Circus skills stir the senses at home
SEVEN people were arrested during police raids in Gwynedd and Wrexham on Thursday.
Officers swooped at Pendalar Flats, Caernarfon, arresting two men, a local in his 50s and a 23-year-old from Merseyside, on suspicion of supplying drugs. Four men and a woman were arrested in Shields Court, Wrexham, where a large quantity of cash and suspected drugs were seized.
Inspector Owain Llewellyn said of the Caernarfon raid: “Intelligence used by police has resulted in over 50 arrests in north Gwynedd since January 1 and the seizure of drugs, weapons and other illegal materials.”
It was executed as part of Operation Rattle, which is now being extended. DCI Brian Kearney added: “As part of our ongoing operation to target Merseyside-based organised crime groups supplying Class A drugs. THE circus came to town for residents of a dementia centre - and it brought back fond memories for the owner whose dad was a lion trainer.
Performers from Syrcas Cimera went along to Bryn Seiont Newydd in Caernarfon to demonstrate traditional circus skills like juggling and plate spinning.
A number of the residents later took up the invitation to try some of the routines themselves.
And even the home’s proprietor, Mario Kreft, called on his family background in circus to try his hand at deftly spinning plates on top of a stick.
Rhosgadfan-based Syrcas Cimera will be amongst the stars of Syrcas Feast, an all-action week of circusthemed performances and workshops at Pontio Bangor.
Mr Kreft was especially keen to host the visit as part of the residents’ enrichment programme at the centre of excellence because of his strong family links to the circus
Speaking about the arrests in Wrexham, Det Insp Mark Hughes said: “I would like to thank the community for the intelligence provided. I would continue to urge people to contact police with any information they have about the supply of drugs. I can assure residents that we will act upon the information.”
Operation Rattle was being extended into all parts of Anglesey, particularly Menai Bridge, Holyhead and Llangefni.
“Due to the continued focus and success of this operation, travelling criminals are changing their tactics and locations and of course so will we. As such Operation Rattle will now encompass all of North West Wales.” world.
His late father Franz was a renowned lion and bear trainer and he was Christened by the Bishop of Durban in the Big Top when the circus was in South Africa where he was born.
The Slovenian-born performer who died in 2014 aged 90, carried on working until he was 77
After putting in an impressive plate spinning performance alongside Iago Jones, Mr Kreft said: “I think a few people know my father was a lion trainer and both my parents worked in the circus for many years, and it’s funny how the performing arts side of things translates into what we do at Pendine and Bryn Seiont Newydd.
“We’ve very much focused on arts enrichment in the 30 years we’ve been going and I think circus is a wonderful form of the arts because it excites people.
“The circus also inspires young people and it was fantastic to have the performing arts on show at Bryn Seiont today.”
He added: “Running a care home organisation in Wales can be very much like spinning plates and juggling at times but the amazing performance we’ve had here today has been light hearted and very much about having a laugh and enriching lives across the generations.”
Mared Huws, the arts development co-ordinator at Pontio, said Syrcas Cimera will be showing off their stilt walking abilities in the big parade through the centre of Bangor which will kick off the Syrcas Feast on July 20.