15/03/2012 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today. Our top story:

Plaid Cymru chooses its new leader - Leanne Wood.

Together we can build a Wales that is fair, a new war Wales that will

flourish and a new Wales that will one would they be free. Ymlaen.

She began the campaign as the rank outsider - but ends it as Plaid's

first woman leader. Once thrown out of the Assembly

chamber for calling the Queen Mrs Windsor, I'll be asking the new

leader how she aims to turn the In other news:

He died after being tangled in a bedroom blind cord - the Government

is urged to stress the dangers. And Warburton's back from injury to

lead Wales for their Grand Slam decider against France. I can't

wait for the game on the weekend. It's going to be the biggest game

of my career and it can't come soon enough.

Leanne Wood is the new leader of Plaid Cymru. The Assembly member

for South Wales Central beat the bookies' favourite Elin Jones into

second place - in the contest to succeed Ieuan Wyn Jones. Former

leader Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas was eliminated after the first round of

voting. Our Political Editor Betsan Powys is in Cardiff Bay, where the

result was announced just a few hours ago. She gathered a lot of

attention and support during her campaign. The tension gathered as

eight ballot boxes were being counted. 25 people working away.

The rumours started that Leanne Wood had made it to the top.

I can declare that the new leader of Plaid Cymru is Leanne Wood.

The 9th leader in its 80 seven-year history. The first woman to lead

the party. The first not to be a fluent Welsh speaker.

Real independence means collectively lifting real people

out of poverty, leaving no one behind. Building a future based on

hope, not fear. The election is over so now the real words begin.

The alternative vote system of this election ranks candidates in order

of preference. Leanne Wood got 48% of First Choice vote. The second

preferences of people who voted for Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas were

allocated to the others, giving Leanne Wood a clear victory. The

chair welcomed what she regards as a very significant vote.

We can be saying to those people in places like Llanelli and all over

Wales, we have a leader who can speak for you all. I'm delighted

for Leanne Wood. As a feminist, I'm delighted that Plaid Cymru has

elected a woman leader. The outgoing leader had words of

advice. I congratulated her on her career

and substantial victory. Obviously, to wish her well in her new post.

Beyond everything else, be yourself and present the vision you have

prevented the -- presented throughout the campaign.

Young Plaid Cymru members have voted in the election gave their

reaction. I was very pleased could eat result.

I was worried, thinking Elin Jones would win it because she is the

safer option. I thought the supporters would radical enough to

go for Leanne Wood and I'm pleased they have. A I'm a bit disappointed

but Leanne Wood was a very strong candidate and hair and Elin Jones

had very strong soul ideas on independence and economic ideas.

I think Leanne Wood has the power to take pride Cymru forward and

it's an exciting time to be a member.

Leanne Wood is on the left of Welsh politics. She says she's palate --

passionate about social justice and economic renewal. She now has the

opportunity to set her party on a path she hopes Welsh voters will

follow. Nobody described Leanne Wood as a safe pair of hands but

that is probably what won her the leadership today. She became the

favourite and then slipped back. There were enough pride can be

voters in Wales who wanted to see real, real change.

Leanne Wood was regarded by many as the rank outsider. Just 40-years-

old, the mum-of-one from the Rhondda was the youngest candidate.

And she hadn't held a top political position like former cabinet member

Elin Jones and former presiding officer Lord Elis-Thomas. Aled ap

Dafydd now on her career so far. The measures outlined in Mrs

Windsor's speech... This is how Leanne Wood first rose

to prominence. A deliberate mocking of the Queen that got her thrown

out of the chamber. I will have to ask you to...

Withdrawal. For the remainder of the day.

The incident confirmed her Republican view was but during the

leadership campaign, she said she would meet the Queen in her

official capacity as leader. A probation officer and lecturer and

social worker, Leanne Wood was the first Welsh politician to start a

weekly podcast from her website. Very good! Very impressive!

As well as being staunchly republican, she is also in antique

nuclear campaigner and was arrested in 2007 for protesting against

Trident. A season full of Welsh politics believes Leanne Wood's

relative lack of big-time political experience will not count against

her of. She would like me for saying this

but I compare her to Tony Blair, who had never it -- who had no

government experience and ended up at Number 10. Leanne Wood won't

like the comparison but I don't think you need experience of being

a deputy leader before you become leader. You stand on a platform and

take a chance. Sometimes you when, sometimes you lose. Leanne Wood

fought the best campaign and that is why she has one today.

