Disabled man Frank Letch who 'excelled in everything' dies, aged 80
Tributes have been paid to a man who was able to live with his disability "happily" despite being born without arms. Frank Letch, a former French teacher at Ysgol y Berwyn in Bala, Gwynedd, and a Devon county councillor for Crediton, died recently aged 80.Raised in Peckham, London, he spent most of his life in Llanuwchllyn with his late wife, Helen, and their five children, before moving to Devon with his partner, Natalia.Eleri Llwyd, who worked with Mr Letch at Ysgol y Berwyn, said he was an "extremely popular teacher".
He gained recognition in Wales for his positivity about living with a disability, with several television shows made about him. In the 2021 S4C programme DRYCH: Byw Heb Freichiau, Mr Letch said: "I hope it (the show) will help people remember what I was and encourage interest in those with what everyone calls a 'disability'."In the programme, he reflected on his "happy years" in Llanuwchllyn, where he raised his five children with his wife, Helen, and taught for 20 years. "I loved the area – and so did Helen," he said.As a French teacher, languages came easily to Mr Letch, and he quickly became fluent in Welsh. He added: "I have to say, I think I'm happier because of learning Welsh."Especially where we lived – the capital of Wales is Llanuwchllyn, not Cardiff."Mr Letch was often seen using his feet to drink pints of beer and throw darts at his local pub. After losing his wife at 41, he moved from the Bala area to Scotland and then lived in Crediton, Devon, for many years with his partner, Natalia.In 2015, Mr Letch was awarded an MBE by the Queen for his contributions to local government, having served as chairman of Mid Devon District Council.
On Tuesday, Elfyn Llwyd, the former MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, said he was very sad to hear about Mr Letch's passing.His wife, Eleri Llwyd, who worked with Mr Letch at Ysgol y Berwyn, told Cymru Fyw that he was an "extremely popular teacher.""At school the children loved him - he had a good sense of humour," she said. "He wouldn't take any nonsense."According to Ms Llwyd, Mr Letch had a specially adapted bike, which allowed him to travel quickly to and from his home, which was situated outside the village. However, over time, the journey took much longer, as "everyone wanted to stop and chat with Frank"."Frank lived happily with his disability, and he truly excelled in everything he did," she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Renovation cottage in hidden village location with miles of famous countryside on the doorstep
Hiding off a quiet lane behind mature trees and foliage is a pretty stone cottage that oozes potential once and is becoming more of a rarity - a renovation project that combines character and charm with the opportunity to upgrade it. It feels like you are wandering towards a country cottage in the middle of nowhere as the front garden path meanders up a gentle slope to the front door, but actually this house going to auction is nestled within a picturesque spot on the edge of the village of Llanberis. The cottage is a three-bedroom, detached property that welcomes you with a delightful and instantly appealing symmetrical stone façade. Step inside and the expected symmetry of rooms off a central hallway is happily delivered. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here READ MORE: Incredible house with secret hobbit home hidden under the garden At the front, on either side, is a reception room and both can boast a period fireplace to instantly bring character to the space and oodles of potential to add more. Behind the left side reception room is a third room that can boast a log burner and surely potential to change the window to French doors to create a seamless indoor outdoor flow into the rear garden. While the sledgehammer is out, how about getting rid of the wall between the small rear kitchen and the front reception room on the right? This would create a wonderful front to back kitchen diner as the social heart of the home. Of course, any changes to walls and windows will need permission and comply with building regulations. Wander up the delightful period staircase and the back-to-bricks renovation needed continues, including the roof, but what a truly special home this transformation will create. The layout on the first floor is excellent - there's a family bathroom that can accommodate a four-piece suite once upgraded and a single bedroom at the back of the property. Moving to the front of the cottage there are two double bedrooms, each with a lovely period fireplace. Sandwiched between these two bedrooms is a surprise bonus room ideal as a home office or potentially as an ensuite to one of the adjacent bedrooms, making it the principal. There might even be potential to extend into the attic to create even more sleeping accommodation. Outside is as pleasing as inside regarding potential as well as charm that's already in place - there's a small outbuilding that would make a perfect home office, workshop or summer house once renovated, as well as around 2.9 acres of garden and grounds to explore that come with the sale of this special house. And then, of course, there are hundreds of miles of the glorious Eryri National Park on your doorstep to explore and add another layer of enticement to bid on this cottage and make it your next home. The cottage is going to online auction with a guide price of £200,000 plus fees with Auction House Wales from noon on Monday, June 23 to Wednesday, June 25 at 1.16pm, call 0345 646 2350 to find out more. For more property stories and home content join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
South Wales Argus
5 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Pupils in Wales show progress in reading and maths skills
New statistics from the 2023/24 academic year show improvements in English reading, Welsh reading, and numeracy across Wales. English reading attainment rose in all year groups compared to 2022/23, with Year 3 pupils performing better than in both 2020/21 and 2021/22. Welsh reading also saw gains across Years 3 to 9, while numeracy (procedural) showed the most improvement among younger pupils. Numeracy (reasoning) remained stable. Lynne Neagle, cabinet secretary for education, said: "It is encouraging to see progress in attainment in reading and numeracy. "This improvement highlights the impact our investments are making in schools to ensure every learner has the opportunity to reach their full potential." The data comes from anonymised results of the national personalised assessments, which are adaptive online tools used to measure pupil progress in reading and numeracy. Personalised assessments aim to support learning by identifying strengths and areas for development. Trystan Phillips, headteacher at Ysgol Gymunedol Penparc in Ceredigion, said the school has changed how it uses the assessments. Mr Phillips said: "We have evolved in our use of the personalised assessments to move away from their use as a summative resource to being a resource that truly influences progress. "They're very much now a device to support pupil progress." Owen Evans, Estyn's chief inspector, said the tools help teachers tailor support and track learning. Mr Evans said: "Personalised assessments are a useful tool for schools. "They enable teachers to tailor support for individual pupils and track progress over time. "We are pleased to see some improvement, but schools need to work together to support attainment, and ensure there is a relentless focus on improving reading and mathematics for all learners."
