Thousands expected in small Welsh village for rock icon Mike Peters funeral that hopes to be 'like a festival'
Thousands expected in small Welsh village for rock icon Mike Peters funeral that hopes to be 'like a festival'
Mourners from around the world are expected to travel to Wales to celebrate the life of The Alarm's Mike Peters
The funeral of Mike Peters is being held in Dyserth on Thursday
(Image: PA )
Thousands of fans are expected to gather in a small Welsh village for the funeral of rock icon Mike Peters later. People from across the globe are expected to travel to Peters' home village of Dyserth in Denbighshire on Thursday (May 29) to pay their respects to The Alarm's legendary frontman..
The musician died on April 29 at the age of 66 after being treated for an aggressive lymphoma, leaving behind his wife Jules and sons Dylan and Evan. He lived with cancer for over 30 years.
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Peters' widow Jules said she hopes the funeral will be "like a festival and something that will go down in history."
Jules said her husband had always held so much confidence that we would recover that he hadn't planned much for his funeral. "I didn't like to bring it up too much in case he thought that I thought he was going to die," she said.
"We did have a funny conversation once when he said 'if you keep talking funerals you're really damaging my confidence here'. So I stopped."
Around 150 people have been invited to the service at the Parish Church of St Bridget and St Cwyfan. However, a large outdoor screen and sound system has been put up in front of the church to allow fans to engage with the service, including joining in with plenty of songs.
Peters' ashes will be buried in the churchyard across the road from the cafe she runs with her sons - The Red.
Mike Peters with his wife Jules
(Image: PA )
Jules told Radio Wales: "I never thought that Mike could be buried in the graveyard across the road from The Red in the village where he was born.
"What I really wanted was somewhere public where everybody could come and pay their respects for the rest of time and that's what we've got."
She added that it has "brought her the most comfort" to know that her husband will be laid to rest opposite their cafe. "I really hope that Mike knows that we are doing this because he didn't know this was happening in our last discussion.
"It's bringing great comfort to me, Dylan and Evan. They work the coffee shop, so in the morning we literally are going to have a coffee and pop over to see Mike. Where he's laid to rest, he'll be able to keep an eye on us, so it's perfect."
Jules also thanked the residents of Dyserth for their understanding as roads are closed to accommodate the funeral. "I think it's befitting for the man that came from Dyserth who became the rock star, travelled all around the world and always wanted to put the village on the map," she said.
Following his death, tributes flooded in for the beloved rock star, who co-founded the Love Hope Strength cancer charity. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Jules expressed that she was "touched by the outpouring of love" and the sheer volume of people planning to travel from abroad for the funeral.
In an open invitation to the funeral, Jules said: "Whether you knew him as the incredible musician he was, called him a friend or neighbour, respected him for the support he gave for others affected by cancer, or just want to be part of what we think will be a memorable day in a special place, you are very welcome to join us.
"We are doing everything we can to provide a fitting celebration to someone who lit up the world whilst he was here.
"All our family are so grateful to everyone in and around our village for the incredible support we've been given and for enabling us to recognise Mike's life in such an inclusive way, just as he would have wanted.
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"As we have said before, it feels profoundly right that Mike's farewell will take place in Dyserth, the village where he was born and he proudly called home, and in sight of The Red, where he found so much happiness."
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