Leanne Wood's finest political hour came when she exposed excesses at

the Wales Audit Office, which included a severance payment of

�750,000 to the then Auditor General, Jeremy Colman. Her

political agenda has evolved around a document she published, the green

print for the valleys which reinforced her belief that co-

operative formed the basis of any economic resurgence in Wales. Those

policies will now be put to the test, to prove the high-profile

endorsements and the Welsh electrodes that she can regain

pride can be's lost ground. Joining me is Leanne Wood, the new

leader of Plaid Cymru. Do you think you one because you are not Ieuan

Wyn Jones? I think members wanted a change and

to go in a different direction but I think members would say that

Ieuan Wyn Jones has made a great contribution to Plaid Cymru as

leader. He has been Sjoerd we now have a parliament in Wales so I

want to pay tribute. But you are going to change things?

I intend to plough a different furrow. We need to put the economy

at the top of our agenda. People are looking for solutions to the

problems they face. The lack of jobs, the lack of money, the lack

of security. As a party, we need to offer hope to people that Wales can

be better and different in future. Critics from within the party said

he had good ideas but put them under scrutiny and they are in

danger of crumbling. They are nervous. What is your message to

them? I've put a lot of ideas out there.

Maybe the party went round with all of them but in Plaid Cymru, we have

a tremendous group of talented people and I think if we can take

the ideas I've put out there and put all those talents and best

brains we've got in the party together, we can come up with a

robust plan for turning around the Welsh economy and to develop a

successful Wales for the future. When the Queen visits, the Assembly

across the water, would you shake hands? How would you behave this

time went Mrs Windsor is in town? I said I will do what is

constitutionally necessary and as leader of the party, we will need

to be represented. I'm not going to be happy participating. I'm a

strong Republican. People know that. That has been clear. At the same

time, the role of party leader is different to that of a backbencher.

I would still like to give the backbenchers the freedom to do what

they most feel comfortable with. The new leader of Plaid Cymru,

Leanne Wood. In other news, a coroner has warned

parents of the dangers of window blinds after a toddler was

strangled by a cord. Joshua Wakeham, nearly two years old, became

entangled as he looked out of his bedroom window at his home in

Newport. He was found dead by his mother who checked on him after

putting him to bed for the evening. Caroline Evans reports.

An active and inquisitive boy, Josh Wakeham had only just started

sleeping in his own bed. It's assumed he was trying to look out

of his bedroom window when he got caught up in the beaded cord of the

blind. His mother Tracey Ford was too distressed to attend the

inquest. But since his death she has been campaigning for better

safety standards. She's been supported by her MP Paul Flynn who

believes an official government campaign is needed to warn people

of the dangers. I raised this issue four years ago. British Industry

said they didn't want to change it at the time. It would cost them

more so it had to be done on a European basis. That legislation

will come and the youth courts in future will be safer. -- the loop

chords. There are still millions of them in homes.

There are safety devices available, and new legislation will change the

design of blinds but campaigners say the industry should act now to

alert parents to the dangers of dangling cords.

Currently, at the very least, retailers should be providing

blinds with a warning tag and a safety device. This is often a

plastic plate which relies upon the consumer to fit themselves but when

a new standard comes into force, we are hoping this will mean that all

safety devices will be integral to the product.

Joshua is the third child to die in Britain this year it would have

been his birthday tomorrow. Recording a verdict of accidental

death, the coroner said that although it would be unreasonable

to expect parents to monitor their children 24 hours a day, this

should serve as a warning to all parents that children of whatever

age are inquisitive and all potential hazards should be kept

well out of reach. These pupils have all had a go at

being a journalist for the day as part of the BBC school report

project. Find out how they coped with real stories and real

Sam Warburton will lead Wales' bid to win the Six Nations Grand Slam

on Saturday. He's recovered from a knee injury that forced him to miss

the Italy game, and will now captain the team against France at

the Millennium Stadium. He's the only change to Warren Gatland's

team who are trying to win their third Grand Slam in eight years, as

Ashleigh Crowter reports. Sam Warburton has unfinished

business against France. His World Cup semi-final was ended by a red

card. The last thing he wanted was for injury to deny him the chance

to write those wrongs. The injury may even have been a positive

distraction to take his mind off what happened in New Zealand.

