Melody: All about Angharad, by her Mum…

Melody is back with a new series on Monday 16th March. 11 year old Angharad Rhodes stars as Melody, a little girl with a big imagination who is partially-sighted. We caught up with Angharad's mum, Lynda, to find out all about Angharad and what it's like being mum to a little CBeebies star...

Can you tell us a little bit about Angharad?

Angharad has always been described by people we meet as being, happy, cheerful, friendly, likeable, lovable and someone who always has a smile for everyone.

When Angharad was 2 weeks old she was diagnosed with cataracts and other eye conditions including Peter’s Anomaly, (this affects the way the eyes have developed including the surface of the eyes with the cornea and pupil being stuck together and any vision being blurred) and Microphthalmia, (small under-developed eyes - Angharad’s eyes and eye sockets stopped growing before she was born), Glaucoma (high pressure in the eyes), and Nystagmus (an uncontrolled to and fro movement of Angharad’s eyes which also reduces the vision that she has) which has now lead to her being registered severely sight impaired (registered blind).

Angharad enjoys cooking with me, listening to music and audio books, reading Braille books, putting menus for local restaurants into Braille, watching audio described films in the cinema and at home and spending time with her family.

How does her vision affect her daily life ?

Due to Angharad’s conditions and being registered severely sight impaired, she has no distance vision or depth perception. The little vision she does have is blurry so she does wear glasses but these only help by trying to stop some of the blurriness.

Angharad uses her residual vision to the best of her ability. Since starting school she has learnt Braille and touch-typing. She now completes her school work by using Braille touch typing and also uses electronic magnifiers to help. For mobility she uses a long cane, which she has had since the age of 5.

What kind of things do you do for her as parents?

From the age of 6 months we used to attend the sensory room weekly at our local hospital. We would continue the stimulation at home with the specially adapted toys for Visually Impaired children that we had purchased to help her to try track and follow at close up range. With anything new that Angharad is not sure of we have always, and still do, describe this to her and encourage her to, when possible, touch, smell and taste. In new surroundings we take our time to familiarise her with an area until she has the confidence to find her way around.

How did she end up starring in Melody?

Through primary school Angharad has attended workshops run by UCAN Productions (Unique Creative Arts Network). UCAN are based in Cardiff and come and hold workshops in our area 1-2 times a year.

UCAN were contacted in connection with auditions being held for Melody. Jane and Bernie who run UCAN thought of Angharad immediately. They put us in touch with Wish Films and LAAH Entertainment and they sent me the audition piece for Angharad which she learnt within a few hours.

Angharad was nervous on the day of her audition. She practiced her piece and listened to music on the train. She enjoyed meeting the producers who made her feel very relaxed. When she had the phone call to say that she had been chosen for the part of Melody, she was so happy and shocked, that she nearly dropped the phone and then started to jump and down.

What is her average day like on set when she’s filming?

When Angharad arrives on the set she gets changed into the clothes she needs to be in for the episode being recorded. We then get called onto the set and the directors explain what she needs to do while filming is taking place and is given any lines that she may have to say. While the setting up is taking place we sit in the green room and relax. When it is time for Angharad to be filmed she gets called onto the set. When the film crew are resetting for the next scene, Angharad has a break and usually a snack. On some of the breaks Angharad does any work she has been set by her school.

If filming is being done for more than one episode, during the day, it may mean that Angharad has to get changed a few times in between scenes, to wear the right clothes for that particular episode.

During lunch Angharad will always tell the crew and production team a joke of the day!

Throughout all the filming, on set or out on location she has so much fun and really enjoys being part of the team.

Does Angharad have a favourite piece of music in real life?

Angharad has always loved to listen to most types of music. There are three pieces that are her particular favourites. These are: Chi Mai, Tubular Bells and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

How do you both react to Angharad being recognized when you’re out and about?

Whenever we are out, if anyone recognises Angharad it is lovely to spend time chatting to them about Melody. Angharad always really enjoys spending time talking to children and answering any questions they have about the filming. She enjoys telling them all about the fun she has, and finding out if they have a favourite episode. She is always happy to sign the postcards that we had printed and is always happy for families to take pictures of her with family members.

We have met so many lovely families at hospital appointments, walking down the street, being on holiday and at the new CBeebies Land where Angharad met and signed over 70 autographs. Also when Angharad had one of her operations this year, “Melody” was on the television in the ward, and all the children enjoyed sitting watching it with her before going in for their operations. 

Find out more about Melody