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Home , BBC 2W, BBC Two Wales, Cardiff Castle, Ffeil, Gwynfor Evans, Meinir Gwilym

Highlights across our Services

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Dragon’s Eye has continued its scrutiny of the political Pawb a’i Farn, the current affairs debate programme, scene, with the programme finding strong new lines is an important forum for discussion for audiences in on key stories such as the Arts Council of different parts of the country. It began a seven week funding row, the availability of the breast cancer drug run in March with a visit to Penygroes, followed by News and Current Affairs Herceptin, and the latest chapter in the debate on Trimsaran.The special programme on the Welfare the Welsh quangos. State to coincide with ’s week of programmes on the topic, Er Lles Pawb, resulted in lively debate. In January the Radio Wales business programme In April 2005 the deaths of two distinguished politicians, Wales@work took the Best Regional Broadcast award Both English and online news services Lord Callaghan of and ’s first MP at the annual Work Foundation Work World Awards, have continued to attract growing numbers of users, and party president, Gwynfor Evans, were covered which celebrate UK excellence in journalism on work, with an increase of 72 per cent in unique users of extensively. Later in the year BBC Cymru Wales business, management and economics issues. English language online news (comparing March 2005 produced a two-part programme on Gwynfor Evans with March 2006) and 14.7 per cent in unique users for S4C. Gwynfor:Yr Aelod dros Gymru? was critically Radio Wales’ Good Morning Wales reporter Jessie of Welsh language online news. acclaimed and in April 2006 won the Gwyn Alf Swinburn won the radio reporter prize at the 1 Williams BAFTA Cymru prize for the programme annual Race in the Media Awards, organised by the Developments in broadcast technology are bringing which had made the biggest contribution to the Commission for Racial Equality.The judges praised about changes to the way in which BBC Cymru Wales BBC Cymru Wales’ News and Current Affairs understanding of Welsh history during 2005. her profile of a young asylum seeker who’d been gathers and broadcasts its news output and interacts services provide audiences throughout Wales with racially abused on arrival in Wales. with its audiences. No less important are the basic

3 a comprehensive and trusted source of news and The General Election in April 2005 brought the journalistic skills which underpin BBC Cymru Wales 5 4

analysis on television, radio and online, in both extraordinary story of the late Peter Law, who Comprehensive coverage of UK and world events news services, and in collaboration with the BBC 3 Welsh and English. succeeded as an independent candidate in winning for on S4C included the death of Pope College of Journalism, new courses are being devised Blaenau Gwent – one of the safest Labour seats John Paul II, the wedding of HRH The Prince of Wales and piloted to support and develop those skills. One of the biggest events of the year was the royal in the UK. and Camilla Parker Bowles and the earthquake opening of the National Assembly’s building in Pakistan. In the run-up to the General Election 1 Taro Naw:Aled Huw reporting from New Orleans on 1 March 2006.Throughout the day BBC Cymru During the year BBC Cymru Wales reported on Newyddion provided extensive coverage of the 2 Huw Edwards bringing coverage of the royal opening of the Senedd Wales provided extensive coverage across all output stories which were of concern to communities across campaign, whilst the Pawb a’i Farn team produced and on S4C, with live broadcasts from the specially Wales, including the E.coli outbreak in the Valleys, the four election debate programmes from various parts built studios floating on pontoons in , an cryptosporidium bug which affected people in north of Wales.The special programme by Ffeil aimed at extended , and reports which reflected west Wales, the Welsh Rugby Union and the Wales introducing the election and its issues to young people, the views of audiences across the country. coach controversy and concerns over the intention to Ffeil a’r Ffactor X, generated considerable interest in build a liquefied natural gas terminal in Milford Haven. the Netherlands and Germany via the Youth News Exchange organised by the European Broadcasting Union. Television

1 High Hopes 2 Owain Glyndwˆ r:The Last Welsh Prince BBC One Wales, 3 On Show: Jan Morris at 80 BBC Two Wales

and BBC 2W 2 3

1 On St David’s Day BBC Cymru Wales took over the BBC One Wales schedule almost entirely in peaktime, with uninterrupted programmes from Wales from 6.30pm to 10.00pm and two programmes covering the royal opening of the at lunchtime and late evening. Programmes ranged from Iolo Williams Flying with Kites and Cilla Black Coming Home to the landmark documentary Owain Glyndwˆ r:The Last Welsh Prince (presented by Huw Edwards), as well as the BBC Cymru Wales brought programmes of distinction and relevance to culmination of The Big Welsh Challenge, the entertaining audiences in Wales throughout the year. Landmark series included Wales at War series in which celebrities teamed up with mentors

