CONTROVERSY is his middle name, so it was only natural that one day someone would produce a TV programme about him. The life and times of the maverick Rhylbased cannabis campaigner Jeffery Ditchfield will be shown on TV next month. Big Blast Films series producer Rob Davies says his BBC Two programme Underground Britain will reveal "eye-opening" information about Mr Ditchfield (pictured right). The documentary will be broadcast on Thursday, September 8, and a film crew followed Mr Ditchfield over 18 months. It also shows interviews with people against his quest to legalise cannabis such as community activist Colin Jones and Rhyl County Cllr Diana Hannam. "Jeff was extremely open with us and I'm sure viewers will find the programme very eyeopening," said Mr Davies, who lives in London. "Underground Britain is essentially a fly-onthe-wall documentary about people who operate on the edges of the law and we thought Jeff was an ideal candidate. "We followed Jeff's dealings with North Wales Police and with the local authority and we filmed him with his Bud Buddies. We also got footage of him when he opened up his drug paraphernalia/coffee shop the Beggars Belief and during his court trial. "To make the film balanced and fair, Jeff requested we interview people opposed to him such as Colin Jones and former mayor Cllr Diana Hannam. "What we tried to do with the documentary was to get into the mind of Jeff in a bid to find out what motivates him. It will be a very insightful and interesting programme and we hope people will make their own minds up about Jeff's plight once they watch it." In May, Mr Ditchfield failed in his bid to win the Vale of Clwyd seat in the general election after standing as a Legalise Cannabis candidate. In a recent report, he complained about spending 12 months on remand after he was bailed on suspicion of cultivating cannabis last June. Last year, he was acquitted at Chester Crown Court of possession and intent to supply the drug after a jury heard he gave it to people for medical reasons. lUnderground Britain lasts 40 minutes and will be shown on BBC Two from 9.50pm. | 
