A PARANORMAL group is planning an investigation at a historic Flintshire site.
Wrexham-based Spirit Quest UK will be looking in to supposed spirit activity at the Tower, near Nercwys.
“The Tower is thought to have been built at the beginning of the 15th century or late 14th century, when it served as a fortification near the border between England and Wales,” said Howard Hughes, Spirit Quest’s UK director of paranormal research.Spirit Quest UK was the first Paranormal Group to investigate the hall, on June 12.
Mr Hughes added: “We had heard rumours of a figure seen on the stairs, the spirit of a woman and other sketchy stories of paranormal activity, but it was really the building’s bloody history and a life-long personal fascination with the building that attracted us to the place.
“There was also the fact that no other paranormal group had ever investigated the place before.”
The team will be going back for a second investigation, on Friday, August 7.To join the team, call 01978 854252 or go to www.spiritquestuk.co.uk.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
FOOTBALL: Marford and Gresford scoop national award
Marford and Gresford Albion are celebrating after scooping the Club of the Year award at the Welsh Football Trust (WFT) Awards.
The club, from the village of Gresford near Wrexham, were presented with the award by football legend Ian Rush at the ceremony and will now get the chance to play on the hallowed turf at Wembley Stadium as a reward for their achievement.
The WFT, in association with McDonald's, chose the club as the winner of this year's award for their fantastic commitment to grassroots football, catering for approximately 200 players from under sevens through to under 16s.
There are currently 13 Marford and Gresford Albion boys and girls teams playing in the Wrexham and Districtl League, with training sessions held at least once a week organised by volunteer coaches.
Club chairman Steve Harris said: “To be nominated was an achievement in itself, but to win is just incredible. It’s a fantastic boost for everyone at the club and well deserved for all the hard work everyone involved puts in, week in, week out.”
Ian Rush, McDonald’s Head of Welsh Football, said: “Clubs like Marford and Gresford Albion do a great job of getting children involved in and enjoying football at a young age.
“As a great supporter of football in Welsh communities McDonald’s is proud to honour the achievements all the people who work so hard for Marford and Gresford Albion, at the Oscars of grassroots football in Wales.”
Chirk Youth are holding a mini seven-a-side tournament on Sunday, August 23 at Chirk AAAs Holyhead Road Sports Club.
The under sevens and eights will take place in the morning with the under nines and 10s in the afternoon.
Cost of entry is £25 per team, to get an application form and further details, contact club secretary Lisa Jones on (01691) 773587 or email chirkyouthfc@gmail.com
Chirk Youth are also looking to recruit players – especially in the following age groups – Under 8s, Under 9s Under 10s and for the girls team.
The club, from the village of Gresford near Wrexham, were presented with the award by football legend Ian Rush at the ceremony and will now get the chance to play on the hallowed turf at Wembley Stadium as a reward for their achievement.
The WFT, in association with McDonald's, chose the club as the winner of this year's award for their fantastic commitment to grassroots football, catering for approximately 200 players from under sevens through to under 16s.
There are currently 13 Marford and Gresford Albion boys and girls teams playing in the Wrexham and Districtl League, with training sessions held at least once a week organised by volunteer coaches.
Club chairman Steve Harris said: “To be nominated was an achievement in itself, but to win is just incredible. It’s a fantastic boost for everyone at the club and well deserved for all the hard work everyone involved puts in, week in, week out.”
Ian Rush, McDonald’s Head of Welsh Football, said: “Clubs like Marford and Gresford Albion do a great job of getting children involved in and enjoying football at a young age.
“As a great supporter of football in Welsh communities McDonald’s is proud to honour the achievements all the people who work so hard for Marford and Gresford Albion, at the Oscars of grassroots football in Wales.”
Chirk Youth are holding a mini seven-a-side tournament on Sunday, August 23 at Chirk AAAs Holyhead Road Sports Club.
The under sevens and eights will take place in the morning with the under nines and 10s in the afternoon.
Cost of entry is £25 per team, to get an application form and further details, contact club secretary Lisa Jones on (01691) 773587 or email chirkyouthfc@gmail.com
Chirk Youth are also looking to recruit players – especially in the following age groups – Under 8s, Under 9s Under 10s and for the girls team.
FRIENDLY: Wrexham FC 1-1 Preston North End
By Tom Norris
It is early days yet, but the signs are good for Dean Saunders’ side.