3 with John Humphrys and Wales: the Making of a People presented by Sian Williams. to learn Welsh.Viewing figures demonstrated the 7 6

Natural history presenter Iolo Williams delighted audiences with two series, value placed by audiences on this day of special 3 Canals of Wales with Iolo Williams and Iolo’s Welsh Safari, as well as the award winning programming, with almost a million people seeing programme Iolo Williams Flying with Kites. Comedy series High Hopes attracted an at least some of the day’s output. ever-growing audience, and the return of Belonging for its sixth series demonstrated the enduring appeal of this highly-charged drama. The arts strand On Show brought a range of documentaries to BBC Two Wales during the year, Weston’s Forgotten Army was an important film, in which Simon Weston conveyed focusing on subjects as diverse as author Jan Morris harrowing testimony from veterans of the Second World War in the Far East.Two in her eightieth year, the Brangwyn Panels in Swansea, documentary series resonated in particular with audiences: Teenage Mams provided the 2006 Artes Mundi prize and entertainers Ryan insights into the lives of young Welsh mothers; Valleys, narrated by Huw Edwards, and Ronnie. was an eye-catching and thought-provoking series. X-Ray tackled a range of consumer issues which engaged a broad audience. BBC Cymru Wales on S4C 1 O Flaen Dy Lygaid 2 Jonathan: guest Bryn Terfel 3 Gwynfor:Yr Aelod Dros Gymru? 4 Pobol y Cwm

The series O Flaen Dy Lygaid continued to produce powerful documentaries, with the programme on the Second World War, Y Byd yn Fflam, resonating particularly strongly with the audience.

Jonathan, the chat show with the unique Welsh rugby club atmosphere returned for a New Year’s Eve special from the Pop Factory, Porth. Jonathan Davies, Eleri Siôn, Rowland Phillips, Nigel Owens and their guests celebrated an unforgettable year for Welsh rugby in Grand Slam style.

In its 31st year the ever popular Pobol y Cwm tackled some challenging storylines. At the beginning of 2006 1 the subject of an attempted suicide was treated with sensitivity and produced powerful performances The National was once again one of BBC Cymru Wales’ most complex from the cast. In March the focus switched to Owen operations across all media. Coverage of the week’s events for S4C was more Morgan, the local minister who has been a part of comprehensive than ever, with the team of presenters bringing competitions and the Cwmderi community for the past two years and features to both analogue and digital viewers. By special arrangement with the whose behaviour becomes increasingly erratic Eisteddfod two live concerts were added to the output.The first was the opening following the murder of a prostitute. ceremony and concert featuring Catrin Finch and local male voice choirs.The second featured Bryn Terfel and the Eisteddfod youth choir performing a new work by Robat Arwyn, Er Hwylio’r Haul. Over Christmas S4C broadcast the Bryn 3 Fôn concert which had received an enthusiastic response from the almost capacity audience in the pavilion on the Monday night of the Eisteddfod.

3 A highlight of the year was the award-winning two-part documentary on the life 9 8

and work of the late Gwynfor Evans, Plaid Cymru’s first MP and party president. 3 Gwynfor:Yr Aelod Dros Gymru? was based on the research of Rhys Evans for his biography of the subject and in the programmes Gwynfor Evans’ party colleagues and political opponents spoke frankly about his ambitions and his character. Of particular value were the contributions of his family and the unique archive footage they were able to provide.

2 4 Radio Radio Cymru

It was a very successful year for Radio Cymru.The station not only attracted more listeners but also won the Radio Station of the Year award at the Celtic Film and Television Festival.

Radio Cymru broadcast from major events including the National Eisteddfod, the Urdd Eisteddfod and Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau and, in collaboration with S4C, visited several agricultural shows and carnivals around Wales. Radio Cymru’s public events such as Mawredd Mawr, where listeners get the opportunity to choose their favourite songs, and Gwobrau RAP, the award ceremony for Welsh rock and pop groups, went from strength to strength.The station was also fully involved in the Here for You! initiatives throughout the year.

The evening programme C2 continued to target the youth audience.There was an enthusiastic response to Brwydr Bandiau Mentrau Iaith Cymru ac C2 Radio Cymru, with young bands competing for the prize of best band. C2 also went on tour around Welsh schools in collaboration with the S4C television programme Bandit and the Welsh Language Board. Radio Cymru’s search for new presenters continued, and during the year the popular singer Meinir Gwilym joined Dylan Wyn to co-present the 3–5pm daily programme. 1 Ray Gravell and Siân Thomas broadcast daily programmes in south west Wales, where audiences for Radio Cymru programmes have doubled since the launching of the ‘opt out’ in the region.

