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Vicar's cottage plea to Zep fans | Vicar's cottage plea to Zep fans |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A vicar has asked Led Zeppelin fans to stop visiting his remote rural Welsh cottage made famous by the rock icons. | A vicar has asked Led Zeppelin fans to stop visiting his remote rural Welsh cottage made famous by the rock icons. |
Bron-yr-Aur in Gwynedd's Dyfi Valley was used by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page to write their third album in 1970, and one track is named after it. | Bron-yr-Aur in Gwynedd's Dyfi Valley was used by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page to write their third album in 1970, and one track is named after it. |
The Reverend John Dale, its owner for 35 years, says many fans have been to see it, and some have even broken in. | The Reverend John Dale, its owner for 35 years, says many fans have been to see it, and some have even broken in. |
But now, as the band play a reunion concert at London's O2 Arena, he is appealing to be left alone. | But now, as the band play a reunion concert at London's O2 Arena, he is appealing to be left alone. |
"We've had more than one break-in and once a photograph was taken near the fireplace and posted on the web," said Mr Dale, vicar of St Michael's Church in Michaelston-y-Fedw, between Cardiff and Newport. | "We've had more than one break-in and once a photograph was taken near the fireplace and posted on the web," said Mr Dale, vicar of St Michael's Church in Michaelston-y-Fedw, between Cardiff and Newport. |
"There have been other incidents too, with one quite amusing one where someone removed a piece of cement stuff from the house but later posted it back to us." | "There have been other incidents too, with one quite amusing one where someone removed a piece of cement stuff from the house but later posted it back to us." |
It is a beautiful place, but people must remember that it is a private house Vicar John Dale | It is a beautiful place, but people must remember that it is a private house Vicar John Dale |
Three house name signs have also gone missing, although Mr Dale hopes the current one will be left alone. | Three house name signs have also gone missing, although Mr Dale hopes the current one will be left alone. |
"We've resorted to painting the house name on a ruddy great boulder which I've concreted into the ground." | "We've resorted to painting the house name on a ruddy great boulder which I've concreted into the ground." |
The vicar is not a Zeppelin fan and did not realise the connection when he first bought the property. He was later told "some pop musicians" had stayed there. | The vicar is not a Zeppelin fan and did not realise the connection when he first bought the property. He was later told "some pop musicians" had stayed there. |
But over the years fans from all over the world, including Italy, Japan, China and the United States, have trekked up the hill to see the property. | But over the years fans from all over the world, including Italy, Japan, China and the United States, have trekked up the hill to see the property. |
Improve security | Improve security |
"On the whole people are fine: they walk up and take a photo and go, but I don't want hundreds coming up here," said Mr Dale. | "On the whole people are fine: they walk up and take a photo and go, but I don't want hundreds coming up here," said Mr Dale. |
According to him, there is also a misconception about the links between the house and band. | According to him, there is also a misconception about the links between the house and band. |
Singer Robert Plant never owned the property, although he does have a property elsewhere in mid Wales, and Led Zeppelin only visited once. | Singer Robert Plant never owned the property, although he does have a property elsewhere in mid Wales, and Led Zeppelin only visited once. |
Mr Dale has had to improve security because of the visiting fans. | Mr Dale has had to improve security because of the visiting fans. |
"I'm preparing for retirement now and will live there permanently so I am there a lot more often, and we've also had builders working there. | "I'm preparing for retirement now and will live there permanently so I am there a lot more often, and we've also had builders working there. |
"It is a beautiful place, but people must remember that it is a private house surrounded by private farmland, although there is a footpath at the top of the field behind the house." | "It is a beautiful place, but people must remember that it is a private house surrounded by private farmland, although there is a footpath at the top of the field behind the house." |
His appeal comes as the band reunite onstage on Monday for the first time in 19 years for a tribute to the late Ahmet Ertegun, the founding chairman of Atlantic Records. | His appeal comes as the band reunite onstage on Monday for the first time in 19 years for a tribute to the late Ahmet Ertegun, the founding chairman of Atlantic Records. |
Plant, Page and John Paul Jones are being joined by Jason Bonham, son of original drummer John Bonham, who died in 1980. | |
More than one million people took part in a ballot for just 9,000 pairs of tickets for the show. |