Celebs rally for good causes

Big names from around South Wales helped drive ticket sales for last week’s EuroMillions draw.

They understand that good causes around the UK benefit from sales – and it was good to see them doing their bit in the media and PR drive.

The October 8 EuroMillions draw had an incredible £112m jackpot.

And celebrities asked to detail how they’d use such a life-changing windfall came forward with their thoughts.

The media used some of them.

Lifeboat

They range from buying a new Mumbles lifeboat (The Wave radio presenter Badger) to creating a world-class Tour of Wales cycle race (Swansea-born Olympic and world champion Nicole Cooke).

Swansea panto star Kev Johns would buy everybody a copy of Big Issue; Port Talbot charity fundraiser Captain Beany would help the environment.

Haverfordwest-born Jamie Owen, the BBC Wales newsreader, said: “I’d share the money with my brothers to keep the peace.

“I’d buy some mountain land to save it for the nation; I’d buy land in towns and cities to turn into parks for people to enjoy and to encourage the natural world to prosper. Wide open spaces are good for everyone’s health.”

The jackpot was the fourth largest ever available in the UK.

Celebrity dreams – How would you spend a £112m jackpot?

Captain Beany Charity fundraiser and campaigner, Port Talbot Simple. I’d divide the entire £112m equally between charitable fundraising efforts, local community-based projects and environmental and ecological organizations.

Badger Breakfast presenter on The Wave It sounds bizarre but I have a list for such eventualities – and have had for a few years! I’d buy mum and dad a house closer to ours and there’d be lots of charitable causes I’d help anonymously, Of course, I’d give the RNLI £2.7m for a new Mumbles lifeboat; it’s been a tough job for all the fundraisers to hit that target in these difficult times.

Kev Johns Actor and broadcaster, Swansea Wow! £112m … with that sort of money you could do some good and spoil yourself! I’d buy four houses … a dream home in Swansea and one of those lovely seaside homes in Tenby. Next would be a mews home in London and an apartment overlooking the Hudson River in New York! I’d set up a foundation to support young people training for a career in the arts and I’d buy a Big Issue for everyone.

Nicole Cooke Olympic and World Champion cyclist, born in Swansea The bulk of the money would be spent on charities and medical research. I think cycling could be involved as a way of helping children and people in need to enjoy the fun and freedom of cycling – using tandems, tricycles or electric bikes as part of therapy or care. I’d also like to set up the best international race in the women’s cycling here in Wales – something like a Tour of Wales that brings international stars to all parts of our beautiful country and also create a women’s cycling team that trains hard, races hard and plays hard! Finally, I’d like to put something aside towards my Mum and Dad’s retirement.

Jamie Owen BBC Wales newsreader, born in Haverfordwest If I won, I would share the money with my brothers to keep the peace. I would buy some mountain land to save it for the nation, and buy land in towns and cities to turn into parks as breathing spaces for people to enjoy and to encourage the natural world to prosper. Wide open spaces are good for everyone’s health young and old.

July 22's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Social Media Twitter Swansea
6.45am - KevJohnscymru: The UK's favourite pick and mix sweets are revealed in a poll this morning http://www.swanseasound.co.uk/blog?id=7955
8.15pm - VitalSwansea: Swansea manager Rodgers 'Very Impressed' So Far http://bit.ly/9vq50J
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Print Western Mail Click
News 1 - Parts of Swansea and Neath were caught unawares by torrential rain as floods inflicted damage on Wales after summer storms.
News 2 – Rugby great Gareth Edwards has been appointed honorary president of Carmarthenshire's National Botanic Garden of Wales.
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Broadcast The Wave Click
News 1 - Leading Swansea policeman Mark Mathias says the South Wales force is working hard with young people to keep them from committing crime. Measures include taking them fishing.
News 2 - Last night saw the launch of The Wave/Swansea Sound Culture and Lifestyle Awards, with a chance for the business community to mix with celebrity and glamour. Click
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Online Radio Tircoed 106.5fm Click
Volunteers wanted- Radio Tircoed Needs You! Anybody who has ever wanted to become a radio presenter is inviting enthusiasts to train as cover presenters - Welsh speakers a bonus. Email mailto:feedback@radiotircoed.com
On sale now! – Community station Radio Tircoed is now offering its own branded merchandise for sale ... beginning with a fine drinking vessel: "This is a great mug to drink out of, perfect for your morning cup of coffee or your late cup of chocolate."
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Links Twitter | Website
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July 21: Swansea Media - social media special

