The North American Welsh Newspaper® Papur Cymry Gogledd America™ Incorporating Y DRYCH™ © 2016 NINNAU Publications, P.O. Box 712, Trumansburg, NY 14886 Vol. 41, No. 6 November-December 2016 Cardiff Celebrates Roald Dahl’s 100th Birthday By Lise Hull On 17 and 18 September, thousands of people swarmed Cardiff city center for the start of the Roald Dahl City of The Unexpected celebrations. Castle Street was jam-packed as peo- ple gathered at the end of a pro- cession that had seen a giant peach travelling through the streets of the Welsh capital. The two-day event, a collaboration between National Theatre Wales and the Wales Millennium Centre, has been months in the planning and involved a cast of thousands. The action unfolded when a giant peach was hoisted from a construction site by a crane. As well as the procession, onlook- ers also saw foxes scaling the Rochester last hosted the National Gymnafa ganu in 1953. castle, giant frogs embedded in the historic building’s walls come to life and witches casting a spell on shoppers. The Roald Dahl 100 celebra- Return to Rochester tions coincide with “Wales: Year of Adventure’” in 2016. Aaron Hywel Owen Griffiths dressed up as Willy Wonka for Born in Llandaff, Cardiff on 13 Roald Dahl Day at Gwaelod y Garth School, Cardiff. After 64 Years! By Richard P. Donohoe flour mills along the Genesee September 1916, Roald Dahl devised a treatment for his sick City of the Unexpected, the himself was no stranger to River and then as a major hub son, which would go on to help Wales Programme will include On September 5 and 6, 1953, of manufacturing. Several of the adventure, whether as a child thousands of children to this a citywide performance cele- getting up to well-documented 2000 Welsh folks from across region’s universities, notably day. Still known in the medical brating all things Dahl, pro- the continent and around the the University of Rochester and mischief in the local sweetshop profession as the Wade-Dahl- duced by National Theatre or as a young pilot during world converged on Rochester The Rochester Institute of Till valve, it was used to relieve Wales, and Wales Millennium for the 22nd Welsh National Technology, have renowned World War II. In his writing for hydrocephalus, a condition that Centre, and a program of out- children, Roald Dahl took his Gymanfa Ganu. In the pro- research programs. In addition, can leave patients with enor- reach events by Literature gram, Lynn Watkins, president Rochester is the site of many characters and readers on a mously swollen heads due to an Wales taking the wonders of series of unforgettable adven- of the sponsoring committee, important inventions and inno- accumulation of fluid in the Roald Dahl and his characters wrote: vations in consumer products. tures, including James’s transat- skull. Dahl began work on the far and wide. Roald Dahl’s lantic flight in a giant peach, “There is a certain sense of The Rochester area was the valve after five-month-old son work will also be celebrated challenge in bringing the birthplace of such corporations Charlie’s journey through Willy Theo developed the condition through an exhibition of illus- Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and Gymanfa Ganu to Rochester as Kodak, Bausch & Lomb, and after being struck by a New trations by Quentin Blake and one of the truly great musical Xerox that conduct extensive Sophie’s travels with The BFG. York taxi in December 1960. World Book Day. Interestingly, Dahl also centers in America. To the research and manufacturing in During 2016, in addition to Eastman Theater of the the fields of industrial and con- University of Rochester, have sumer products. come the greatest of musical Like Buffalo, Rochester is artists, the finest of choral close to Welsh-American popu- groups. The Eastman School of lations in New York, Cwrs Cymraeg Follows Prince Music of the University is one Pennsylvania and Ohio, and of the outstanding schools of its Welsh-Canadian populations in kind in the country. Rochester Ontario. Madog to Alabama knows its music thoroughly. The Welsh were hardly By Maegan Langer You will meet this challenge of noticeable as a community early Rochester’s musical tradition, on. There was no Welsh church We’ve heard the legend of my fellow Welshmen, at this or Welsh organization. A small Madog ab Owain Gwynedd, the coming Gymanfa Ganu...You number of Welsh-born residents twelfth-century Welsh prince will carry on the precious, were scattered throughout who sailed to America long priceless heritage of your race– Monroe County. Several before Columbus. What is per- the heritage of music in song. Rochesterians of colonial-peri- haps less well known is he’s Reach deep into your Cymric od Welsh heritage, however, believed to have landed in the souls and sing with the harmony loom larger than life: Rush area of Mobile, Alabama. This and the hwyl of the uncon- Rhees, the president who trans- July, Cymdeithas Madog decid- quered and unconquerable peo- formed the University of ed it was time to follow in his ple you are.” Rochester into a modern univer- footsteps! On August 31–September 3, sity, and Lewis Henry Morgan Cwrs Dinas y Roced-The 2017, the 85th Welsh National whose work on Iroquoian kin- Rocket City Course, our fortieth Gymanfa Ganu returns to ship earned him the title “Father annual week-long Welsh Rochester, after sixty-four of American Anthropology.” course, took place at the Cwrs Cymraeg 2016 Class Photo, taken by Ted Davis years, as the centerpiece of the By 1900, there were only University of Alabama in expanded North American fifty-nine Welsh-born residents Huntsville. Local organizers Cwrs Cymraeg! Cenedlaethol at Cardiff Festival of Wales. in Rochester, but over the next Robert and Meagan Davis went As usual, we dove right into Metropolitan University and Rochester is New York’s two decades their numbers all out to make it an extraordi- intense Welsh learning on teaches the Welsh Degree third largest city and the center increased modestly as more nary week for everyone right Monday morning. We wel- course at Swansea University of a metropolitan area compris- Welsh immigrants and descen- from the start. Not only did they comed quite a few locals and and the University of South ing six Upstate counties, with a dants of Welsh immigrants provide dozens of home-baked first-timers this year, resulting Wales in Treforest. He also regional population exceeding came to participate in the Welsh cakes for the opening in a large class of level-one stu- writes a weekly column for the 1,000,000. Rochester economy. After reception, they topped it off dents. We also welcomed a new Welsh magazine, Golwg. Rochester was one of World War I, the Welsh indus- with a visit from the Sugar tutor, Cris Dafis. Cris works We work hard at Cwrs America’s first boomtowns. It trial economy took a nosedive, Belle Cupcake Truck just for rose to prominence as the site of with the Coleg Cymraeg (Continued on page 3) (Continued on page 3) NINNAU™ What's Inside Ninnau This Month! The North American Welsh Newspaper® Papur Cymry Gogledd America™ 2) Incorporating Y Drych™ Bookshelf . . . . . 20-22 Obituaries...... 33 Caneuon ...... 20 Politics...... 6 Copyright 2016 NINNAU Publications, Inc. ISSN 0890-0485 Coming Events...... 36 Social Scene...... 24-27 NINNAU means “us” or “we also” and is pronounced “nin-eye.” Croesair ...... 35 Sportscene Wales...... 8 Answering the need for a stronger link between the many Welsh Eisteddfod...... 5, 28-29 Wales Review ...... 18, 34 communities of North America. Y Drych means “the mirror.” Friends ...... 4 Welsh Lesson ...... 34 Telephone: 607-279-6499 Gair o Toronto...... 35 Welsh Ministers...... 30 NINNAU Publications, Inc Genealogy . . . . . 4 Y Drych ...... 20-22 Holy Wells of Wales . . . . .7 On going series: Dr. Megan Williams, Editor and Publisher Humor ...... 8 Mametz Wood...... 30 ([email protected]) John Good Literary...... 19 Michael D. Jones Family . . . .31 Dr. Arturo Roberts, Founder, Editor Emeritus NAFOW...... 10-17 Reese Hughes Letters...... 32 ([email protected]) Olga Williams, Founder Mair Roberts Bonnin, Web Page and Social Media Manager Letters to the Editor. Calgary Welsh Society Arthur I. Roberts, Systems Manager Letters should be Jayne Pryddarch (1922-2003), Founding Editor concise and deal Volunteers Shine! Wilfred Greenway (1920-2008), Founding Patron with one subject. W. Arvon Roberts, Bob Roser, William G. Williams, Historians Typed letters are To the Editor: val was a true highlight. Their Martha Davies, Y Drych Historian preferred, but hand- smiling faces, red bandanas and Llongyfarchiadau to the cowboy hats amped up the fun, Columnists & Department Heads: written letters are acceptable, provided Welsh North American but the dedication of the volun- David Barry, Sportscene Wales; Martin Clarke, In the Valley; William Association for an outstanding teers helped things run more F. Griffiths, Historical Vignettes; Wendy Hughes, Welsh Legends & that names are print- North American Festival of efficiently. Their enthusiasm Traditions; Lise Hull, Wales Review; Ann Jones, Come and Talk; ed legibly. They Wales in Calgary! Every part of was certainly infectious! Diolch Notes from Wales; Tom Jones, Birds of Wales; Prof. Dylan Jones- must be signed with the festival was truly first class, yn fawr iawn to Elaine Evans, OBE, Business; Joan Owen Mandry, Welsh Hymnwriters & name and address. from the opening ceremony to Westlake and Dave Matthews Poets’ Corner; James Thomas, Feature Columnist; Janet Watkins Send your letter by the gymanfa in Knox United and their entire committee for a Masoner, Feature Columnist; Louis Miller, Finding Wales in America; e-mail or regular Church. But I have to say that job well done! Dave Parry, Interviews; Edward W. Reid, Caneuon Cymraeg Heddyw; mail. having the many volunteers Dale Richards, Welsh Round-Up; Meira’r Tawelfor, Croesair; Lord from the Calgary Welsh Society Jeanne Jones Jindra Dafydd Wigley, Wales Today; Billy Williams, Smile, You're Welsh; Our email address is: on site helping to run the festi- Gallipolis, OH Hefina Phillips, Gair o Toronto; Darris Williams, Genealogy; Jeremy ninnaupublications@ Wood, News from the Andes; Ian White, Tavern Signs; Phil Cope, Holy gmail.com Wells of Wales; Sian Stacey, Island Life; Thomas Lawton Jones, Welsh Ministers; John Good; Literary Column Book Editor: Bob Roser. The Ontario Welsh Festival’s Book Reviewers: Ilene Alexander, Myfanwy Davies, Marjorie Gold Award Needs Your Input Donchey, Mona Everett, Hal Gale, John Good, Lise Hull, Berwyn Dear Ninnau Readers, tion(s) as soon as possible, the Award, check our website Jones, Don Morris, Mari Morgan, Don Mulcahy, Danny Proud, because this is YOUR award. www. ontariowelshfestival.ca Bill Reese, Bob Roser, Cindy Roser, Beth Spragins Since The Gold Award’s We depend on you to bring This includes the list of past inception in 2011 -the 50th names to our attention. If possi- honourees. Advertising: 607-279-6499, e-mail: [email protected] anniversary of the Ontario ble could you add a short bio of Looking forward to hearing NINNAU (USPS 367-730) is published every two months. Welsh Festival (OGGA)-a per- your choice? Send your recom- from you very soon. NINNAU Publications, P.O. Box 712, Trumansburg, NY, 14886 son who has contributed greatly mendation to Julie Wenz, presi- Periodicals Postage paid at Trumansburg and at additional mailing to the Welsh community in dent of the Festival Hefina Phillips offices, telephone: 607-279-6499 Ontario has been honoured dur- ([email protected]) On behalf of the Ontario POSTMASTER: send address change to NINNAU, P.O. Box 712, ing the Festival weekend. Even if you don’t live in Gymanfa Ganu Association Trumansburg, NY 14886, email: [email protected] Who would you like to see Ontario you might be familiar honoured? Is there someone enough with the Welsh commu- Ninnau is run by an executive committee comprising members: David that you think deserves to be nity/events that your sugges- Allen, Hywel Davies, Philip Davies, and Megan Williams recognized? The Board asks tions would be of great help. you to make your recommenda- For more information about Our Editorial Policy is intended to accomplish the following: Endeavor to maintain the North American Welsh informed of local and general news and events of inter- est; Publicize individual contributions to community life; From The Editor Provide a forum for discussion and individual expres- It is hard to believe that this is ment on the political state in the an exemplary job in working sion; Educate the Welsh people in their traditions; Serve the last edition of 2016. I often US right now. But what I imme- together and sharing us what as a link between North American Welsh people and find myself wondering where diately felt was how sad. We, as their local Welsh community is organizations; Serve as a link between the North the time goes. As it is only Welsh in North America, have a capable of. These small exam- American Welsh people and Wales. October as I write this, I feel it strong sense of pride of who we ples of community gave us of us is too soon to reflect on the year are, and specifically a sense of who were there, an even as a whole but will reflect on a pride of where we came from. stronger feeling of warmth, or theme that I have felt over the Above all else, it is our love for friendship, of community and of last few months, community. Wales that binds us together, celebration in our connection to Statement of Ownership, Over the summer, I received a and nothing should change that. each other, through Wales. letter from a Ninnau reader, This is what we should be rec- Ninnau is at the center of this Management and Circulation saying that he, as a proud Welsh ognized for throughout North community and I hope that as American, was sad to say he America and in Wales. you read this, you feel a connec- (1) Title: NINNAU. (2) Publication No. 367-730. (3) Filing had experienced a feeling of While in Calgary, for this tion to some of the articles, discrimination while visiting year’s North American Festival authors, people and above all, Date 9/14/2016. (4&5) Issued bi-monthly 6 times a year. (6) Wales because of the current of Wales, I witnessed so many the reoccurring theme of main- Annual Subscription Price $20.00. (7&8) Known Office of American political situation in examples of the strong sense of taining our passion for Welsh Publication and General Business Office: 4609 Seneca Rd. the United States. community that exists. There culture. Trumansburg, NY, 14886. (9) Publisher and Editor: Megan I am not in a position to com- was a group of Welsh ex-pats This is the first time in who had lived together in the Ninnau’s history that a 36 page Williams; (10 & 11) Owner: NINNAU Publications, Inc.; North-West Territory, reunited edition has been printed, now if Stockholders: Arturo L. Roberts; 11 Post Terrace, Basking PleaseErratum note the photo at the festival to celebrate an that isn’t a sign of the strength Ridge, NJ 07920; David Allen, 113 Front St. Owego, NY below published on p1 in award given to one of their own. of our community, I don’t know 13827; Hywel Davies, 38668 Wood Lane, Ocean View, DE, the Sept-Oct issue of The Calgary Welsh Society did what is, enjoy! 19970; Philip Davies, 24 Essex Rd, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076; Ninnau is of Nerys Jones, not Nerys Evans no other securities holders. (15) Circulation figures for average number of copies during the preceding 12 months (followed ROCHESTER, NY! between square brackets by actual number of copies published 2017 North American Festival of Wales nearest filing date): (a) Total No. of Copies 1567 [1650]; (b) Hotel Reservations Paid and Requested Circulation: (1) Mail Subscriptions stated August 31-Sept 3, 2017 on PS Form 3541: 1046 [986]; (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions: 0 [0]; (3) Sales through Dealers, etc. outside The headquarters hotel is the Hyatt Regency Address: 125 East Main St. Rochester, NY 14604 USPS: 269 [260]; (4) Paid Distribution Through Other Classes Rate: $119 for single, double, triple or quad occupancy. of USPS Mail: 0 [0] (c) Total Paid Distribution: 1315 [1246]; King or Double/Double rooms (d) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution by Mail and Outside Reservations call: 1-585-546-1234 Mail: 80 [70]; (e) Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: 175 or visit website: http://www.nafow.org and click on the [210]; (f) Total Distribution: 1490 [1456]; (g) Copies Not Accommodation link Distributed: 77 [194]; (h) Total: 1625 [1700]. (16) Electronic Give group name: North American Festival of Wales 2016. Copy Circulation: (a) Paid Electronic Copies: 0 [0]; (b) Total Paid Print Copies + Paid Electronic Copies: 1315 [1246]; (c) General Festival questions can be directed to Total Print Distribution + Paid Electronic Copies: 1490 [1456]. Dr. Megan Williams, 607-279-7402 or [email protected] Percent Paid 88 [96]. Nerys Jones

