* 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.
