Weather presenters - BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru

Behnaz Akhgar, Derek Brockway, Sue Charles, Llŷr Griffiths-Davies and Rhian Haf are the weather presenters swapping meteorological instruments for musical ones with the help of The BBC National Orchestra of Wales (NOW).

L-R - Llŷr, Behnaz, Derek, Rhian and Sue

Behnaz Akhgar

Instrument? Cello

Why Get Playing? "I used to play the keyboard when I was 11 years old and loved every minute of it. For the last 4 or 5 years I’ve been thinking of picking up a new instrument and when #BBCGetPlaying was suggested I jumped at the thought of learning a new instrument. Now I am spending many nights with the cello. It’s not easy but I am enjoying the challenge. I would love to know what my neighbours think of the awful sound coming from my house…."

About Behnaz

Born in Iran and moving to Swansea as a child, Behnaz studied journalism at Cardiff University and initially joined the BBC in 2001 working behind the scenes in News. She then went on to become a picture editor and video journalist working on the BBC Wales flagship news programmes Wales Today. Always passionate about becoming a weather forecaster, she went on the mission of learning and applying for weather presenting jobs and successfully started presenting the weather for BBC Wales in 2008 where she went on to be trained by the Met Office at the BBC Weather Centre in London. She now broadcasts across TV, radio and online in Wales and when not working, thoroughly enjoys attending music concerts which has inspired her enthusiasm to pick up a new instrument and get playing!

Derek Brockway

Instrument? Flute

Why Get Playing? "I have always been fascinated by the weather and used to drive my parents bonkers watching all the weather reports. They also had to endure my flute practise – I saw Get Playing as my one opportunity to pick up the flute and learn to play again. It’s definitely ignited a passion in me and I hope it does the same for others."

About Derek

It was at the age of eight, during the long hot summer of 1976, that Derek Brockway first became interested in the weather. After studying A-levels at Barry Boys Comprehensive, Derek joined the Met Office as an observer in September 1986, working mainly at Cardiff Weather Centre but with spells at Cardiff Airport, Birmingham Airport, and eight months in the Falkland Islands. He started broadcasting in 1995 and joined BBC Wales Today in September 1997. Derek broadcasts across TV, radio and online. He is a well-known and popular presenter and when not forecasting the weather, can be found walking across Wales for his popular BBC Wales series ‘Weatherman Walking’.

Sue Charles

Instrument? Violin

Why Get Playing? "I've always enjoyed rock and pop music. This is a great opportunity to rediscover a love of playing music as well as learn about different musical genres."

About Sue

Sue's a journalist and weather presenter with BBC Wales. She's a self-confessed weather-anorak, news and politics junkie, and is mad about music. Sue worked for BBC Radio 1 and 2 as a music journalist, and is a rock and pop obsessive...but knows next to nothing about classical music. She dabbled with guitar and violin as a youngster, but like many teens lost the will to work at it. She wants to take part in Get Playing to get back that love of playing as well as listening to music. And she's intrigued by research which suggests playing an instrument can help stave off dementia.

Llŷr Griffiths-Davies

Offeryn? Piano

Pam Dewch i Chwarae? "Dwi’n mwynhau heriau! Rhai blynyddoedd yn ôl dechreuais ymarfer corff a rhedeg o ddifri’ am y tro cyntaf erioed. Gan mod i’n arfer canu’r piano pan oeddwn yn iau, dwi’n gobeithio y bydd ail-gydio’n y piano dipyn haws na rhedeg am dros 13 milltir yn y gwynt a’r glaw! Dwi’n edrych mlaen at recordio’r darn a gweld yr holl glipiau fideo’n cael eu rhoi at ei gilydd i greu’r ‘perfformiad’ terfynol. Campwaith – gobeithio!"

Mwy am Llŷr

Ymunodd Llŷr â BBC Cymru Wales yn 2013 yn dilyn gyrfa lwyddiannus ym maes Marchnata a Chyfathrebu, ac ar radio lleol. Mae’n cyflwyno'r tywydd a’r traffig ar BBC Radio Cymru, gorsaf genedlaethol Gymraeg Cymru, ac yn cyflwyno’r tywydd ar BBC Wales Today, prif raglen newyddion Saesneg BBC Cymru Wales, o bryd i’w gilydd.

Instrument? Piano

Why Get Playing? "I enjoy challenges. I’ve gone from being unactive, to running half marathons, within a few years. I used to play the piano when I was younger, but I haven’t played in many years. So hopefully learning new pieces and getting to grips with the piano again will be easier than running a half marathon in the rain! I’m really looking forward to recording the piece, and see how all the video clips will be brought together to create a final product – hopefully a masterpiece!"

About Llŷr

Llŷr joined BBC Wales in 2013 following a successful career in Marketing and Communications and local radio. He presents the weather and traffic on BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Wales’ Welsh language national radio station and on occasion the weather for BBC Wales Today, BBC Wales’ flagship English-language television news.

Rhian Haf

Offeryn? Ukulele

Pam Dewch i Chwarae? Cyn belled ag y mae cerddoriaeth yn y cwestiwn, pasio Gradd 5 ar y piano gyda theilyngdod pan oeddwn i’n byntheg oed oedd yr uchafbwynt. Moonlight Sonata oedd fy arwydd-gân. Ond wedyn roedd yn rhaid i mi flaenoriaethu gweithio ar gyfer fy Lefel O – yn ogystal â’r pethau eraill sy’n tynnu sylw plant yn eu harddegau! Rwy’n difaru hynny erbyn hyn, wrth gwrs. Beth yw’r esgus am hynny? Wel, does gen i ddim piano i ddechrau. Ac mae gen i ŵr a mab sy’n golygu nad oes gen i lawer o amser rhydd. Felly rwy’n gobeithio y bydd y cyfle hwn i ddysgu canu’r ukulele yn fy sbarduno i ailgydio yn fy nhaith gerddorol. Beth gewch chi well na meistroli Cân y Toreador gan Bizet ar offeryn newydd?

Mwy am Rhian

Ganwyd Rhian Haf ar ddiwrnod chwilboeth ym mis Awst mewn ardal yn Eryri sy’n fwy adnabyddus am ei eira trwchus, a gan mai ‘Haf’ yw ei henw canol – gallech ddweud ei bod yn anochel y byddai’n gwneud rhywbeth sy’n ymwneud â’r tywydd! Mae’n cyflwyno'r tywydd yn Gymraeg ar BBC Radio Cymru, gorsaf genedlaethol Gymraeg Cymru, ac yn Saesneg ar BBC Radio Wales a BBC Wales Today, prif raglen newyddion Saesneg BBC Cymru Wales.

Instrument? Ukulele

Why Get Playing? "As far as music is concerned I peaked at the age of fifteen with my Grade V merit pass in piano. Moonlight Sonata was my signature tune. But then studying for my ‘O’ levels became the priority - well, that, and the usual distractions of a teenager! I regret it now, of course. Excuses? Well, I don't have a piano for one. And a husband and son have put paid to boundless free time. So I hope this chance to learn the ukulele will be the spark I need to rekindle my musical journey. What could be better than mastering Bizet’s Toreador Song on a new instrument?"

About Rhian

Rhian was born on a scorching August day, in a Snowdonia region perhaps better known for deep snow, and her middle name is 'Summer' - so you could say it was inevitable that she would end up doing something weather-related! Rhian presents the weather on BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Wales’ Welsh language national radio station and also on BBC Wales Today, BBC Wales’ flagship English-language television news programme and in English on BBC Radio Wales.