Latest news with #Popplewell
Telegraph
04-05-2025
- Climate
- Telegraph
Inside the BBC's VE Day coverage: ‘We must protect the veterans at all costs'
The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, on Thursday, may be the last significant milestone for many of those who risked their lives to end the Second World War, and, given that the 75th anniversary of VE Day fell during the early phase of the coronavirus pandemic, this week's commemorations feel like one big last hurrah to celebrate the ultimate victory over Nazi Germany. A large military parade takes place tomorrow, and there will be a morning memorial service at Westminster Abbey and a star-studded evening concert at Horse Guards Parade on VE Day itself. These landmark events will be broadcast by the BBC, with an expected audience of millions. The plans to co-ordinate the Armed Forces, the Royal family and pop stars are nightmarishly tricky. But Claire Popplewell, the BBC executive charged with overseeing the broadcasts and who has delivered coverage of previous global events, including the weddings of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as Nelson Mandela's funeral and VE Day 75, knows that the most important people there will be the military veterans. Popplewell says that her team is 'very aware' of the dwindling number of heroes who helped liberate the Continent from Adolf Hitler 's clutches, and 'we're talking to as many veterans as we possibly can' as part of the BBC's coverage. The oldest who has been interviewed is 108, with 'three or four' who are 106 or 107. Does the fact that many of these people may not be around for the 90th anniversary add to the pressure? 'Possibly,' she says. 'The lovely thing with VE Day is that it crosses so many generations. It isn't just about those who fought on the front line, but so many people who were affected, whether it's those serving at home, whether it was the Land Army, or the ladies in the factories, or the evacuees, who are of a slightly younger generation, but were still hugely impacted by the Second World War.' With nearly all the VE Day events taking place outdoors, thoughts inevitably turn to the unreliable British weather. After all, Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee Thames flotilla was marred by unseasonably heavy rain in June 2012, and Prince Philip was subsequently hospitalised with a bladder infection. Popplewell tries not to worry about the weather. 'You can't change it, can you? I always hope... when the sun shines, it transforms an event,' she says. 'Many times I've watched Trooping the Colour where it has been so hot, you've had people fainting, or so wet that the puddles are massive on Horse Guards Parade. I don't even look at the forecast, because you will either be hopeful or worried. You've just got to go with it on the day.' Former servicemen will not be exposed to any inclement weather this year. 'What we do is always to protect the veterans, so they will be under cover. The veterans have that duty of care.' Popplewell has been creative director for events at BBC Studios, the corporation's for-profit arm, since November 2018. The years since have been unprecedentedly busy from a ceremonial-event point of view: the centenary of the end of the First World War in 2018, Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, her death and funeral that September, then the King's Coronation in May 2023. On top of that are all the usual annual events, such as Trooping the Colour and the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph. Popplewell says that she had no 'grand plan' to work in such a specialised field of broadcasting. Having started out as a producer of daytime programmes, she moved to sport and then food, where she was a director on Gary Rhodes's programmes. Her first taste of the ceremonial side of television was the Queen Mother's funeral in 2002. 'I love the discipline of live [TV], I love the fun. I like it when it almost goes wrong, but it doesn't... as long as it really doesn't.' The most nerve-racking event of her career was Queen Elizabeth's funeral, which followed Popplewell working flat out to cover all the events after her death in the run-up to her being laid to rest. Tens of millions were watching in the UK alone. 'It had to be perfect,' she says. 'It was a complete lack of sleep by the time we got to that funeral day, because we had been going for so long.' Of course, Huw Edwards was the commentator on both Queen Elizabeth's funeral and the King's Coronation. Now that Edwards is in disgrace, the cast of presenters appears to be widening, so as not to have one person dominating all national occasions. Sophie Raworth is anchoring the VE Day coverage from a studio in St James's Park, for instance. 'Sophie is our reporter for the Cenotaph,' says Popplewell, 'and she has an amazing connection with the veterans.' Has the departure of Edwards, who had become the heir to David Dimbleby, changed how the BBC picks its presenters for these big national occasions? 