’s medication time - another challenge. He gave up on swallowing tablets years ago. So every medicine has to be in liquid or dispersible form. I hide one of his tablets in a blackberry with his cereal. He has to take painkillers for his bad hip. So 15mil of one is put in a glass of apple juice because he won’t take it neat. The other is Calpol, which is dispensed for children. He, as an adult, has to take 4 at a time. Why oh why don’t these pharmaceutical companies take into account the needs of people with dementia! If only I ruled the world!

An x-ray has shown that his right hip joint has completely disintegrated. The dilemma facing me is whether a new joint would be the answer - it would certainly relieve him of the excruciating pain which he endures at times. Or else to manage the pain with medication. I’ve chosen the latter. So fingers crossed…

Tomorrow morning, Paul - David’s carer and “mate”, will be here to help out as he does every weekday morning since last October. For the first time in eight years I was assessed and it was decided that support was needed. 36 hours a week. Or as a friend pointed out - a day and a half! Paul does 24 hrs and we’re still on the look-out for another carer to do the rest. Not easy – they’re in such short supply.

The day itself passes without incident. The Wales v Italy match is on. David sleeps through most of it, but does wake up at times and will applaud a bit of skilled running or tackling by a player in red. But asks several times who’s playing!

All is calm until about 9 o’clock (apart from some contrary behaviour in the bathroom!) Now it’s time to prepare for bed.

It takes between an hour and three hours and I miss good programmes on the telly! Books and concerts and opera and theatre are no-go areas for me now.

But hey - why am I complaining! I take care of David because I care for him. He’s not a burden.

And life for thousands out there is much tougher than mine.

However, I’d argue that it’s time to think again about dementia care which includes caring for the carer in a meaningful way. Let’s start a revolution! I have ideas!