Page 2 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 Returning to Rochester (continued from p1) Ninnau New and many workers left Wales for better prospects. Many of them must have Owners Introduce come to Rochester because, by the 1920s there was a sufficient number of Welsh residents with Themselves a sufficient level of Welsh iden- tification to create what is believed to be Rochester’s first Welsh organization, the Welsh Cambrian Society, organized in 1922. Within three weeks of its founding, the fledgling society th held its first St. David’s Day C Banquet on March 1 at the of Osborn House, a popular meet- U ing, convention, and travelers’ St hotel in downtown Rochester. pl In later years the banquet was ce held at Sibley’s Tea Room and pe the Monroe YMCA with 100 to st 200 members in attendance. tw By 1939 the Society claimed be 400 members and a Junior Hochstein School of Music will be a venue for the W Welsh Society. The young peo- 2017 Grand Concert. Mary Roberts Timmer (left), with Megan Williams and Philip M ple studied the Welsh language m and sang Welsh folk songs. Davies. Mary won the copy of the print of Elvis Rock. in Another group, the Cambrian the Welsh Cambrian Society WERE YOU THERE? again, Ninnau thanked Wynne T Glee Singers, made its first pub- appears to have dissolved and The gymanfa held in 1953 By Megan Williams gi lic appearance in 1923. Melville Jones for the very gen- nd been forgotten, and there is no was sixty-three years ago. Many erous donation. co Twenty years later, the 22 current contact for the St. people living today would have The Ninnau reception at last year’s North American Festival Then Megan introduced the w Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu David’s Society. been children, teenagers, even er was held in Rochester and, in of Wales in Columbia, OH, was three new owners of Ninnau. The host committee for the college students or graduates at While Arturo and Olga remain ca the 1970s, the St. David’s 2017 North American Festival that time. If you were there or one to remember. It celebrated forty years of the paper’s con- part-owners, in order to secure th Society of Rochester was of Wales in Rochester is made have any recollections of that co formed at Nazareth College tinuous publication and honored Ninnau’s future, a majority of up of representatives of active great event, we would like to shares were sold. The three new a under the leadership of Dr. Upstate Welsh societies, chaired hear from you and honor you at Arturo and Olga Roberts, founders of Ninnau. owners are well known to those Richard Loomis. As the mem- by the president of the Welsh the festival next year. Contact ti bers of the Cambrian Society This year’s reception was a in the Welsh community; David Society of the Southern Tier. WNAA at [email protected] or Allen, Hywel Davies and Philip Y aged and their children moved call 607-279-7402. little quieter but still a celebra- tion of the community that is Davies. B away or assimilated into the Se greater American community, Ninnau. Those invited to attend The three took a minute to were contributors, friends and express their gratitude to those hi subscribers; a quiet time to have involved with Ninnau and also a glass of wine and unwind on a explain why they decided to (continued from p1) Saturday afternoon during a take a financial interest in the Cwrs Cymraeg very busy festival. At this year’s paper. They explained that it Cymraeg, but we play hard too! also coincided with the anniver- eisteddfod, we got to hear a few reception, Megan Williams, was simply because of their We got to kick back and rest our sary of Neil Armstrong’s first words from Welsh playwright, now Ninnau’s editor and pub- love for promoting and preserv- brains with a fun cultural activi- walk on the moon. Hywel John. Hywel was in the lisher, welcomed those in atten- ing Welsh culture in North ty each evening. Monday was For Welsh film night, we area doing research for a play dance and thanked them for all America, something at the heart the twmpath dawns–always a watched three episodes of Cara he’s writing about the Wales the ways that they help to make of Ninnau. The paper is the tie great ice-breaker. Any remain- Fi, a delightful Welsh sitcom. Window for Alabama. Ninnau what it is. Megan also that binds the Welsh community ing shyness among the atten- Interestingly, the scripts are Before we knew it, it was took a minute to express thanks together through printed news, dees is quickly expelled during written in English first and time for the noson lawen. and gratitude to Arturo and something that has happened the folk dance. I think that’s course tutor Angharad Students and tutors gathered Olga and said she would send since the founding of Y Drych why we do it so early in the Devonald serves as their trans- Saturday evening to entertain them warm wishes from all at (now part of Ninnau) in 1851. week! On Tuesday, we gathered lator. She’s even written one of each other with a fun skit from the festival. The new team, alongside Arturo at Below the Radar, a pub in the episodes herself. each class, solo songs and It was at the Ninnau reception and Olga, encourage those downtown Huntsville, for Friday was the annual recitations, and a lovely harp that the winner of the print of involved to stay involved, to another epic Quiz Night. eisteddfod, where some of the performance by first time- Elvis Rock was drawn. Megan help spread the word and to Several teams battled it out for first-time attendees took home attendee Grace English, to name pulled a name from a bowl and continue, when possible, to give the chance to claim fortune, prizes. The theme for the high- a few. The course choir per- the winner, who answered the to Friends of Ninnau, or in any glory, and some dysgu Cymraeg er-level entries was “Teithio” or formed an original arrangement question of the rock’s location way that can help benefit the swag. The ultimate prize went “Travel.” Unlike last year, when of Gwahoddiad by choir direc- correctly, was Mary Roberts future of Ninnau. to the “Blue Trews.” no entry was deemed worthy to tor Timothy Doughty after only Timmer from Morristown, NJ. Cwrs Cymraeg attendees be awarded the Cymdeithas a week of rehearsing. And in Mary was delighted to win a spent Wednesday afternoon at Madog Eisteddfod Chair, what must be a first for Cwrs copy of the print and once the U.S. Space and Rocket Timothy Doughty won for his Cymraeg, student Andrew Carl Center, where we saw a real piece, “Y Ffordd i’r Dwyrain – Finch performed Men of Saturn V rocket. The field trip The Road East.” After the Harlech and Sosban Fach on a theremin! The last morning of the course is often bittersweet. People are tired, their minds overflowing with mutations and verb tenses, yet they find it hard to leave. They want to keep going. Longtime course tutor John Otley sent us on our way with a moving homily at the Sunday morning service based on St. David’s plea to “do the little things.” Cwrs Cymraeg 2016 was truly exceptional. Special thanks to Robert and Meagan Davis, lead tutor Meleri Davies, and Cymdeithas Madog’s vol- unteer Board of Directors. A reception full of Ninnau contributors, subscribers and We’re already looking forward to next year! Cwrs y Seintiau friends. (The Saints’ Course ) will be at Siena College in Albany, New York, July 16-23, 2017. Registration and scholarship information is available at www.madog.org.

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 3 G e n e a l o g y Friends of NINNAU & Y DRYCH At the time of the merger between NINNAU and Y Drych a Merger Fund was set up to help finance the operation. The Merger was well received and completed some time ago. We continue to receive donations as part of ‘Friends of Ninnau’. These donations have become an important part of our opera- tion and to those who give, we are truly thankful. Friends of The Recovering Genealogist Ninnau helps to keep the paper going. Please see gifts from By Darris Williams moved to the Rhondda to work lucky. My great-grandfather’s friends received through October 1, 2016. and later marry. She relates grandmother Margaret Edwards, Diolch o galon. I’ve been watching for mail details of life for a coal miner’s nee Thomas, was living with his deliveries more lately. Several wife that I had never dreamed family at the time of the 1851 Anderson, Olwen; Selinsgrove, PA books have come to my atten- of. Mrs. Smith closed her letter census. Margaret, like so many tion that seemed worth ordering. by saying, “We feel sometimes people, had migrated from Bialas, Mary B.; Park Ridge, IL My justification has been that it that we are not living but just Cardiganshire to Glamorgan, Davis; Windsor & Meryl; Dallas, PA is part of my preparation for existing somehow.” this census was critical in learn- Ellis, Viv; Calgary, AB teaching the week-long Welsh My wife really liked the title ing where she was born. We had Evans, Gordon; Sun City West, AZ family history course at the of the other book edited by it wrong! Evans, John & Joyce; Portland, OR British Institute. So far my read- Margaret Llewelyn Davies, No In many cases it may be best Evans, Robert Bevan; Newark, England ing is not keeping up with the One But a Woman Knows. This to start a search for ancestors in book purchases. Lucky for me I book details the struggles of census records. The census Ewing, Susan; Jamestown, NY spend three hours each work working women before 1915 should list all occupants of a Fanning, William & Donna; Orange, CA day on public transport. through letters from working household who were in the Goetinck; Glenys; Tuscon, AZ Reading has always been an women. The stories are stun- home on a specific night. This is Griffith, John W.; E Rochester, NY important part of my life. Now I ning. The details of the lives of a significant resource for any Griffiths, Peter; Denver, CO focus on topics related to working women may complete- country, but for Wales it is criti- Wales. ly change the way I see infor- cal. Each person listed in the Hitchings, Shawn; Hilliard, OH The author George Ewart mation in old records as a fami- census from 1851 forward is Jones, David C.; Granville, OH Evans caught my attention ly historian. The amount of identified with their relationship Jones, Geraint Herbert & Mair Eluned; Toronto, ON because of his approach to his- material written by contempo- to the head of the household. Jones, Keith; Winnipeg, MB tory through oral history. He raries of our great grandparents Their ages, occupations and Jones, Norman A.; Brooklyn, NY was born in Abercynon and and even further back is surpris- birthplaces are included also. Kahn; Diane; Basking Ridge, NJ wrote about topics related to the ing to me. The insights I gain These details make it a little common people. Most of his provide better context for a fam- easier to sort out which John Mains, Harold; Mason, OH writing appears to relate to East ily historian but more important Jones or Evan Evans is really Miners, Robert; Jersey City, NJ Anglia in England, such as his to me, I catch a glimpse of the yours. This is the fun part of Morgan, Rev. Stephen; Lampeter, Ceredigion first book, Ask the Fellows who lives of my forbears. Welsh family history to me. Nicholson, Stephanie; Syracuse, NY Cut the Hay. In From Mouths of Last week a neighbor invited Understanding the whole family Nixon, Margaret; Sidney, BC Men, Evans included a chapter me over to talk about family is what makes successful on “Miners and Mining.” He history. She has a Jones family research possible. Sometimes a Owen, William L.; Saint Peters, PA was introduced to collecting and he has a Williams family to clue that exists with just one Phillips; Glen E.; Goldvein, VA oral evidence in the early 1930s. investigate. Both families are person is the key to discovering Pierce, Betty; Portland, OR This sounds like a hidden gold included in some of the major the story for the rest of the fami- Pratila, Margaret; Ellicott City, MD mine for family historians. I online family trees like what ly. Rhys, Dulais & Leigh Verrill-Rhys; San Francisco, CA don’t expect to find a lot of you find on FamilySearch.org Other records that often link Thomas, Alan; Ottawa, ON names, dates and places and Ancestry.com or several family members togeth- although the few that are men- MyHeritage.com. The problem er are probate documents and Thomas, Dilys; Aberaeron, Wales tioned will be valuable. they run into is what we all tombstone inscriptions. These Thomas, Nancy; Swansea, Wales Learning the stories of how our experience, common names and and many other records can be Watkins, Ron; Manteca, CA families lived in the recent and very little documentation. In used to learn the story of a fami- Watkins, Torry; Hightstown, NJ distant past is a little like a jour- many cases the solution is to ly member and the rest of the Williams, Owen; Zion Grove, PA ney to a foreign land. find your relative in more family group. Some of the most touching records. One of the basic rules My neighbor’s ancestor was accounts I have read come from in family history is to find your born in 1844 at Merthyr Tydfil. two books edited by Margaret relative in every available cen- Her parents were Evan Jones Llewelyn Davies. She was a sus. and Catherine Griffiths. Lucky Penblwydd Hapus 85 member of the “Cooperative Census records for all of for us their first daughter was Ellis J. Jones is