My knee has distracted me from that. That has really been what my

attention has been on for the last couple of weeks and this week I've

been making sure the team are ready and myself, for the game on the

weekend. Too many things to think about for that to creep into my

mind. The return is the only change from

the team that beat Italy last pairing. Matthew Rees will win his

50th cap, one of only three players who didn't start against France in

the World Cup. The back line is unchanged. Mike Phillips the only

player in the starting 15 who The return of Sam Warburton could

be crucial. Wales suspect Saturday's match might not be

pretty. France have asked for the reef to be open, despite the fact

that rain is forecast. They have the addition of grisly front row

We have got to have to expect that physical confrontation they are

capable of bringing to the Millennium Stadium. It will be

tough upfront. Wales have shown the ability to win

a glee. -- badly. This team are determined to take this opportunity.

180 pupils at Tycroes Primary school near Ammanford got a visit

from the official London 2012 Olympics Mascot, Wenlock today.

Tycroes Primary was chosen from sixteen thousand schools throughout

the UK as school of the month for including the Olympics in virtually

every aspect of school activity. The pupils were also shown how to

do archery from local Paralympic hopeful Jemma Morris.

Tomorrow night we'll be getting the thoughts of a Wales' newest rugby

fan. You might know him better as the creator and star of Bay Watch

and Knight Ryder - but David Hasslehof, under the guidance of

welsh girlfriend Hayley Roberts, has become a huge welsh rugby

supporter! I spoke to them in LA - where they're backing Wales all the

way. My father is coming over. He loves

rugby. I bought him the T-shirt for the

game, a Wales T-shirt. After they win, we will jump in the

car and we are off to Canada. Big smiles.

More from David Hasselhoff and all the build up to the rugby - join me

tomorrow night. Two community radio presenters from

Llandudno have broken a world record after broadcasting non-stop

for 80 hours. Alwyn Samuel and Dave Jones from Tudno FM are raising

money for a local hospice and the BBC's Sport Relief. They started

their show at 6am on Monday and completed it at 2:00pm this

afternoon. They've broken the record previously held by Radio 1's

Chris Moyles.$$NEWLINE An historic lifeboat that's been lying derelict

in Conwy harbour is returning home to Norfolk for restoration. The

Edward Birkbeck was built around 1896, and was the lifeboat at

Winterton-on-Sea until 1925. The boat is heading to its original

home in East Anglia where it once made 94 rescues.

The Navy's latest warship has berthed in Cardiff Docks, in thick

fog, on its first visit to the city it's affiliated to. HMS Dragon

replaces the now scrapped frigate HMS Cardiff. The Destroyer, which

will be open to the public on Sunday, is one of the most advanced

ships in the Navy's fleet. Bringing the destroyer in to Cardiff for the

first time is an extreme privilege and honour. It is a new class of

ship. The best of British technology. We should be in service

for approximately 40 years. It's the hit comedy that's taken

the West End by storm - and now the National Theatre's production of

One Man Two Guvnors has a Welsh actor in the lead role. Owain

Arthur spent months as the understudy to James Corden in the

show. Now, Corden is heading to Broadway meaning the 28-year-old

actor from Gwynedd is finally Physical comedy can be a tricky act

to pull off but this man's performance has already impressed

the critics and it's a part that will transform his fortunes as an

actor. In One Man Two Guvnors, he plays a gluttonous minder working

for two bosses in 1960s Britain. The part itself is such a gift. If

you've seen it, or if you are going to see it, it's a totally obvious.

It is the best. It's definitely the biggest part I've played.

The play opened at the National Theatre in London last year with

James Corden in the lead role. The big break came in to send the 20

had to replace the Gavin and Stacey star for one performance. -- cent

beat understudy. The role was then tailored for him.

As soon as we decided that he should play it, we thought that he

should be Welsh, because that is what he is. We changed the script

and made the character Welsh. It wasn't difficult. It wasn't the

original concept but why not? Why not? Its kind of funny.

You are the role model for village idiots.

With an acting career spanning from feature films and a stint with the

Royal Shakespeare Company, he is no stranger to being in the spotlight.

He wasn't fazed by following in James Corden's footsteps.

We were given the freedom to make things different. There are

different laughs in the show to what there was when James Corden

was doing it. One Man Two Guvnors has been a big

hit in the West End and this production runs until September.

Its new leading man will have plenty of time to get used to being

in the spotlight. School pupils across the country

have been trying their hand at being journalists as part of the

annual BBC School Report Day. It's a chance for 11 to 16-year-olds to

write their own news stories for real audiences. Our education

correspondent, Nicola Smith, is at Lampeter Comprehensive school with

some budding reporters. Nicky. It's pretty quiet in the classroom

but a few hours ago, it was a different story. These peoples had

a go at being drawn a lists -- journalists for the day. They spent

time writing scripts for important 2 o'clock news bulletins. I'm

pleased to say they met their deadline. One of the presenters was

Oliver and he is going to put everything he learnt to the test

live on air. It's not just been our

comprehensive school that has taken part in BBC's news school report.

