Hotel boss Becky cycles 200 miles for colleague with cancer

 

* Wild Pheasant manager Becky Shields cycled 200 miles inspired by a colleague with incurable cancer.

The manager of a hotel in Llangollen completed a tough 200-mile cycling challenge to raise money for a cancer charity.

Becky Shields, who’s in charge at the Wild Pheasant Hotel & Spa, was inspired to take on the epic ride by a colleague, mum-of-two Fiona Sellars, who has incurable cancer.

While 70 other staff from the Everbright Hotel Group walked in relays from North Wales to Penrith, Becky, who lives in Oswestry, got on her bike and cycled all the way in aid of Breast Cancer Now.

After weeks of preparation and planning, the fundraisers were waved off from Everbright’s Belmont Hotel in Llandudno.

They visited sister hotels on their gruelling trek, including Llandudno Bay Hotel, The Wild Pheasant and Spa in Llangollen, Rossett Hall near Wrexham and Stone Cross Manor in Kendal, before crossing the finishing line outside the George Hotel in Penrith.

At every hotel during the challenge, the fundraisers were warmly welcomed by their colleagues.

The challenge was sparked by the determination of much-loved colleague Fiona Sellars, the group’s marketing and support manager, whose strength has left a lasting impression on those around her.

* Becky was spurred on by the courage of Fiona Sellars. 

Known to colleagues and friends as Fi, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and has since undergone more than 50 rounds of treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and surgery.

Her resilience in the face of the incurable diagnoses became the driving force behind the ambitious fundraising effort which also marks the hotel group’s 10th anniversary.

Fiona, who lives in Appleby, walked the first part of the first leg to cheer the fundraisers on their way and she was there to complete the last mile of the final leg as the team of fundraisers marched through Penrith.

Becky has taken on fitness challenges before, including long distance cycles and trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro, and said the North Wales to Cumbria ride was up there amongst her toughest challenges.

She was accompanied at the start of the cycle by Everbright Hotels colleague Max Vander Heiden from Llandudno to Flint and then met her boyfriend Tommy Hunter further along the journey who accompanied her to the finish.

The riders had to contend with various weather conditions, and exhausting hill climbs too.
She said: “Max cycled with me for 55km, and good on him, because he was only going to cycle for a kilometre to get me onto the main road.

“I cycled by myself to about 125km and got caught in a thunderstorm and it was then I met up with Tommy, who was under a bridge hiding from the thunderstorm.

“The weather was really bad, you couldn’t see the potholes for the water, but we couldn’t stop because we would just get cold.

“There was a hill where the thunder started, and it was one of the biggest hills I had ever seen in my life.

“I have done some big hills before, but I haven’t trained as hard as I used to train, and when you’re trying to get up this big hill and you can hear thunder cracking above you, it’s horrendous.

“I was blue in the face, my lips were blue, my feet were numb, I was frozen and shivering. The weather on the final day was pretty good, it was sunny when we set off and stayed grey and cloudy.

“The challenge was the furthest I have ever cycled in one day, I have never cycled 100 miles before. As I got over the finish line I was just thinking about Fiona, it is all for Fiona.

 “Four of my colleagues at The Wild Pheasant walked 20 miles as part of the challenge, they did an amazing job, I am so proud they made it.”

Fiona paid special tribute to the company’s Adrian Barsby who walked the entire route, and Becky Shields, who cycled the full route.

She said: “Adrian is honestly amazing and for Becky to do the whole thing on a bike is incredible, it’s a remarkable achievement.”

Adrian, 66, said meeting members of the public on the way who donated to the cause and told the fundraisers about their own cancer battles was “absolutely humbling”.

Adrian said: “There were 17 of us taking part in the final leg from Shap, which was great, that really kept us all going. The support from throughout the hotel group has been wonderful.

“Our managing director Lei Ma has taken part in many of the legs, our operations director Darryl Shaw took part, and pretty much walked most of Lancashire with me, while operations manager Nic Rowland also stepped up to the challenge and was a great support.

“Catalin Oanea, our group operations manager, just got back from holiday and the next day was walking with me from Kendal to Shap and on to Penrith for the final leg. It really has been a team effort.

