MARCHING bands, flags and colourful scarves could be seen in Wrexham at the weekend as the town played host to two parades marking historical events.

The Owain Glyndwr march on Saturday saw people of all ages don scarves and carry flags to walk through the town in memory of the national hero who fought the English and set up the first Welsh parliament.

Organised by Balchder Cymru (Pride of Wales), the parade started at Queen’s Square and proceeded past the old Woolworth’s to the Racecourse Stadium.

There the group stood in the Kop stand of The Racecourse, normally closed to visitors, for the Wrexham FC fixture against York City.

Organiser Adam Phillips, chairman of Balchder Cymru, said: “I think there was about 50 of us who took part.

“We’d been involved in Corwen on Friday for the Owain Glyndwr parade and marched with about 400 people, then we decided to come to Wrexham on Saturday and remember Glyndwr there as well.

“We also carried a black flag for the miners from the Gleision Colliery. The flag was also to remember it’s the 77th anniversary of the Gresford mining disaster this week and also Edward Tunney, a Wrexham player who died last week.”

The Reds were defeated 3-0 but that did not dampen the spirits of the group who were joined by the Cambria Band, featuring pipes and drums, whose members entertained the Racecourse crowd at the interval.

“At half-time we walked around the pitch with the band,” said Adam, who is also leader of the Cambria Band. “It was really nice. We had an ovation from both Wrexham fans and York fans.

“It was a shock to go 3-0 down in 20 minutes but as soon as we got on the pitch the atmosphere was brilliant. The fans clapped us round.

“It was really good to see all the flags, I’d like to say a big well done to all the lads who put scarves and flags up in the Kop. It was all done by volunteers.

“It was a proud day to remember Glyndwr and to help the club out.”

SUNDAY saw another parade through the town centre, this time to mark the Battle of Britain.

The No 2 Welsh Wing Air Training Corps Battle of Britain Parade featured about 200 cadets and 40 officers and non-commissioned officers who marched through Wrexham to a service at St Giles Parish Church.

The Battle of Britain was a turning point in the Second World War II on September 15,1940 when the Royal Air Force defeated the Luftwaffe and gained air superiority over the skies of Great Britain.

The Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Ian Roberts, who attended the march and church service, said: “It was lovely to see so many young people come together to parade.

“The service commemorated the Battle of Britain and 70 years of the Air Training Corps.”

THE Cambrian Band is looking for new members.

“Anyone who wants to join the band is welcome,” said Adam, who works as a postman in Chester.

“We all started with no musical background. We give people a free drum lesson when they join.”

The band meets in Chirk on Tuesday from 7pm to 8pm at the AAA Football Club and in Mold at St Mary’s Church on Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm.