Broadcasters of BBC Wales, 1964-1990, The

Memoirs of Gareth Price, former Controller of BBC Wales (1968-90), who worked for the Corporation between 1964 and 1990, the most exciting period of growth in the history of Welsh broadcasting. He spent ten years (1964-74) as a television producer and 16 years (1974-90) appointing, enabling and leading production teams in all their varied activities at the BBC. 98 images.

Review :
It has been argued that we, the Welsh are obsessed with the media. The late Dr John Davies went as far as to describe Wales as an artefact created by broadcasting. Gareth Price, however, refutes this in his presentation of a social history of a specific era and the personalities who enlarged and revolutionised the broadcasting landscape of Wales. No one is more qualified than Price to reveal the inside story of Welsh broadcasting. In 1964 he took his first tentative steps as BBC radio current affairs producer. During the best part of three decades in Welsh broadcasting he rose to Head of Programmes and Controller BBC Wales. He is never reluctant to share his experiences. We read the inside story of defections from the BBC to ITV when the latter was launched. We share his experience of meeting Indira Ghandi, Prime Minister of India, shortly before she was assassinated. We share his insight into the tragic death of Carwyn James. He is forthright throughout. His eminently readable account records the most exciting and innovative period in Welsh broadcasting, in both languages. It portrays a gallery of figures that became household names, some indeed legends. The cover itself includes photographs of Mary Hopkin, Ryan and Ronnie, Frank Hennessy, Roy Noble, Alun Williams and Max Boyce. Inside there are dozens more. Others, involved in production, are just as legendary. Described as pioneers, they include Aneirin Talfan Davies, Sam Jones, Hywel Davies, Alun Oldfield-Davies and John Griffiths. Women are given their due respect. In an era when men ruled the airwaves, we read of trailblazers such as Morfydd Mason Lewis, Evelyn Williams, Nan Davies, Lorraine Davies and Teleri Bevan. In telling the story, Price is not afraid to question the politics of Welsh broadcasting. As Huw Edwards notes on the back cover, he raises pertinent questions regarding the role and status of the BBC in todays Wales. It is worth quoting Prices summing up. In 1990, aged 51, I left BBC Wales after 26 wonderful years, privileged to have been a member of a management team which revolutionised the broadcasting landscape of Wales. During those years he himself was involved in milestone events such as the birth of both Radio Wales and Radio Cymru and later S4C. This is not only an admirably readable account; it is also authentic, written by an insider. Price could claim, like Max Boyce, I know, cos I was there! Lyn Ebenezer It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddio'r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.