John takes the plunge to boost Christmas festival

* John Palmer braves the freezing cold River Dee.

 

 

 

* John Palmer, left, and Ken Skates AM on the first leg of the

challenge – a six-mile run.

AN INTREPID Llangollen grandad has braved the wild waters of the River Dee to raise cash for the town’s Christmas festivities.

For the second year running, 65-year-old John Palmer, a former outdoor pursuits instructor who chairs Llangollen Chamber of Tourism and Trade, decided to take on a tough physical challenge to support the festival, which will take place this year on Saturday, November 24. 

Last year at around this time, he swam two miles through challenging white water from the Chain Bridge to the centre of Llangollen, raising £400 for the seasonal event.  

But this year John decided to make it even tougher by first doing a six-mile run from Corwen to Glyndyfrdwy and then swimming the remaining six miles to the Horseshoe Falls just outside town. 

Doing the challenge alongside him was supposed to be Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates, himself quite a seasoned runner.   

However, that’s not quite how it turned out on the day of the challenge, which was  Friday of last week. 

Because, despite setting out together, only John completed the course 

He said: “Although misty and cloudy all week, Friday dawned bright, clear and much, much colder.  

“The running section of the challenge passed without incident, although the climb out of Carrog took its toll and on reaching Glyndyfrdwy, we were able to catch our breath, take a drink and prepare for the next stage.  

“But then an urgent meeting meant that Ken diverted back to Llangollen by bike while I carried on down the river as originally planned.” 

John added: “Plunging into the cold river was quite a shock and, as the river was quite low it made the current quite sluggish on the flat bits and very bumpy through the rapids. 

“By 6pm the Horseshoe Falls were finally in view and as I got out of the water I remember thinking that was the daftest thing I had ever done.  

“I don’t think that I have ever been so cold in my life.  

“Bearing in mind that was a relatively short swim I have huge respect for those people who swim the channel or huge distances down rivers.” 

So far, the sponsored challenge has raised over £400 for the Llangollen Christmas Festival, which will begin at 1pm with Santa’s parade through the town centre and feature Santa’s grotto, market stalls, children’s entertainers, live bands, craft stalls, morris dancers and a hog roast. 

The festival, all proceeds of which will go to Hope House Hospice, ends on a high note as the Christmas lights are switched on at 5.30pm. 

John and Ken would like to thank ProAdventure and Mr Iwan Davies of Coed-Y-Glyn Farm in Glyndyfrwdy for their generous help and Austin Cheminais for his support.

 

 

 

* Ken Skates gets on his bike as

duty calls.