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European Countdown — 3 days to go

Just in case you thought Wales was just a country full of rugby players and male voice choirs – here are a few weird and wonderful (and perhaps true) facts about the home of the current European champions.

EBBA
 

1. There are no letter K, Q or Z in the Welsh language – and the letter Y is a vowel.

2. Boxing’s Queensberry Rules were drafted by a Welshman, Llanelli-born JG Chambers (1843–83).

3. The inventor of the modern cremation process was Dr William Price (1800-93) of Llantrisant. He was taken to court in 1884 for attempting to burn the corpse of his baby son, Iesu Grist (Jesus Christ) but was found not guilty.

4. The English are Wales’ largest ethnic minority community with 20.3 per cent of the country’s population having been born in England.

5. In 2003, Wales became the first country in the UK in which the majority of babies – 50.3 per cent – were born outside marriage.

6. Notable Americans who have been of Welsh descent include Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln and Calvin Coolidge.

Also blessed by Welshness were the great Jack Daniel (founder of the drink), J. P. Morgan (banker), architect Frank Lloyd Wright, recluse, Howard Hughes, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and actor Tom Cruise.

7. The longest corridor in Europe is to be found in Llandough Hospital near Cardiff.

8. The most famous Welsh British Prime Minister, Lloyd George was in fact born in Manchester.

It is now believed that the United States of America was in fact named after a Welshman4BR

9. It is now believed that the United States of America was in fact named after a Welshman. Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci is commonly believed to have been the source of the name, but this may not be true.

10. It is believed that Welsh carpenter William Frost from Saundersfoot in West Wales claimed in 1896 that he had been airborne in a craft he constructed himself, and that had his flight been authenticated. The was some seven years before the Wright brothers in the USA.

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Linz European line-ups confirmed

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Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 1 March • St. Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street. London SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - London Central Fellowship Band

Saturday 7 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Tuesday 10 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Crewe Brass

February 18 • We are looking for a CORNET player (position negotiable) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

February 18 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Eb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

February 18 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

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