Swan TV productions

shot on my Galaxy III

We at Swan TV are showing our pilot show Bay Live this week so we will shortly be up and running. And the opportunities are there.

If you are a film maker or interested in being involved in the Swan TV on-line channel  we want to hear from you. This is currently volunteer ground only. So here's what we are looking for:

Film-makers. If you are an equipped film-maker we are looking for short videos of 3-4 minutes on local topics but talk to us first so you know we can use your material. You'll use your own credits and be able to use your films as you wish, although we will want free use too.

Film Crew. If you are experienced as a camera or sound person come and be part of a team making our flagship programmes. If you are interested but not experienced we still want to meet you. If we feel you'll make a valuable contribution  we'll encourage and teach you. Once again all crew members will be credited.

Editors. If you are a video editor come and talk with us. 

Presenters and Researchers. There is plenty to do as either a presenter or researcher. Maybe you've done some community radio or attended drama school and are confident. Come and talk to us.

And we are interested in content too. 

Come and tell us your story: tell us about an event or group that is interesting: tell us about anything newsworthy.

We want to hear from you. Contact us at info@swantv.com  or call 07976 364681

WWF Earth Hour 23 March 2013

WWF’s Earth Hour is a unique annual phenomenon that focuses the world’s attention on our amazing planet, and how we need to protect it. At 8.30pm on 23 March hundreds of millions of people will turn off their lights for one hour, on the same night, all across the world in a huge, symbolic show of support.

For 2013 as we all switch off our lights, we want the focus to be on the kind of energy we use. Because to create a better future for our planet we need to move away from dirty fossil fuels and onto clean green renewable energy which works with the awesome power of nature, not against it

CARMARTHENSHIRE’S leader is urging people to switch off their lights. Hundreds of people across Wales expected to go dark in the WWWF Cymru’s one hour switch off. The worldwide initiative is not only to encourage people to save electricity but also to bring people together to celebrate the planet and highlight the need to protect it. 

Research shows that our reliance on high carbon fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas is over-heating the atmosphere and affecting the climate.

Last year millions of people took part in Earth Hour across 152 countries. Almost 7,000 towns and cities turned off their lights for one hour on the same night, including Kidwelly Castle and The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.

As well as switching off, people in Carmarthenshire took part in candlelit walks. Other Welsh landmarks and buildings including The Senedd, and the Millennium Stadium went dark.  Many environmentally-minded businesses went dark. Other highlights included a big Twmpath dance in Lampeter, a fire circus performance and candlelit dinners.

Carmarthenshire County Council is one of a number of local authorities across Wales to pledge its support. The council’s leader, Cllr Kevin Madge said: “The council is fully committed to reducing its impact on the planet and has already completed a host of energy efficient programmes in our buildings and schools. 

“The council also has a number of ongoing initiatives to help cut down our carbon omissions including introducing six electric cars with zero running emissions to our fleet of vehicles. We want to do whatever we can to help get the message across that people need to take action now.”

 

If you want to take part then register at wwf.org.uk/earthhour  

Swans Parade on Tuesday

SWANSEA will have its chance to welcome home their Swans heroes with an open-top bus victory parade on Tuesday.

Barely 48 hours after securing their first major trophy, thousands of fans are expected to turn out to welcome home their Wembley heroes.

The open-top bus parade will kick-off from outside the Dragon Hotel at 4.30pm and finish with a Civic Reception at the city's Guildhall later. Lord Mayor of Swansea, Cllr Dennis James, said that after such an amazing result on Sunday the people of Swansea would turn out in their thousands to welcome the victorious team home.

"This is a fantastic moment for the Swans and for Swansea as a whole," he said. "After their promotion to the Premier League, Sunday's events open a new chapter in a remarkable success story for our city's football team. I'm sure thousands of fans will want to line the route and be part of an event that will be remembered for years to come."