celebrating his 85th Birthday in November. Women’s Guild” for many Wales began in 1841. A census named Lucretia Jones. The cen- Ellis is a native of the Welsh settlement of Cambria, years and was its general secre- was done every tenth year after sus for Wales is indexed online Minnesota. As a child, he was involved in community singing tary from 1899 to 1921. The that with the exception of 1941 at several websites. It was fairly competitions reminiscent of the Eisteddfodau held in Wales. National Insurance Act 1911 when the government was busy quick and easy to find the Evan While attending Gustavus Adolphus College, he sang in the provided maternity benefits with higher priorities. This and Catherine Jones family with Gustavus Male chorus. He became a member of the Gustavus with credit for this going to the means that you may expect to daughter Lucretia. A bonus for faculty in the Department of Economics and Management in Guild. The book titled “Life as find your Welsh great-great- the family in this particular cen- 1958 and he retired from that position in 1998. In addition to We Have Known” includes the grandparents in early census sus is that Evan’s unmarried his teaching responsibilities, church choir membership, partici- experience of Mrs. F. H. Smith records, possibly an additional older brother, David Jones, and pation in a local Barbershop Quartet, and work with a national professional organization, Ellis was highly involved in the who grew up in Cardiff but generation back if you are David Griffiths, a cousin-in-law Minnesota Gymanfa Ganu Association. lived with Evan and Catherine’s Over the years, Ellis has done much for the Welsh North family. American Association as well. He served as President of the By following the family to the WNGGA from 1992 to 1994, as Executive Secretary of the next census in 1861, the family organization from 1998 to 2003 and as a local venue chairper- story starts to come into focus. son for the 1999 NAFOW held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. By now Catherine Evans has Under his tenure, the Hwyl was established as a newsletter for nine children. Lucretia was six- members of the North American Welsh Association. In 2004, teen years old and identified Ellis received from the National Welsh – American Foundation with the occupation of mine the Heritage Medallion for distinguished service to the Welsh- cleaner, the same as her three American Community. Ellis is a member of the Legacy younger sisters. The youngest Society. was only ten years old and apparently working at the mine with her older sisters! I look (Cymdeithas Olrhain Achau Cymry America) forward to sharing the informa- tion I’ve learned with my neigh- Formed in 1990 in the United States bor. The accounts shared by to serve as a common link women in the Co-operative for Welsh genealogical researchers Women’s Guild will help tell in the US or anywhere throughout the Welsh world. the story of this Jones family that had been lost. Member: Federation of Genealogical Societies For information: send S.A.S.E. to WAGS c/o 60 Norton Avenue Keep up to date! Poultney, VT 05764-1029 USA E:mail: [email protected] You can check our For a sample newsletter: Calendar between please include $2.00 (US) check payable to WAGS issues or to look for as well as a #10 self-addressed envelope with $.68 US postage additional information Ellis and his late wife, Janet, have two children, Karen or appropriate International Reply Coupons (IRC). Wojahn and David Jones, both of Minnesota, three grandchil- by going to dren, and three great-grandchildren.Pictured above are Ellis You’ll find us on the web at: and his extended family. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vtwags/ www.ninnau.com

Page 4 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 National Eisteddfod North America Represented in Y Fenni By Philip Davies Welsh American Foundation This company alone made for a (NWAF) and Welsh North very enjoyable and productive Y Fenni, site of the National American Association (WNAA) time but of course we were Eisteddfod, and Calgary, home were each represented. We there to welcome the myriad, to this year’s North American (David and Janet Allen; Philip estimated at 130,000, of visitors Festival of Wales are separated and Meril Davies) arrived on who came to the Eisteddfod by seven time zones. They dif- Friday afternoon to set up the during the week. They were fer physically in many ways. booth for Cymry Gogledd mostly from Wales but a However the bond of Welsh Amerig. To find our booth we remarkable number turned out culture and heritage bound to looked for the iconic Pink to be visiting from North them to each other this summer. Pavilion, which had been a America. Some of them had A number of us were fortunate landmark on the Maes for the never heard of Ninnau so we enough to participate in and past decade only to realize that quickly took down their particu- enjoy both of these flagships of it was no more. It had been lars, gave them a free copy, and Welsh cultural activities. replaced by an unremarkable introduced them to the many Nestled on the banks of the box-like Pavilion. Named the Welsh organizations on this side Usk river that flows through Evolution, it however brought of the pond. Abergavenny, the site was a syl- far better interior facilities than The weather was the usual van setting for this year’s its predecessor and by the end blend that Wales experiences; a Eisteddfod. For the second year of the week was meeting with wet day, a windy day, and then five of our North American universal praise. We made sure a couple of beautiful days. Welsh organizations banded that the booth was easily recog- Happily one of these coincided The stand proudly displays the American and Canadian flags. together to give Wales a taste of nized by the display of large US with one of our major highlights Welsh North America. Ninnau; and Canadian flags. of the week. This was the induc- Foundation. A successful way deep in conversation – another Great Plains Welsh Heritage Bright and early on Saturday tion of Martha Davies into the of doing this has been the sup- bridge built! In between his Project; Canolfan Madog; Rio morning, Berwyn Jones and Gorsedd of the Bards. It was a port of the winner at the visits with us, Robert competed Grande University; National Martha Davies arrived, and it beautiful warm Friday morning National Eisteddfod of the for the Towyn Roberts was all go for the next eight as a large crowd gathered Osborne Roberts Blue Riband Scholarship, a prestigious and days. The booth was always around the Gorsedd circle on for the best vocalist under the much-sought-after award for well-staffed as several of us the Maes to watch the inductees age of 25 to attend and perform vocalists embarking on their from North America took turns approach in a procession from at NAFOW the following year. professional careers. Robert staffing the booth. Among us the Gorsedd Pavilion. With It was therefore with anticipa- made it through the preliminar- were Hefina Phillips, Hywel appropriate ceremony Martha, tion and excitement that we ies for this competition and late and Mari Davies, and Jeanne assuming the Bardic name of went to the Pavilion on on Wednesday night he compet- and Louis Jones Jindra. Having Martha Bethania, was accepted Thursday afternoon to listen to ed in the final with several more Rebecca Roy, the Dafydd in to the Gorsedd by the the four finalists. The winner seasoned individuals. But at the Morris award recipient at last Archdruid Geraint Lloyd Owen was Steffan Lloyd Owen, a tender age of 20 he won – and year’s NAFOW in Columbus, known as Geraint Llifon. After baritone from Pentre Berw on immediately left for the long with us was a particular plea- the ceremony Martha was the the Isle of Anglesey. We look drive to Salisbury to perform in sure as she prepared and com- center of attention as the only forward to inviting him to per- an opera the next day! peted to great acclaim in the one of thirty-one new members form at NAFOW in Rochester After a wonderful eight days mezzo soprano competition. of the Gorsedd born and living in 2017. catching up with old friends and She tells of her experiences outside of Wales. Her four years 2015’s Osborne Roberts win- making many new ones it was elsewhere in this issue of spent in Aberystwyth many ner Robert Lewis was at the time to close shop and, depart Ninnau. Special also was the years ago allowed her to learn Eisteddfod with his parents Ian for our destinations far and wide presence of several of our the language and instill in her and Ella and girlfriend – back to North America for Welsh connections at the booth, the passion for all things Welsh Charlotte, and visited us in the many of us to prepare for Jenny Hubbard joining us for which she so richly shares with booth on a number of occasions. NAFOW at Calgary. It was a several days. Members of the husband Berwyn Jones. He met with Rebecca Roy on highly successful week, full of Welsh board of the National Building bridges with Wales one of these visits and a sweet culture and memories for the ages. Welsh American Foundation; is one of the primary missions memory is of the two of them Jonathan Morgan, Frances of the National Welsh American Jones Davies, Joanna Masters, Jon Roper, Bill Jones, Lynne Martha Davies Wilkins, and Jenny Mathers joined us on successive days. David Morris Winner Loves Welsh Experience Gardd o Drysorau - By Rebecca Roy As a musician still early in my career, I always look for- A Garden of ward to the new places music will take me. Being able to Treasures attend the National Eisteddfod By Robin Gwyndaf on television or radio, may I of Wales with the assistance of express my very sincere thanks the David G. Morris Memorial Lady Llanofer and Carn- to Elfed Roberts, the Director; Scholarship was an unexpected huanawc; the National Elen Huws Elis, Organizer; blessing and experience! Not Eisteddfod of Wales, and a every member of the small team only was I able to attend the Poem in Praise of of dedicated staff; and all the Eisteddfod but I also visited Monmouthshire hardworking band of voluntary London and enjoyed the lovely workers, led by the Chairman, towns of Caerleon and To attend the National Frank Olding, a fountain of Abergavenny. It was a dream Eisteddfod of Wales for the inspiration. Canmil diolch – a come true to finally travel out- whole week since 1956 has ‘hundred thousand thanks.’ side of North America and visit been the joy of my life. I was As a small contribution places on my bucket list. I began exploring Welsh then fifteen years of age, and towards the cost of holding the NWAF scholarship winner Robert Lewis and the eisteddfod, as I well remem- Abergavenny Eisteddfod, it was music and language in graduate ber, was held in Aberdâr, the great privilege of Eleri, my school, but my desire to learn Rebecca Roy in the North American stand Glamorganshire. wife, and I to publish a four- more about my Welsh heritage with the audience on screen. In Wales TV requested an inter- Over the years I have seen sided A5 (8 inches by 5 inches) began much earlier. Since that moment I was overcome view with me, asking how I had this remarkable cultural event beautifully designed card, print- childhood I can remember my with gratitude to be part of a come to be at the Eisteddfod develop from strength to ed by Gwasg Y Lolfa, Tal-y- family wanting to visit Wales celebration of culture and the and if I was enjoying Wales.. strength. It is one of the largest bont. and talking of our Welsh her- arts with people who genuinely My mother best summed up moving festivals in Europe. But itage. While growing up I never appreciate it. the personal meaning of my trip On the front and back covers could have imagined that I more important for us in Wales, of this card there are prints of I have previously participated in an email before my final would be able to travel and sing a few vocal competitions and round in the competition. She it is, indeed, a national treasure; two of the greatest benefactors in Wales all in my first trip! a wonderful celebration of our of the Welsh language and cul- the Eisteddfod competition has wrote, “Your ancestors would The more time I spend studying by far been the most fun! be so proud.” It was in that native language and culture. ture during the nineteenth cen- the music, language, and cul- The 2016 National Eisteddfod tury. These two persons would Everyone was kind and support- moment that I realized how spe- ture, the more excited I am ive of the contestants and as the cial my presence was at the held at Y Fenni / Abergavenny, have been very proud of the return to Wales. Monmouthshire, was no excep- great success of the 2016 “outsider” I appreciated the Eisteddfod. It was an opportuni- One of my favorite memories welcoming atmosphere. Word ty for myself and for my family tion. It was, as everybody National Eisteddfod in from the Eisteddfod was the acknowledged, one of the most Abergavenny: Augusta Wadd- spread quickly that an American to connect with our heritage and crowning of the bard. I was out was competing and I began to participate in the deeply rooted memorable and successful of all ington Hall, Arglwyddes in the meadow at the North the eisteddfodau held in recent Llanofer – Lady Llanofer have a few strangers strike up traditions in a unique way. I American Festival of Wales conversations with me. People recognize that I am still very years, with the very warm wel- (1802 – 1896), and the booth. When I noticed a hush come – ‘croeso cynnes iawn’ - Reverend Thomas Price, I spoke with were curious about new to the Welsh language and come over the crowd surround- my Welsh heritage and why I I am on a long journey to mas- of the local people still very ‘Carnhuanawc’ (1787 – 1848). ing one of the giant screens much on our minds. The full history and addition- had come to the Eisteddfod to tering it, but I look forward to streaming the live feed from the compete in the vocal competi- continuing to share Welsh On behalf of all the people al information about the main pavilion. After the winner rd who attended the 2016 Eisteddfod can be found on tion. After placing 3 in the music and culture with new was announced everyone out- Mezzo Soprano Division, BBC audiences. Eisteddfod, or who enjoyed it p.28-29. side clapped and cheered along

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 5 Two Very Different Political Giants Who

