BBC Radio Wales: Katie’s Christmas Cards
Ever since she was a little girl growing up in Merthyr Tydfil, Katie Owen has loved Christmas. That’s why she was the perfect host for our 2023 15-part BBC Radio Wales series, Katie’s Christmas Cards. On the airwaves each December weekday, Katie heard from 15 special people with magical festive stories from each and every corner of Wales, building excitement as listeners prepared for the big day.
Objectives
- To create audio content for BBC Radio Wales to build festive excitement in the run up to Christmas 2023
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five minute segments on BBC Radio Wales
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festive guests from all over Wales
Secured host, Katie Owen as well as celebrity guests Jonny Owen and Vicky McClure
Prime-time radio slots in the 3x weeks of December leading up to the 25th
Content from the Campaign
We gave a platform to a range of different people across Wales to share the wonderful ways they spend the festive season. Stories included:
- Emma, from Nasareth (in Gwynedd), who owns a smallholding with her husband. On Christmas day, she will be milking goats, topping up hay, checking in on the sheep and giving the pony a Christmas carrot!
- Gaynor, from Pontypridd, who for the past 30 years has owned a small stall in Ponty market selling traditional toys.
- Tim, from Bala, who owns football fan-favourite shop and brand Spirit of 58.
- Rob, from Gower, who runs a Christmas tree farm that was passed down from his father.
- Miriam, from Llanystumdwy, who volunteers at community-owned pub Tafarn y Plu in her village. Her Christmas traditions centre around bringing the village together at the pub.
- Simon, from Eryri, a rock-climbing instructor that – you guessed it – climbs mountains on Christmas day.
- Donna, from Machynlleth, who volunteers at a pop-up hub in what used to be an Indian restaurant on the high street. There, over Christmas, she helps to serve Christmas dinners made from surplus food at local supermarkets and restaurants.
- Will, from Aberystwyth, is the curator of photography at the National Library of Wales, and an expert on Christmas cards. He tells Katie about the history of Christmas cards in Wales.
- Jon, from Groesfaen, who, in his spare time, looks after a vineyard producing Welsh champagne – Llampagne as he calls it.
- Jonny Owen and Vicky McClure (Katie’s dad and step-mum), recount Christmas memories from Katie’s childhood and how important family traditions are at this time of year.
- Grant, from Penarth, who braves the cold Welsh coastline in swimming shorts for the Dawnstalkers Christmas dip.
- Teresa, from Llanybydder, an activities coordinator at a care home – and Christmas is an extra busy time for her.
- Ceri, from Porthcawl, who is behind the long-running pantomime at Porthcawl Pavilion.
- Darell, from Treorchy, aka the Valley’s Santa Claus. Through November and December, Darell transforms his garden shed to Santa’s grotto – a safe space for children and vulnerable people.
- Rachel, from Bethlehem (Carmarthenshire), a fourth-generation dairy farmer in the little town (village) of Bethlehem.
