Brecon and Radnor Express and Powys County Times


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NewsNews Movie elite on Brecon Beacons


A BLOCKBUSTER film has brought stars and snow to the Brecon Beacons in summer time. Walkers climbing Pen y Fan were able to stroll


report twm@brecon-radnor.co.uk by Twm Owen


past between takes as British movie star Jason Statham, disguised in military fatigues, trudged his way through a July snow blizzard. The surreal scenes were part of big budget


production The Killer Elite which also stars Robert De Niro, Clive Owen and Prison Break’s Dominic Purcell. The foothills of the Brecon Beacons’ highest


peak had been smothered in artificial snow as Statham, star of films such as Snatch and The Italian Job remake, filmed scenes alongside Ugly Betty and True Blood star Grant Bowler. Both were carrying ‘machines guns’ and


Men, stars Statham, reportedly playing a former special services soldier who comes out of retirement to save his friend’s life. Fiennes’ original novel is controversially


claimed to be based on the real life assassinations of members of the SAS. The Feather Men were reputedly a group of vigilant special forces members who hunted the hit men in order to protect members of their regiment. The film, which is due for release next year,


is financed by Australian companies and filming has already taken place in Melbourne. A large number of film production vehicles


dressed in combat clothing as they filmed on a steep bank at Pont ar Daf near the main path up Pen y Fan from the A470 last Wednesday, July 28.


occupied one of the large lay-bys near the RAC bends on Tuesday and Wednesday last week as the crew filmed scenes with Statham on Pen y Fan, near the woods at the Storey Arms public toilets. The filming was clearly visible from the main


there being a steady stream of walkers on the footpath, the crew had transformed the beauty spot into bleak winter with paper based snow and some good fortune due to a darkening sky and light drizzle. The £38 million action film, which is based on the Sir Ranulph Fiennes novel The Feather


Despite it being the middle of summer and


but I do think the TV and film people think the whole world revolves around them.” Glyn Harris, of Merthyr Tydfil who had


her name, complained: “I got annoyed when it started to rain. We’d been walking for two hours and were then asked to wait on the mountain for 20 minutes in the cold.” However Cynthia Croft, of Southport,


planned to take his great grandson up the path, complained: “I don’t think they should hold people up in the countryside. It’s not fair and they shouldn’t block the path as people travel a long way to come here for the walking.” Another walker, who didn’t want


to give


worked alongside the crew until 10pm during the two days filming, and on clean up operations on Thursday, said the crew had been assisted by the Park Authority, the National Trust and graziers during filming. “The snow is paper based and will easily come


Brecon to Merthyr A470, however some walkers who were enjoying the Beacons said they had been inconvenienced by the filming, which hadn’t been pre announced. During takes the crew prevented members of


the public from using the footpath, which runs through land owned by the Brecon Beacons National Park and the National Trust. Alan Surman, of Llandeilo, who was


amongst a group of walkers forced to wait on the mountainside for up to 20 minutes as the cameras rolled said: “It’s not really a problem,


Merseyside, who climbed Pen y Fan with her husband Paul, said: “I didn’t mind the wait, it’s a bit of fun and I’m on holiday and in no rush. I will be interested to go and see the film when it comes out.” Shelly Best and Luke Bellamy, of Dinas


with specialist vehicles to carry heavy loads onto the mountain which won’t damage it and we’ve been advising the crew on where they can go. “With it being the summer holidays


Powys, were surprised to find they had been sharing a hillside with Jason Statham, but even more shocked to see snow on the ground. “We were a bit surprised at the snow,” said


Shelly: “We had to walk up from the Storey Arms car park and when we came through the trees you just saw the snow on the ground. I thought it was a bit odd.” Luke added: “They told us it’s an SAS film


impressed by the special effects: “The artificial snow is wonderful and I’ve taken a photograph of a thistle covered in snow, with a bumble bee on it. That will be a quiz question someday.” National Park warden John Pimm, who


with Jason Statham, but I don’t think there is anyone really famous up there (the mountain).” Walker Allan Dowson, of Cardiff, was


been working alongside any famous faces: “I know I’ve seen Jason Statham, but I’m not sure if Robert De Niro has been up there. I’m c**p with famous names and faces.” Edwin Harris, chairman of