By Dafydd Wigley Influenceddid it dawn Modern on me that it was a Wales reference to the State Pension: Two significant political sixty years on, people still iden- events have anniversaries cele- tified those vital sustaining brated in Wales this year. The funds by the name of the first was the famous “Saint” who introduced such a Carmarthen by-election of 1966 god-sent benefit. whose fiftieth anniversary But LlG was no saint and had occurred on 14th July. The sec- a colourful private life which ond will be the centenary, on would never have allowed him 6th December of David Lloyd to climb to the top of the slip- George becoming UK Prime pery political pole in this age of Minister in 1916. Both – in dif- media scrutiny. However, it’s ferent ways – have helped his achievement in becoming mould 21st century Wales; and the first person to rise from both had significant influence humble beginnings to being on politics throughout Britain. Prime Minister at the darkest David Lloyd George was hour in the First World War, born in 1863. His father died David Lloyd George which Britain will remember in when he was 18 months old. He December. And for us in Wales, was brought up in the village of almost six years at the helm, he we shall remember the only Llanystumdwy, near Cricieth in resigned and was never again to Welsh-speaking Prime Minister Plaid Cymru Leaders who attended the unveiling ceremony north-west Wales. His uncle, a enjoy power. of the UK; someone who on the steps of Guildhall, Carmarthen. Left to right: Cllr. shoe-maker, helped sustain At his zenith LlG, as he was aspired to greater Welsh auton- Emlyn Dole, Simon Thomas, AM, Leanne Wood, Plaid David and his brother William known, was a popular and pop- omy; and who looked to a ulist leader who was almost Cymru Leader and AM, Lord Dafydd Wigley, Rhodri Glyn and their widowed mother in a Europe of small nations, which Thomas, Jonathan Edwards, MP and Adam Price AM. Welsh-speaking household. worshipped in Wales. His had their place in the sun. That There was no chance of going framed picture would be seen in vision is still valid. The anniver- Photo thanks to Cllr. Peter Hughes-Grffiths to university, so he worked in a thousands of ordinary homes. sary is a significant event As a nonconformist he chal- they had asserted that they were been in place since the 1536 Act lawyer’s office at Porthmadog, indeed. pacifist, Christian, or feminist. of Union. In 1968 a Royal to qualify at 21 as a solicitor. lenged the enshrined authority ***** of the Anglican church of However their primary Commission was established to He made his name winning law- The other anniversary is alliegence was to a consider political reform and suits for ordinary working peo- England, and helped secure the equally, significant - perhaps disestablishment of the Church Westminster-based UK political devolution of power within ple against the establishment. In even more so. That event - party – Liberal, Conservative or Britain. 1890, aged 27, he was elected in Wales. He fought for the Gwynfor Evans being elected as establishment of Welsh national Labour. Gwynfor Evans chal- Gwynfor Evans’ success trig- as “Liberal and Welsh Wales’ first overt Nationalist lenged Welsh voters to reject gered a similar upsurge of Nationalist” MP for Caernarvon institutions, including our MP and Plaid Cymru’s first National Library; and ensured such attachments and to give nationalist support in Scotland. Boroughs, the seat which he voice in the House of Commons their political loyalty to Wales. In 1967 the Scottish National held for 54 years. for Wales its own educational – is still dictating key aspects of structures. He advocated a par- It was, incidentally, a great Party (SNP) won another parlia- David Lloyd George secured the Welsh and British political irony that Gwynfor succeeded mentary by-election when his place in history as liament for Wales – though agenda. failed to deliver when – th Lady Megan Lloyd George – Winifred Ewing was elected Chancellor of the Exchequer, Until July 14 1966, not one (LlG’s daughter) as MP for MP for Hamilton. Since the with his “People’s Budgets” of arguably – he had the power to MP had ever been elected on a do so. He was a fervent support- Carmarthen. Carmarthen by-election, there 1908-10. These aimed to redis- pure nationalist ticket. There Gwynfor’s election led to a has been an unbroken period of tribute wealth, introduced old- er of the National Eisteddfod had been MPs – like Lloyd and in the 1930’s, by when he new focus on Wales at fifty years with nationalist MP’s age pensions and help for sick George – who has described Westminster. In 1967 a Welsh in the House of Commons. and unemployed workers. To do was a backbench MP, he did themselves in election literature, much to ensure the language Language Act led to lifting the Currently, the SNP hold 54 of this he increased income tax and as “Welsh Nationalist”; that was ban on Welsh for administrative Scotland’s 59 seats at death duties and introduced land rule which enshrines the Welsh a descriptive statement, as if language at the core of the and law-court use, which had Westminster. It is arguable that tax. When the unelected, heredi- without the catalyst of the tary House of Lords refused to Eisteddfod’s activities. In British terms LlG is Carmarthen by-election, pass the legislation, Lloyd Scotland wouldn’t have seen the George took the historic step of remembered, more than any- thing, for laying the foundations SNP landslide or its 2014 inde- stripping the Lords of their veto pendence referendum. Certainly powers over finance bills; and of the welfare state. It was on his foundations that two other neither Scotland nor Wales threatened to flood the Upper would today have their own leg- Chamber with new members if Welsh politicians – Labour’s Aneurin Bevan and James islative parliaments which gov- they didn’t acquiesce. ern their respective countries on He further augmented his rep- Griffith, brought in the National Health Service and comprehen- most domestic matters. utation as Munitions Minister in In July, a memorial plaque the 1914 war; and when things sive national insurance. When I was elected MP for was unveiled in Carmarthen to were going badly in 1916, it commemorate the 1966 by-elec- was to Lloyd George that the Caernarfon in 1974 (represent- ing broadly the same districts as tion. A rally brought hundreds House of Commons turned to of nationalists together to salute lead the UK. In co-operation did LlG), I recall a constituent ask me in my advice centre, for the key role played by Gwynfor with his Allies, he helped turn Evans in the 20th century histo- round the war effort and secure help in relation to “Lloyd George’s money”. I was dumb- ry of Wales. victory. After the war, his coali- Gwynfor Evans’ Memorial Plaque placed in Guildhall Square Both Gwynfor Evans and tion government gradually lost struck for a moment, unclear as to what was meant. Only slowly Carmarthen just below the balcony where the result was David Lloyd George left an support and in 1922 – after announced on 14th July 1966. indelible mark on their country. In some ways the two men could hardly have been more different: LlG a wartime leader; Gwynfor a Christian-pacifist. LlG from rural Welsh-speaking Wales; Gwynfor from English- speaking industrial Barry. LlG a fully subscribed member of Westminster’s political elite; Gwynfor who detested Westminster with all his heart. In other ways, they had simi- larities. Both were adored by their adherents in Wales, whose hearts, minds and loyalty they captured. Both could dominate their audiences, though their oratorical techniques were very different. Both drew on the his- tory of Wales to create a vision for its future. Both – in different ways – had a genuine attach- ment to the Welsh language and its attendant culture. And both – despite their very different rela- tionships with the power base of imperial London, were regarded by the establishment as out- siders. In celebrating these two anniversaries, we’re recognising opposite sides of the same coin. And it’s right that people beyond the respective parties of these two giants, should salute their contribution to our nation’s history.

Page 6 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 The Sacred Springs and Holy Wells of Hay By Phil Cope Exploring the wellsprings of the Brecon Beacons National Park 4: The latest in an on-going series of articles for Ninnau on the wellsprings of Wales by Phil Cope, author of Holy Wells Wales: a photographic journey and Borderlands; new photographs and old tales of the sacred springs, holy wells and spas of the Wales - England borders. The seven wellsprings of Hay-on-Wye in the old county of Brecknockshire (now Powys) are in various states of disrepair and inaccessibility. While some are virtually lost, some dry, most in urgent need of repair, and one on private land, the Town Well, the Black Lion Black Lion Green Well Green Well, the Castle Well, the Swan Well, St Mary’s Well, the and became a hermit on the church, to open her bag and take Eye Well and the Walk Well, banks of the river Severn, from out a small bottle of the water each in their differing ways, which she is thought to have she had collected the night offer intriguing glimpses into travelled widely, including it before, and drink from it: the history of the town and its seems to Hay-on-Wye and to beliefs. Cornwall. I hastened as soon as the St. Mary’s Well Located near the old Nyegate The belief associated with her wedding was done, was that, after a wedding, And left my wife in the porch the flames and saving the build- article without the help, whichever of the couple drank But I faith she had been wiser ing … a great tale that, sadly, research and support of Dr Peter first from the wellspring would than me, has little foundation in historical Ford of the Hay History Group, go on to wear the trousers in the For she took a bottle to fact. who guided me to these impor- relationship: church. The most appealing of all of tant sites. The Group is keen to Robert Southey [1774-1843] the wellsprings in Hay, howev- see the sites protected and First of the sacred stream to from his poem St Keyne’s er, is the so-called Walk Well, restored, and to develop a ‘Hay drinke, Well. which sits below the remnants Wells Walk’ to them all.) Thereby the mastry gaines The medicinal water from the of a path a few yards along the Richard Carew [1555-1620] Swan Well – again named after riverbank walk, built by Sir from his poem The Well of St a nearby pub – flows from an Joseph Bailey in the 1870s. Keyne. elevated bank into an attractive The well waters pour from stone-cut channel that bends at a above what appears to be the There’s a traditional tale of a right angle (like the neck of a remains of an old stone quay, groom speeding off after the swan?) to fall from an elegant- set into the Wye riverbank. The ceremony to the wellspring, ly-carved spout. Never known age of the quay, if that is what it Town well, Hay-on-Wye only for his bride, left in the to dry, even in the severest of is, is unknown. We do know winters or the hottest of sum- that Hay had two medieval fer- or Watergate – one of the three mers, it is said to be particularly ries, however, and old OS maps medieval entrances into Hay – a effective in the treatment of show a footpath crossing the small square rusty panel set into sprained wrists and ankles. fields on the other side of the the wall is, today, the only You will find the impressive river, at a point exactly opposite reminder that this was the site St Mary’s Well – which, it is from the ‘quay’. Another theory of the old Town Well. said, was used as a source of is that it was used during the The so-called Black Lion holy water for baptisms – in the building of the church, the large Green Well, which flows into private garden of 2 Sackville quantities of stone being the Dulas Brook and gets its Cottages, in a curved flowerbed, required, landing here by barge. name from its proximity to the accessed down a steep slope Today, sadly, the Walk Well Old Black Lion public house on facing the church which is also – like many of the other ancient Lion Street, shares a legend dedicated to the saint. water sources in Hay – is in a with sites in Cornwall dedicated Now dry, the story is told of a very bad state of repair, desper- to the fifth-century St Keyna fountain of water spurting from ately needing the care of local (Keyne or Cain), one of the the well when the church tower people. Walk Well many beautiful daughters of caught fire, effectively dowsing (I could not have written this King Brychan of Brycheiniog, who, ironically given the tale below, never married. This “dear maid of the flash- Keep in Touch with Wales ing eyes” (Donald R Rawe) Swan Well who, it is said, turned snakes into stone, refused all suitors Through S4C Programmes By Carys Evans explains the plans to reach more &%Holy Wells &%BORDERLANDS viewers living abroad; “We’re Wales &     A great way to keep in touch very proud to be able to offer &   
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November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 7 By David Barry SOCCER Fans areSportscene frustrated too by the Cardiff Wales Blues are unbeaten in numbers. Amongst there are Wales stay on winning trail tactics employed by former boss their opening four fixtures and famous names such as Following their excellent per- Paul Trollope. share top spot in the PRO 12 Tredegar, Blaengarw, formance at the Euro Finals, table with Ulster. The Ospreys Machynlleth, Cardiff CIACS, Wales opened their quest for Bluebirds sack their manager. opened with three wins but went Mynydd y Garreg and 2018 World Cup qualification Cardiff City manager Paul down 31-19 away to Leinster in Penygroes. It does not bode with a clear cut 4-0 victory over Trollope became the third what was Captain Alun Wyn well for the long-term future of Moldova in Cardiff. Goals Welsh club manager to lose his Jones’ 200th game for the the games in Wales despite from Sam Vokes, Joe Allen job in a week when he was region. WRU strategies to halt the and a pair from man of the sacked after a poor run of The Scarlets lost their three decline. match Gareth Bale saw home results. Only two wins in twelve opening games before defeating CRICKET fans delighted with the win. games has seen the club sink last season’s champions Glamorgan’s disappointing Next up are two tougher ties into a relegation place after only Connacht thanks to two tries season against Austria and Georgia. two months of the season. The from Wales star Liam Glamorgan’s final match of The team are now placed in club's owner Vincent Tan and Williams. Williams’ contract is the season encapsulated their the top ten of the latest FIFA the board have dismissed up for renewal next summer and frustrating season overall. rankings. Trollope after only five months the region may have a fight on Seemingly well-placed and The excellent behaviour, in post. their hands to retain their prize heading for victory at Leicester singing and general support by Former USA Coach Takes asset. the team lost their last six wick- the Wales fans in the “Red Over at Liberty Stadium Newport Gwent Dragons ets for ten runs to lose the game. Wall” at the Euro finals in Under fire boss Francesco have a squad featuring a number Coach Robert Croft remains France has been officially Guidolin has been dismissed by of very talented youngsters but upbeat because of the talented, recognised by the Euro football Swansea City after another with a lower budget than their but as yet inexperienced ,young- Jade Jones authorities. A special plaque home defeat against Liverpool. regional rivals they may face a sters at his disposal. has been presented to the Wales He has been replaced by struggle yet again this season. Welterweight title. FA to mark the fans’ exemplary American Bob Bradley, who Other Rugby News WALES OLYMPIC