Everbright Hotels operations director Darryl Shaw, who took part in six of the 10 days of the challenge, said: “It has been very humbling to meet so many people who have told us about their own cancer battles.

“All those who took part in the challenge, in whatever way they supported it, can be hugely proud of their efforts.

“The way our colleagues have rallied round to back this fundraising initiative has been absolutely remarkable.”

Managing director Lei Ma took part in four of the stages, including the start and finish. He said: “To take part in this was absolutely amazing. I am so glad so many of our colleagues were able to get together and I am so proud of the team.”

Colleagues who didn’t take part in the actual walk and cycle also did their bit to contribute to the fundraiser by organising various money-spinning initiatives.

* A JustGiving page has been set up for the charity challenge, which has a £10,000 target.  
People can donate to the fund by visiting https://justgiving.com/page/everbright10yrbreastcancernow 

Westheads face a mountain slog with some spectacular views

* The lads with the fellow cyclists they've teamed up with for the latest leg of their epic journey.

The three Llangollen area lads cycling to Thailand for charity reached country number 15 along the long trail the other day.

Dyfan Hughes, 18, from Llangollen, Louis Dennis, 19, from Garth, and James Thomas,19, from Wrexham - known as the Westheads - are now heading deeper into Asia through Tajikistan, the third most mountainous country in the world and, according to the group in their daily video log, the friendliest they been in so far.

On this latest leg of the mammoth trip they've teamed up with another group of cyclists heading in the same general direction, which they've hailed as a success.

After crossing the border from Uzbekistan, which as usual held them up a little as they completed the necessary formalities, they found themselves confronted by a massive mountain range as they made their way towards the capital of Dushenbe.

Although facing a climb of around 2,800 metres, they reckoned they were enjoying the best viewpoints of the trip to date.

The trio are making their 1,000 journey in aid of the British Heart Foundation in memory of Tony Edge, the father of a friend who died following a heart attack in 2024.

So far they've raised more than £27,000 of their £50,000 charity target since leaving Llangollen eight months ago.

* llanblogger is recording their adventures along the way. To follow the journey on their social media and make a donation if you wish, go to: https://linktr.ee/westheads

Eisteddfod chairman pays tribute to Humphrey Gibson who died last Friday

* Humphrey Gibson, second from left on front row, with fellow volunteers at his beloved Eisteddfod in 2024.

John Gambles, Chairman of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, has paid tribute on behalf of the Eisteddfod to much-loved volunteer Humphrey Gibson following his passing on April 24. (See obituary in llanblogger: 

https://llanblogger.blogspot.com/2026/04/well-known-llangollen-figure-humphrey_24.html

Saying that the Eisteddfod had lost a great friend, supporter and loyal volunteer, he went on: "Humphrey often spoke of the wonder and excitement he felt as a child, visiting Llangollen from Bangor with his mother, and seeing performers from across the world. 

"That early experience stayed with him throughout his life. He could scarcely believe his good fortune when, in 1965, he secured a post as a Physics teacher at Dinas Brân School. It marked not only the start of his teaching career, but the beginning of a lifetime of service, joy and dedication as a volunteer at the Eisteddfod he loved so deeply and regarded as a true blessing.

 

"A man of peace, Humphrey’s values and genuine love for people found a natural home in Llangollen. He immersed himself in community life and gave his time generously to many groups and causes. Within the Eisteddfod, he was a valued member of the Grounds team, though many will remember him most fondly as a Steward, always ready with a warm welcome and eager to help visitors from near and far.

 

"All who knew Humphrey respected his kind and gentle nature, his thoughtful and measured way, and his quiet willingness to support others whenever needed. His presence enriched us all, not only through what he did, but through who he was.

 

"Each of us will hold our own memories of Humphrey, many of them bringing a smile. He will be greatly missed.

 

On behalf of the Eisteddfod, John Gambles added: “Thank you, Humphrey. Rest in peace.”

Strade Sportive cyclists use Llangollen as stop-off point

A corner of St Collen's Church car park is being used as a feeding point for the Strade Sportive cycling event, organized by Velo29, today (Sunday).

