Archives for September 2011

The BBC’s Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff have opened in record time. In just 13 months, 175,000 square foot of HD-ready studios have been constructed and fitted out to provide a permanent, purpose-built home to four flagship BBC dramas – Casualty, Pobol y Cwm, Doctor Who and Upstairs Downstairs – as well as new productions in the future.

This is the quickest BBC build of its size ever and marks an exciting new chapter for drama production in Wales. BBC1’s Casualty began its move from Bristol to its new set in Cardiff at the start of the month and by Christmas the facility will be full with 500 to 600 people working on site.

Congratulations to all those involved with the construction and fit-out.

The fourth day of my Pedal for Pudsey 2011 cycle challenge didn't start at all well. We were scheduled to depart from our overnight base in Newcastle-under-Lyme at 8am sharp. However after a bad night's sleep I only woke up at 7.35am having forgotten that my two alarms were set to go off on weekdays only!

Nevertheless, after a somewhat frantic scramble to get myself together I joined the rest of the gang and we departed on schedule, filled with hope that we might avoid the forecasted rain showers.

Only forty something miles today and after yersterday this should be a walk in the park. But the efforts of the three days and 180 miles have taken their toll and I wasn't at all optimistic about the last stage of the journey.

I kept saying to myself 'keep going until the next refreshment break'. The climb to Congleton was the most challenging and I'm glad we had to face up to it early in the day. The rest of the trip thankfully did not provide too many hills.

The welcome sight of MediaCityUK eventually came into view and we crossed the finish line around lunchtime.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the challenge so far. We've reached 178% of our £10k total - close to £18k. There's still time to donate and give all those who took part a big pat on the back, as well as the really special fact that you would be helping BBC Children in Need change children's lives for the better.

You can also see more photos and read more about our adventure at https://pedalforpudsey2011.tumblr.com/

I can honestly say it has been an exhausting, challenging, gruelling, yet exciting and delightful four days, and I'm now off to put my feet up for what I would say is a well-earned rest!