SUCCESS Cleverly Back on Top of the conduct. was formerly in charge of the Cardiff Blues have Wales’ competitors enjoyed World League sides struggle in early USA national team from 2007 announced very ambitious plans remarkable success at both the Nathan Cleverly regained season to 2011. to develop the rather tired Arms Olympics and the Para Olympic the WBA lightheavyweight All three of the Welsh league Park ground. They hope to get events in Rio, Brazil. The title when his German opponent sides have struggled in the RUGBY WRU help to transform the nation punched well above its retired after six rounds in opening weeks of the season. playing area, build weight based on population size Germany. The loyal fans of Swansea, Warren Gatland to coach residential/hotel accommoda- and enjoyed noteable success Cardiff and Newport County 2017 British Lions tion and a conference centre on across a wide range of sports. OBITUARY have been frustrated by their Experienced Wales coach their iconic site. Key performers were gold Football fans are mourning team’s lack of consistent form Gatland has been granted a There are calls to restructure medallists, Aled Davies, Ellie the passing of former Wales star and all three sides appear to be year’s sabbatical to lead the the timing of the season and the Simmonds, Elinor Barker, Mel Charles at the age of 81 facing a fight to avoid relega- 2017 Lions on their very tough international fixtures for the Six Owain Doull, Hannah Mills years. Though he tended to tion even this early in the cam- 10-match summer tour to New Nations. Not everyone has and Jade Jones who retained play in the shadow of his leg- paign. Newport have now part- Zealand. His assistant Rob greeted the proposals with her Taekwando title. endary older brother John, Mel ed company with manager Howley will take over as Acting enthusiasm and some cynics say Gold medallist table tennis Charles was a true star in his Warren Feeney after only two Head Coach for the 2016-2017 the proposals put forward by player Rob Davies of Brecon own right. He played for wins in his twenty two games in international programme. In a New Zealand are only to the All overcame the odds after a seri- Swansea, Arsenal and Cardiff charge. somewhat surprise move, Blacks’ commercial advantage. ous spinal injury brought an end City at both centre half and cen- Swansea have sold iconic recently appointed Cardiff The PRO 12 league are con- to his very promising rugby tre forward. He netted 66 goals captain Ashley Williams to Blues assistant coach, Matt templating playing some fix- career five years ago. in 233 league games for the Everton and key striker Andre Sherratt, will join Howley’s tures on the eastern seaboard of The teams were given an offi- Swans and was a key member Ayew to West Ham. The deals backroom staff on a part-time North America with a view to cial welcome by the Welsh of the Wales team at the 1958 may be financially sound but a basis. tapping into the Irish and Italian Assembly government in front World Cup finals in Sweden. lack of quality new signings has One possible problem facing heritage market. of a large enthusiastic crowd in Mel Charles was not only high- frustrated the home fans. There Howley will be the impact of so The WRU are keen to stop Cardiff Bay ly respected as a footballer but appears to be a lack of harmony called “Gatland’s Law” which clubs in the community game BOXING he was a fantastic character who in the squad and already the limits the number of players from paying their players. Such St Clears boxer Dale Evans enjoyed life to the full. future of manager Francesco currently playing outside the actions are undermining many was devastated when his Guidolin has been called into Principality who can be selected clubs at the grass roots of the Scottish opponent died follow- question. Former Wales star for the Wales team. With key game. Wealthier clubs entice ing their fight iin a final elimi- Ryan Giggs has been men- players such as George North, players to move for cash pay- nator for the British tioned as a possible replace- Luke Charteris, ‘Toby’ Falatau, ments and there is a loss of ment. Jamie Roberts, and Leigh “community loyalty”. Together Cardiff City, too, have sold Halfpenny “captured” by the with changing social patterns, star performers David Marshall ruling, Howley may have a real the attraction of watching top and Fabio to premiership teams headache in selection. class soccer at Swansea’s and despite signing ex England Regions mixed fortunes in Liberty Stadium the net result is striker Rickie Lambert are find- early season that a number of clubs have ing goals difficult to come by. folded due to a lack of playing Smile, You’re Welsh By Billy Williams A – A small lie. Hayes, Ohio State Q – What does ‘varicose’ “I don’t expect to win America is deeply into two mean? enough games to be put on major and important events A – It means nearby. NCAA probation. I just want to these final months of the year – Q – What is the meaning of win enough to warrant an inves- politics and football. And we the term ‘Caesarean section.’ tigation.” Bob Devany, have some comments on both. A – The caesarean section is a Nebraska. First come the office seekers district in Rome. “In Alabama, an atheist is Mel Charles, right, with older brother John in their heyday (no names, please). Q – What is a seizure? A – someone who doesn’t believe in A friend said to me that two A Roman emperor. Remember Bear Bryant.” Wally Butts, candidates were told they had to Julius Seizure, who said “I Georgia. pass a test with a few general came, I saw, I had a fit.” “I never graduated from Iowa. questions and some on health Q – What is a terminal ill- But I was only there for two Sioni Dda care. Taking turns, here’s how ness? terms — Truman’s and John Good they worked out A – It’s when you get sick at Eisenhower’s.” Alex Karras, Question — Name the four the airport. Iowa. seasons. Let’s move away from poli- “I could have been a Rhodes 6WRU\WHOOHUSRHWOHFWXUHU Answer –Salt, pepper, mus- tics – Pleessse! Scholar, except for my grades.” tard and vinegar. Here are some famous names Duffy Daugherty, Michigan :HOVKWHDFKHUWUDQVODWRU Q – How is dew formed? from the football world and State. A –The sun shines on the their statements which have I think the coaches and play- 'LUHFWRURI&\PDQIDRHGG leaves and makes them sweat. gone down in history (way ers beat the politicians by a Q – What guarantees may a down). score of 9 – 2. mortgage company insist on? “It isn’t necessary to see a Stay warm. Have a Merry Two languages A – If you are buying a good tackle, you can hear it.” Christmas and Happy New house they will insist that you Knute Rockne, Notre Dame. Year, or as my mother would for every celebration are well-endowed. “At Georgia Southern, we say: and weekend gathering Q — What are steroids? don’t cheat. That costs money “Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn A—Things for keeping car- and we don’t have any.” Erik Newydd Dda.” If you have a pets on the stairs. Russell. Christmas present for me, Q — Name a major disease “The player who complains please don’t send it C.O.D. I’m 6RORSHUIRUPHU associated with cigarettes? about the way the ball bounces broke. :HOVKSLSHVKDUSIOXWHV A – Premature death. is likely to be the one who Good wishes would do finely ZKLVWOHVJXLWDUYRLFH Q — What does the body’s dropped it.” Lou Holtz, Notre at [email protected] or to +LVEDQGTramor abdominal cavity hold? Dame. 100 Fairway Drive, Camp Hill, A –It holds the five bowels, “There’s nothing that cleans- PA 17011-2066. which are A, E, I, O and U. es your soul like getting the hell [email protected] www.tramormusic.com Q – What is the fibula? kicked out of you.” Woody 602-509-5223 www.youtube.com/TramorMusic

Page 8 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 A Long Welsh Island Summer By Sian Stacey just as we’d be settling into din- happily sit on your hand whilst ner that one of the houses cook- they get their bearings before As I write this I’m sitting in ing gas had run out. This would taking off into the night sky. front of our first fire of the normally happen on the few These birds have a very distinct, Autumn, the stars already shin- rainy evenings and so would musky smell to them, to me it’s ing outside, the red flashing of require changing into full water- beautiful but to many people the lighthouse through the dark- proofs and towel drying my hair they smell like old books! ness…and it’s only 8.30 pm! on return. Needless to say, there One of the highlights of the We’ve been spoilt with a glo- are no ‘out of hours’ for me dur- summer, the year in fact, was rious summer on the island this ing the summer! the engagement of my brother year. Long warm days with Long days blended into long Gwyn and his girlfriend Lauren, plenty of swimming, sunset nights throughout July and which took place on the island! beach BBQ’s, and music nights August, with many evenings He’d been talking about it for a in the old school house. We had spent with Mark and the other few months and despite my plenty of island football games Bird Observatory staff catching coaxing I’d been unable to get a in the evenings, many of which Manx Shearwaters and Storm plan out of him. Luckily, on the day, he gave me enough warn- ing to put some bubbly in the fridge and a time to meet them down near the Lighthouse for the good news. That evening the whole island joined us at Ty Cooling down in the waters off Bardsey. Bach (our house) to celebrate as the sun set. Ben Porter (the farmer’s son) caught us all off guard when he spotted a Minke Whale swimming along the West Coast of the island! A very memorable night indeed. As we’ve moved through September it’s been a real treat to witness the Grey Seals pup- ping. At last count we had 12 seal pups, all born in sheltered coves around the island. Despite some very windy days and high spring tides most are doing well and growing quickly. One cove, Celebrating the engagement with champagne! Ogof Hir (‘long cave’) seems to have become the place to have a seal pup. Last year one lone seal were often followed by a quick Petrels. Both of these birds are gave birth here but this year dip in Cafn to cool off from the very special and I had the privi- there are now four seal pups, evening heat. The weeks flew lege of ringing my first Manx with a possible fifth on the way. past as families who have been Shearwater this year, which will At the end of a day’s work I can coming to the island for many now be on its way to South be watching the newest pup take years returned for their annual America for its winter. Catching its first swim only two minutes pilgrimage. We also had plenty Storm Petrels involves opening from my front door, definitely of family and friends visiting us a special bird net (called mist one of the most special things over the summer, including nets) and playing the song of about living here. some of Mark’s family from the bird out to sea. Once set up I’ll be leaving the island for a Denmark and my family from we sit on the side of the moun- short few days next week when New Zealand. tain at midnight waiting for I’m hoping to get our winter Of course it wasn’t all fun these stunning little birds to fly supply of food bought, enough and games for me, I am here to into the net to be rung. This to see us through until at least work after all. It was a summer year the Observatory has caught January! It’ll be a long cold of never ending grass cutting, over 120, the most ever caught winter ahead but plenty of time frantic weekly changeovers, and in one year. They spend most of for evenings in front of the fire fixing any emergencies that their lives out at sea, only to finally try and teach myself came my way: window hinges, breeding on land, and so look how to knit! door latches and water taps. rather clumsy and out of place Blog: https://bardseyis- Sometimes the days never when caught. They are so unfa- landlife.blogspot.com/ The lighthouse on the island with beautiful summer flowers. By Maegan Langer ended with knocks at my door miliar with people that they will Twitter: @SianStacey1 We’ve heard the legend of Madog ab Owain Gwynedd, the twelfth-century Welsh prince WNAA Elects New Trustees in Calgary who sailed to America long By Richard P. Donohoe annual Minnesota Welsh Hymn At the Annual General Festivals since the 1970s and Meeting, WNAA President Ian At the Annual General she was organist for the 1999 Samways also recognized retir- Meeting of the WNAA mem- Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu ing trustees and thanked them bers have elected four new in Minneapolis. More recently, for their service. Those retiring trustees were elected. Illustrated she has led the late-night from the board are Kay Gavin profiles of each of them follow: singing at NAFOW and accom- from Roseville, Minn; Lezlie Myfanwy Davies of Ottawa panied the Ysgol Gân. She is Wood, Ottawa, Ont; David has rejoined the Board where the Worship and Music Llewelyn Williams, Vancouver, she previously served as Ministry Coordinator, organist BC; and Secretary Helen Trustee, Chair of the and adult choir director for the Steinle, Qualicum Beach, BC. Scholarship and Grant American Lutheran Church in Jeanne Jones Jindra also finish- Committee, Secretary, and her southwestern Minnesota es her 2nd term, but has been Chair of the 2004 Buffalo town of Windom. She and her elected to serve as WNAA NAFOW. Myfanwy has been husband Michael have three Secretary. involved with the Ottawa Welsh grown children and three grand- Society, the Ottawa Welsh daughters. Choral Society and the Ontario Gymanfa Ganu Association for many years, serving as President of each of those Next WNAA Trustees (left to right), Elaine Westlake, groups. She sang with the North Myfanwy Davies, Karen Jones Wojahn and Dilys Rana. American Welsh Choir and cur- b e f o r e rently sings with Merched involvement in Chicago’s the coal mining village of Dewi. Welsh societies. She is currently Nantyffyllon, Glamorgan, South Dilys Rana grew up on a farm president of The Cambrian Wales, when the local mine was Columbus. What is perhaps less in North Wales and moved to Benevolent Society of Chicago, still operating! Along with her well-known is he’s believed to the United States in her early which was organized in 1853. young family, she emigrated to have landed in the area of twenties. She maintains strong She lives with her husband in a Canada on the day of the Mobile, Alabama. This July, ties to her homeland with fre- suburb of Chicago, close to her Aberfan disaster, Oct. 21, 1966. Cymdeithas Madog decided it quent visits to Wales and active three children and their families. After completing a B.Ed in was time to follow in his foot- Elaine Westlake was born in Special Education, she taught steps! for the next 25 years. Upon Cwrs Dinas y Roced - The retirement, she returned to Next Deadline Calgary to be closer to her five beautiful grandchildren. She The dealine for the January-February issue is also enjoys participating in December 1. Calgary Welsh Society events. Karen Jones Wojahn has WNAA President Ian Samways with retiring trustees, served as accompanist for the Kay Gavin and Lezlie Wood.