The event is centred around Wrexham/Llangollen. The route includes the Llangollen stop after 24km and features challenging climbs such as the Horseshoe Pass and Church Hill (near Glyn Ceiriog).

Blistering start for man's fundraising walk in memory of his wife

* Eddie with his two sisters and brother at the start of their long walk in Leeds.

A man whose wife died from cancer at the age of just 46 yesterday (Saturday) completed the first leg of a 200-mile fundraising walk in her memory.

But he says the hot weather made the first day of the trek along the canal network from Leeds to his home in Llangollen tougher than expected.

Eddie's wife Sarah died on May 1 last year and he is doing the walk to raise money for Nightingale House Hospice, which provided her with care in her final days. He has set himself a target figure of £10,000.

Keeping him company along the way are his brother Mike and Sarah's sisters Becky and Beth.

* Eddie and his late Sarah.

He's keeping llanblogger readers updating on his progress and yesterday evening he emailed: "First day has been tough, the weather was a bit too hot and a few blisters have appeared already. Started at 8am finished at 5pm. That's 25 miles completed on day one."  

Eddie had earlier explained: "My wife Sarah was a wonderful wife and a fantastic mother to our four children. She always had a smile on her face and everyone felt better for spending time with her. 

"She had a love for life that was unparalleled and was always planning or doing something, from her love of afternoon tea, theatre, holidays and jigsaws. A lot of people in the area will remember her as she worked at Llangollen doctors."

Eddie chose the 203-mile route from Leeds as Sarah was born in the city and passed away in Llangollen.  

The walk will take nine days and means completing the equivalent of a marathon each day.

"The idea behind this was that when Sarah was ill she used to say getting up and down the stairs was like running a marathon," Eddie said.

"We are aiming to raise £10,000 for Nightingale house hospice. Although Sarah died at home, the hospice were on standby just in case we needed them and the work they carry out is vital for this community."

* To help Eddie reach his fundraising target, go to: Eddie Bather is fundraising for Nightingale House Hospice

BBC visits station to seek views on National Park plan

* Chem is interviewed on the platform.

A production team working on behalf of the BBC spent this morning (Saturday) at Llangollen and Corwen Railway recording views on the proposed Glyndwr National Park.

The controversial issue, which has split public opinion across the large area of north Wales it would occupy, will be the subject of a Radio Wales programme due to be broadcast in July.

Among those whose opinions were recorded by the team was former Llangollen Mayor and current town cryer Austin (Chem) Cheminais.

He spoke in favour of the park plan on the grounds of the extra resources it might be able to bring into Llangollen.

Taking the opposite view was another interviewee, llanblogger's Phil Robinson, who is also a town councillor. 

He said the park would bring many more visitors into the town whose infrastructure - mainly the road system and parking provision - was already struggling to cope.

More interviews were recorded both on the platform at Llangollen and aboard the train as it headed towards Corwen.

* llanblogger's Phil Robinson, right, gives his views on the proposed park.

* The BBC team on the left meets passengers on the train.

* Railway Trust Manager David Hennigan 

welcomes the BBC team to the station.

New outdoor gym at Riverside Park is ready for action

* County Councillor Karen Edwards shows Llangollen's Deputy Mayor, Damon Richards-Gwilliam, around the new outdoor gym at Riverside Park.

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards gives an update on the new outdoor gym in Riverside Park, a project which she inspired has supported through to completion.

She said: "Following on from my statement on February 5, I’m pleased to confirm that the outdoor gym at Riverside Park is now fully installed and ready for use. 

"Pathway improvements have been completed, with additional fencing and handrails installed to enhance accessibility and improve safety, and new picnic tables and benches are in place to provide welcoming spaces for everyone.

“I have worked closely with Street Scene officers throughout this process, contributing to discussions and suggesting adjustments where appropriate.

“For clarification, the mini golf and café are managed separately by Countryside Services and are not part of this phase. 

“It’s encouraging to see Riverside Park evolving to support health, wellbeing and accessibility, while respecting the character of this valued recreational space.”