The men from The Racecourse looked lively throughout this tough test and even the early departure of injured striker Marc Williams failed to dampen their spirits.
Saunders has said all along that he needs time to build a team that he can call his own and on this evidence that is not too far away.
New signings and talented youngsters have been moulded together under the Wales coach and, given time, they can mount a serious push for promotion this season.
Wrexham, wearing their white away strip, enjoyed the opening 45 minutes as their passion and energy swamped a Preston outfit, who looked sluggish and short of fitness.
New signing Hedi Taboubi was the main creator for Wrexham, passing and probing from his central midfield position.
Another new boy, Adrian Cieslewicz was lively and always looking to beat the offside trap, while Mark Jones and Neil Taylor provided good width.Within six minutes of the start Saunders’ men had carved out their first goalscoring opportunity, Andy Fleming playing a pass to Taboubi, who sent an excellent raking ball to Marc Williams on the left, the striker crossed to Cieslewicz, but he was denied a path to goal and the ball went out for a corner.
The Reds then took the lead from the flag kick as Silvio Spann’s centre caused havoc in the Preston defence.The initial cross found Taboubi, via Fleming, on the edge of the area, he gave it back to Spann, and from his second bite of the cherry he found the head of Mansour Assoumani six yards from goal, the big defender doing the rest with aplomb.
Marc Williams limped off shortly after the celebrations died down and Saunders sent on trialist Matty Wolfenden in his place.
The switch failed to null Wrexham’s attacking threat as Jones fired over from 25-yards and Spann saw another centre flash agonisingly across Nicky Weaver’s goalmouth.Preston finally managed an attack soon after, Chris Sedgwick stinging the hands of Chris Maxwell from distance.
Alan Irvine’s men had caused few problems for the Reds’ defence up until Sedgwick’s strike, but this seemed to spur them in to action and Eddie Nolan fired a weak effort at Maxwell’s goal, while new skipper Callum Davidson miss-kicked when played in after a quickly taken flag kick.
Nolan then forced a smart low save out of Maxwell after a neat interchange with Karl Hawley.
Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor was next to have a go as he used his strength to out-muscle Assoumani and Sam Williamson before firing inches wide of the right upright.
After soaking up the Championship side’s pressure, Wrexham found their foothold in the game once more, Taylor seeing a chip fail to trouble Weaver, before Wolfenden fired in a smart shot on the turn, only to see the former Manchester City stopper brilliantly tip round the post.
The hard working and pacey Cieslewicz then highlighted his undoubted ability by leaving two defenders for dead and firing a smart left-footed drive at Weaver who was equal to the task and fisted the ball clear.
Preston were able to come forward for one last time as the enterprising Sedgwick found the head of Mellor, but he failed to generate any power and Maxwell gathered comfortably.
There were two different approaches at half-time with Saunders happy to to make just one change as former Preston player Nathan Fairhurst replaced Taboubi.
On the other hand, Irvine rang the changes by bringing on his big guns with Richard Chaplow, Ross Wallace, Jon Parkin, and Chris Brown in place of Neil Trotman, Mellor, Hawley and Adam Barton.
However the changes failed to spark any life into Preston as Cieslewicz went close once more, the teenager driving into the box having picked up the ball on the halfway line and firing at Weaver, who denied a second Wrexham goal.
Slowly but surely Preston found their footing in the game, Chaplow stamping his mark on the game with the equaliser.
When Sam Williamson failed to clear a ball any further than Sedgwick, the former Rotherham winger delivered an excellent cross and the ex-Burnley player headed the visitors level.
Williamson soon found himself out of the action as Saunders brought on promising defender Kai Edwards and switched to a 3-5-2 formation.Preston were looking increasingly likely to grab the next goal, but Wrexham and Cieslewicz were always dangerous in attack, the Pole curling an effort straight at Weaver.
Fleming then fired a drive over the North End bar, before Brown forced Maxwell into a smart low save from eight yards at the other end.Again Cieslewicz went close, hitting the side netting with an acrobatic effort after Spann sent in another teasing cross.Cieslewicz then received a deserved standing ovation when he finally made way for Wes Baynes with two minutes left.
And with time running out, Parkin went agonisingly close to sneaking a late Preston winner, while Brown saw another chance clear the Wrexham bar.
The referee brought an end to proceedings with supporters of both teams giving the players a warm send off.
