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Why the BBC failed - an open letter to Greg Dyke. When
you sit and watch the slickly presented Children in Need evening on 15 November
spare a thought for a group of children and adults for whom Children in Need
proved a big failure.
The BBC offered to do a 'two camera shoot' of participants
from the DVLA taking part in Challenge Valley to raise money for Children in
Need. As you can see from the above it was an opportunity to obtain some unique
fun shots - good for the DVLA, good for the BBC and good for Clyne Farm Centre
(if they mentioned our name!) and a fine sunny morning.
Others in the past have found it good television. The list
of tv programmes that have filmed our events - mainly on Challenge Valley -
includes The Holiday Programme, Telethon, Activ8, Children in Need, MTV's
Jackass. Most pay - or offer - a facility fee. All we had from Children in Need
was, earlier this week, a request for copies of insurance policies and risk
assessments because 'it's a bit more dangerous than a karaoke session'. Of
course, we complied with this request but did say that we found it a little
odd.
An hour before the event was due to start the cameraman
rang to say that they would not be coming because it was raining. When I pointed
out that although it might be raining in Cardiff it was fine here, he said that
the cameras that the BBC now used could only be used for two minutes in the rain
(Look now Brett - you were coming to film the muddiest assault course in the
world!!!)
So, thirty plus participants and at least the same number
of spectators - from the second biggest employer in Swansea - feel really let
down and that their fundraising efforts have been devalued. (Let's just hope
that the spectator with the video camera gets good enough shots to sell to
You've Been Framed!)
But its more than that - it goes beyond the feel good
factor that raising money for a good cause brings. Children in Need is one of
the many events organised by the Corporation to maintain its high profile. It is
big business within the BBC and keeps lots of people in well paid
jobs from Terry Wogan down to the office staff running the thing throughout the
year.
If the BBC cannot afford a rain hat for a camera its
days are surely numbered.
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