Beacons Commoners’ Association and the Welsh Commons Forum said: “We are delighted that people appreciate the beauty and worth of the landscape we work on and care for. We would like to welcome more filming to the Brecon Beacons and look forward to working with the National Park Authority on future projects, including the work that we, the graziers do to manage this landscape.” Filming for The Killer Elite continued for the


remainder of last week and the early part of this week at various locations around South Wales.


the Brecon


have been quite a few people up here although Tuesday was quieter due to the weather.” However John admitted he was unsure if he’d


there


off the vegetation,” said John: “The crew had to get special permission, known as a PDO or Potentially Damaging Operation consent, from the Countryside Council for Wales to put the artificial snow down as the whole area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. “The National Trust has also helped the crew


Thursday, August 5, 2010


Jason Statham (above) filming on the foothills of Pen y Fan


Grant Bowler (left) who played scheming publisher Connor Owens in US sitcom Ugly Betty, takes a break from filming


The film crew, led by location manager David Broder, prepare to shoot a scene at the RAC bends on the A470


New rules for swimming pools


NEW rul es over the supervision of


children in pools at Builth Wells, Presteigne’s East Radnor centre, Llandrindod Wells and Llanfyllin must be accompanied by an adult. The council says the policy


swimming in four Powys council run leisure centres are to be introduced. From next month all young


children’s


of the council’s pools are introducing a minimum of two


is intended to bring the swimming pools into line with its other centres, which have operated a one adult to one child ratio for children under the age of four since 2003. It follows advice from


Sessions’ per week to allow one adult to supervise two children under eight years old in less crowded and safer swimming conditions. Chi ldren under


can also gain a ‘three minute ASA/ISRM pool swimming standard award – demonstrating swimming ability and water confidence - that allows one adult to


eight ‘Family Swimming


the Institute for Sport and Recreat ion Management and comes into force from Wednesday, September 1. At the same time


all


supervise three children aged


seven provided one has the swimming standard. Co u n ci l lor Gw y n


between four and


Gwillim, board member for leisure services said: “We want to ensure that our swimming pools are safe for swimmers. “We


children safe in our pools by this change in policy but also encourage children and their families to take part


‘learn to swim schemes’. “The


the


will hopefully encourage more


family swim sessions families to


take up int roduction


in our of


intend keeping


swimming as a recreational pastime.” The


at Brecon, Bro Ddyf i (Machynlleth) and Hay are exempt from the one to one admission requirements


will apply for children under the age of eight. Further


Family Swimming Sessions and the ASA/ISRM Pool Standard Award is available from local centres.


leisure or sport to t e a ching


under four’s as they are all less than one metre in depth and have a ‘Designated Non- Swimmers Area’. The one adult


for two children ratio information on p o ol s


Picture by Al Jones


The artificial snow sprinkled Brecon Beacons ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE


Family fun in Llanigon S


BRECON Jazz opens its doors for the best in international


entertainment this weekend (Friday, August 6 - Sunday, August 8) and the show’s organisers behind the scenes are busy making sure the performers know where they’re going and what time they’re on. It takes a year for all the pieces to


fall into place and the responsibility for booking the artists lies with programme director and Brecon resident Sarah Dennehy.


She puts her clipboard down for a minute, switches off her Blackberry and gets In The News with The


Brecon & Radnor Express reporter Nigel Evans.


programme the Brecon Jazz Festival - it’s a varied and interesting job where I’ve learnt that


it’s difficult


Brecon. Significant others:


Andy, whom I met snowb o a r d i ng i n Whistler, Canada. Proudest moments:


Gaining a First in my disser tat ion at university having put a lot of time and effort into study,


