70 YEARS PLUS

This year (2015) is one for significant anniversaries, the 27^th October 2014, will be the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Dutch city of 'S-Hertogenbosch. As part of the commemorations, 146 children were invited to attend the pre-World Cup Netherlands v Wales football friendly – a figure matching the number of Welsh solders (146) who died liberating the city. 

Later this month the Welsh contribution to the war effort and the liberation of Europe will be recognised in Cardiff, on Armed Forces Day. The Welsh soldiers who died in the battle were part of the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division which spent four days in October 1944 struggling to free the city in southern Netherlands. Amongst them were members of three battalions of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, soldiers from the Welch Regiment, and the Monmouthshire Regiment. 

The Dutch city and surrounding area (known locally as Den Bosch) saw allied forces free the city on 27 October, 1944 after fierce fighting. Ever since then, the link between Wales and the city has been marked annually by the October 1944 Foundation. Ahead of this year's anniversary, the Royal Netherlands Football Association and the Football Association of Wales (FAW), invited local youngsters from the city to Amsterdam to mark the occasion.

NELSON MANDELA 1918 - 2013

Nelson Mandela the First fully democratically elected South African President, leader of the African National Congress and statesman has died and we are all sadly diminished for his passing. He himself dismissed suggestions that he was some sort of saint, rather a sinner who kept on trying. Some people just make the world a better place by simply trying (and trying again and again), and Mr Mandela was one of those. Mr Mandela was a positive example of hope and forgiveness triumphing over hate, adversity and life experience, to his lasting credit.