Having seen an increase of 50% in the number of listeners under 35, Radio Cymru has begun to target the audience in their 30’s, 40’s and early 50’s on Saturday mornings. Richard Rees returned to the station with a programme full of musical memories and a new series Cofio was launched, focusing on BBC Cymru Wales’ 1 Radio Wales In Concert: Katie Melua © Julian Castaldi Welsh language archive. 2 Radio Cymru: Meinir Gwilym leading walk in Amlwch, 3 Dafydd Du at Anglesey roadshow 4 Hywel Gwynfryn and Nia Roberts Radio Cymru recorded choirs across Wales for the competition Cystadleuaeth Corau Radio Cymru. As part of its rich mix of programming, the station broadcast a number of new plays, as well as a range of weekly features, several new comedy series and current affairs programmes which focused on Welsh affairs.

4 Continuing its provision of Welsh and international news, Radio Cymru responded quickly to important events 1 0

such as the death of Pope John Paul II, the London bombings and the death of Gwynfor Evans. Extensive 4 coverage of the General Election included an all night results programme.

2 3 4 2 Radio Wales New Media

It has been another successful year for Radio Wales, Comedy series The LL Files continued to entertain Interactive tours of the Senedd, the new Welsh which played a full role in the Here for You! initiatives listeners and new comedy talent was nurtured through Assembly building, were created and launched in in Butetown, , Aberdare and Anglesey. the commissioning of six pilots. A third series of the Welsh and English on St David’s Day within dedicated award winning DIY was also commissioned. Assembly/Senedd sites. The station brought the flavour and excitement of national events to its listeners, broadcasting from the Live music was supported by the regular In Concert Over five hundred people have now made stories in Hay Festival, Llangollen International Eisteddfod, the slot and featured some of the biggest names in rock BBC Cymru Wales digital storytelling workshops since National Eisteddfod, the Children in Need concert and pop.Two intimate concerts with Kathryn Jenkins the Capture Wales/Cipolwg ar Gymru project launched in Wrexham and the Royal Horticultural Society and Katie Melua gave Radio Wales listeners the Audiences for the BBC Cymru Wales web services in 2001. A further four hundred stories have been Flower Show in Cardiff, and also participated in opportunity to participate as the studio audience. increased significantly, with an average weekly audience produced by partner organisations across Wales. Many National Poetry Week and the BBC Coast project. The station also provided full coverage of the of one million users for the English language service stories were broadcast on television and radio during Live 8 concert. A series of ten concerts featuring and 45,000 for the Welsh language service by March the course of the year. Sports highlights included extensive coverage of Wales’ the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) 2006, representing a 62% and 39% growth respectively successful 2005 Grand Slam Campaign, with previews was broadcast in the autumn. Frank Hennessy wrote during the financial year. Over 40,000 people visited the BBC Cymru Wales from Scotland and a whole morning of programming the Song for Cardiff which he recorded with BBC buses and community studios during the year; taking from Cardiff on the day of the last game against Ireland. NOW and Heather Jones and presented to the City The five English language Where I Live regional websites part in TV and radio programmes, contributing to A specially commissioned programme Grand Slam of Cardiff for the Cardiff 2005 centenary celebrations. continue to grow apace, becoming more local and BBC Cymru Wales websites and learning how to access Remembered was broadcast within days of Wales’ dynamic. By March 2006 more than 100 town sites new digital media. A major objective for the year was victory. Coverage of Wales Football League Clubs was Radio Wales provided full coverage of the General had been launched, providing a home for the increasing to substantially increase the number of radio broadcasts provided on FM split frequencies so that local people Election including an all night results programme. number of articles, photographs and comments made from the buses and this was achieved, with 31 could hear their team in action every time they played. It brought extensive coverage of the official submitted by enthusiastic users. Each site takes pride broadcasts between January and March 2006 reflecting The closure of the historic Vetch Field in Swansea was commemoration of the end of World War II from in delivering distinctive projects to suit its region; from the development in this area. marked by a specially commissioned documentary. Cardiff Castle. Religious programmes continued to accounts and analysis of the Sea Empress disaster and win prestigious awards. its impact 10 years on to a behind-the-scenes blog at The station played its part in the Africa Lives on the Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival, to the Streets of the BBC season, when Frank Hennessy and Radio Many more members joined the Chris Needs Friendly Cardiff interactive map of memories, photos, audio Wales staff travelled to Lesotho to make a series of Garden. In June Chris was presented with MBE by the and video to celebrate the city’s centenary.

