DECHRAU CANU, DECHRAU CANMOL TO MOVE HOME
17-Mar-2005
Two of Wales' leading production companies, Elidir and Green Bay, have come to an agreement which will see the production team for Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol - S4C's long-running hymn-singing programme - moving to Green Bay after Easter.
The change comes at an exciting time for the Welsh independent sector, as companies throughout the country consider means of closer co-operation.
As part of the new arrangements, Emlyn Davies, Chairman of Teledu Elidir and present Editor of the series, will bid farewell to Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol after nearly seven years of leading the team.
"It's Emlyn's vision which is responsible for the strength of the series as it's developed over recent years," says John Geraint, Green Bay's creative director. "Now that the time has come for him to relinquish his post, his enlightened willingness to imagine a new future for the production has allowed us to reach an agreement which opens a new chapter in the history of Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol. The challenge for us will be to build on his achievements and keep Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol close to the nation's heart".
Green Bay specialises in factual, music and religious programmes. The company is a regular contributor to other television channels in Wales and beyond, as well as to S4C, and it has won wide respect and recognition for the quality of its output. It was Green Bay that was responsible for the recent television history of religion in Wales, Bread of Heaven with Huw Edwards. Green Bay also produced the BBC network profile of Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
John Geraint is a former producer of Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol. It was with the BBC's Religious Department that John and his fellow creative director in Green Bay, Phil George, learned their craft as television producers, whilst directing, producing and presenting well-known religious series like Songs of Praise and Everyman.
Emlyn Davies says, "It's been a huge privilege to be responsible for this series over recent years, and to get to work alongside people like Huw Llywelyn Davies and the other members of the talented production team who'll be moving over to Green Bay. I'm confident that the popularity of Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol will continue under the new arrangements, and it's heartening to think that the series is passing into such safe and experienced hands, into the care of a company which espouses such high standards. In the midst of all this excitement as production companies realign their businesses and work together to meet the needs of a new age in the industry, it's great to see Dechrau Canu leading the way."
Iona Jones, S4C's Director of Programmes, welcomed the agreement between Elidir and Green Bay. Iona Jones says, "This is a constructive response to the creative and economic challenges which are facing Welsh producers in an era of fundamental change in the industry. I'm confident that this new arrangement will build on the crucial contribution which Emlyn Davies has made to a series which is very close to the hearts of S4C viewers."
Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol is one of the longest-running series on any British television channel. The first edition was first broadcast more than 40 years ago in 1961 - a 'live' transmission from Trinity Chapel, Sketty, Swansea.