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 9 North American Festival of Wales Calgary Memories: A Hymn of Praise By Martha Davies

We’d been looking forward to NAFOW Calgary since a year ago in Columbus, where some jolly Calgary Welsh in white cowboy hats and red vests, invited us to head to Alberta in 2016. From the moment we arrived at the Westin Hotel in Calgary, an imposing high-rise down- town on the prairie, we felt wel- come. We sensed a spirit of adventure tempered by neigh- borly cooperation, those ear- marks of the early settlers who survived on this northern prairie. Neighborliness was immedi- Local Venue Chairs Elaine Westlake and David Matthews ately apparent. We saw festival take the stage with WNAA President Ian Samways. volunteers at the hotel entrance, in the lobby and in the registra- also quick to close their doors cally full space. This experience tion area, and that took a lot of and move on. Also in the eleva- cannot be replicated by singing people power! David Matthews tors, some of us elders were with a recording or even live, in and Elaine Westlake, the chair- flummoxed by the elevator most spaces. Drop a pin in persons, had rounded up 50 vol- security system—insert room Knox and it would sing a hymn! unteers—all named in the pro- key before selecting floor num- Such a space, though richly sat- gram book. ber. I never quite got the knack isfying for singing, proved gar- And when no volunteers were of performing that ritual, but bling for the spoken word. But present, a written welcome fortunately others helped out. if I must choose—song or appeared. At hotel check in, we From the Westin it was a word—in a Cymanfa Ganu, were given a card of welcome short walk to Knox United song wins hands down. from the Calgary Welsh Church, site of the Saturday You’ll have noticed by now Society. At the Marketplace, we evening Concert, Sunday ser- that my hymn of praise is for vendors were given a card with vice, and Cymanfa Ganu ses- these festival spaces—hotel and cell phone numbers of the orga- sions. This church was church—and for the organizers. nizers. How reassuring to know described to me as, “the sort of Other contributors will sing we were only a phone call away church you’d expect to see in a songs of high praise for the Hoop Dancer Dallas Arcand Jr. wows the audience. from a person. movie.” And indeed, Knox was choir, soloists, conductor, We often saw Tim, our help- lofty and lovely. Also lovely preacher, and accompanists who ful Westin conference contact, were the church members who performed within the festival who was present and accounted greeted us and were stationed at spaces. A Very Special for all during the festival. other doorways to direct us to NAFOW Calgary was created Adding to the cohesiveness the “washrooms.” The people during three years of sustained made the place even more spe- effort by David Matthews, of the festival was the Westin’s OpeningAll of this was arranged by Conference Centre—all meeting cial for us strangers. Elaine Westlake, the Calgary By Ian K. Samways The beauty of the nave did Welsh Society volunteers, and David Matthews, Elaine rooms in a separate block. At The Opening Ceremony, and Westlake and the Local Venue the Westin we had no long not belie the sound we were the Welsh North American able to produce within it. Association Board of Directors indeed the entire Festival, were Committee, comprising mem- walks within the hotel, feeling opened by a prayer from an bers of the Calgary WELSH lost along the way. Acoustics in the Knox nave led by its splendid Executive were sonorous, proving spectac- Secretary, Dr. Megan Williams. elder from the nearby Stoney Society. The tone they set and Everything—Registration, Nakoda Nation - offered in his the amount of effort put into the Meals, Seminars, NAFOW ular for singing, feeding the Three years of effort, and we soul and all the senses. The lapped up all the milk and own language. This was an Opening Ceremony was an office—was in easy reach. honor of which I cannot possi- example of the exceptional stan- We were aware, however, singing was memorable, like honey within a few days! We being in an echo chamber with will be eternally grateful! See bly overstate the meaning and dards they provided to us that the stairs were a challenge importance, and it is simply throughout the festival for some, as there was no eleva- just the right delay. For me, the you all in Rochester, New soul of a Cymanfa Ganu, is get- York! impossible to think of a better The Ceremony went on to tell tor within the conference block. way of opening the Festival. We the story of the Welsh in In the hotel lobby, elevators ting immediate gratification from singing within an acousti- also were joined by a First Alberta, with members of the were unusually responsive, but Nations hoop dancer during the Society appearing as notable Opening Ceremony. What more characters from history. Under can be said about the tremen- the direction of Laura Styler, a dous honor of being joined - children’s choir delighted with Marketplace and Tearoom Give welcomed - by our friends from song. nearby First Nations communi- The Opening Ceremony was Warm Welcome ties? We can certainly celebrate one to remember. I can’t possi- By Berwyn Jones there. Among the old friends Doyle, Welsh-born Ontario - and identify with - their own bly thank them enough for who were there, though, were novelist. Miriam Roberts repre- victories, over time, in keeping adding this dimension to our distinct languages and cultures events of the weekend. Each year Martha and I spend Ninnau and Y Drych, giving out sented the Alberta Genealogical complimentary copies and sub- Society. Miriam has helped the alive and thriving against the much of the NAFOW weekend most overwhelming of odds. in the Marketplace at the Great scription cards. I don’t know Great Plains Welsh Heritage Plains Welsh Heritage Project how we could keep up on Project, and it was good to meet booth. We shared our collection what’s happening without it. I her again. And dare I mention of translations about settlements think everyone should subscribe the photo of Martha Davies’ in Alberta from Y Drych. We and contribute articles the way lovely visage in her penwisg, let our friends come to us, our grandparents did in the old her face lighted up with joy instead of hunting around for days. And several people after having been inducted into them! It’s a great way to see all remarked how much more has the Gorsedd of Bards? of our friends from all over been in it in recent years. It real- A fantastic Silent Auction, North America and Wales. You ly is a bargain. with loads of great items. And are all so dear to us, we look Our two great lovespoon the tearoom had great tea and forward to seeing you each carvers were both in residence, Welshcakes. year. It’s almost like homecom- carving next year’s raffle Everyone we met remarked ing! lovespoon. Last year’s raffle on what an outstanding job the Several of our favorite ven- raised over $2000 for NAFOW Board and the Calgary Welsh dors were absent this year, pre- expenses. What a lovely gesture Society did with the arrange- sumably because of Customs by these two talented young ments this year. I’ve never seen regulations. We missed you, but people, Laura Jenkins and so many local volunteers. They some Calgary shops took up David Western. Several were everywhere, with their much of the slack, including the exhibitors unique to the Calgary cheery smiles and Western hats, Tea Trader, who supplied the area added a special flavor this eager to help and very knowl- tea shop, and the British Pantry, year: The Frank Slide, Barry edgeable. David and Mona and we thank you for being Marks, local artist, and Barrie Matthews and Elaine Westlake were absolutely outstanding leaders. Diolch yn fawr iawn, you! The seminars, too, were A special thank you to Beth Landmesser for exceptional, thanks to Jeanne providing the photographs from the Jindra and the local leadership. Merlyn Williams tells the story of mining in Alberta during North American Festival of Wales. the Opening Ceremony

Page 10 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 North American Festival of Wales IONA Wows Once Again By Bob Roser has produced 14 different pan- and at least one Breton number Celtic cds. For the Calgary to inflict the pain of the bom- IONA is probably the premier NAFOW, the band put together bard on the unsuspecting. But Celtic folk band in the a special cd with the Welsh then to take a page from Dafydd Washington, D. C., metro area tracks from all of their earlier Wigley’s book (who referred to and possibly the entire Mid productions. the Welsh as the Irish who Atlantic region. I have had the I remember writing a review couldn’t swim), the Bretons are pleasure of being on the same for Ninnau several years ago for the Welsh who could swim. bill with them many times and their latest CD. I remember There were several Cornish to have been invited to their writing “that voice” in reference numbers to lead off some sets. home for some really hooting to Barbara’s amazing and sultry Bernard reminded everyone that ceilidhs. They have been play- vocals. I was sitting next to one the Cornish used to be called ing together for 30 years now. of the volunteers from Calgary the “West Welsh” and Cornish While some of the musicians who was wearing the traditional is Barbara Ryan’s ethnic her- have come and gone, the “hard Welsh costume. Unfortunetly I itage. core” is made up of Barbara did not get her name. As soon IONA’s also played at the Ryan and Bernard Argent (hap- as Barbara began singing, my Fredericksburg 27th Annual pily married couple except neighbor turned to me and said Welsh Festival in Fredericks- when Bernard is practicing his “that voice”. burg, Virginia, alongside bombard). IONA take the stage in Calgary While IONA did focus on DragonFyre and Moch Pryderi Also performing for us in Welsh tunes, both instrumental (who played at the NAFOW in Calgary were Jim Queen (fid- way is an adjunct professor of The first time was in and vocal, a number of other Cleveland) and the Stafford dler extraordinaire, banjo and Celtic dancing at George Mason Minneapolis in 1999, which I tunes were added. One Scottish Regional Chorus. vocals and really bad jokes), University. also saw. dance tune for Kathleen Chuck Lawhorn (bass) and This was IONA’s second Usually at these events, the (Bernard did mention that it had Kathleen Larrick (dancer and appearance for the North band has a selection of their cds been played by Robin Huw percussionist). Kathleen by the American Festival of Wales. for sale. Over the years, Iona Bowen, so that was alright then) Calgary Workshop:What Will You Remember on Friday, October 21, 2016? By Huw Christopher ter across the world was reflect- ing with the rescue effort. ed in the fund opened by the When she joined the rescue Where were you on Friday, Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil. The effort her task as a nurse pri- October 21, 1966? This was a Mayor set up a fund which marily involved washing and question that Dr. David Gwyn received over 90,000 contribu- cleaning the bodies of the chil- invited people to consider at the tions received from over 40 dren who were brought out from Thursday workshop at this countries for a total of over 1.6 the school before their parents year’s North American Festival million pounds. were allowed to identify them. of Wales. Dr. Gwyn reminded Unfortunately the use of this Merlyn and Joyce brought with people that while they may not fund almost became a second them many newspaper accounts remember the date of John F. disaster in the community. Dr. of the disaster which they had Kennedy’s assassination, they Gwyn highlighted the way in brought originally from her likely remember where they which the response of some home in Wales and which they were when they heard about it people was to pray and of others had had laminated for partici- and the same for other major to blame the National Coal pants to review. These were events in history. Board, especially when earlier later placed on a table in the He went on to remind every- warnings of the danger of the marketplace where all of those one of the way in which at 9:15 tips moving had been ignored. attending the Festival could a.m. on the morning of Friday, Dr. Gwyn mentioned the fact read about this disaster. October 21, 1966, after several that on October 21, 1966 he Joyce also mentioned the Sue Stealey studies the collection of Aberfan newspapers days of heavy rain, the front himself was in Junior School important role her father, Tom part of colliery waste tip No. 7 and about the age of many of Lewis, had had in the communi- which were displayed in the Marketplace. on the hillside overlooking the the children who were killed so ty’s struggle to have the remain- town of Aberfan in the Merthyr that had been the impact of the ing tips removed and in working all such tips in South Wales in provided an opportunity for oth- Valley, about 20 miles north of event on him. with the many different and dif- light of this disaster and in most ers to be informed of this signif- Cardiff in South Wales, became His presentation, though, was ficult decisions related to the cases, following their closure, icant, yet tragic event in the his- use of the monies contributed to all evidence of the coal mines tory of South Wales. Hopefully, the disaster fund. For his ser- which had been responsible for this workshop and the singing vice to his community he was these tips, we run the danger of of the hymn, Bro Aber, written honored by the Queen with an losing evidence of a very signif- in memory of this tragedy, at MBE (Member of the British icant part of the history that had the afternoon Gymanfa Ganu Empire). transformed the life of South session will make Friday, In addition to Merlyn and Wales for several generations. October 21, 2016 a significant Joyce Williams, Dr. Gwyn also This workshop enabled many day of remembrance for all who gave me the privilege of sharing participants to recall their own participated in this year’s festi- some of my experiences on the awareness of the Aberfan disas- val. day of the disaster and the days ter almost fifty years ago and following as a student at the South Wales Baptist College in Cardiff. As a native of Mountain Ash just over the mountain from Aberfan the area was quite familiar to me. In his presentation Dr. Gwyn showed pictures of the arched Dr. David Gwyn leads the session ‘Raining in Aberfan’. memorial in the cemetery where many of those who had died liquefied and moved down the made more personal by Merlyn were buried. This memorial is hillside at high speed. In its path and Joyce Williams, who had visible from the main A470 it destroyed a farm and twenty emigrated to Canada the year road from Cardiff to Merthyr. terraced houses along Moy after the disaster and have lived Joyce Williams showed a pic- Road and slammed into the in Yellowknife, Northwest ture and spoke of the park and northern side of Pantglas Junior Territories. Joyce grew up on garden where the school had School filling classrooms with Moy Road, three doors from been and of other memorials in over 30 feet of thick mud and Pantglas Junior School, in the community to the disaster. rubble. Despite heroic rescue Aberfan. They had been married In reminding participants of efforts the final death toll was in the community just a year the post-traumatic stress which 144. In addition to five of their earlier and at the time of the dis- many in that community still teachers, 116 of the dead were aster and were living in suffer today Dr. Gwyn and children, between the ages of 7 Morriston in South Wales, Joyce Williams reminded par- and 10, almost half of the chil- where she worked at the ticipants that the impact of these dren at the Pantglas Junior Morriston Hospital as a nurse. and other disasters does not dis- School. Disasters related to the As soon as they heard of the appear once they are no longer mining industry were not new to disaster they both left their work the attention of the news media. the South Wales Valleys but and drove to Aberfan. Joyce This was an important reminder what made the Aberfan disaster was relieved to find that her in the light of so many tragic so memorable was the fact that parents and their home were events of which everyone is most of those killed were not safe. She recalled the way in made aware in a frequent basis. working in the mines but were which the front hallway of the As a heritage consultant and Joyce Williams shared her collection of newspapers from the children attending school. The house was lined with coats and conservationist, Dr. Gwyn ques- Aberfan tragedgy. emotional response to the disas- bags left there by people help- tioned whether the removal of November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 11 North American Festival of Wales Calgary Seminar Highlights By Jeanne Jones Jindra from earliest to modern times, joined together once again to with demonstrations by Elsa present The History of Dr. David Gwyn, a Heritage and Ceri. The duo also per- Lovespoons with hands-on Consultant from Wales, opened formed in the MarketPlace, in a examples. Both were available the special events portion of the Friday afternoon performance, for discussion during the week- 2016 NAFOW with Raining in and they hosted the Noson end at their table in the Aberfan: Fifty Years of the Lawen. NAFOW MarketPlace. Welsh Industrial Landscape, in We welcomed back Cincin- WNAA Treasurer from the Thursday lunch/workshop. nati, Ohio, native Dr. Jerry Owego, New York, David Dr. Gwyn was joined by Huw Hunter, who is now the Pro Allen, presented some signifi- Christopher and Merlyn and Vice Chancellor at Bangor cant changes to the tax laws that Joyce Williams, who con- University in Wales. Dr. Hunter have major implications for US tributed their own personal sto- presented his research on Evan taxpayers in his Friday Coffee ries of the disaster that devastat- Jones and the Cherokee, and Talk, Investments and Legacies. ed the