4 programmes on the country and its links with Wales. Queen for services to broadcasting and charity. 3 2

Radio Lesotho staff made a reciprocal visit to BBC Cymru’r Byd, the Welsh language service, was further 4 Cymru Wales in September. developed, with the launch of Welsh versions of 1 Acapella group Top Five, Lesotho Tikkabilla and Balamory, the Ieithgi suite of language 2 Launch of the English/Somali version of BBC VOCAB/GEIRFA in Butetown During the year Radio Wales broadcast seven specially 3 BBC Cymru Wales bus at Aberdare roadshow games, and an extensive Commonweath Games commissioned plays that celebrated and explored the service.The Lleol i Mi local sites continued to expand, diversity of contemporary life in different areas of 1 with the staff participating in community events across Wales. One of the highlights of the Plays for Wales Wales and beginning a new content-sharing partnership season was Truth or Dare by Laurence Allan, which with the ‘papurau bro’ (community newspapers). brought Africa to Wales in a tale of pen pals reunited and was performed by a large professional and Radio Wales’ All Things Considered became the first BBC amateur cast at the Aberdare Little Theatre. religious programme to be podcast. Radio Cymru’s C2 programme also began podcasting a weekly highlights programme featuring sessions from unsigned bands. 3

5 4 3 t olvement olvement v ticipants Stuar including in , a site that informs Colin and Cumberland aimed to inspire and encourage campaign, Living in Wales Living in You! or parents at every from entry level ws and the arrangement of Welsh ws and the arrangement of f or Wales developed several resources developed Wales f ning with one of the par u e Her ther lear elsh@Home utton, again on the and episodes could be viewed or reluctant learners and absolute beginners, BBC Cymr Welsh, learningfor with the support many of ELWa. Projects targeted types of learners different and winning included the award f W to advance, and Wales.The television series newcomers in about life Challenge Welsh The Big people to learn the language with the emphasis on fun, challenge being broadcast and culminated with the final Day.on St David’s to access Digital viewers able were fur Cable and his mentor Dewi Pws via the red interactive Cable b online broadband service. has made a substantial contribution Wales BBC Cymru to RaW, the network literacy. campaign for The Department also contributed throughout the year to the at the roadsho Learners’ successful Butetastic and of the highly Days concert in Butetown. The Big Welsh Challenge Challenge Welsh The Big 2 Living in Wales Living in Campyfan & 1 3 4 2 4 ebsite or ifth ated w is the f wealth of Education wealth , produced in a been adapted f s e v 1 er ies and integr Citizens to be performed throughout ilm, to the student enabling which off ammes ha , yersinformation of additional and new ser Bobinogi clips e with la and y The progr is a br .

er ning archive clips for teachers clips for ning archive to use in the ation with the Drama department, uses or Excellence / Anelu at Ragoriaeth or Excellence / an ear olds in challenges aimed to develop their ear olds in challenges aimed to develop yf including

, enship Bobinogs eb deliv ear for the S4C schools and children’s schedule, the S4C schools and children’s for featuring 9-11 y thinking skills. A partnership with the educational performancesArad live Goch enabled theatre company of Nine new online services launched during were the y of a series BBC Cymru of programmes by developed Assembly, Welsh collaboration in with the Wales introducing new approaches to teaching and learning. and using on developing has been the focus This year thinking skills. Camp in Spring 2006 to a veryWales enthusiastic response. and Lear classroom. Aiming f collabor dramatised discussion of Greek classics to stimulate citiz w

The Department’s aim is to transform people the way learn using a range of new approaches, platforms and technologies. remarkable of It has been a year in this respect. development Education and Learning and Education embedded within each f gain a full understanding of the historical, social and and their relevance to political context of the plays of today. the citizen