From its starting point in Kingsway the bus will make its way towards West Way. It will then move along St Helen's Road to Guildhall.Fans will be able to line the route to welcome Michael Laudrup and the team back to Swansea. There will be road closures along the route on a rolling basis so roads can be re-opened as soon as the procession has passed to minimise inconvenience to residents and traffic. Stewards will be on hand to marshall fans and ensure their safety during the procession. St John's Ambulance first aiders will also be in attendance.
Cllr David Phillips, Leader of Swansea Council, said: "This is an exciting achievement and we have pulled out all the stops to get the victory parade organised as quickly as possible and we're sure it's going to be a tremendous success.

"We hope everyone who comes along has a great time, but the safety of the participants and the public is paramount.  For this reason, we would ask all spectators to stay behind the safety barriers and follow the any instructions that they may get from the safety stewards."

Cllr Nick Bradley, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "I'd urge the people of Swansea and Swans fans from elsewhere in South Wales to line the parade route. The parade will give us a chance to thank Michael Laudrup and his fantastic team for their terrific achievements that keep on raising our city's profile even further across the world."

Swans were still scoring in the last minute of play

A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS 

WELL DONE THE SWANS

Gower's Rhossili named one of the world’s best beaches

Copacobana and Waikiki are some of the world’s most famous beaches - now Swansea’s Rhossili Bay can lay claim to being up there too. We know that Gower is a place of outstanding beauty. Its always nice to have that confirmed.

Not only has the Gower beauty spot been named the UK’s best beach by top travel website TripAdvisor, it’s also been named third best beach in Europe and tenth best in the world in the 2013 Travellers’ Choice Beach Awards.

 

The awards are based entirely on the feedback of millions of travellers across the planet. Stunning beaches in countries like Italy, Greece and Turkey are among those Rhossili Bay has beaten in Europe. Whitehaven in Queensland, Australia, and Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda are some of the other beaches joining Rhossili in the world’s top ten.

Cllr David Phillips, Swansea Council Leader, said: “We are delighted, but not surprised, that Rhossili Bay has been acknowledged by the world’s leading consumer travel website. Images of Rhossili Bay, which is managed by the National Trust, are recognisable across the world and feature prominently in our destination marketing activity. We hope that many more visitors continue to enjoy its outstanding natural beauty.”

TripAdvisor is the world’s largest social travel network that’s been used by more than 100 million travellers. Emma Shaw, of TripAdvisor, said: “These awards recognise the best beaches in the UK and beyond, according to those that really matter - travellers who have visited these beaches and given them the highest levels of praise.

“Huge congratulations to Swansea’s Rhossili Bay for beating many of the most exotic beaches across the globe.”

The award is the latest in a long list of accolades for Rhossili Bay.  It’s been hailed by The Independent newspaper as the “British supermodel of beaches” and won the Great British Beach Awards in 2010.

Frances Jenkins, Swansea Council’s Strategic Manager for Culture, Tourism, Marketing and Events, said: “This is fantastic news for the destination and a very worthy accolade for Rhossili.  Gower is a very strong brand.  Rhossili and other Gower beaches have prominently in our marketing campaigns to make the most of the city’s Premier League status by raising the profile of Swansea Bay as a visitor destination. Many of the campaigns have included photos of Rhossili Bay and other Swansea beauty spots on the London Underground, encouraging millions of commuters to make Swansea Bay their next stop.”

For great places to stay visit http://www.tourismswanseabay.co.uk/

Rhossili Bay curves along an arc running northwards from the village. The sandy beach is three miles (5 km) long and is backed with sand dunes. Locals refer to the beach as Llangennith Sands. Behind the beach just north of the village is Rhossili Down with the highest point on the Gower Peninsula, (the Beacon), and a number of prehistoric remains. It is between Rhossili Down and the beach proper that the Warren is found.

At the southern end of the Bay is the small tidal island called the Worm's Head. At the north is Burry Holms. These islands are accessible at low tide only. Also at low tide, it is possible to see the remains of several shipwrecks, wood from the wreck of the Helvetia being the most prominent when looking north from Rhossili.