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘He used to scream in the night' – Scottish WW2 veterans return to scene of one of worst military tragedies
NORMANDY RETURN 'He used to scream in the night' – Scottish WW2 veterans return to scene of one of worst military tragedies Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VETERANS returned to the scene of one of Scotland's worst military tragedies this week - 85 years after 10,000 men were either killed or captured in WW2. The Black Watch paid an emotional visit to St Valery-en-Caux in Normandy to commemorate the ill-fated defence of the region by the 51st Highland Division. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Black Watch Commemorative Visit to Normandy in France. Credit: ©Perthshire Picture Agency. NO SYNDICATION. REMAINS WITH PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY 4 Lt Col Bill Bradford of The Black Watch whilst serving as a Captain. Credit: © Perthshire Picture Agency. NO SYNDICATION. REMAINS WITH PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY 4 Private Cameron Walker who was hidden by the Hubert family for four years - pictured with his mother after returning. Credit: © Perthshire Picture Agency. NO SYNDICATION. REMAINS WITH PERTHSHIRE PICTURE AGENCY 4 Infantry of 51st Highland Division are carried into battle aboard Sherman tanks. Credit: Alamy It was an equally sombre event for grateful locals who remembered the men that gave their lives for strangers and saved their ancestors. Retired Brigadier Alastair Aitken, Chairman of The Black Watch Association, said: 'People talk about the Auld Alliance but what they are thinking of is a few beers at Murrayfield with some French rugby supporters. 'But actually, here in Normandy is the real Auld Alliance because here we had Scottish soldiers who died not just in France, but for France, and that is unique in recent British history. 'This is a story of Scotland's best who fought bravely for France as they died for Scotland. They would have fought to the last man and the last round. That has created a unique bond with the communities of Normandy. We won't find it anywhere else in France. 'This is not even a Scottish story – it is a Highlands story – and The Black Watch is part of that. 'It is all about the people. And it is their individual stories that keep their names alive. These are the stories that inspire current and future generations.' Mayor of St Valery-en-Caux, Jean-Francois Ouvry, added: 'I once watched an old soldier stand at the 51st Highland Division monument on the clifftop above St Valery as a tear trickled down his cheek and I realised I also had a tear in my eye. 'Perhaps future generations will not be so aware of our mutual history but hopefully St Valery will never forget. 'The monument stands strong; the graves are tended and the soldiers of Scotland rest here forever. They are in our hearts and we will take care of them.' The heroic soldiers remained behind, under French command, in a last gasp attempt to halt the German advance. But the onslaught proved too strong and 51st Highland Divisional commander Major General Victor Fortune reluctantly followed orders to call a ceasefire and surrender when all hope of naval evacuation had gone. Mistakes were made but we fought with honour – hero Scots soldiers remembered 20 years after Iraq Troops were vastly outnumbered and rapidly running out of ammunition, food and fresh clothing, as well as having no aerial or heavy artillery support. French families played their own in part in trying to save those left behind - taking in stricken Scots and shielding them from the Germans. Private Cameron Walker, a blacksmith's son from Forteviot in Perthshire, remained hidden with a family for four years – helping on the farm and hiding in a specially-made niche between the chimneys whenever enemy soldiers made their frequent searches. His host Hamilton Hubert later 'adopted' Cameron as an extra son and the last surviving daughter – 80-year-old Ghislaine Pegard – told of the love the family had for the young Scotsman. She said: 'I never met him – I wasn't born. But my parents talked about Cameron often. I feel very proud of them and what they did. 'Cameron was a part of the family and The Black Watch became part of our family too. My grandchildren now know of what my parents went through to keep Cameron safe and they will tell their children and grandchildren.' Meanwhile, retired Black Watch Colonel Ronnie Bradford, 67, from Aberdeenshire, is still in awe of the legends told about his famous father - Captain Bill Bradford He was taken prisoner following the surrender of British and French commanders but managed to escape on six separate occasions. The hero spent 367 days trying to reach safety. He walked more than 620 miles, cycled over 500 miles, travelled 2,216 miles by train, 469 miles by ship and around 700 miles by small boat to reach British soil. Ronnie said: 'He never spoke of those times but I know they scarred him deeply. He used to scream in the night. 'It was only after my brother stopped Dad burning his diaries just before he died that his story came to light. 'He was a kind and tolerant father. I just wish we'd known his war story before so that I could have talked to him about it. 'I've been thinking of him and all the other soldiers who fought here in Normandy and to walk where they walked and see where his friends and comrades fell is a really emotional journey.' King Charles passed on his wishes to those who made the trip to pay their respects. And general Fortune's grandson, actor Jack Fortune, from Galloway, believes people could learn a lot from the soldier's commitment to his men. He proudly said: 'While in prison in Poland after capture at St Valery, he suffered a stroke and refused to be repatriated, saying he would stay with his men of the 51st Highland Division until the end.'