small Welsh town of facilitated the 3-part film docu- Finally, those who needed Aberfan 50 years ago. (see Huw mentary accompanying the sem- practice singing the Welsh Christopher’s article in this inar. hymns for the Sunday Gymanfa issue) Dr. Gwyn also presented The 2016 National Welsh- sessions were able to attend the two seminars on Friday and American Foundation’s Her- Ysgol Gan, an informal session Saturday, Outstanding Value? itage Medallion Winner, Dr. Ceri Jones and Elsa Davies perform as Deuair. led by Tudur Eames, musical The Slate Quarrying Grenville Thomas, Vancouver, director of Cȏr Meibion Landscape: Gwynedd Council’s was one of the Welsh- Colwyn, and Sunday Gymanfa Slate Industry of North Wales Canadians who presented semi- story to life in her vivid portray- Interpretive Center, discussed Conductor. He was accompa- World Heritage Bid and Great nars in Calgary. His seminar al of David Thompson’s wife. the programs of the Center nied by Karen Jones Wojahn, Little Trains of Wales. was titled From Coal to Hefina Phillips, Swansea located in Crowsnest Pass, and who also organized the late- Welsh nature observer and Diamonds, telling the story of native now residing in Toronto, shared the film that re-enacted night singing sessions. brought her usual excitement the great rock avalanche that and fun to the task of learning devastated the town and the the Welsh language at NAFOW. lives of the people that were Not a seat was to be had in involved. Hefina’s Welsh I & II classes. Dave Western from Canada, Carys Lewis, a Welsh-born and Laura Jenkins Gorun, Ohio, Toronto-based actor, presented Beyond the Pail, a four-charac- ter, half-mask play examining life in rural Wales. Word of the exciting play quickly spread after Friday’s performance and by Saturday afternoon the room was filled to capacity. The Red River Welsh Folk Dancers (Dawnswyr Gwerin Yr Afon Gȏch), a group of tradi- tional Welsh Folk Dancers from the McConnell School of Dance, performed with musi- cians Alan Owen, Susan Hefina Phillips making friends with festival attendees. Hammer, Paul Hammer, Mary Robinson and ‘Yr Enaid television presenter known for his career as a pioneer in the Gymraeg’ in the ballroom in a wearing shorts in any weather, diamond mining industry in noon performance on the Friday Iolo Williams, entertained his Canada, beginning in Wales of the festival. The Red River Welsh Folk Dancers (Dawnswyr Gwerin Yr audiences with vignettes from when he worked in an under- Cathy Pisony, Program Afon Gȏch) performed Friday afternoon. his own career in his seminar, ground coal mine. Dr. Thomas Coordinator for the Frank Slide My Career in Wildlife and also explained that his seminar could in Wonderful Welsh Wildlife. also be called “Serendipity”, This “wildlife in Wales” theme meaning the luck of finding was carried through in seminars valuable or pleasant things that Welsh Organizations by Natalie Buttriss, CEO of the are not looked for. Meet in Calgary By Dale Richards members of Welsh societies “The Welsh of Chicago”. It is a would like to receive newslet- well-written book. The AWO (Affiliated Welsh ters from other Welsh societies. The remainder of the time Organizations) met this year on Up to this time there have been was spent with each member Friday, September 2, 2016, in five societies sharing their detailing what is happening in the Lake Louise Room at the newsletters with the group who their societies. Here are some of Westin Hotel in Calgary. asked for them. This is one way the activities/events that were I would like to begin by to see what other Welsh groups talked about; thanking Judith Brougham of are doing. I realize that many of •Welsh Folk Dance class Kansas City for taking the notes our AWO’s may not have the •Pub Nights for this meeting ability to have a newsletter but •Welsh language classes/ The following representatives if you do and would like to join Welsh conversations from the member organizations in this endeavor, let me know •Travel films and speakers were in attendance: Robert and you will be added to the •Eisteddfodau Dayton and Dave Williams list. •Welsh flags at city halls on from St. David’s Society of Many of our AWOs have St. David’s Day Pittsburgh; Richard Donohoe of Facebook pages and websites •Welsh choirs Allan Falconer with Dr. Cledwyn Haydn-Jones. the St. David’s Society of that can be accessed. The •Booths at Celtic events Charleston; David E. Jones WNAA has a Facebook AWO •Genealogy classes from Washington, D.C.; Pat page that can be utilized to ask •Book clubs Vincent Wildlife Trust in Dr. Wayne Davies, an author Morris and David Llewelyn questions and share ideas. •Gymanfa Ganus Wales, as she presented The and professor born in Wales Williams from Vancouver Information can be shared •Welsh picnics Pine Martin Recovery Project, now living in Calgary, present- Welsh Society; Danny Proud quickly on this site if used prop- •December teas documenting the Trust’s suc- ed the important local Welsh from the Cambrian Heritage erly. cessful attempt to restore the history element in History of the Society, Madison, Wisconsin; At last year’s meeting, Arturo An hour and a half goes by small pine martin carnivore Welsh in Canada. Dr. Davies Judith Brougham of the Welsh Roberts suggested that we cre- very quickly and some of the back to the landscape of Wales. cites that “although the numbers Society of Greater Kansas City; ate a manual for the AWOs that members did not get their time The Vincent Wildlife Trust also (of Welsh) were relatively Charlotte Prior of the Welsh would have all the pertinent to speak. This is something we held a reception on Friday small, their contributions were Society of Central Ohio; Dilys information for societies to refer will address ahead of next evening of the festival with Iolo considerable, although all too Rana of the Cambrian to. I am starting to work one year’s meeting. Williams as special guest. (see often forgotten.” Benevolent Society of Chicago; and if anyone would like to help If readers of this article have separate articles on Iolo Dr. Cledwyn Haydn-Jones, Gwen Foulkes of the Cambrian- by giving suggestions it would any suggestions, comments, cri- Williams and the Vincent born in Bangor but now living Welsh Heritage Society of be appreciated. tiques, please let me know at Wildlife Trust in this issue) in Calgary, entertained his audi- Eastern Iowa and Western Dilys Rana was congratulated [email protected]. Other presenters from Wales ences with his portrayal of the Illinois and Meagan Langer of on the publication of her book, this year included the charming intrepid Canadian explorer, Cymdeithas Madog. Elsa Davies and Ceri Owen- David Thompson. He ques- As the AWO liaison and Jones, who form the group tioned just how Welsh was this meeting moderator I began the known as Deuair, meaning “two great land geographer and what session by discussing what had NINNAU & Y DRYCH words”. The History of the Harp evidence exists to back that been accomplished since last in Wales gave attendees the claim. Dr. Haydn-Jones’ wife, year’s meeting in Columbus. United to serve you better chance to learn of Welsh harps Julia White, helped bring the Last year we decided to see if

Page 12 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 North American Festival of Wales Making friends with Welsh Martens By Natalie Buttriss It was great to be back in Canada since I was last in the country in 2001, when I was honeymooning with my hus- band in British Columbia. Back then, it was a memorable expe- rience watching Canadian wildlife and now, fifteen years on, here I was talking about Welsh Wildlife with the won- derful people attending NAFOW this year. Doing this alongside the enthusiastic and inspiring Welsh wildlife presen- ter, Iolo Williams, was the icing on the cake! Whereas Iolo’s seminars were on the wildlife of Wales gener- ally, my seminar focus was on a Calgary’s Kathleen Johnson dressed in Welsh costume with particular mammal species which is becoming increasingly Natlaie Buttriss. important to Wales – the pine east of Aberystwyth. The high- martens are faring. Rhiannon Gressler with her harp and Katherine Freestone. marten. This is a cat-sized light of the presentation was, of I made many friends and met member of the weasel family course, the great news that at many acquaintances at my first and closely related to the least three of our translocated NAFOW. Special thanks to American marten. My organisa- females had given birth to kits Dale and Andrea Richards for Youth Competition- tion, The Vincent Wildlife in spring this year – the first sponsoring my seminar and to Trust, is leading an eight-year known Wales-born pine martens members of WNAA and project to help the pine marten for many decades. So the scene Calgary Welsh Society who A Great Success! in Wales recover from an all- is set for a pine marten popula- made me so welcome. I really By David Matthews Indeed, it was Ian’s sixteen- time low in its population. The tion to once again thrive in the enjoyed the programme and year-old sister, Rhiannon, who Pine Marten Recovery Project woodlands of Wales. meeting everyone – keep up the Congratulations to the four accompanied Katheryn and Ian is taking action to boost the At the Trust, we believe this good work. competitors who captivated a beautifully on the harp. population of native animals will be good not only for the It would be great if the very appreciative audience with Rhiannon also competed in the through the licenced trapping of natural environment but also for Welsh-North American commu- their first-class singing. Two of adult song competition. martens in Scotland where the the communities and businesses nity could be part of this natural the competitors, Ian Gressler Jane Davies and Elizabeth species is abundant and recover- around where the martens settle: heritage project. Perhaps you and Katheryn Freestone trav- Harper also have this wonderful ing well. providing eco-tourism opportu- have business or community elled over three hundred kilo- love for music. They are both Being very handsome and nities and an additional wildlife links to Wales that might bene- meters from Drayton Valley, members of Laura Styler’s photogenic, the martens in my attraction for all to enjoy. fit from this work? To support Alberta, to participate. The music program and singing photographs and video clips So next time you visit Wales, the project over the next five other two competitors, Jane classes in Calgary. Readers may were well-received by my audi- look out for news and sightings years, please visit our website: Davies and Elizabeth Harper, recall that Laura was a past win- ence. I was able to tell the story of this elusive and very attrac- www.pine-marten-recovery- were Calgary ‘locals.’ It was ner of the David G. Morris of how ‘our’ twenty martens tive small carnivore – an indica- project.org.uk. You can also wonderful to experience their award in 2013. Both Jane and had been translocated in the tor that all is well in the forested sign up to our e-newsletter. youthful enthusiasm and the Elizabeth were also a part of the autumn of 2015 from the landscape of rural Wales. In the very high standard of their per- children’s choir that played a Highlands of Scotland to an future, I hope to be able to tell Diolch yn fawr. formances. very active role in NAFOW’s area of forest in mid-Wales just you more about how the Fourteen-year-old Ian Gress- Opening Ceremony. ler hails from a very musical This was the first time in family with a strong patriarchal many years that the Youth [fif- Welsh connection. The family’s teen years and younger] Wonderful Welsh Wildlife influence was such that a niece, ‘Singing Solo’ category has nine-year-old Katheryn heard been included in the NAFOW By Dilys Rana about the eisteddfod and, as eisteddfod. It proved to be an excellent decision. Two programs at this year’s aunt Trudy Gressler reports, North American Festival of ‘wanted in on the action.’ Wales in Calgary shone a spot- light on the unique, wonderful, and, sometimes, endangered wildlife species that make their Eisteddfod Attracts homes in Wales. The Pine Marten Project, presented by the CEO of the Vincent Wildlife Top Talent Trust, Natalie Buttriss, gave us a closer look at this organization’s intensive efforts to reintroduce an animal that was close to extinction in Wales. Shy by nature and nocturnal by habit, these small, cat-like carnivores are slowly building up numbers in the Welsh woodlands with the support of a dedicated army of Iolo Williams volunteers and graduate students. explain away bad grades to his like to! One of their greatest champions parents, who knew nothing of his Iolo is a GREAT storyteller is the BBC nature presenter, Iolo escapades. and many descriptions of his Williams, who feels as though His passion for wildlife was exploits with wildlife, both in their re-emerging presence, close evident with every example he Wales and in many other wild to his home in mid-Wales, is like gave of an adaptive special trait parts of the world, had us all in “…welcoming back an old that placed the creatures in a stitches. Whether standing tall, friend.” superior category to their human looking fierce, and attempting to The youth competitors performed alongside the winners in Iolo had his audiences spell- counterparts. How many of us squeak out a strangled scream to Saturday afternoon’s concert. bound with his tales of a life have air sacs in our face and scare off a mother bear protect- The Eisteddfod at this year’s Saturday afternoon, the win- spent monitoring and protecting chest to protect us when we dive ing her cubs in Alaska, or trying North American Festiavl of ners performed at the winner’s the birds and animals who live in headlong into water like the gan- to talk to the camera over the Wales was once again a huge concert. Winner of the Hymn the landscapes and seascapes of net, or possess the endurance of shotgun farts of silverback goril- success. In addition to the new Singing competition was Gwyn Wales. From an early age, he a tiny flycatcher which flies las in Africa, his love for his sub- Youth Singing Competition, Jones from Wales. Jack Owen was attracted to the outdoors, thousands of miles between jects was palpable. His biggest participants entered the Adult from Pittsburgh won the Solo and fascinated by the abundance Wales and West Africa every hero, world renowned nature Solo Voice, Hymn Singing and Voice Competition and Rigby of creatures that inhabited the year? He was scathing in his presenter David Attenborough, David Morris semi-professional Jones, Santa Ana, CA took first woodlands and hedgerows contempt for egg collectors who continues to be a great source of competition. pace in the David Morris com- around his boyhood home in regularly rob nests in early inspiration. Without a doubt, Festival accompanist Steve petion and will compete at the Powys. He credits his grandfa- spring to add unusual specimens Wales should be equally proud Jensen did a wonderful job and National Eisteddfod in Wales ther with being a “massive influ- to their large, private collections. of its native son, Iolo Williams; was joined by adjudicators next August. A full article ence” on him; taking him on The red kites of mid Wales fierce advocate and protector of Tudur Eames, Robert Lewis, about Rigby will feature in the nature walks and encouraging have been particularly vulnerable Welsh wildlife, and a Welsh- Eirian Wyn Lewis and Karen next issue of Ninnau. him to hone his skills of observa- and, when volunteers are avail- speaking Welshman whose love Wojahn. Recitation winners were Glyn tion by lying face-up under a Recitation competitors Long from Montana for English able, the nests are monitored by for every inch of his home coun- hedge to look for a well-hidden rifle-toting militia in the hope try comes shining through. entered English language recita- Language and Welsh Recitation nest. He amused us with tales of tion, and for the first time, on went to Nesta Davies from that they will scare off intruders, For more information, check site sign-up was permitted for Wales. ditching school to spend days in although they are not allowed to out his website: Welsh language recitation. Congratulations to all! the fields, and of then having to shoot them, much as they might iolo williams.co.uk

