News from former pupils
Tom Williams, who now plays for Ospreys after coming through the school’s Rugby Academy, took part in the World Rugby U20 Championship opener at the Manchester City Academy Stadium, where Wales were beaten 26-25.
The Six Nations Grand Slam champions raced into a 17-0 lead in the first 20 minutes thanks to scores from Shaun Evans, Keelan Giles and a free-flowing try from Reuben Morgan-Williams. But the Irish hit-back to cut the gap to 17-15 at half-time, before full-back Jordan Stockdale handed them a 26-20 advantage.
Flying wing Giles darted over for his second score at the death, but Jarrod Evans could not land the conversion from out-wide, and Wales begin their campaign with defeat.
Tricky winger Williams, who missed all of the Six Nations campaign through injury, was presented with his first cap following the clash, and will be looking for further international experience when Wales take on Georgia at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday and New Zealand next Wednesday.
Mr Boyd, said: “Tom showed that he belongs at this level of rugby, and everyone at is immensely proud of his accomplishments.
“Our rugby academy, which is run in partnership with newly promoted RGC, has produced a number of international players in recent years, and we are delighted that Tom now adds himself to that list.”
Dr Mark Baker, who left us in 2003, has led a group of volunteers’ intent of fixing the historic Gwrych Castle, which overlooks Abergele, and a special event has been organised at the site to celebrate the life of former middleweight world champion Randolph Turpin on Saturday, August 13 and Sunday 14 from 12-5pm.
Despite his life’s tragic ending, Llandudno resident Turpin had briefly been one of the most famous men in Britain and was formerly an inspiration for many ethnic minorities.
He was born in Leamington in 1928 to a black Guyanan father and white English mother at a time when there were almost no people of mixed race in the country.
When European Champion, Turpin won the world title after beating Sugar Ray Robinson, widely regarded as the greatest fighter in history, on a 15-round decision during a bout in London on July 10, 1951.
He became an instant celebrity and, for a brief period, spent each day being besieged by fans at his training base at Gwrych Castle.
There will be a host of activities throughout the weekend, including exhibition fights, a Randolph memorabilia exhibition and guided tours of the castle.
Yvie Johnson, mother of Year 8 pupil Sydney, has become the first person in history to run from Land’s End to John O’Groats and back, and she completed the 1,680 mile journey on Tuesday, July 5.
The Denbigh resident and mother of three suffers from bi polar and in addition to raising funds for a number of mental health charities, she has also raised significant awareness of the subject during her three month trek, which began on April 2.
Greeting her at the finish line was mother Sue, who hopped on a train from North Wales to see her daughter achieve her monumental feat, which is now a Guinness World Record.
The 35 year-old, said: “My legs are jittery, cranky, and my feet and ankles feel ready to turn into powdered dust, but after 1,680 miles, I did it.
“This wasn’t a journey about enjoyment, but it was about mental health, and the biggest thank you goes to my hero, my mum Sue, who proves yet again what love is - by making a last minute train journey from North Wales to the south coast to make sure I had someone there at the end who loves me.”
The former pupil has raised more than £3,000 for Bipolar UK, Mind, Scottish Association for Mental Health, Young Minds and Place2Be.
Anyone wishing to donate can do so by visiting http://virginmoneygiving.com/FierceMind.
Rob Hall, who left us in 2011, performed at the Glastonbury Festival with his chart-topping indie band Catfish and the Bottlemen on Sunday, June 26.
The four-piece, led by flamboyant singer Van McCann, gained widespread plaudits for their performance on The Other Stage, which proved to be one of the highlights of the weekend for festival goers.
A review from Telegraph reporter Alice Vincent, said: “Their show was a testament to a year of pulling their socks up – and with results. In February Catfish won the Best Breakthrough Act Brit Award, and in May their second album, The Ride, rode straight to number one.
“Perhaps because they've felt so vindicated, here they ditched their childish attempts at playing rock stars to deliver a tight set that did justice to the songs that have won them acclaim and record sales.”
In addition to their feature performance, the band also treated fans to an impromptu acoustic set on the BBC Introducing Stage on Friday.
Playing a short 15-minute set in-front of a capacity crowd, the band performed acoustic renditions of the likes of 'Fallout' and 'Seven'.
Attention will now turn to Wrexham FC’s Racecourse Ground this Saturday, where the Bottlemen will be the chief support to the Stereophonics in what is a landmark gig for the region.