Latest news with #YsgolBetwsGwerfulGoch
North Wales Chronicle
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Talented Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch dancers to visit Patagonia
Tony and Donna Cooper-Barney, who own the five-star Palé Hall at Llandderfel, near Bala, raised nearly £16,000 by cycling 423 kilometres from Cannes in France to Pisa in Italy. Their initial aim was to raise £10,000 for Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch, near Corwen, in memory of their late son, James. However, the target was surpassed and extended to £15,000. The school's talented dancers, aged nine to 11, along with 30 from Clocswyr Conwy, have been invited to travel to Patagonia in October for a two-week and Donna Cooper-Barney with the pupils of Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch and their teacher Hannah Blackford at Palé Hall (Image: Palé Hall) The pupils will represent Wales and showcase the country's folk dancing and singing traditions, performing and teaching their skills to schools in Trelew, Patagonia, where there is a Welsh-speaking community. The young dancers visited Palé Hall with their teacher, Hannah Blackford, to thank Tony and Donna and performed Welsh traditional dances and songs for them. Tony and Donna said: "We are going to send the children to Patagonia and that would not have been possible without your support. "We set an initial fundraising target of £10,000, then increased it to £15,000 and it's amazing how much money has been raised. "This is a cause very close to our hearts. "It's a cultural exchange, a chance for these young people to share their Welsh heritage, learn from others and build lifelong friendships rooted in mutual respect and tradition." The couple completed the cycle marathon for the James Barney Foundation, a charity they created in memory of James, who died in a car accident at the age of 16. The foundation helps children and young people pursue life-changing opportunities. The couple's fundraising page is still open for donations. The Patagonia trip is being organised by Ms Blackford, a teacher at Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch who also teaches traditional Welsh folk dance at the school and the Clocswyr Conwy group. She said: "I honestly couldn't believe it when I received a call to say that Tony and Donna were cycling to raise the £10,000. "There's a real buzz around the school and the community and it will be an incredible and unforgettable experience for the children to visit Patagonia. "They have worked so hard. "It wouldn't be happening without Tony and Donna and the Palé Hall connection with the James Barney Foundation." It's not the first time Tony and Donna have taken on fundraising challenges for the foundation, having previously climbed Kilimanjaro, walked the Great Wall of China and cycled through France.
Business News Wales
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Luxury Hotel Owners Take on Cycle Challenge to Support Local School
The owners of one of Wales' leading country house hotels and estates have taken on a cycling marathon challenge to raise money to pay for dancers from a small primary school children to visit Patagonia. Tony and Donna Cooper-Barney, owners of five star Palé Hall at Llandderfel, near Bala, set off on a 423-kilometre ride from Cannes in France to Pisa in Italy. Their mission is to raise £10,000 for Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch, near Corwen in memory of their late son, James. Seven talented dancers, aged from nine to 11, from the school, together with 30 from Conwy, have been invited to travel to Patagonia in October for a two-week visit. The pupils will represent Wales and showcase the country's rich folk dancing and singing traditions, performing and teaching their skills to schools in Trelew, Patagonia, where there is a Welsh speaking community. 'This is cause very close to our hearts,' said Tony. 'It's a cultural exchange, a chance for these young people to share their Welsh heritage, learn from others and build lifelong friendships rooted in mutual respect and tradition. 'For many of them, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience they cannot afford without fundraising support.' Tony and Donna are doing the cycle marathon for the James Barney Foundation, a charity they created in loving memory of James, who lost his life in a car accident at the age of 16. The foundation is dedicated to helping children and young people pursue life-changing opportunities, something James believed in deeply. 'Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to giving the children of Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch the opportunity to carry their culture proudly across the world and to do so in James' name, continuing the legacy of his joy, generosity and promise that he left behind,' added Donna. 'Every kilometre pedalled is filled with purpose, love and remembrance. Together we can make a difference.' Anyone wishing to support the fundraising effort can donate online at: The Patagonia trip is being organised by Hannah Blackford, a teacher at Ysgol Betws Gwerful Goch who also teaches traditional Welsh folk dance at the school and in Conwy. She explained that a headteacher from Trelew had visited the school and invited the dancers to visit Patagonia. Because the school has only 20 pupils and the cost of flights is so expensive, she thought it highly unlikely that the money could be raised. 'I honestly couldn't believe it when I received a call on Monday to say that Tony and Donna were cycling to raise the £10,000,' said Hannah. 'I wish I had recorded the children's reaction when they saw the page – they were flabbergasted! 'They keep asking every five minutes to check how much has been raised. It's all very exciting and there's a real buzz around the school because this is an incredible opportunity for the children. 'We will be hosted by the Trelew community and the children will go whale watching. It wouldn't be happening without the Palé Hall connection with the James Barney Foundation.' It's not the first time Tony and Donna have taken on fundraising challenges for the foundation, having previously climbed Kilimanjaro, walked the Great Wall of China and cycled through France, to name but a few examples. The couple purchased Palé Hall last year and have pledged to support the surrounding local communities wherever they can.