'No. I don't think, in all honesty, anything has changed at all. The fact that people move on creates a natural opportunity for new people to come forward,' says Popplewell. 'Yes, Huw was a big part of our team. But Sophie has worked with us for equally as long.' Some previous commemorations of military victories – including the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele, in 2017 – have been criticised for being too gloomy in parts. In an attempt to avoid such comments this time, the Thursday-night concert, hosted by Zoe Ball, will feature Strictly Come Dancing stars performing to the music of the X Factor singer Fleur East, a mini-revival of Dad's Army starring Derek Jacobi and Larry Lamb, as well as the West End star Samantha Barks performing Vera Lynn's wartime classic We'll Meet Again. 'The thing about VE Day is, yes, you remember the sacrifice that people have made, but what is so special is this actually is a celebration. The overriding tone is [that of] a party,' says Popplewell. 'It's the nation coming together.' While Popplewell's brief is to make an entire nation of TV viewers feel like they are part of proceedings this week, she is ultimately focused on those who risked their lives during the war. 'I just want the veterans to have a good time,' she says. 'More than anything, whether they are watching at home, or whether they are there, or whether it's their families, I want them to know the gratitude I think this nation does have for the sacrifices that so many of them made.'
Otago Daily Times
03-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Eco-friendly edible cups ‘pretty cool'
Kirsten Popplewell serves up fresh coffee in edible cups. PHOTO: CLAIRE TAYLOR Echo Coffee, a small coffee cart in Weston, has adopted an eco-friendly way to enjoy its brews — edible cups. Owner Kirsten Popplewell now offers chocolate, vanilla and gingerbread-flavoured edible cups as an alternative to traditional takeaway options. Ms Popplewell, who previously farmed in the district, is new to the coffee business. Having struggled to find work after saying goodbye to the farm she "bought herself a job" by buying the coffee cart in late 2024. It is now located in the carpark beside the Weston Four Square from Monday to Friday. She rebranded the business as Echo and launched it earlier this year using locally roasted beans. Ms Popplewell stocks Twiice edible cups. She supported the edible philosophy and sees the cups as a better alternative to biodegradable options, which can take up to 10 years to break down. "The one thing I don't like is cups for landfill," Ms Popplewell said. "I buy [edible cups] and promote them simply because I love the philosophy." The cups have sparked interest across the community. This includes Weston School teaching staff using them to teach pupils about composting and sustainability. Ms Popplewell said her coffee cart has grown into something much more than a business: it has become a social hub in Weston. "It's snippets of people's lives," she said. "How's your wife going? How's your dog? It's extremely social. There's a lot of banter." She plans to expand the cart space to create a stronger community feel after receiving a donated table and chairs from a local. She also plans to write a book inspired by her daily interactions with customers. Locals Toby Mitchell and Corbyn King said they had never seen edible cups in the area and agreed they were a better — and tastier — alternative to traditional cups. "I like that you get a little snack with your coffee, and it feels good knowing you're helping the environment. It's pretty cool," Mr Mitchell said. — Claire Taylor, Journalism Student
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Golfer lands two holes in one in the same round
A 77-year-old golfer has achieved an extraordinary feat by hitting two holes in one during the same Popplewell beat odds of 67 million to one during a Stableford competition at Rotherham Golf Club on was stunned to land a 172-yard shot early in the round before repeating his achievement on the 14th Popplewell, the club's former captain, described it as a "once-in-a-lifetime" success and said: "It felt unbelievable." He added: "It took me quite a little while to settle down and stop shaking."Mr Popplewell joined Rotherham from Pontefract Golf Club in 1995 with a handicap of feat has never been recorded before at the course in an individual keen golfer has hit a hole in one on eight previous occasions, but never on the same day."There has to be a degree of luck, they were both decent shots but I'm sure luck plays its part," he said."Apparently you've got more chance of winning the lottery."Mr Popplewell finished the game on 76 is tradition, he celebrated his win by buying a round of drinks for everyone at the club about his technique, he quipped: "In my case the method was playing a wonderful, fantastic shot."Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