Brecon. We worked on it solidly for a year, living and breathing old house. We stripped it back to its skeleton and restored it. With an unlimited


budget, who would you book for Brecon Jazz?: This would def ini tely some of


on this year’s bill, such a s: Hu g h Masekela, Nostaligia 77, Get The Blessing,


the artists include


a 17th century Grade II


Dennehy. Age: 33. Occup a t i o n : I


Na m e : Sa r a h


Portico Quartet and Eric Legnini . But with


to


please all of the people all of the time! Place of residence:


budget I would also programme Aretha Franklin, Etta Gil


renovating listed building in


to see play live - living or dead?: Oh there are lots. Nina Simone, Jimi Hendrix, John and Alice Coltrane, James Brown, Miles Davies. I’d like


see Michael Jackson again. I saw him when I was a kid, but I’d like to see him now that


his glory days of Off I’m older from to


jazz?: Contemporary for sure, but I also love old blue note bebop and hard bop, and jazz-funk and jazz-hip hop fusions Who would you like


a law what would it be?: I’d make jazz tuition free in schools and give every child, who wanted one, an instrument. Trad jazz or modern


Donald Byrd, Bugge Wesseltof t , Herbie Hancock, Melody Gardot and Esperanza Spalding. If you could pass


Scott Heron, A gal with itchy feet: Brecon Jazz programme director Sarah Dennehy


James Madlib,


The Wall and Thriller. David Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust era.


Mumford and Sons play the Greenman Festival and there are tons of bands I want to see at Brecon this year Who would you to


like


- living or dead?: My grandparents. Wha t


inspires you?: Music, the ocean, mountains and fine wine. Favouri te place:


I like snowy places. I love Chamonix and could easily imagine myself living there. I love the Gower and Pembroke on sunny summer days. And cities – Edinburgh, Vancouver, Zurich, London. What do you think


of Wales?: I was born here,


it’s home, o r w h o dine with I’d like to see


but I’m a gal with exceptional ly itchy feet. My gran used to call me a gypsy, cause I move around so much. Wh a t ’ s


most embarrassing moment?: I saw a lady I knew f rom work out shopping with three


grandchildren, you r Jamiroquai, PW9766-1


hop, funk and rock. However, the most played on my iPod right now are, Portico Quartet Isla, Nostalgia 77 The Garden, Håkon Kor n s t a d Dwe l l Time, Hugh Masekela Presents


We exchanged polite hellos and then I asked her if


children.


which she replied, “no, I am their mother.” It was a ground-open- up-and-swal low-me moment. Wh o ’ s you r


favourite musician?: Difficult, I don’t think I have a favour ite musician, it depends wha t mood in.


gen r e s of music, pop,


I like so many jazz, electronic, hip indie, classical, I ’m


they were her to-


years and Eric Legnini Trippin’. Who’s the bes t


the CHISA


My favourites right now are Bonobo, Quantic, TM Juke, Mad l i b, Bened i c Lamdin, Erik Truffaz and Eric Legnini – the latter three are playing at Brecon Jazz year.


the full line up go to www.breconjazz.org or call 01497 822629


Brecon Jazz starts on Friday, August 6. For tickets and


song wr i t er ? : Ja z z wor k s b e s t wit h


pro d u c er s . an unl imited


 


 


 


 


 


 





  


 





 


 


    


this


 


  


 h 


LLANIGON YFC organisers are readying themselves for the 51st Llanigon Show on Saturday, August 14. The fun-filled spectacle is set to take place on


Llanigon Showfields in Llanigon Road, just 200 yards from the world famous Hay Festival site. Among the main ring attraction at this year’s


racing, a walking race, stepping challenge and tug of war, bail throwing, scarecrow and 101 ways to use a wheelbarrow competitions. As usual


gymkhana, as well as a trekking class where the winner will be eligible to participate in the International Championships at Usk. There’s plenty for youngsters to do too, with


children’s sports, entertainment and a fancy dress


in the theme of ‘All Creatures Great and Small.’ The


August 14 show will be officially opened at 1pm, although the


get underway from 9.30am. Ent r y


yea r ’s event i s £3.50 for adults and senior citizens, and £1 for children. Parking available


on site.


 


 





  


  


      


 


 


 to this classes will 


 


  


    


competition Saturday, there will be show jumping and


show are the popular sheep, horses, dog, donkey and fur and feather classes. Showgoers can also look forward to dog





 


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