It is early days yet, but the signs are good for Dean Saunders’ side.
The men from The Racecourse looked lively throughout this tough test and even the early departure of injured striker Marc Williams failed to dampen their spirits.
Saunders has said all along that he needs time to build a team that he can call his own and on this evidence that is not too far away.
New signings and talented youngsters have been moulded together under the Wales coach and, given time, they can mount a serious push for promotion this season.
Wrexham, wearing their white away strip, enjoyed the opening 45 minutes as their passion and energy swamped a Preston outfit, who looked sluggish and short of fitness.
New signing Hedi Taboubi was the main creator for Wrexham, passing and probing from his central midfield position.
Another new boy, Adrian Cieslewicz was lively and always looking to beat the offside trap, while Mark Jones and Neil Taylor provided good width.Within six minutes of the start Saunders’ men had carved out their first goalscoring opportunity, Andy Fleming playing a pass to Taboubi, who sent an excellent raking ball to Marc Williams on the left, the striker crossed to Cieslewicz, but he was denied a path to goal and the ball went out for a corner.
The Reds then took the lead from the flag kick as Silvio Spann’s centre caused havoc in the Preston defence.The initial cross found Taboubi, via Fleming, on the edge of the area, he gave it back to Spann, and from his second bite of the cherry he found the head of Mansour Assoumani six yards from goal, the big defender doing the rest with aplomb.
Marc Williams limped off shortly after the celebrations died down and Saunders sent on trialist Matty Wolfenden in his place.
The switch failed to null Wrexham’s attacking threat as Jones fired over from 25-yards and Spann saw another centre flash agonisingly across Nicky Weaver’s goalmouth.Preston finally managed an attack soon after, Chris Sedgwick stinging the hands of Chris Maxwell from distance.
Alan Irvine’s men had caused few problems for the Reds’ defence up until Sedgwick’s strike, but this seemed to spur them in to action and Eddie Nolan fired a weak effort at Maxwell’s goal, while new skipper Callum Davidson miss-kicked when played in after a quickly taken flag kick.
Nolan then forced a smart low save out of Maxwell after a neat interchange with Karl Hawley.
Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor was next to have a go as he used his strength to out-muscle Assoumani and Sam Williamson before firing inches wide of the right upright.
After soaking up the Championship side’s pressure, Wrexham found their foothold in the game once more, Taylor seeing a chip fail to trouble Weaver, before Wolfenden fired in a smart shot on the turn, only to see the former Manchester City stopper brilliantly tip round the post.
The hard working and pacey Cieslewicz then highlighted his undoubted ability by leaving two defenders for dead and firing a smart left-footed drive at Weaver who was equal to the task and fisted the ball clear.
Preston were able to come forward for one last time as the enterprising Sedgwick found the head of Mellor, but he failed to generate any power and Maxwell gathered comfortably.
There were two different approaches at half-time with Saunders happy to to make just one change as former Preston player Nathan Fairhurst replaced Taboubi.
On the other hand, Irvine rang the changes by bringing on his big guns with Richard Chaplow, Ross Wallace, Jon Parkin, and Chris Brown in place of Neil Trotman, Mellor, Hawley and Adam Barton.
However the changes failed to spark any life into Preston as Cieslewicz went close once more, the teenager driving into the box having picked up the ball on the halfway line and firing at Weaver, who denied a second Wrexham goal.
Slowly but surely Preston found their footing in the game, Chaplow stamping his mark on the game with the equaliser.
When Sam Williamson failed to clear a ball any further than Sedgwick, the former Rotherham winger delivered an excellent cross and the ex-Burnley player headed the visitors level.
Williamson soon found himself out of the action as Saunders brought on promising defender Kai Edwards and switched to a 3-5-2 formation.Preston were looking increasingly likely to grab the next goal, but Wrexham and Cieslewicz were always dangerous in attack, the Pole curling an effort straight at Weaver.
Fleming then fired a drive over the North End bar, before Brown forced Maxwell into a smart low save from eight yards at the other end.Again Cieslewicz went close, hitting the side netting with an acrobatic effort after Spann sent in another teasing cross.Cieslewicz then received a deserved standing ovation when he finally made way for Wes Baynes with two minutes left.
And with time running out, Parkin went agonisingly close to sneaking a late Preston winner, while Brown saw another chance clear the Wrexham bar.
