Latest news with #BBCCymruWales
Wales Online
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Search for Wales' Home of the Year 2025 begins and it could be yours
Search for Wales' Home of the Year 2025 begins and it could be yours Put your much-loved home forward to feature on the next series of this popular BBC Cymru Wales series BBC Cymru Wales series produced by IWC Media - Wales' Home of the Year 2025 judges - Mandy Watkins, Owain Wyn Jones and Glen Thomas (Image: BBC / Banijay ) Popular BBC Cymru Wales property series is returning for a fourth series, with its expert judging trio back on the road to discover the most inspiring homes across Wales. Welsh TV favourite and Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans returns alongside interior designer Mandy Watkins from the Isle of Anglesey and Cardiff-based architectural designer Glen Thomas. Together, they'll be touring every corner of the country in search of beautifully designed, cleverly thought-out and characterful homes that truly reflect the people who live in them. From terraces to townhouses, converted barns to bold new builds, the series will once again celebrate the creativity, individuality and warmth that turns a house into a home. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here. READ MORE: Inside Martin Roberts' huge Welsh pub renovation project as he addresses lap dancing club rumours YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Inside the amazing colourful house named one of the best in Wales BBC Cymru Wales Wales' Home of the Year 2023 winner was a renovated farmhouse (Image: BBC Cymru Wales ) Article continues below Each week, the judges will visit three homes within a region of Wales, scoring them on architectural merit, distinctive design, and original style. Regional winners will go through to the grand final, where one standout property will be crowned the next Wales' Home of the Year. This year, the producers of the show are especially keen to reflect the full diversity of Wales; its people, landscapes, and homes. Whether your house is traditional or modern, big or small, in the city, countryside or somewhere in between. Wales is full of personality, and they want to see it. Inside Natasha and Gareth's home called Bryn Llewellyn - winner of BBC Cymru Wales property show Wales Home of the Year 2024 (Image: BBC Cymru Wales / IWC Media ) One important point to remember for anyone thinking about applying - homes don't need to be award-winning architectural masterpieces to take part - the producers are looking for real homes, of all shapes and styles, that tell a story and represent the people who live in them. For example, the winner of the 2024 Wales' Home of the Year was a superbly renovated and updated cottage on a modest budget using natural materials and vintage sourced furniture brought alive by pops of colour. Find out more about Natasha and Gareth's home called Bryn Llewellyn here. Inside the winner of Wales' Home of the Year 2022 called Castle Cottage and owned by Luke Thomas (Image: BBC Cymru Wales ) In 2022 Luke Thomas found the renovation of a much-loved local building was the passion that helped him through a devastating diagnosis, resulting in a beautiful home that captured the judges' hearts. Find out more about Luke's story here. Produced by IWC Media (a Banijay UK company), filming begins August 2025, and the six-part series will air on BBC Cymru Wales and BBC iPlayer later this year. For more property , renovation and interior design stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here Head judge Owain Wyn Evans said: "Here we go again cariads! I'm absolutely buzzing to be back for series 4, I can't wait to explore even more gorgeous Welsh homes. From rooms that make you go 'wow!' to clever, cosy layouts — Wales' Home of the Year never ceases to amaze and impress!" Article continues below If you'd like to apply for the chance to be featured on the new series of Wales' Home of the Year please send your contact details and a brief description of your home to waleshomes@ where you can also request further information. Find your own property to renovate here:
Cambrian News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cambrian News
SOS: Extreme Rescues returns to Eryri, highlighting Wales' brave responders
Sorelle Neil, commissioning editor for BBC Cymru Wales, said: 'We're thrilled to have commissioned another series of SOS: Extreme Rescues. The programme continues to showcase the bravery, skill and dedication of Wales' emergency responders, and not only captures the breathtaking beauty and peril of Eryri, but also the extraordinary teamwork and resilience of those who risk their lives to protect others.'
