Category: Wales
Date: 22.03.2006
Printable version
Aled Glynne Davies, the Editor of the Welsh language service 91Èȱ¬ Radio Cymru, has announced that he is to step down later this year after more than a decade in the role.
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He took over the reins at Radio Cymru in 1995 and relaunched the station soon afterwards, introducing major changes aimed at attracting a broader audience.
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Radio Cymru's audience has grown during Aled Glynne's tenure, fuelled by a significant increase in the number of younger listeners.
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The introduction of a more informal presentation style - personified by former English language commercial radio presenter Eifion 'Jonsi' Jones - prompted some controversy.
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But far from being driven away, Radio Cymru's traditional listeners became even more loyal to the station and new listeners tuned into the station for the first time.
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Further changes - including the introduction of the youth-oriented evening service C2 and longer hours of broadcasting - saw listening figures rise to all-time record levels.
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A third of all fluent Welsh speakers now listen to the station every week.
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Aled Glynne said: "As the national radio station in the Welsh language, Radio Cymru has to provide a full service to all kinds of Welsh speakers.
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"There must be programmes across all genres, for all age groups, which appeal to people in all parts of Wales.
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"It was a complicated task but the challenge has been very fulfilling."
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Menna Richards, Controller, 91Èȱ¬ Wales, said: "I'd like to thank Aled very much indeed for his leadership and hard work.
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"With his enthusiasm and energy, the service has gone from strength to strength.
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"Under his leadership Radio Cymru has addressed the key challenges facing all radio stations; to attract new listeners and to increase listening amongst the core audience.
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"With his knowledge and understanding of contemporary Wales, Aled has succeeded in doing that and Radio Cymru now appeals to a wider range of Welsh speakers across Wales and beyond."
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91Èȱ¬ Wales Press Office
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