Llandrindod Wells residents can now tune in to BBC iPlayer to see everyone’s favourite weatherman strolling around the spa town.

Derek Brockway visited the town last October to film an episode of his popular Weatherman Walking series.

The Llandrindod episode of season 14 aired on BBC on April 15 – with Derek visiting the iconic lake and a castle destroyed by Prince Llewelyn, playing a game of bowls against a local legend, chatting to fellow weather expert Sue Charles, a Llandrindod native, and bestowing an award on a local community hero.

Hilary MaCaulay, of the Llandrindod Wells Spa Town Trust, talked to Derek about the establishment of Llandrindod as a popular tourist resort in the Victorian era due to its spa waters.

Next it was on to picturesque Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club, described as the ‘Mecca of Welsh international bowling’, where he met legendary local player Betty Morgan.

Derek was told the club is the largest in Wales, where bowls has been played since 1912. Derek played a brief game against 81-year-old Betty, described as “mean on the greens” and someone who is “never gentle, she just wins”.

Betty is a highly decorated player, having won Commonwealth Games silver in Australia in 2006, as well as British Championship gold on no less than 13 occasions. She was appointed an MBE in 2005.

Derek then stopped by the lake where he met a familiar face, Sue Charles. Sue told him: “It’s a bit of a treat, there’s a sense of calm and serenity here.

“There are beautiful views and if you need to clear your head, you can come here, walk around and get lost in your thoughts; you’ll always leave feeling better.”

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Derek also chatted to Penny Nicholson and her gypsy cob Ozzy; Penny was instrumental in establishing the Llandrindod Wells Town Horse Park, the UK’s first, in September 2022, as a way to reduce our carbon footprint.

Derek walks to historic Cefnllys Castle, built by Roger Mortimer. He is told the importance of the castle, which was burnt to the ground by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in his campaign against the English.

Derek’s colleagues, Onkar Singh Purwal and Alex Wharton are also in town. Onkar chats to residents about the secret to being happy, as Llandrindod has been named as one of the happiest places to live in Wales and the UK in recent years.

Mayor Marcia Morgan told Onkar: “It’s all about the great community spirit here. Residents are very welcoming, warm, caring, and supportive, and we all work together here.”

Alex, meanwhile, visits a nearby deer farm. Fran Shaw is raising 90 deer on the farm and reveals how the local farming community have treated her since her arrival. “I was greeted with scepticism when I first got here,” admits Fran.

“’Oh dear, they’re going to be jumping fences and escaping’, but once the deer had arrived they’ve never been anything other than supportive, and I’ve received lots of friendship.

“It’s a lovely area to live in.”

Derek ends his tour at Llandrindod’s bandstand, where he meets Diana and Jude from Fuelled by Cake.

The episode concludes with Derek presenting a Weatherman Walking Local Hero Award, something he has introduced this series, to local community First Responder Tony Dudley.

“We’re dispatched to 999 calls in the local community, we’re normally the first on the scene,” said Tony.

“I do it simply because I wanted to give something back to the community. I’m born and bred in Llandrindod and my family are as well.”

He added: “The award was a total surprise. I don’t do what I do for awards, I do it for the local community and everyone who’s here.”

Councillor Morgan said: “We’re very, very proud (of Tony), he does so much for the local community. He goes over and above for us all.”

To watch the Llandrindod episode, visit https://shorturl.at/emyAY.