Wales Online
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Global ticket touting operations exposed ahead of major UK gigs such as Oasis
Global ticket touting operations exposed ahead of major UK gigs such as Oasis BBC Cymru Wales has found that ticket touts are using a network of overseas staff to bulk-buy thousands of tickets for UK concerts This revelation comes just as Oasis is about to kick off their reunion tour in Cardiff's Principality Stadium on July 4. (Image: (Image: GETTY) ) As Cardiff gears up for a summer filled with top music acts, an investigation by BBC Cymru Wales has uncovered major ticket touting operations across the world. Reporter Steffan Powell delves into the shadowy realm of ticket touts in the upcoming programme 'The Great Ticket Rip-Off', which aired on BBC One Wales tonight (Thursday, June 26). The show uncovers how ticket touts are utilising vast networks of individuals abroad, dubbed "ticket pullers", to mass-purchase tickets for big UK gigs such as Oasis and Taylor Swift the moment they're available, aiming to resell them at hiked up prices. The BBC's investigation claimed that these ticket pullers may employ illegal automated software and multiple identities to acquire tickets, potentially constituting fraud. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . This revelation comes just as Oasis is about to kick off their reunion tour in Cardiff's Principality Stadium on July 4. Last summer, many fans of the Gallagher brothers were frustrated as they were left empty-handed after enduring long online queues without securing tickets for the sold-out tour. You can read more about fan struggles here. In an undercover segment for the programme, Steffan Powell impersonated a prospective ticket tout and captured audio of a Pakistani ticket pulling company boss, who claimed he could assemble a team of pullers capable of purchasing hundreds of concert tickets. Identifying himself as Ali, the individual bragged about his team's success in obtaining numerous tickets for Taylor Swift's Eras tour the previous year, among other significant events, and suggested that touts are raking in "millions" through such schemes. Article continues below Ali boasted: "I think we had 300 Coldplay tickets, 330, something like that. And then we had Oasis in the same week - we did great" Ali further revealed his awareness of a UK tout who earned over £500,000 last year from reselling tickets, with others raking in millions. A separate ticket reseller from India discussed their strategy on bypassing UK laws, indicating: "If I'm sitting in your country and running my operations in your country, then it is completely illegal. We do not participate in illegal things because actually we are outside of the UK." Reporter Steffan Powell met up with Reg Walker, who has worked in the ticketing industry for almost 40 years (Image: BBC Cymru Wales ) Ticketing industry veteran Reg Walker described to the programme his infiltration of a covert online group that allegedly racks up thousands of tickets using dubious methods. Walker illuminated the tactics used by such groups to amass 100,000 "queue passes", thereby sidestepping the virtual queue systems set up for concert ticket purchases. He elaborated: "The equivalent is 100,000 people all of a sudden turning up and pushing in front of you in the queue," and expounded on how this impedes true fans from acquiring tickets, "So now you've gone from first in the queue to 100,001. This is the perfect example of how touts block genuine fans out from the ability to buy tickets." The UK Government is plotting fresh measures against the operations of touts, with a spokesperson stating: "We have consulted on a range of measures, including a price cap on ticket resales, as we aim to better protect fans and support the growth of the UK's world leading live events and sport sectors." Scams & Scandals: The Great Ticket Rip-Off is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Article continues below
South Wales Argus
11-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Abergavenny toy share "so proud" of BBC award recognition
