![]() “I always assumed, as I was always told at school, that if I got my O levels, I’d be fine,” she recalls. While she was determined not to fall into the trap of “getting up late, swanning around the house and going back to bed again,” the experience was dispiriting. The DHSS was one of the biggest employers on the Tyneside estate where she lived, and besides - having not enjoyed school - the idea of continuing her education seemed like “a ridiculously stupid idea.”īut being laid off by the civil service in the mid 1980s, and becoming one of “Mrs Thatcher’s great four million,” unemployed, came as a shock and Groves spent the next five years in and out (and it was mostly out) of work. While she hated working at the local social security office, updating national insurance records and authorising benefit payments, there was no question of changing path. Despite doing well in her O levels, she left as soon she as she could, joining the civil service as a record branch clerk. She came to the profession late, having “absolutely detested” the Catholic single sex secondary school she attended, where discipline ruled. We’ve lost a significant amount of commercial income so being able to attract large scale productions such as Roald & Beatrix to St Fagans has been a huge help to us and has enabled us to continue to support the cultural economy of Wales.“I did it all back to front, upside-down and mostly part-time,” says Institute for Learning (IfL) president Beatrix Groves, known to friends as Bea, on how she ended up with a degree and a career in teaching. It’s been a difficult year for many organisations in Wales, including the museums sector. “We’re very pleased we’ve been able to continue the television and filming productions at out sites this year, working within the COVID-19 restrictions. Our mission is to continue to forge relationships to attract more and more productions here in 2021.”ĭavid Anderson, Director General, Amgueddfa Cymru, said: “The sector is to be praised for the innovation and resilience it has shown throughout the year in adapting operations to continue productions in a COVID safe way. We are a nation of storytellers and we have a rich cultural heritage in Wales so I’m delighted that Creative Wales worked with producers to secure locations and studio space, giving viewers a glimpse of what we have to offer. “Roald & Beatrix will be a much-needed Christmas Eve treat for viewers. ![]() Since wrapping, the direct economic impact of Roald & Beatrix is expected to be in excess of £2m.ĭeputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: The role Creative Wales plays in attracting productions to Wales not only ensures business support for those production companies wanting to work here, but also focuses on the positive impact the production has on Wales. Eagle-eyed viewers will be able to spot some popular Welsh locations including scenes filmed at St Fagans featuring the iconic Oakdale Workmen’s Institute and the Gwalia Stores. The drama will air Christmas Eve 8.15pm on Sky One and streaming service NOW TV starring Dawn French (who plays Beatrix), Bill Bailey, Rob Brydon, Jessica Hynes and Alison Steadman.īringing A-List stars to Wales isn’t the only legacy for this hit production. It was also one of the first productions that gained Creative Wales support. Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse was one of the first productions to start shooting in Wales after the news of COVID hit last March. Produced by Hartswood Films for Sky Studios, the production is supported by Creative Wales, and was shot in Wales at locations across south Wales including St Fagans National Museum, Gwili Heritage Railway Station and at Seren Stiwdios in Cardiff. Described as a ‘magical festive adventure’, Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse is inspired by the story of when a six-year-old Roald Dahl meets his idol Beatrix Potter.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |