Latest news with #ZipWorld
North Wales Chronicle
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Billy Duffy leads tributes to The Alarm's Mike Peters
Mike, who leaves his wife Jules, 58, and two sons, Dylan, 20, and Evan, 18, rose to prominence in the early 1980s with The Alarm, with hits including 68 Guns and Strength. The talented lead vocalist and devoted campaigner from Dyserth, who supported U2 and Status Quo on tour and played with Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, was first diagnosed with the blood cancer chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) more than 30 years ago, aged 36. British rocker Billy Duffy of The Cult was among the legendary musicians paying their respects. He said: 'I truly believe a light has gone out in the world today and I'm going to miss my brother from another mother. 'Mike was not only an inspiration to millions of people suffering from cancer but also an inspiration to me as he spread nothing but positivity in every situation. 'I can take some comfort from the fact that when the end came, he accepted it with his usual grace, and ended his days in this life in his beloved North Wales with his family and friends around him.' Rock band The Sweet, who rose to prominence in the 1970s, paid tribute to Mike commenting that he fought his battle with "that b*stard disease" with dignity. In a statement, lead guitarist Andy Scott said: "He had fought his battle with that b*stard disease with dignity. "We spent more time discussing health than music and he was at the no direct contact stage while he was being treated. "He still looked pretty good. My wife Jane and I send our heartfelt condolences to Jules and family. Another Welsh talent gone but not forgotten." The Christians posted on social media: "Such sadness for the loss of a man, Mike Peters, who possessed such bravery dignity hope courage and had a huge zest for life. "We had the pleasure of appearing at The Gathering and saw first hand the love of the Welsh people for him (and from all people who met him and heard the songs of The Alarm). Seems unbelievable and so cruel that this beautiful couple Mike & Jules Peters have been separated. "We are so so sorry you lost this long battle." Alongside his wife, Mike co-founded Love Hope Strength, a cancer charity to encourage action around stem cell donation. Through its Get On The List campaigns, often publicised at rock concerts, the charity has added more than 250,000 people to stem cell registers worldwide. During his lifetime Mike, along with his wife Jules, tirelessly raised awareness and funds for cancer research and care. The couple staged huge fundraising events such as The Gathering, Snowdon Rocks and Zip World Rocks - just to name a small few. Mike, appointed MBE in 2018, along with Jules, was "firm friends" with Sean Taylor, the founder of Zip World. Zip World posted on Facebook: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our wonderful friend, Mike Peters. Mike, along with his wife, Jules, has been a firm friend of Zip World and Sean Taylor for many years, a bond which has seen some wonderful and worthwhile charitable collaborations, such as Zip World Rocks. "Mike was and still is the epitome of resilience. His 30-year battle with cancer has been a guiding light to many; he always held his head high with grace, and made a huge impact with his and wife Jules' cancer charity - Love, Hope, Strength. "The tunes and love will live on forever, thank you Mike "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Jules, Dylan, Evan and the rest of Mike's family and friends at this difficult time." Venue Cymru in Llandudno paid tribute to Mike; Mike and Jules used the theatre space for their 'Gathering' events. The talented singer was also a Venue Cymru Patron. They said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mike Peters. As Venue Cymru Patron, his unwavering support and belief in the work we do meant so much to us. Our staff and audiences, particularly those who attended 'The Gathering', will remember him fondly. "We are truly thankful for the honour of having had his association for so many years. "He will be dearly missed, and our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Jules, his sons and all those that loved him." Composer Ray Andersen played at a benefit with Mike 10 years ago. He said: "10 years ago, I played a benefit with him, the late great Pat Dinizio, Richard Barone, Joe D'Urso and Robin Wilson from the Gin Blossoms, thanks to my friend, Cindy Sivak. Thinking of you, Cindy. You worked closely with him over the years. "He was such a humble gentleman, and even back then, you could tell he was living every minute like it was his we all should." Bangor University said Mike "inspired generations". Mike was awarded an honorary fellowship from Bangor University in 2010. They said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Peters, frontman of The Alarm and honorary fellow of Bangor University. "Mike was awarded an honorary fellowship from Bangor University in 2010, a fitting tribute to his enduring impact on music and his deep connection to Wales. "From his powerful performances to his tireless advocacy for cancer awareness, he inspired generations. "Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched." DKMS UK, an international charity dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders, said they were "deeply saddened to hear about the death of Mike Peters describing him as a "tireless global advocate for blood cancer patients". They said: "Diagnosed with lymphoma in 1995 and later with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, Mike refused to let his illness silence him. Instead, he turned his diagnosis into a mission to help others. "Together with his wife Jules, he co-founded Love Hope Strength, a music-driven cancer charity that revolutionised awareness and action around stem cell donation. The charity has added over 250,000 people to the global stem cell registry and helped secure thousands of potential life-saving matches for patients worldwide. "Mike's journey was one of resilience. He continued to tour and record music through multiple relapses, undergoing experimental treatments while using his platform to raise awareness and funds to help others affected by cancer. "His passion for life and belief in the healing power of music inspired countless fans and fellow musicians." Mike, who was appointed MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire, in the New Year Honours for his voluntary services to Cancer Care in North Wales in 2018, was forced to cancel a US tour last year after being diagnosed with fast-growing lymphoma. Over the years the rocker underwent numerous drug treatments and rounds of chemotherapy and even tried experimental therapy to keep his cancer at bay. Most recently, he underwent Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy (CAR-T) at The Christie in Manchester in an attempt to cure his Richter's syndrome, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. In March, Mike revealed that although CAR-T hadn't officially been able to cure him, it had "helped". He posted a message to fans on April 25, just four days ago, via The Alarm's social media revealing that he had completed the second part of his autobiography - HOPE (1991-2005) by Mike Peters. He said: "I'm writing personally to thank you for the love and understanding shown to me and my family during my trials at The Christie Hospital, Manchester, throughout these challenging last few months. "Andrew Richardson (my publisher at A Way With Media), has kept me fully abreast of all the wonderful feedback you have sent him regarding the book content, story telling and attention to detail that I poured into the writing of Love 1959 - 1991. "Luckily for me, I was able to stay alive long enough through 2024 to complete Volume 2 HOPE - 1991 - 2005, and we are all now ready and excited to share news and detail of its publication."
Rhyl Journal
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Billy Duffy leads tributes to The Alarm's Mike Peters
Mike, who leaves his wife Jules, 58, and two sons, Dylan, 20, and Evan, 18, rose to prominence in the early 1980s with The Alarm, with hits including 68 Guns and Strength. The talented lead vocalist and devoted campaigner from Dyserth, who supported U2 and Status Quo on tour and played with Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, was first diagnosed with the blood cancer chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) more than 30 years ago, aged 36. British rocker Billy Duffy of The Cult was among the legendary musicians paying their respects. He said: 'I truly believe a light has gone out in the world today and I'm going to miss my brother from another mother. 'Mike was not only an inspiration to millions of people suffering from cancer but also an inspiration to me as he spread nothing but positivity in every situation. 'I can take some comfort from the fact that when the end came, he accepted it with his usual grace, and ended his days in this life in his beloved North Wales with his family and friends around him.' Rock band The Sweet, who rose to prominence in the 1970s, paid tribute to Mike commenting that he fought his battle with "that b*stard disease" with dignity. In a statement, lead guitarist Andy Scott said: "He had fought his battle with that b*stard disease with dignity. "We spent more time discussing health than music and he was at the no direct contact stage while he was being treated. "He still looked pretty good. My wife Jane and I send our heartfelt condolences to Jules and family. Another Welsh talent gone but not forgotten." The Christians posted on social media: "Such sadness for the loss of a man, Mike Peters, who possessed such bravery dignity hope courage and had a huge zest for life. "We had the pleasure of appearing at The Gathering and saw first hand the love of the Welsh people for him (and from all people who met him and heard the songs of The Alarm). Seems unbelievable and so cruel that this beautiful couple Mike & Jules Peters have been separated. "We are so so sorry you lost this long battle." Alongside his wife, Mike co-founded Love Hope Strength, a cancer charity to encourage action around stem cell donation. Through its Get On The List campaigns, often publicised at rock concerts, the charity has added more than 250,000 people to stem cell registers worldwide. During his lifetime Mike, along with his wife Jules, tirelessly raised awareness and funds for cancer research and care. The couple staged huge fundraising events such as The Gathering, Snowdon Rocks and Zip World Rocks - just to name a small few. Mike, appointed MBE in 2018, along with Jules, was "firm friends" with Sean Taylor, the founder of Zip World. Zip World posted on Facebook: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our wonderful friend, Mike Peters. Mike, along with his wife, Jules, has been a firm friend of Zip World and Sean Taylor for many years, a bond which has seen some wonderful and worthwhile charitable collaborations, such as Zip World Rocks. "Mike was and still is the epitome of resilience. His 30-year battle with cancer has been a guiding light to many; he always held his head high with grace, and made a huge impact with his and wife Jules' cancer charity - Love, Hope, Strength. "The tunes and love will live on forever, thank you Mike "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Jules, Dylan, Evan and the rest of Mike's family and friends at this difficult time." Venue Cymru in Llandudno paid tribute to Mike; Mike and Jules used the theatre space for their 'Gathering' events. The talented singer was also a Venue Cymru Patron. They said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mike Peters. As Venue Cymru Patron, his unwavering support and belief in the work we do meant so much to us. Our staff and audiences, particularly those who attended 'The Gathering', will remember him fondly. "We are truly thankful for the honour of having had his association for so many years. "He will be dearly missed, and our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Jules, his sons and all those that loved him." Composer Ray Andersen played at a benefit with Mike 10 years ago. He said: "10 years ago, I played a benefit with him, the late great Pat Dinizio, Richard Barone, Joe D'Urso and Robin Wilson from the Gin Blossoms, thanks to my friend, Cindy Sivak. Thinking of you, Cindy. You worked closely with him over the years. "He was such a humble gentleman, and even back then, you could tell he was living every minute like it was his we all should." Bangor University said Mike "inspired generations". Mike was awarded an honorary fellowship from Bangor University in 2010. They said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Peters, frontman of The Alarm and honorary fellow of Bangor University. "Mike was awarded an honorary fellowship from Bangor University in 2010, a fitting tribute to his enduring impact on music and his deep connection to Wales. "From his powerful performances to his tireless advocacy for cancer awareness, he inspired generations. "Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched." DKMS UK, an international charity dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders, said they were "deeply saddened to hear about the death of Mike Peters describing him as a "tireless global advocate for blood cancer patients". They said: "Diagnosed with lymphoma in 1995 and later with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, Mike refused to let his illness silence him. Instead, he turned his diagnosis into a mission to help others. "Together with his wife Jules, he co-founded Love Hope Strength, a music-driven cancer charity that revolutionised awareness and action around stem cell donation. The charity has added over 250,000 people to the global stem cell registry and helped secure thousands of potential life-saving matches for patients worldwide. "Mike's journey was one of resilience. He continued to tour and record music through multiple relapses, undergoing experimental treatments while using his platform to raise awareness and funds to help others affected by cancer. "His passion for life and belief in the healing power of music inspired countless fans and fellow musicians." Mike, who was appointed MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire, in the New Year Honours for his voluntary services to Cancer Care in North Wales in 2018, was forced to cancel a US tour last year after being diagnosed with fast-growing lymphoma. Over the years the rocker underwent numerous drug treatments and rounds of chemotherapy and even tried experimental therapy to keep his cancer at bay. Most recently, he underwent Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy (CAR-T) at The Christie in Manchester in an attempt to cure his Richter's syndrome, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. In March, Mike revealed that although CAR-T hadn't officially been able to cure him, it had "helped". He posted a message to fans on April 25, just four days ago, via The Alarm's social media revealing that he had completed the second part of his autobiography - HOPE (1991-2005) by Mike Peters. He said: "I'm writing personally to thank you for the love and understanding shown to me and my family during my trials at The Christie Hospital, Manchester, throughout these challenging last few months. "Andrew Richardson (my publisher at A Way With Media), has kept me fully abreast of all the wonderful feedback you have sent him regarding the book content, story telling and attention to detail that I poured into the writing of Love 1959 - 1991. "Luckily for me, I was able to stay alive long enough through 2024 to complete Volume 2 HOPE - 1991 - 2005, and we are all now ready and excited to share news and detail of its publication."
Wales Online
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
The Alarm frontman Mike Peters dies aged 66
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Alarm frontman Mike Peters has sadly died aged 66. The North Wales star, who was forced to cancel a US tour last year after being diagnosed with fast-growing lymphoma, had been undergoing treatment at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester. His death was announced by a spokeswoman for the charity he co-founded with his wife. Peters, who supported U2 and Status Quo on tour and played with Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, was first diagnosed with the blood cancer chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) more than 30 years ago, aged 36. He underwent numerous drug treatments and rounds of chemotherapy, and had tried experimental therapy to keep his cancer at bay. Last year, five days before he was due to fly to Chicago for a 50-date US tour, he noticed that a lump in his neck had appeared overnight. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone Doctors quickly realised the star had developed Richter's syndrome, where CLL changes into a much more aggressive lymphoma. Peters leaves his wife Jules, 58, and two sons, Dylan, 20, and Evan, 18. (Image: Jules Peters/PA Wire) The artist first rose to prominence in the early 1980s with The Alarm, with hits including 68 Guns and Strength. Alongside his wife, he co-founded Love Hope Strength, a cancer charity to encourage action around stem cell donation. Through its Get On The List campaigns, often publicised at rock concerts, the charity has added more than 250,000 people to stem cell registers worldwide. Born in Prestatyn, Peters often played in support of causes close to where he lived. Among those to pay tribute was Zip World, whose founder Sean Taylor worked with Mike and Jules to establish Zip World Rocks, a concert fundraiser for Love Hope Strength. In a statement, the company said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our wonderful friend, Mike Peters. Mike, along with his wife, Jules, has been a firm friend of Zip World and Sean Taylor for many years, a bond which has seen some wonderful and worthwhile charitable collaborations, such as Zip World Rocks. "Mike was and still is the epitome of resilience. His 30-year battle with cancer has been a guiding light to many; he always held his head high with grace, and made a huge impact with his and wife Jules' cancer charity - Love, Hope, Strength. "The tunes and love will live on forever, thank you Mike. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Jules, Dylan, Evan and the rest of Mike's family and friends at this difficult time." Last year, in an interview with the PA news agency, Peters credited his thousands of fans with giving him a boost, saying his diagnosis with fast-growing lymphoma had led to an 'incredible' response, with 'phenomenal support and prayers from the fans from all directions'. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox He added: 'I think, with my crazy instinct to try and preserve my life as well as my health, I worked out that I was able to play some British shows in the summer. Luckily for me, they were all at the end of the chemotherapy cycles. 'I couldn't do them with the band and the crew and the tour buses and all that, but I could stand up on the stage on my own with a small back-up team, so I wasn't being exposed to any viruses or conditions that would impact on my health.' Find out what's happening near you
Telegraph
28-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
After years of neglect, we're reviving a forgotten Scottish resort
If you find yourself on Scotland's west coast on a fine sunny day, take the ferry over the glittering Firth of Clyde to Dunoon. In a part of the country crammed with gripping sea lochs and bays, the 20-minute crossing is one of Britain's most underrated, with a wide-angle view of the Cowal Peninsula's thick forests, glens, low hills and towns you're enticed to run away to. And in the coming years, there'll be more reasons to do just that than ever – even if the outlook will have forever changed. Within the next year, ground will be broken on Britain's newest year-round adventure destination, with a six-person cable car, visitor centre, panoramic mountain cafe, bike trails, Alpine coaster and zip line billed as Europe's most thrilling. Right now, the Argyll town is down on its luck, suffering from decades of a lack of investment. In the coming years, so it goes, it'll carry an air of renewed pride. Ask the locals and the buzzwords are 'reset' and 'revival'. Renaissance, even. The idea for the multi-million-pound development was born eight years ago when community-based charity the Dunoon Project set about masterminding an ambitious scheme to put the town back on the map. 'The question we posed was: 'Why would you come here?'' said chairman Brendon Wallace, when I visited for a preview of the proposed site. 'The town has been crying out for investment for years, so we decided to think big.' How big? Alongside the near-3km cable car and extra thrill of an adventure centre, the project is proposing a 50-bed hotel, base-station restaurant, outdoor-gear stores, climbing areas, bike shops and an equipment-hire centre. The hope, Wallace said, is to replicate the success of other destinations like Zip World at Penrhyn Quarry in Wales and the Peak District's Heights of Abraham. Already, 150,000 visitors are forecast to visit in the first year of opening, from spring 2028. Dunoon has been an out-of-pocket place for as long as I've known it, even if it is history-soaked. In the town's mid-18th century heyday, Glaswegians sailed 'doon the watter' in Clyde steamers for holidays in Argyll and Ayrshire. Villas and wooden piers were built, hotels and boarding houses boomed. The result was Dunoon's unlikely flowering as a fashionable, Victorian-era resort. But by the Sixties, competition from package holidays brought the Costa del Clyde era to a swift end. Billy Connolly, then of The Humblebums, even recorded the tongue-in-cheek ditty Why Don't They Come Back to Dunoon? in 1969. Then, something unexpected took hold. At the height of the Cold War, and for three controversial decades, the United States Navy strategically used the sheltering waters of the Firth of Clyde's Holy Loch as a ballistic missile submarine base. Hundreds of officers and their families took up residence in Dunoon. Then, following the Soviet Union's collapse, the base closed in 1992 and, according to many locals, it never recovered. I grew up across the Clyde and even I remember the fallout. 