One of them was a comprehensive school that went down to the

Olympic park and had an interview with the manager. Let's take a look.

I am from South Wales and my question is, what has been your

biggest challenge whilst organising the game's?

The biggest challenge, really, is you are in one of our venues. There

are 26 Olympic sports, 20 Paralympic sports. They are like

world championships. We have to deliver, in our Olympic terms, 26

simultaneous world championships all in the space of 16 days.

The experience was brilliant. It was nice to meet Sebastian Coe and

to go around the Olympic village. It's not finished yet. I'm sure

they will finish in time. It looks amazing so far and I can't wait

until the Olympics start. I think we agree that Sophie and

all of it did a great job. Let's have a chat with the other

reporters. What did you enjoy most about the day?

I enjoyed just learning how to work as a team, how to put a news report

together and being part of a project.

Harry, what did you find the most challenging?

I found during a story on the computer quite challenging because

you had to go on the internet and find different stories. That was

pretty hard. Has it given you a taste for life

as a journalist? Definitely.

Briefly, what have you learnt today?

We learned how to work as a group and we have learnt how to write

everything and do a story. If we had the chance again, we would do

it. I'm sure everyone would agree with me.

There is an important task still to do and Kayleigh is going to help me.

A bit cloudy here today in Lampeter. Let's take a look at the weather

The weather's been quiet in Lampeter this week. High pressure

bringing a mixture of sunshine, low cloud, mist, fog and drizzle. Mind

you, the weather is on the change. Pressure is falling. The breeze

will pick-up tomorrow with some rain on the way. So tonight is

cloudy. Drizzle in the south and west. Mist and hill fog. Dry and

clearer in the north-east. Lowest temperatures five Celsius along the

border. Seven on the Carmarthenshire coast. Tomorrow's

chart shows a cold front over Ireland and that is heading our way.

So tomorrow the north-east will start off dry and bright. A little

sunshine in Welshpool but most of the country cloudy. Spots of

drizzle in the south and west. Hill fog. Temperatures in Dolgellau

seven Celsius with a fresh breeze on the Lleyn Peninsula. So the best

of the weather tomorrow in the north-east and the Marches. Dry and

bright. Elsewhere mostly cloudy and later in the afternoon some rain

will spread into western counties. Breezier tomorrow. Top temperatures

10 to 13 Celsius with a south- westerly wind. Tomorrow evening

rain will spread further east. Overnight the north and west

becoming dry but the south and south-east into Powys may turn wet.

On Saturday some dry weather. If you're lucky you may see the sun

but on the whole a lot of cloud. Some rain and heavy showers as well.

So if you're in Cardiff for the Six Nations final. I predict a great

atmosphere. A few showers and a win for Wales. On Sunday, the weather

is set to improve. A few showers. These wintry on the hills and

mountains but during the day it should become dry and brighter with

some sunshine. Sunday night into Monday cold with a slight frost.

Next week turning milder, damp and breezy for a time but from the

middle of the week the weather looks like settling down with

rising temperatures. By the way, Trefnant Bowling Club are holding a

Table Top Sale on Saturday. Everyone is welcome.

A reminder of our top story tonight:

Leanne Wood is the new leader of Plaid Cymru. The Assembly member

for South Wales Central beat the bookies' favourite Elin Jones into

second place in the contest to succeed Ieuan Wyn Jones. She said

people were looking to the party We need to put the economy at the

top of our agenda. People are looking for solutions for the

problems they face. The lack of jobs, security. We need to offer

hope to people. For the last word tonight, back to

our Political Editor Betsan Powys. Betsan, what do we think this will

mean for the party? Change, is the simple answer to

that. What members have made clear today is they were ready for change.

They have taken a punt and some of them know that. They have done it

because they felt so strongly that it was time for things to change.

She was the candidate least like Ieuan Wyn Jones. People said, we

are going to vote for her with hearts, not heads. Others said that

she wouldn't win. She has now and some are concerned about those

policies, will they stand up to scrutiny that the other parties

will put on them? Her supporters are confident that she will deliver

real change. Her job is persuading the 45% who didn't vote for her

that she can deliver that changed. That's Wales Today. I'll have