AN INSPIRING karate instructor named the winner of the Rising Star category at Chwarae Teg’s Womenspire Awards will feature in a new programme - with Carol Vorderman.
Bethan Owen, 18, who received her award on Christmas Eve, was recognised for accomplishing so much from such a young age.
As part of her filming project - Carol Vorderman: Closer to Home, the TV presenter, best known for Countdown, Loose Women and the annual Pride of Britain Awards, paid a visit to Bethan’s home in Bodelwyddan.
Bethan, who is working at as key worker in Richmond House in Rhyl, said: “ I loved speaking Carol she was so lovely and so down to earth. I remember the day like it was yesterday.
"She came in September, it was such a shock but lovely to have a celebrity in the house.”
Father Garry Owen said: “It was a massive shock to have Carol visit.
“We thought it was to do with the Child of Wales award, but it was to do with Carol filming in the area.
“Carol was here for hours and what a wonderful lady she is.
Bethan's latest award!
“While she was here she did some filming. Bethan loved all the time spent with Carol.”
The mini series - which features three episodes - will see Carol taking a road trip though her home turf of North Wales.
Starting on the coast in her hometown Prestatyn, Carol reflects on how women’s roles have changed since her childhood.
Carol said: “My heart is here in Wales. I love travelling around and capturing every moment. In this series, I’ll be reconnecting with the place where I grew up; North Wales.
"I’m kicking off the first part of my journey on the beautiful coastline of north east Wales. I’m heading to Denbighshire, travelling from Prestatyn to Conwy, retracing my past.
Bethan Owen became a qualified karate instructor at age 12 and now she runs her own dojo
“I’ll be exploring the places and the stories that have shaped my life and the lives of many others as I get closer to home.”
In the first episode, she visits the Prestatyn house she moved to as a baby with her mother. Carol then meets a host of inspiring women as she aims to explore how opportunities have changed in the area.
In Conwy, Carol meets former school administrator Rhian Wyn Jones who, after going through a divorce, successfully risked it all to pursue her dream of becoming an award-winning artist.
Meanwhile, in Ruthin, she’s down on the farm meeting the female farmers of the future, as well as a young shepherdess who, after her father’s stroke, stepped in to take charge. Carol also meets Wales’ top female dog sledder Joleen Swiffon, who gives thrill-seeking Carol a ride.
Throughout the series she will visit other places from her past including Anglesey, Rhyl and Denbigh, meeting inspirational people and members of her family, as well as trying her hand at an array of activities including zip lining at Penrhyn slate quarry and flying in RAF Valley.
Carol Vorderman: Closer to Home will be on BBC1 Wales. The first episode is scheduled for January 5.
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