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Twitter Swansea
1.01am - SouthWalesNews: Serious flooding hits homes in Swansea: PARTS of Swansea were hit by serious flooding last night. http://trim.li/nk/2TAK
12.01am - pontardawe: Our festival office is open at the Gwachel Mon - Fri 11am - 5pm. Call in for a chat or phone 01792 830200 for any info.
11.03pm - VitalSwansea: 5-Star Swansea City Ease Past Llanelli http://bit.ly/czabYm
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Facebook Swansea
Swansea Bid – July 6: Free one hour car parking in all NCP car parks in Swansea at Salubrious Place, Orchard St and The Kingsway. http://bit.ly/baXQEN
Volcano Swansea – May 12: Volcano photos from Kirsten McTernan Photography & Design ... http://bit.ly/9Ii5DI
Badger Miles - Sunday: I'm gonna change my profile photo because you can't send a concerned message to a mate when you're profile photo says MLARGHHH! http://bit.ly/9DOZdF
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Links Twitter | Website
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June 3's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print Western Mail Click
News - Cumbria: Massacre of the innocents.
Sport - Shane Williams has revealed he pulled out of Wales' summer tests to protect his dream of playing at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Makeover – The Western Mail has a discreet but satisfying new look today. Check out - amongst other innovations - new headline fonts, byline styles, info boxes, promo panels and comment & debate pages.
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Broadcast The Wave Click
News - Cumbria: Home Secretary Theresa May is expected to make a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon.
Competition - There's a nice Wave hook-up with SellYourJewellery.com in a competition which offers a prize of £500 to spend at Bridgend Designer Outlet and a holiday to Ibiza for two. You just need to know your Pink, Lady Ga Ga and Madonna. Click
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Online Gower News Click
News - June 18 is golf's nationwide Four Course Classic fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy. Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson is encouraging support for the events which will see golfers play four course. The challenge courses include Langland Bay, Fairwood Park, Gower and Clyne. Click
Yee ha! – Events listings include the Gower Bluegrass Festival from September 11-12, with live fiddle, banjo, mandolin and dobro. Click
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Links Twitter | Website
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The Wave, Swansea Sound sweat over Tory plans

Media trade mag Press Gazette is reporting concerns that the new Westminster Government may scupper plans for replacement ITV Wales news service Wales Live.
That'd be disappointing - albeit not totally unexpected - news for staff at The Wave and Swansea Sound, part of the media consortium chosen to deliver the new service.
Any Government with a hint of Tory was always likely to mean difficulties in the Labour-triggered process which involves £130m of license fee funds.
Full story: http://bit.ly/aRN32m

April 19's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print South Wales Evening Post Click
Key news - A Gower man whose conviction for attempted rape has been quashed says his life will never be the same again following the ordeal.
Pride Awards – Strong coverage of the Evening Post's first Pride Awards from the Brangwyn Hall ... featuring actress Ruth Madoc, Swansea Sound's Kevin Johns, Swansea Lord Mayor Alan Lloyd and top prize winner Leigh Davies.
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Broadcast The Wave Click
Commercial - Typical ad break ... Ffos Las Racecourse, Travel Code Wales, Toyota, Dawsons Lettings Swansea, webuyanycar.com.
Editorial - Two men charged with the murder of a Cardiff 17-year-old are due to appear in court today.
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Online BBC Cymru Wales Click
News - Cardiff Airport will stay shut until at least 7pm today despite British Airways successfully landing a test flight to the airport from Heathrow to gauge safety in the light of the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland. Click
Sport - Glamorgan secured a 76-run victory and their first County Championship win at Lord's in 56 years after mopping up the Middlesex tail. Click
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Links Twitter | Website
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Swansea Bay success means opportunities

Well, some of the dust has settled on a fabulous ITV news victory for Swansea Sound, The Wave and their associates.
The big question for everyone in the Swansea Bay media now is: "How will our successful local bidders in the Wales Live alliance embrace this glorious chance?"
Will jobs be created for journalists?
Will strategic new business alliances be created with complementary professional information providers?
Can Swansea Bay really look forward to a genuinely credible alternative to BBC Wales news and sport?
I hope the answers are positive.
Job creation will be studied with a keen eye.
The winning UTV/NWN Media IFNC proposal is strong on its citizen journalism element. That's good because technology rightly makes everyone an information provider these days.
But any such contributed material must be subject to UTV moderation at the very least and, most preferably, to professional editing and packaging.
That should mean more job security and career prospects for those at our local radio stations ... and, hopefully, more opportunities for recruitment.
Strategic new professional hook-ups across Swansea Bay will be equally interesting.
Imagine what a force the South Wales Evening Post and Swansea Sound could be together.
But are the Post's Northcliffe Media bosses liberal enough - and sufficiently forward thinking - to consider such an arrangement?
The Post's low-key announcement of the Swansea Sound success yesterday suggests not. Indeed the two local radio stations weren't even name-checked in their hour of glory.
I understand why but it came across as needlessly petty ... it's a big, evolving world out there now and there's more to the local media than the local paper.
Everyone knows that and it's a fact that should be acknowledged a little more readily by Northcliffe's big guns.
Perhaps the Wales Live editorial chiefs will look to grassroots news and information professionals. They are, after all, a growing force.
BBC Wales has, of course, had the Wales-wide TV and radio field to itself for too long. ITV resources have been stretched too thinly and local radio has been increasingly careful with its journalistic spend.
So it'll be good to see an extended local and community reach of the new all-Wales media service. Inevitably, this will mean multi-skilling for journalists. That brings excitement for all - training opportunities and new ways of seeing work published.
Plenty more on this subject to come ...

Swansea media boss goes green

The recently departed station director of The Wave and Swansea Sound has surfaced in southeast Ireland.
Carrie Mosley has become sales and marketing director of KCLR, the self-proclaimed umber one radio station for the counties of Carlow and Kilkenny.
The station has around 68,000 unique listeners each week.
Its promo blurb says it's "a great listen and fondly known as the heart of Carlow Kilkenny."
KCLR96FM has been on air since May 2004, operating from studios and offices in both counties with a team of full and part-time personnel.
Good luck from all in the Swansea media community, Carrie.