Toy Share Abergavenny, founded by Hannah Greys, is one of the 32 finalists in the BBC Cymru Wales Make a Difference Awards 2025. The awards celebrate individuals and groups who make a significant positive impact on their communities. Ms Greys' project is up for the Green Award. Hannah Greys is a finalist for the 'Green' award with BBC Cymru 'Make a Difference' (Image: Hannah Greys) The initiative, which began as a small social media group in March 2022, provides a free toy sharing service for children aged 0-12. It aims to encourage families to buy less and normalise second hand items, thus reducing the environmental impact of toys. In just over three years, more than 22,000 toys have been offered for free through the group. This not only helps families but also prevents these toys from ending up in landfill sites. Toy Share Abergavenny is up for an award with BBC Cymru 'Make a Difference' (Image: Toy Share Abergavenny) Ms Greys said: "I'm so proud that Toy Share Abergavenny has been shortlisted for the Green Award at the BBC Cymru Make a Difference Awards 2025. "It really does mean the world to see the impact of a simple idea – a free toy-sharing group – recognised for the difference it's making to both the environment and our local community." The initiative was born out of Ms Greys' personal experiences and observations. Before launching Toy Share, her own family faced unexpected financial hardship, during which she met many other parents struggling in silence. This inspired her to create a transparent, non-judgemental, and welcoming group where families could find support. Ms Greys added: "Being green shouldn't have to be a luxury. "It's something we can all do. "Toy Share Abergavenny is warm, non-judgemental and welcoming. "It's a space where no child has to miss out. "Where giving and receiving toys for free is just part of everyday life. "Where we celebrate second-hand, instead of seeing it as second-best." Toy Share Abergavenny is one of the four finalists in the Green Award category. The BBC Cymru Wales Make a Difference Awards 2025 received over 700 nominations. The finalists were selected based on their exceptional contributions to their communities. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on September 20 in Cardiff. The judging panel includes prominent BBC presenters such as Katie Owen, Lauren Price, Gethin Jones, Owain Wyn Evans, Bronwen Lewis, Iolo Williams, Olivia Breen, and Aleighcia Scott. The other categories include Carer, Community Group, Fundraiser, Great Neighbour, Key Worker, Unsung Hero, and Volunteer. Ms Greys encourages those interested in getting involved in Toy Share Abergavenny to find them on Facebook. She said: "Together, we're proving that sharing really is a greener, kinder and fairer way to play."
Western Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire people at BBC Make a Difference Awards
The BBC Cymru Wales Make a Difference Awards 2025 has recognised individuals and groups across the country for their outstanding contributions to their communities. The 32 finalists were selected from more than 700 nominees. Among those representing Pembrokeshire are a retired racehorse and a dedicated environmentalist. Ozzy, under the name Up For An Oscar, a retired racehorse from Pembrokeshire, has been nominated for the Animal Award. Once deemed unmanageable, Ozzy now serves as a therapy horse at Redberth Croft CIC, offering vital support to vulnerable individuals. Sharron Taylor is another Pembrokeshire representative shortlisted for her efforts in the Green Award category. The founder of Tipi Fields, Ms Taylor has made a significant impact on her local environment and community by cleaning coastlines of debris and marine waste. Her work doesn't stop at tidying up the coast; Ms Taylor also transforms the waste into unique, handcrafted items, breathing new life into discarded materials. BBC Radio Wales' Lucy Owen praised the nominees, saying: "We're absolutely blown away by the nominations we've had. "There are so many wonderful stories about community groups making a huge difference in their local areas and outstanding individuals committed to bringing people together, fundraising for good causes and caring for others." BBC Radio Cymru's Shân Cothi added: "Over 700 nominations for our very first Make a Difference Awards in Wales says so much about who we are as a nation. "It's incredible to hear about some of the amazing things that people are doing right across Wales. "A huge congratulations to everyone who was nominated and to all of our brilliant finalists." The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges from the BBC, including well-known presenters like Katie Owen, Lauren Price, and Gethin Jones. The successful community heroes will be announced at the awards ceremony on September 20 in Cardiff. The BBC Cymru Wales Make a Difference Awards 2025 aim to celebrate and acknowledge the people who go above and beyond in their communities, shining a light on these often-unsung heroes. This is the first year the awards have been held in Wales. A full list of the categories and finalists is available on the BBC's Make a Difference Awards website. The event, led by BBC Cymru Wales, is set to become an annual celebration of community spirit and selfless dedication.
