News from our former pupils
Yvie Johnson, former Rydalian and mother of Year 8 pupil, Sydney, is attempting to run from Land’s End to John O’Groats and back over a six week period, which would be a Guinness World Record.
The 35 year-old former police officer has set her sights on running 40 miles per day, which will amount to 1,680 in total, and began her journey on April 2.
Yvie, who suffers from Bipolar Disorder, has set a target of £50,000 for mental health charities Bipolar UK, Mind, Scottish Association for Mental Health, Young Minds and Place2Be.
She said: “Thinking back, whenever I suffered a mental health episode, it was always running that helped me focus and build up my confidence again.
“So when I decided to raise money and awareness of mental health, there was only one thing to do it with.
“Yes, some may think it is extreme, but the challenge I've set is representative of how far I've come and how I will continue to fight my illness."
“This run is, in one sense, a pilgrimage. It is my chance to do something that has never been done before, something that is beyond my imagination, and something that can benefit others dramatically, while hopefully helping me to find my sense of self once more."
To read more about Yvie's challenge and the route she will be taking visit http://www.fiercemind.co.uk.
Former pupil Rob Hall and his band Catfish and the Bottlemen have released details of their long awaited second album.
The Llandudno rockers will release “The Ride” – which is the follow-up to 2014’s 'The Balcony' – on Friday, May 27 on Island Records.
Drummer Rob, who left us in 2011, and the band have also disclosed the full 11-song tracklist, which includes recent single 'Soundcheck'.
Lead singer Van McCann, said: "I feel like everybody started thinking too outside the box trying to be arty and different. We wanted to stay inside the box.
"I feel like the last album was the support band, or even the soundcheck and this one’s the headliner."
The popular indie four-piece and they added to their impressive list of accolades by taking home British Breakthrough Act at the 2016 Brit Awards on Wednesday, February 24.
They also announced headline gigs at O2 Academy Glasgow and London's O2 Forum Kentish Town, while also taking the stage at Southend Cliffs Pavilion, Doncaster Dome and Brighton Dome.
In addition the Bottlemen will also be the chief support for the Stereophonics at their landmark show at Wrexham FC’s Racecourse ground, which sold out in a matter of minutes.
Everyone at the school continues to watch Rob’s success with Catfish and the Bottlemen with great pride, and we are eagerly anticipating the release of their second album.
They have been riding on the crest of a wave over the last two years, and The Ride promises to deliver even more success for the group, which is thoroughly deserved.