21 November 2011

S4C is set to descend on Wrexham and the surrounding area in November for the latest stage of the Calon Cenedl (Heart of the Nation) campaign, offering a series of free community events to locals.

The village of Rhosllannerchrugog, located five miles from Wrexham, has featured quite heavily on the channel in recent weeks with production company Boomerang’s camera crew following the community as they prepare for a unique Christmas pantomime on Seren Nadolig Rhos, every Tuesday at 20:25.

S4C’s Calon Cenedl will arrive to celebrate the end of the community’s dramatic efforts as they stage the panto in front of an audience at the Stiwt Theatre on 4 December. Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased at the Box Office on 01978 841300.

Between 15 November and 9 December, members of the local community will be able to enjoy events that promote S4C’s programmes, personalities and services, including a pub quiz, cookery and flower-arranging demonstrations and a magical show for pre-school children, as well as a Viewers’ Evening to voice their opinion of the channel.

The campaign begins on 15 November as troublesome duo Ant and Al, presenters of Stwnsh Sadwrn, pay a visit to the local schools.

The journey to North East Wales continues on Queens Square in Wrexham on Thursday 17 November when the town’s Christmas lights will be turned on. Ant ac Al and members of the Seren Nadolig Rhos community panto cast will be among those providing the entertainment during the course of the evening.

Fireman Sam and ‘naughty’ Norman Preis are among the special guests at Father Christmas’ Christmas Party at the Stiwt in Rhosllannerchrugog on 18 November.

On 23 November, a pub quiz gives locals the opportunity to win £200 towards a local charity or project and meet some of the Rownd a Rownd (S4C’s soap opera for young people) cast. Actor Dewi Rhys will keep a close eye on the competing.

Celebrity chef Dudley Newbery will bring the best of Welsh produce to the kitchen with a special cookery demonstration at Yale College on 24 November.

Rhosllannerchrugog kicks off this year’s Cyw and Friends Christmas Show, featuring Rapsgaliwn, Jac y Jwc and other favourites from the nursery service as they combine to save Christmas before it’s too late.

Byw yn yr Ardd presenter Sioned Rowlands will host a gardening question and answer session and prepare a flower-arranging demonstration at the Cross Chapel, Bodhyfryd, on 28 November.

The following evening, the cast and chorus of Seren Nadolig Rhos’ Christmas pantomime join Father Christmas on a parade through Rhosllannerchrugog, Johnstown and Ponciau. They will also provide entertainment on Market Street.

People living in the area will be given the opportunity to voice their opinion on S4C programmes and services to the Chairman of the S4C Authority, Huw Jones and S4C Chief Executive, Arwel Ellis Owen in a Viewers’ Evening, to be held at the Catrin Finch Centre, Glyndŵr University on Wednesday 30 November.

There will also be a chance to take a step back in time to see how Wrexham and the surrounding area has been portrayed on screen over the past 30 years with clips from the S4C archives.

Welsh Children’s Poet Laureate, Eurig Salisbury, hosts a poetry class with a twist for local schoolchildren to close the free activities in Wrexham.

S4C’s Director of Communications, Garffild Lloyd Lewis, says “We’re glad to be back in Wrexham and Rhos to celebrate Christmas and the latest S4C provision so soon after a memorable National Eisteddfod during the summer. There is an open invitation for everyone to come along to the free events and entertainment and to meet some of S4C’s most prominent personalities. A loop system and translation equipment will be available for Welsh learners and those who enjoy watching S4C but don’t speak Welsh.”

The 2011 Calon Cenedl campaign has already visited Ceredigion, Llŷn and Eifionydd, Anglesey and Blaenau Gwent whilst also raising money for local charities and community activities.

For more information about the events in Wrexham and the surrounding area, visit the Caban website: s4c.co.uk/caban

Ends