I Was There

I Was There...

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BBC Radio Wales Extra

Factual: History

A look back in time with the voices of the people who can say "I was there".

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I Was There: Series 3: When S4C Began

When S4C began

When S4C Began

Series 3

BBC Radio Wales - I Was There, Series 3, When S4C Began

Mai Davies reunites those who could say 'I was there' at a moment in Welsh history.

Mai Davies reunites those who could say 'I was there' at a moment in Welsh history. In this episode, it's the night S4C began.

Mai Davies reunites those who could say I Was There at a moment in Welsh history - in this case the night S4C began.

When the Welsh language channel went on air on 1st November 1982 it marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Welsh broadcasting history. But it was also the culmination of an intensive campaign that had become literally a matter of life and death. 

The fight for a Welsh language channel began in the 1970s as part of the bigger battle to keep the language alive. Both the Conservatives and Labour parties promised a Welsh language fourth channel if they won the 1979 General Election.

But shortly after the Tories came to power, the new Home Secretary Willie Whitelaw decided against a Welsh language fourth channel. This sparked a campaign of civil disobedience which included refusals to pay the television license and sit-ins at BBC and HTV studios.

But the most dramatic act of protest came from former Plaid Cymru president and the party’s first MP Gwynfor Evans. In 1980 he threatened to go on hunger strike if Margaret Thatcher’s government did not fulfil its commitment to provide a Welsh language TV service. 

Before Gwynfor Evans could begin his hunger strike, the Government performed a U-turn and agreed to honour its promise. Two years later the channel was on air.

Joining Mai to relive the launch night are  Sian Thomas and Rowena Griffin who were the 21-year-old new faces of the channel - joining elder statesman Robin Jones on screen  as continuity presenters. And behind the scenes was an equally youthful Richard Williams who had got the job of Presentation Controller just two weeks before S4C went on air.

Sian, Rowena and Richard share their memories of that exciting and historic first night - and the pride they took in being part of a channel that had been the focus of such a passionate campaign to preserve the Welsh language for future generations.

I Was There: Series 3

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