01 December 2011

  The epic film Patagonia and a drama which throws new light on the actor Richard Burton, and his relationship with his eldest brother, are among the highlights of the S4C Christmas and New Year schedule, which was announced on 1 December.

Also in the Christmas line-up, a series following the challenge of organising a Christmas pantomime in Seren Nadolig Rhos, a culinary challenge with Dudley: Pryd o Sêr and remembering two Welsh legends in the documentaries Orig, about the wrestler Orig Williams, and Cofio Ceredig about the actor Huw Ceredig.

As part of the celebrations, S4C has recorded a new video of the popular song Gŵyl y Baban, by Caryl Parry Jones, featuring stars of the Christmas and New Year programmes. The video will be shown throughout the period to promote the schedule and the song and video is available to download for free from the S4C website - s4c.co.uk/nadolig.

S4C will put a smile on your face with a variety of entertainment programmes such as Sioe ‘Dolig Tudur Owen, Dudley: Pryd o Sêr, Cnex, Ddoe am Ddeg, Dim Byd, Jonathan, Byw yn yr Ardd and Noson Lawen - including a special edition on Christmas Day featuring only young performers.

It’s been a busy three months for the residents of Rhosllannerchrugog after they were set a challenge by the series Seren Nadolig Rhos to put on their own pantomime. On Christmas Day, enjoy the fruits of their labour with the panto Wizard o Rhos.

The people of Rhos aren’t the only ones gearing up for a show. The programme Nadolig y Plant: Digwyddiadau 11 on Christmas Eve features four primary schools where the children are putting on unique performances this year.

Another duo who’ve taken on a festive challenge is the presenter Nia Parry and her friend Mel Parry, who have been working with local residents to put on a Christmas Fayre in Penygroes, Nantlle Vale. We follow their work in Mel a Nia on 7, 14 and 21 December.

There was quite a challenge facing the enthusiastic cariad@iaith:love4language gang of eight in July as they spent an intense week learning Welsh. In one special Christmas Eve programme we'll see the crew reunited once again, to see how their Welsh is coming along.

Eight brave celebrities take on the Dudley: Pryd o Sêr challenge on 27 to 30 December, and Dudley Newbery has warned that this year will be tougher than ever! Also on 16 December, in a special edition of Dudley ar Daith, the chef shares Christmas food ideas.

From Dudley’s kitchen, to the Cegin Peblig community kitchen project in Caernarfon. The programme Dos i Gwcio on 29 December catches up with the colourful character Kenny Khan to see how the project has developed since it featured in the series Cegin Cofi in April.

S4C’s music programmes will raise the roof including a concert Only Men Aloud - Nadolig Llawen, Sopranos, Cyngerdd Gala’r Eisteddfod featuring Shân Cothi, Wynne Evans and others, and the Rhydian series continues with a festive edition on 26 December. Also, celebrate with the two Huw’s in a special edition of Bandit yn Gigio.

Carolau o Langollen and Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol will provide traditional celebrations with emphasis on the true meaning of Christmas. Also, on 18 December, the documentary Dawel Nos tells an intriguing story about the carol Silent Night.

As we prepare to leave 2011 behind, a special programme on 30 December with newsreader Huw Edwards sums up the main news stories of the year from Wales and the World – the Royal Wedding, Rugby World Cup and the state of the economy are some of the topics.

On New Year’s Eve, Wedi 2011 looks back at the best of the year on Wedi 3 and Wedi 7. Also Noson Lawen, a special edition of Jonathan and a chance to enjoy some of your favourite Welsh songs in Cyngerdd Clasuron Pop.

Drama will be at the centre of the S4C schedule in the New Year. The epic film Patagonia on New Year’s Day is a celebration of Wales’ connection with Argentina, starring Nia Roberts, Matthew Rhys and Duffy.

The family saga Teulu returns on 8 January, and it’s a new era for Rownd a Rownd as, from 2 January, it will be broadcast every week of the year for the first time ever. To celebrate, three special programmes Rownd a Rownd Nôl a Mlaen during Christmas will draw together the best of the past, and look forward to the upcoming series.

A new three part drama Sombreros begins on 4 December, and the wild gang of Zanzibar are with us until the end of the year, and we also enjoy Christmas with Pobol y Cwm. When an illness strikes many of the residents, suspicion falls on the Deri’s turkey.

The drama Burton: Y Gyfrinach on 27 December throws new light on the life of Richard Burton. The fictional work sees Richard Harrington in the role of the Pont-rhyd-y-fen actor, and Dafydd Hywel plays his brother Ifor. A documentary Richard a Burton on 26 December takes an in-depth look at the drama and its Swiss setting.

Two documentaries will present a chance to remember two proud Welshmen. On Boxing Day, Tara Bethan presents the programme Orig in memory of her father, the wrestler Orig Williams, who died two years ago. In Cofio Ceredig on 28 December, Iestyn Garlick leads a host of familiar faces to pay tribute to the lovable actor Huw Ceredig, who died this year.

Another two documentaries shines a light on the careers of two Welshmen making their mark away from home. On 29 December, Mark Evans: Llanrhaeadr a Llundain looks at the blossoming career of the West End singer, and in the New Year a special documentary follows the Hollywood star Rhys Ifans.

There is plenty of action on the playing fields as Y Clwb Rygbi brings live coverage of the derby matches in the RaboDirect Pro 12 - Blues v Dragons and Ospreys v Blues. Also live coverage of the British and Irish Cup clash between Pontypridd and Leeds on 17 December. Sgorio will mark an end of an era for Bangor City Football Club as they face Prestatyn in the last ever game to be held at the team's home Farrar Road on 27 December.

For the youngest viewers, there’s fun in the film Ffilm Cyw: Y Raplyfr Coll on 23 December and Christmas Day. Also, festive editions of some of your favourite programmes including Nadolig Marcaroni, Sbridiri and Hafod Haul, amongst others.

For the older children, there is a live edition of Stwnsh Sadwrn on 24 December. Also two editions of the quiz Meindia Dy Fusnes Selebs where the presenters compete and Tîm Talent helps Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch with their Christmas Concert.

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