The referee brought an end to proceedings with supporters of both teams giving the players a warm send off.
WREXHAM FC: Dean Saunders feared the worst for Marc Williams
Dean Saunders admitted that he feared the worst after watching Marc Williams hobble out of action last night.
Williams lasted just eight minutes of the 1-1 draw with Preston North End having taken a knock on the same foot he broke toward the end of last season.
And as Williams headed towards the tunnel, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa attacker said he could think of little else other than the diagnosis.“I’ve just heard that Marc has a bruise and there is nothing wrong with his foot,” said a relieved Saunders.
“I couldn’t think of anything else through the first half to be honest, I was sick.
“I thought he’d broken his foot again and that would have been another striker we would have had to have signed.
“He has been having a bit of discomfort with it for a little while. He had an X-ray last week and got the all clear.
"He has been aching after training. He went over on it and hopefully it is just a fright and he felt something.
“When you get a break you get a lot of bruising around the bone, it takes ages to heal and no blood gets to that area.
“It is like when you break your finger it takes probably two years before you don’t feel any pain so hopefully it is that.
Saunders did manage to switch his attention to the game, giving praise to his side after a battling draw with the Championship outfit.“I thought we played really well first half, we knocked the ball around really well,” he said.
“As you can see some of them pulled up at the end with a bit of cramp so we are still a bit short, but they are four leagues above us, nearly five if they had won their last game the play-offs.
“Credit to the lads they played against a strong team there, they brought the two big front lads on and Chaplow came on in midfield.
“We switched systems to try and resist what was happening to us and we had chances to win it as well.
“I am pleased that they have come and played us, to play them is good for the fans and a good test for the players. I’ve still got three or four to add before the season starts.”
The game against higher opposition gave Saunders the chance to test out a different formation as the Reds went to 3-5-2 late on – and he felt it was the perfect exercise for his young team.
“There were some good performances there, they are learning the game,” he explained.“We went to three at the back towards the end of the game and some of them have never played that before.
“I was trying to teach them out on the pitch, but we need to try these things in pre-season and against good teams it is ideal.
“I was really pleased with how we passed the ball first half and how dangerous we looked, and second half I was pleased with how we defended.“If we had lost it is not the end of the world because you can try things.
“We had five or six missing tonight feeling terrible and obviously Gareth (Taylor) and Ashley (Westwood) are two big players for us.“We need a bit of experience in the team, but we have pace and that is what I want.”
Saunders also took the opportunity to take a look at trialist Matty Wolfenden, declaring his pleasure at the performance of the 21-year-old after he replaced Marc Williams with just eight minutes an the clock, before giving way to Obi Anoruo late on.
The striker was released by League One side Oldham Athletic earlier this week, and Saunders is pleased to have the chance to work with him.
He said: “He is an intelligent player, he makes great runs, he is a great signing for us.”
Williams lasted just eight minutes of the 1-1 draw with Preston North End having taken a knock on the same foot he broke toward the end of last season.
And as Williams headed towards the tunnel, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa attacker said he could think of little else other than the diagnosis.“I’ve just heard that Marc has a bruise and there is nothing wrong with his foot,” said a relieved Saunders.
“I couldn’t think of anything else through the first half to be honest, I was sick.
“I thought he’d broken his foot again and that would have been another striker we would have had to have signed.
“He has been having a bit of discomfort with it for a little while. He had an X-ray last week and got the all clear.
"He has been aching after training. He went over on it and hopefully it is just a fright and he felt something.
“When you get a break you get a lot of bruising around the bone, it takes ages to heal and no blood gets to that area.
“It is like when you break your finger it takes probably two years before you don’t feel any pain so hopefully it is that.
Saunders did manage to switch his attention to the game, giving praise to his side after a battling draw with the Championship outfit.“I thought we played really well first half, we knocked the ball around really well,” he said.
“As you can see some of them pulled up at the end with a bit of cramp so we are still a bit short, but they are four leagues above us, nearly five if they had won their last game the play-offs.
“Credit to the lads they played against a strong team there, they brought the two big front lads on and Chaplow came on in midfield.
“We switched systems to try and resist what was happening to us and we had chances to win it as well.
“I am pleased that they have come and played us, to play them is good for the fans and a good test for the players. I’ve still got three or four to add before the season starts.”
The game against higher opposition gave Saunders the chance to test out a different formation as the Reds went to 3-5-2 late on – and he felt it was the perfect exercise for his young team.