Rhossili Bay featured in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, a youth choir began a cappella performances of "Bread of Heaven" live on the beach with was broadcast at the Olympic Stadium. 

The bay has been used as the setting of New Earth in the sci-fi show Doctor Who and the bay including the Old Rectory was used in Torchwood: Miracle Day.

Have a look at www.visitswanseabay.com for more information.

Checkmate! Horse play!!!

Horse-meat in our pre-prepared meals. 

What a difference it makes where you live. Here we are concerned,quite rightly, that we are eating horse-meat rather than beef on the label. I'd like to think that this was a mistake but it quite obviously it was deliberate. But we seem to be back in the blame culture again. Nobody will take responsibility. Does that surprise me? No! Will anyone be prosecuted? Will any bosses resign?  

And who suffers most? AS this seemed to start with value meals I guess it is those who are struggling to make ends meet. And that can be anyone across the board except those on really high incomes who will just go on as before enjoying the best of everything. Like the boss of Findus, Dale Morrison, who it is claimed knew about the scandal 12 days before it blasted open, but he kept quiet. What will the government do to him? Possibly call him in to be questioned in a Parliamentary Inquiry. Won't affect his earnings.

So all products have been withdrawn and possibly destroyed. 

Meanwhile across the globe thousands are dying every day because they can't find anything to eat. You must have seen the images. Please take a look at the video below and give it a few minutes thought. Just think how grateful they would be to get just a few mouthfuls to stave off starvation and death. Can you do anything? Yes just give a donation to one of the charities. Perhaps that's what some of the food magnates and supermarkets should be doing - making some massive gifts (and the tax element). 

  Meanwhile watch out for our programmes on how simple it is to grow your own food and cook meals with local ingredients that'll make you feel good and be healthier, not forgetting saving money.

                                                Click on the logo above  to donate directly



Meanwhile please make a comment or send an e-mail to info@swantv.com
photo above courtesy of: http://www.dreamstime.com/chess-stock-images-imagefree154934

Art group shows you’re never too old to learn

They say you’re never too old to learn - and a group of arty Swansea 50-somethings has proven that’s the case.

The talented over 55-year-olds are showcasing what they’ve made over the last year as members of the Glynn Vivian’s adult art classes.

Their exhibition is on display in the Civic Centre until Monday March 4.The group has worked with a variety of mediums and techniques, ranging from clay and plaster to drawings, textiles and watercolours.

It’s all part of Swansea Council’s Glynn Vivian Art Gallery offsite programme while the main building on Alexandra Road is temporarily closed.

Classes have been continuing at the YMCA on The Kingsway since the gallery closed. Group members took inspiration from a variety of artists in the gallery’s collection, including Fred Uhlman, Frank Brangwyn and Douglas Swan.

Cllr Nick Bradley, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “The multi-million pound refurbishment of the Glynn Vivian will further enhance Swansea’s reputation for art and cultural excellence.

“But it’s important we make the arts available throughout the main building’s temporary closure and the gallery’s offsite programme means we’re continuing to make art accessible to many local people of all ages.

“The Glynn Vivian’s learning programme is inspiring people to learn new skills through activities focused around the gallery’s permanent collection, touring exhibitions and their own personal experiences.”

Working with artists Tom Goddard, Lucy Lilley, Yvonne Daters, Jessica Callan and Sarah Tombs, the exhibition at the Civic Centre includes a small selection of group’s artwork and achievements to date.

One of the participants, Marilyn Hart, said: “Over the past year I have learned many different skills. I enjoy the process and look forward to my two hours every Wednesday afternoon. Tom Goddard is a very supportive leader and teacher.“

The exhibition is in memory of Dorothy Walker - a member of the group who sadly died last year. All of the sessions are free to attend and no previous experience or knowledge is required.

Please leave a comment or send an email about any future events or story we should cover to info@swantv.com

Call 01792 516900 or visit www.glynnviviangallery.org for more information.