44 BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales

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The BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) gave 69 concerts during The Orchestra also recorded the theme music and further incidental music for the year, 54 of which were in Wales, and seven involving the BBC National Chorus Doctor Who and recorded Frank Hennessy’s Song for Cardiff celebrating the of Wales.The Orchestra has explored a greater breadth of repertoire than ever city’s centenary. before, from Bach and Rameau to Duke Ellington, John Adams and Tippett via Haydn’s Creation, Shostakovich’s enormous Symphony No.4, the Verdi Requiem and RESOUND|ATSAIN, the education and community department of BBC NOW, Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony. Popular repertoire has been given a new series continued to develop its ground-breaking work. Projects included the BBC Cardiff of its own and the afternoon series of live concerts at St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, for Singer of the World Education Project, in collaboration with St David’s Hall Education 1 Radio 3 has been expanded. As well as a full diary of Welsh festival appearances, Department, and the involvement of the BBC National Chorus of Wales in a Gospel BBC NOW also appeared at the Bath Festival and undertook a very successful and Inspirational singing project culminating in Butetastic, a collaborative concert six-concert tour to Germany, under the baton of Takuo Yuasa, climaxing in a staged in Butetown.The BBC National Chorus of Wales participated in The Spirit performance in Vienna’s Konzerthaus. of Christmas, a collaborative project with Odyssey Theatre, Meadowbank Special

4 School and musicians from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. 7 6

Five new works were performed, all of them by Welsh composers or composers 4 resident in Wales, and eight further BBC commissions are planned.The Orchestra BBC NOW held a Come Along and Play day in Newport in October and went has begun the centenary celebrations of Grace Williams’ birth with performances on the road for the Making Tracks Live tour of Wales in November, in collaboration in and a special studio recording of the Violin Concerto. with Radio 3.The Orchestra led a secondary school music composition project in Aberdare in Spring 2006 and performed in collaboration with the National Youth For the first time, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales has appointed a Resident Orchestra and Choir of Wales in March. Composer. Guto Pryderi Puw’s appointment will run for three years and has at its heart three commissions, one from the BBC Proms and two from Radio 3. In addition, he will become involved in the Orchestra’s young Welsh composer mentoring programme alongside BBC NOW’s Composer-in-Association, RESOUND/ATSAIN photos: 1 & 2 Come Along and Play Michael Berkeley. 3 Secondary school composition project,Aberdare 4 The Spirit of Christmas 1 Sport Diversity

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Programmes which reflected the diversity of Wales included Don’t Panic I’m Islamic on BBC Three and Wales: The Making of a People and its companion series on BBC 2W, Wales: A People in the Making.

A number of events and meetings were held across Wales as part of the Here for You! campaign, including diversity fora held in Denbigh and Butetown to discuss portrayal issues with a panel of senior programme representatives from BBC Cymru Wales. In Carmarthen, in partnership with the Ethnic Business Support Programme, Radio Wales presenter Sarah Dickins talked before an audience to successful minority ethnic entrepreneurs about their pathways to success. BBC Cymru Wales continued to provide wide ranging sports coverage across television, radio and online, In March an International Women’s Day event was held at BBC Cymru Wales, celebrating the achievements contributing to local and network output. of Black and Minority Ethnic women from various sectors who have contributed to Welsh society. 175 women attended the event which included presentations, film and performances. One of the highlights of the year was undoubtedly the 2005 Grand Slam and the victory of the Wales rugby team.There was extensive coverage of the Commonwealth Games from Melbourne on radio, television and online in both Welsh and English. The award-winning Y Clwb Rygbi brought outstanding coverage of live rugby to S4C viewers. Sport on radio included coverage of Joe Calzaghe’s crucial World Title fight against Jeff Lacy. Partnerships

The new Liberty Stadium in Swansea featured as the venue for the football international between Wales and Slovenia and for the match between Ospreys and the Wasps which was broadcast live Throughout the year BBC Cymru Wales developed and strengthened its links on S4C.The stadium is now the regular venue for with external organisations across many areas of activity. Collaborative working

4 the Ospreys’ home games. arrangements ranged from informal links established with local groups across 9 8

Wales, as part of BBC Cymru Wales’ Community Strategy, to formal, contractual 4 2W Sport gave an extended and valuable service relationships with a variety of organisations. In each case, the partnership offered throughout the year including coverage every the opportunity for BBC Cymru Wales to connect more effectively with its night from the Commonwealth Games. 4 audience and bring added value for licence fee payers.

The Scrum V website continues to be one of 2 Among the range of external relationships established this year was an exciting BBC Cymru Wales’ most popular sites. scheme developed in collaboration with Cyfle to support eight full-time, one-year training posts at BBC Cymru Wales, based in the art department of Doctor Who. Radio Wales developed its links with community radio stations, offering training and mentoring.The New Media department worked with the Welsh Language 1 Joe Calzaghe 2 David Davies at the Commonwealth Games Board to enable further development work on BBC VOCAB/GEIRFA, the 3 Don’t Panic I’m Islamic pioneering online translation application. 4 Doctor Who