“There were some good performances there, they are learning the game,” he explained.“We went to three at the back towards the end of the game and some of them have never played that before.
“I was trying to teach them out on the pitch, but we need to try these things in pre-season and against good teams it is ideal.
“I was really pleased with how we passed the ball first half and how dangerous we looked, and second half I was pleased with how we defended.“If we had lost it is not the end of the world because you can try things.
“We had five or six missing tonight feeling terrible and obviously Gareth (Taylor) and Ashley (Westwood) are two big players for us.“We need a bit of experience in the team, but we have pace and that is what I want.”
Saunders also took the opportunity to take a look at trialist Matty Wolfenden, declaring his pleasure at the performance of the 21-year-old after he replaced Marc Williams with just eight minutes an the clock, before giving way to Obi Anoruo late on.
The striker was released by League One side Oldham Athletic earlier this week, and Saunders is pleased to have the chance to work with him.
He said: “He is an intelligent player, he makes great runs, he is a great signing for us.”
FA expresses match-fixing concerns as Chester City players receive bans
Disciplinary chiefs have expressed "serious concerns" that a Football League match may have been fixed after four players -including Chester’s Jay Harris and David Mannix - were banned for between five months and a year for betting on the outcome.
The four players have been suspended and fined after betting on the outcome of the League Two match between Accrington and Bury on May 3 2008 - three of the players were with Stanley at the time and the other at Bury, who won the game 2-0.
Harris has been banned for a year and fined a total of £5,500 by an independent FA regulatory commission, Mannix has been given a 10-month ban and fined £4,000, and Robert Williams suspended for eight months and fined £3,500.
Andrew Mangan, who was then a Bury player, has been banned for five months and fined £2,000 for betting on his team to win.
Nicholas Stewart QC, chairman of the regulatory commission, said in a statement: "The regulatory commission have serious concerns that the outcome of the match may have been fixed although none of the players were charged with these offences."
The four players have been suspended and fined after betting on the outcome of the League Two match between Accrington and Bury on May 3 2008 - three of the players were with Stanley at the time and the other at Bury, who won the game 2-0.
Harris has been banned for a year and fined a total of £5,500 by an independent FA regulatory commission, Mannix has been given a 10-month ban and fined £4,000, and Robert Williams suspended for eight months and fined £3,500.
Andrew Mangan, who was then a Bury player, has been banned for five months and fined £2,000 for betting on his team to win.
Nicholas Stewart QC, chairman of the regulatory commission, said in a statement: "The regulatory commission have serious concerns that the outcome of the match may have been fixed although none of the players were charged with these offences."
Peter Mandelson’s eye on bids to take over Vauxhall plants
By Phil Robinson
BUSINESS Secretary Lord Mandelson is keeping a close eye on developments as the battle for ownership of General Motors’ European operations enters its final round.
As bidding to take over Vauxhall Motors and its German sister-company ended on Monday night, three potential new owners had lined up.
They are Canadian-owned parts manufacturer Magna, Belgian-based venture capital group RHJ and China’s Beijing Automotive Industries.
General Motors said it would now carefully consider all the bids before giving judgement on which appears to offers the best deal.
Details will then be scrutinised by the German and UK governments, the EU Commission and the Opel/Vauxhall Trust Board.
A GM spokesman said an announcement would be made on the new owners by the end of the month.
Lord Mandelson is taking a personal interest in how the situation unfolds and has pledged to do all he can to ensure the long-term future of the Vauxhall plants at Luton and Ellesmere Port, where 5,000 jobs hang in the balance, including hundreds from Wrexham and Flintshire.
Although Magna was declared as preferred bidder for GM Europe some weeks ago, the company had to re-submit its bid – along with the other two suitors – by Monday night.
Magna’s bid is supported by Russia’s Sberbank and there has been concern that if it acquired GM Europe, too many details of its highly advanced car technology would be used to boost the Russian motor industry.
It is understood that Magna’s new bid contains assurances that this will not happen.
Insiders say that despite the RHJ bid offering a number of attractive features, Magna remains favourite in the race.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have both voiced their support for Magna.
Magna has pledged that “no immediate plant closures are contemplated” at either Vauxhall site until at least 2013.RHJ is also expected to support saving both Vauxhall factories – but may ask workers to take pay cuts.
GM was forced to put its Europeam arm up for sale as part of its massive restructuring that saw it go into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US – before emerging as a leaner company with less debt.
Opel has been placed under the ownership of a trustee in which both GM and the German government have a stake.
Whichever bid is eventually successful, Lord Mandelson is expected to offer a sizeable amount of Government cash assistance to secure Vauxhall jobs.
BUSINESS Secretary Lord Mandelson is keeping a close eye on developments as the battle for ownership of General Motors’ European operations enters its final round.
As bidding to take over Vauxhall Motors and its German sister-company ended on Monday night, three potential new owners had lined up.
They are Canadian-owned parts manufacturer Magna, Belgian-based venture capital group RHJ and China’s Beijing Automotive Industries.
General Motors said it would now carefully consider all the bids before giving judgement on which appears to offers the best deal.
Details will then be scrutinised by the German and UK governments, the EU Commission and the Opel/Vauxhall Trust Board.
A GM spokesman said an announcement would be made on the new owners by the end of the month.
Lord Mandelson is taking a personal interest in how the situation unfolds and has pledged to do all he can to ensure the long-term future of the Vauxhall plants at Luton and Ellesmere Port, where 5,000 jobs hang in the balance, including hundreds from Wrexham and Flintshire.
Although Magna was declared as preferred bidder for GM Europe some weeks ago, the company had to re-submit its bid – along with the other two suitors – by Monday night.
Magna’s bid is supported by Russia’s Sberbank and there has been concern that if it acquired GM Europe, too many details of its highly advanced car technology would be used to boost the Russian motor industry.
It is understood that Magna’s new bid contains assurances that this will not happen.
Insiders say that despite the RHJ bid offering a number of attractive features, Magna remains favourite in the race.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have both voiced their support for Magna.
Magna has pledged that “no immediate plant closures are contemplated” at either Vauxhall site until at least 2013.RHJ is also expected to support saving both Vauxhall factories – but may ask workers to take pay cuts.
GM was forced to put its Europeam arm up for sale as part of its massive restructuring that saw it go into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US – before emerging as a leaner company with less debt.
Opel has been placed under the ownership of a trustee in which both GM and the German government have a stake.
Whichever bid is eventually successful, Lord Mandelson is expected to offer a sizeable amount of Government cash assistance to secure Vauxhall jobs.
Chance meeting unites Mold and Melbourne penpals
A MAN got an unexpected surprise at a family reunion, when he met his online ‘penpal’ in the flesh.
Ray Roberts, from Mold, had been communicating with Evan Jones, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, by email for several years.
They got in contact with each other through the Clwyd Family History Society mailing list, as both are family history enthusiasts, but had never met in person.
So Ray got the shock of his life at his family’s annual reunion at Cilcain Village Hall last week, when Evan popped his head round the door.
Evan was on holiday and was trying to find out more about his ancestors’ Flintshire roots.
When the pair started chatting, they realised they knew each other.
They started emailing each other through the Clwyd Family History Society mailing listRay said: “I could have fainted.
"We have corresponded and chatted about family history matters for some time.
“I had no idea that Evan and his wife Pauline, whose family originally come from Anglesey, were in the UK. It was lovely to meet them.
“It is such a coincidence that they and I were in Cilcain at the same time.
“We could so easily have missed each other.
"He could have driven off without coming to the village hall, which would have been a great shame.”
Ray has arranged another meeting with Evan, before he and his wife return to Australia.
Ray Roberts, from Mold, had been communicating with Evan Jones, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, by email for several years.
They got in contact with each other through the Clwyd Family History Society mailing list, as both are family history enthusiasts, but had never met in person.
So Ray got the shock of his life at his family’s annual reunion at Cilcain Village Hall last week, when Evan popped his head round the door.
Evan was on holiday and was trying to find out more about his ancestors’ Flintshire roots.
When the pair started chatting, they realised they knew each other.
They started emailing each other through the Clwyd Family History Society mailing listRay said: “I could have fainted.
"We have corresponded and chatted about family history matters for some time.
“I had no idea that Evan and his wife Pauline, whose family originally come from Anglesey, were in the UK. It was lovely to meet them.
“It is such a coincidence that they and I were in Cilcain at the same time.
“We could so easily have missed each other.
"He could have driven off without coming to the village hall, which would have been a great shame.”
Ray has arranged another meeting with Evan, before he and his wife return to Australia.
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