'Ever since the Sixties, Dunoon has been on the slide – the Americans simply helped cushion our decline,' said former Dunoon hotelier Gavin Dick, now the Dunoon Project's voluntary director and manager of nearby Inveraray Jail. 'So, this is us as a community coming together, saying: 'There's no egg from a golden goose'. Anyone can see our high street is tired.' All the same, locals will tell you Corlarach Forest and Black Craig, Dunoon's moor-topped mini Everest, are the most beautiful places to go, with a feeling of real escape. Fittingly, this is where the cable car and adventure resort will be developed and, as I climbed from the foot of Kilbride Hill, it was easy to see their point. The natural balcony above the Clyde and the island folds of Rothesay, Cumbrae and Arran beyond sparkled. To the east, the denuded hills of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs swaggered. The panorama felt like a closely-guarded secret. Bikers of all abilities will surely stop, braking to take it all in. Interest in the project has also been triggered by the role of the Nevis Range as chief collaborator and co-partner. Already, the tourism operator's gondola transports some 250,000 visitors a year up Aonach Mòr outside Fort William and it has helped establish a mountain biking community to rival any in Britain. Indeed, later this month it is hosting the IXS European Cup, followed in July by the UK's National Downhill Championships. While the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup isn't returning for the first time in 20 years, the sense is that Dunoon and Fort William can combine to offer a rare, multi-stop itinerary of enduro, cross-country and downhill biking. Four-time World Champion of the sport, Greg Minnaar, from South Africa, is also onboard to design the steepest, most technical descents. 'We live and breathe gondolas and mountain biking and we'd been looking for another project for a while,' Chris O'Brien, Nevis Range's managing director, told me prior to my site tour. 'This is the one with the most potential and the geography lends itself to that – the location is unbeatable. Our idea is to transform it into an attraction blending downhill madness with tracks that are suitable for all families and abilities.' As far as I could see, accessibility and the infrastructure's green credentials are a part of this potential. With Dunoon accessible by train and ferry from Glasgow within around 90 minutes, there's no need to travel by car, and the gondola base station is to be built a short stroll from Dunoon Pier. The priority is to use the two ferry lines, Western Ferries and CalMac, to draw visitors into the overlooked town, rather than see the vessels continue to lure locals out. Down at the harbour, I stopped at The Boat House cafe, encountering co-owners Helen and Wilson Blair. They moved to Dunoon 45 years ago and have seen the town's fortunes ebb and flow, all to the soundtrack of crying gulls and crashing waves. 'Dunoon has always been second best, but on a clear day it can be as lovely as any coastal town,' said Helen. 'There's long been a feeling we've needed something to reinvigorate the community,' Wilson added. 'Hopefully this is the spark.' Along the esplanade, below the ruins of Dunoon Castle, I sat on the pebbled beach, taking in the lapping Clyde, watching paddle boarders and drinking in the full sea-to-summit spectacle. I boarded the ferry home, then looked back enviously towards the rippling hills. For a new adventure, in a forgotten part of Scotland, you couldn't ask for much more than this.
Powys County Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
WATCH: I go 500ft underground on Zip World's Deep Mine Tour
TODAY (April 23), we went 500 feet underground as we were taken on an immersive and exhilarating tour of the Llechwedd slate caverns in Gwynedd. Adventure company Zip World has brought the history of Welsh mining to life with its Deep Mine Tour, which relaunched on April 5 at its Blaenau Ffestiniog site. Today's tour was led by Brian Jones, who worked in the mine himself in the 1970s and 1980s. It included a descent into the mine via Europe's steepest cable car, a look inside 10 of the mine's 250 man-made slate chambers (which are brought to life with enhanced audio-visuals), the simulating of a mine blast with a 'detonator', and much more. The tour lasts 90 minutes, and gives a unique insight into what it was like to work in the mine for people like Brian – one of the chambers was even used as a wedding venue previously. Each chamber has a solid granite roof, while miners worked in pitch-black conditions with no electricity and just a helmet light and a candle to navigate their way. Boys as young as eight would work there, Brian told the tour, and at 11.30am, the bell would go for a 30-minute break – the only break of the day, during which workers would 'cram as much food into their gullets'. Tours at the mine started in 1979, while the mine itself dates back to 1846 when it was opened by John Whitehead Greaves, a successful quarry owner. At its peak in 1884, the quarry produced 23,788 tonnes of finished slate per year and employed 513 workers. At the end of the tour, a new light show and projections transform the underground water table into a visual spectacle, and guests hear the 'Farewell Song', recorded and sung by miners, in the Miners' Caban. Those visiting also "meet a miner" through a projection where a miner shares his story and experiences. Brian said: "It's been fantastic to see how Zip World has regenerated the site over the years. 'The mine's legacy is deeply ingrained in the history of the area, and it's wonderful to see our past reimagined in such an engaging and educational way. 'It gives me a huge sense of pride that we're able to continue sharing our stories with generations to come.'