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 13 North American Festival of Wales 2016 Hertiage Medallion Presented in Calgary By Philip Davies evening opened with the tradi- accept the Heritage Medallion, tional procession of the leaders NWAF’s highest honor for his Calgary presented a very dif- and guests of the two organiza- contributions as a loyal, pas- ferent face for those newly tions to the strains of Men of sionate and generous returned from the National Harlech played by Steve Jensen. Welshman. He is our greatest Eisteddfod of Wales in After the Canadian and contemporary explorer, Abergavenny. At the western American national anthems prospector, discoverer and end of the Canadian prairie it were sung, the benediction was entrepreneur. We honor him has the Rockies as a spectacular given by the Reverend Eirian most of all for so much that he background. The city manifests Wyn Lewis the well-known has given back to his Welsh the wealth and prosperity Baptist minister from communities both in Canada derived from the harvest of the Mynachlog Ddu in Wales. and in Wales. Robert Lewis oil from Alberta’s tar sand Hywel Davies, Past President, came to sing, almost entirely in reserves. However, the atmos- WNAA in his familiar role as Welsh. His prodigious voice has phere in the Westin, home to Master of Ceremonies, intro- brought him two of the National NAFOW for four days, was joy- duced the members of the top Eisteddfod’s most prestigious fully and entirely Welsh. After table. A sumptuous dinner was awards; the Osborne Roberts the wonderful opening program enjoyed by all before we moved Blue Riband in 2015 and more on Thursday night it was time on to the main program of the recently the Towyn Roberts for the joint banquet of the evening. Scholarship at Abergavenny this Grenville Thomas receives the 2016 Heritage Medallion from WNAA and NWAF on Friday The event served to bring to summer. NWAF Secretary Philip Davies. evening. The banqueting hall the stage two distinguished indi- Grenville Thomas was intro- a biography and a movie. parents Ian and Ella and girl- was full to capacity and every- viduals, both born in Wales. duced by Merlyn Williams, his Grenville and Robert’s jour- friend Charlotte. Robert one was in a festive mood as the Grenville Thomas came to dear friend from their childhood neys to Canada and to Calgary received a standing ovation and in Wales and later in happened at very different times this was followed by stirring Yellowknife. It was an introduc- and for entirely different rea- rendering by the audience of tion made with flair and humor sons. Grenville came soon after Hen Wlad fy Nhadau to bring permeated by the deep sense of graduating in 1964 as a mining the formal part of the evening to admiration and community that engineer from Cardiff a close. Many of us lingered to they had shared over the years. University to work at a nickel spend communal time together To commemorate the occasion mine in Sudbury, Ontario. For as seen in the photograph of the Grenville then accepted the Robert 2016 brought the oppor- friends from Yellowknife. They Heritage Medallion and plaque tunity for his first visit to brought a very special sense of from NWAF secretary Philip Canada to share with us his bril- friendship and welcome to the Davies. Earlier in the day liant vocal talents. This, as whole Festival. Grenville gave a wonderful described in detail elsewhere in Both Grenville and Robert seminar when he told his life this issue by Dafydd Evans, he left for the United Kingdom story, from his childhood in did in great style accompanied shortly after the Festival ended. Wales with Merlyn and others by Steve Jensen. Our story with Grenville travelled on business to his amazing adventures in Robert Lewis begins at the and Robert to begin his third Canada and elsewhere. He was National Eisteddfod in Meifod year of studies at the Guildhall introduced at the seminar by in 2015 when he won the School of Music. We wish them another good friend, Brian Osborne Roberts Blue Riband. both success in their endeavors, Lewis, and then surrounded and For the third year the NWAF the future of Welsh life wherev- prompted by his Yellowknife offered an opportunity for the er they go will be brighter and friends he regaled us with the winner to come to North better for their presence and Old friends gather to honor Grenville, the Welsh community enormous achievements and America to perform at contributions. who once lived together in Yellow Knife. contributions that he has made NAFOW. This allowed Robert over the years. A life worthy of to come accompanied by his Performance By Young Welsh Tenor Robert Lewis By Dafydd Evans This includes operatic arias Lewis captured the mood and Manhattan Beach, CA written originally with French, lyricism of the song. Italian or German lyrics and Cymru Fach by David Robert Lewis, this year’s also applies to French Art songs Richards is a song deeply loved Banquet Concert solo per- or German Lieder. So, transla- by Welsh people. It is a must former, is the son a tions are available for the set for an audience of ‘expats,’ con- Montgomeryshire farming fami- competition pieces. juring up a love of Wales and a ly. At only 18 years of age he Opening with Paradwys y longing for the homeland. Some was the youngest recipient of Bardd by W. Bradwen Jones years ago at the National the Osborne Roberts Memorial (1892-1970). a favorite of many Eisteddfod was held in Bro Award at the 2015 National Welsh performers and is a real Ogwr, South Wales, the adjudi- Eisteddfod of Wales and was test piece with a challenging cators of the “Chair’ poetry the featured performer at this dramatic range for the voice and competition announced that the years Grand Banquet Concert. interpretation of the lyrics. Chair would not be awarded Robert has very significant suc- Robert Lewis has a lovely voice that year as there were no wor- cess’ in Eisteddfodau, open and solid singing technique and thy submissions. The large singing competitions, and interpretive skills, and is at ease crowd in attendance for the appearances on Welsh televi- on the stage, developed over the ‘Chairing Ceremony’ was sion and broadcasts and many many times he has sung in pub- deeply disappointed by this turn concerts. Presently he is a third lic. of events, and a palpable glum- Robert Lewis, left, with festival accompanist Steve Jensen. year student at the power house Silent Moon by Vaughan ness fell over the audience. But of performance singing educa- Williams was next on the pro- a soprano came on stage and Llanrwst, music by Gareth wonderful NAFOW accompa- tion, the Guildhall School of gram. Vaughan Williams’ fami- sang a beautiful rendition of Glyn’s setting of his fathers’, nist Steve Jensen. Music and Drama in London, ly heritage was Welsh and Cymru Fach and raised the spir- poet T. Glynne Davies’, poem The last song of the concert England. A young Welshman English. On his paternal side the its of the audience. Robert expressing his love for his home was Arafa Don by R.S. Hughes. whose strong build gives a hint family was prominent church- Lewis sang this song with heart- town of Llanrwst. The song is A real rafter shaker of a song of his strong, well rounded men and lawyers. His grandfa- felt emotion. full of ‘hiraeth’, soft and lilting with barely a phrase under a tenor voice. As well as his many ther and uncle were judges and Fleur Jet ee, by French com- and has a lovely melodic tone. forte. The singer scolds the sea competition successes he his father an Anglican Priest. poser Faure, is a song of requit- Morgen! music by Richard for taking his brother to the bot- already has a very solid back- On his maternal side his mother ed love where the rejected lover Strauss’ setting, poem by John tom where no one knows where ground in singing in recitals, was part of the famous pottery compares false love to a flower Henry Mackay. This is a very he is and is no tombstone. But, concerts on television and radio. family Wedgewood, and also which withers to dust and is interesting song as the poet John when God’s trumpet calls even A fine start to what will become Darwin, yes, of Origins of the blown away by the wind. This is Henry Mackay, was born in the sea has to give up its dead. a sterling career as a classical Species fame, was his mothers a short piece and requires a lot Scotland to a Scottish father and Very vigorously and well sung. singer. uncle. Vaughan Williams com- of energy and a mixture of a German mother. But the father The audience rose and gave The program selected by posed a very large and diverse anger and hurt. Well sung with died when John Henry Mackay the young man a very hearty Lewis was well thought out and amount of music in his long and the required emotion. was a small infant and the and prolonged applause for per- took into full consideration the illustrious life, and he believed Dies Bildniss ist bezaubernd mother and child moved back to forming a fine concert and gave audience’ background and that the human voice was the schon (O image angel like and Germany, where the poet was loud requests for an encore. expectations. The chosen songs oldest and greatest of musical fair) is the principal tenor aria raised. Strauss and Mackay Robert Lewis reprised Cymru in the program covered a range instruments. Silent Noon is a from Mozart’s opera Die knew each other but Mackay Fach and the audience left after that displayed the scope of this song from the English Song Zauberflote ( The Magic Flute.) was arrested and died under enjoying a very good evening of young singers vocal capabili- Book with lyrics by the poet A beautiful aria that comes mysterious circumstances in music. This young man will go ties. Especially interesting, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti and one quite early in the opera and is Germany in the 1930s. This a long way in the music world for me brave, was the singer’s of the poems from Rossetti’s deceptively difficult to sing, as short and exquisite song is often and we all send him our best choice to sing all but one piece series The House of Life. A Mozart has much of this aria in thought of a piece for the piano wishes. in his native tongue—Welsh of restrained, atmospheric but a transitioning part of a tenors’ with voice accompaniment course. Performing songs in romantic song, with beautiful voice. The aria was sung very rather than the other way Welsh is required under the melody. This was the only song well with easy transitions and around. A lovely collaboration conditions of competition at the that Robert Lewis sung in the right amount of wonder- here between the singer and the Welsh National Eisteddfod. English, not Welsh, and Robert ment and emotion..

Page 14 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 North American Festival of Wales Cor Meibion Colwyn Attracts Full House By Dafydd Evans ‘Cowboy Carol’ by appropri- Hafan’ and ‘Ty Gobaith’ which ately, Canadian artist, author, are hospices in Wales for limit- The Grand Concert is, of and western song writer Cecil ed life and at risk babies and course, always highly anticipat- Broadhurst, certainly brought a young people. All the leading ed and high standards are different character to the con- singers and choirs in Wales sing expected. As usual the large cert. When the choir started this very uplifting joyful song. audience was delighted. Cor singing it brought back a distant This piece was a very fitting Meibion Colwyn was on top of memory of being asked to go to finale to the program’s first their game and performed a cloistered Anglican Covent in half. excellently under the direction the Buckinghamshire country- The first section of the second of their new Musical Director, side in England, to sing with a half of the concert was called Tudur Eames. Mr. Eames took small group to the nuns. It was a Cor Meibion Colwyn Presents: different experience as we A celebration of Welsh com- full musical advantage of the Cor Meibion Colwyn perform to a full audience. opportunities in his youth, and essentially sung to a large heavy posers. Though I visit Wales is a graduate of the Guild Hall curtain, hiding the nuns. Each often, some of these composers School of Music and Drama in time we sang a Christmas are not familiar to me. I discov- London specializing in harp and song/carol a lay member of the ered that they are significant piano performance, and is a convent came and thanked us. I composers. ‘Clychae’r Gog’ Calgary Soloist well known vocal coach. The wonder what the nuns thought (‘Bluebells’) music by Gareth excellent accompanists were when we sang with gusto, the Glyn and words by R. William Richard Hibbs and Mary ‘Cowboy Carol.’ On this night Parry, started the section. A Shines Darling. The choir has a long it the choir sung with joy and lovely choral piece and Colwyn By Dafydd Evans and successful history perform- gusto and it was thoroughly did it justice. ‘Fy Mhlentyn’ enjoyable. Well after all, (My Child) composed by Aled Edith Pritchard was born in ing throughout the UK and Edmonton, raised in Okanagan, other countries over the years, Colwyn is in the West, North Wyn Edwards, who was until West that is, of Wales. Ending recently the conductor of Cor and studied in Vancouver and and has raised over $220,000 Toronto before going to the for various charities. The venue the first section of the concert Colwyn, is a lovely soft melodic was ‘Amen’ which features the piece of music, and perhaps Royal Northern College of for the concert was Knox Music in Manchester, England. United Church, a lovely large traditional spiritual ‘This Little composed for the choir. The She said that when in England traditional church with splendid Light of Mine.’ A happy and choir did a very nice job with she went through a period of acoustics. The choir sat on built popular choral piece with this music. ‘Ceiliog Ffesant’ having no dates. Then she met risers behind pulpit and facing emphasis on the ‘Amen’s’ (Cock Pheasant) music by her husband who, of course, by Mared Emlyn, words by J.M. the surname, is Welsh. Edwards. This piece was com- After completing her musical missioned by the choir and was education at the Royal Northern sung, along with the prior two she embarked on a successful pieces in this section, at the singing career, performing with 2015 National Eisteddfod. almost every opera company in Though not placed in the top the UK, including Glyn- three at the Eisteddfod the choir debourne Festival Opera, deput- received high praise from the ing as Fiodiligi in‘Cosi Fan adjudicators. Ryan Davies was Tuti’, and with The Royal a man of huge talents and Opera, Covent Garden, singing among the best entertainers mezzo soprano roles. Ms. Edith Pritchard Wales ever produced. A favorite Pritchard is now a voice and on TV and on stage, he died music instructor at Calgary by singing “If I love you you’d after a brief health episode University. Ms. Pritchard opened her first better watch out”, is coveted by while on holiday in Buffalo, session with ‘My Little Welsh mezzo sopranos. This is where USA. ‘Pan Fo’r Nos Yn Hir’ Home,’ composed by a very her excellent training and expe- and ‘Ti a dy Ddoniau’ are often important musician, W.S. rience in opera was evident. performed and deeply loved in Gwynne Williams. He was born Edith Pritchard would have Wales, were sung to close out seduced any stern- faced Tudur Eames directs Cor Meibion Colwyn. in Llangollen, North Wales. this worth while section. ‘My little Welsh Home’ is a Spanish soldier. Then alas, we came to the In the opera, both Carmen beautifully crafted piece of and Jose pay the ultimate price. outwards, giving the choir plen- which are well written into the final section with the Cor music, and yes, it is full of main body of the song. Again a Meibion Colwyn and Edith But then that’s opera, and the ty of room and providing a very ‘hiraeth’. Ms. Pritchard sang it Welsh are justifiably famous good view of the choristers to fast pace requiring excellent and Pritchard performing together. beautifully. ‘Y Nefoedd’ opera singers. Then came “Ah, the audience. The number of precise diction which the choir Llanfair, music Robert (Heaven) By T Osborn Roberts quel diner! (La Pericole) by recordings of the many Welsh provided. A fitting ending to the Williams, words William again a favorite Welsh song was Offenbach, where the singer first section. Williams and arranged by sung with feeling. Cor Colwyn Male Voice Choirs is very and the audience were invited to sings when, in the opera at least, large, and some say ‘well it’s The program’s first half con- Mansel Thomas. This much she’s drunk, or at least seriously cluded with the choir singing loved and mighty hymn was sing the chorus along with Ms. usually the same pieces on all of Pritchard which of course we did. tipsy. The thing that’s difficult the recordings.’ This has some firstly three folk songs arranged performed in full voice and in performing this is not to go by Mervyn Burtch. Having been appropriate ‘hwyl’. What a The final song for this group truth in it, but it is also true that, was ‘Hiraeth.’ arranged by over the top, and to be sure that especially in live concerts, ‘we away from Wales for many lovely surprise came with Calon the diction and timing is correct. years I wasn’t familiar with the Lan arranged by the conductor Brian Hughes. The tune of this know what we like and like lovely folk song is unusual and Edith Pritchard did this funny what we know.’ So we expect to composer’s name. So by going Tudur Eames, to the lovely haunting. Somehow it brings up little aria delightfully and the hear the choruses and mighty onto the internet I discovered melody ‘The Rose’ by Amanda a feeling of ache and longing audience was greatly amused. that he was a prominent and McBroom. The words fitted the “Just another Rhumba” by hymns for which Welsh choirs for that is a part of being Welsh. George Ira Gershwin, I had not are justifiable famous. highly respected, prolific com- melody beautifully. Chwarelwr A friend said that the French poser, whose compositions (Quarry Man) composed by the heard before. But it is lively, The concert opened with have a saying which is “a long- and if course very rhythmic. Gloria by Italian Baroque com- cover a wide range, including wonderful country singer and ing for the land,” But this is music for children, operas, sym- composer Rita MacNeal, born Like many Gershwin songs it is poser Vivaldi. Vivaldi was an only partially of how this writer quite difficult to perform with ordained Catholic priest who phonic pieces, string quartets and raised in Cape Breton, feels. Beautifully sung and and more. This set comprised of Nova Scotia. The song arranged the right dance movement and spent most of his professional remains a favorite of Welsh not to be sung by the untrained. life as a music teacher at an ‘Dacw Nghariad,’ ‘Ar Lan y by Haydn James well known people who know the deep feel- The lyrics by Ira Gershwin orphanage for girls, and wrote Mor,’ ‘ Deryn y Bwn.’ The first choral conductor, has a close ing of Hiraeth. make the song very funny. The much of his choral music for the two are of course highly roman- connection with coal miners and Edith Pritchard opened her accompanist for the number got tic, which were very smoothly quarry men. With the history final set of three songs starting school choir. This piece is short with the well-known so involved that he jumped up with a fast tempo, and was sung sung. ‘Deryn y Bwn’ a chil- and struggles in coal and slate from the piano and danced with dren’s song was sung lightly but quarries in Wales the song res- ‘Habanera’ from Bizet’s opera with precision and excellent Carmen. It’s a role, and in par- her. The whole section was very dynamics. Immediately it was with a lively tempo and a sense onates with us. A lovely country entertaining and very profes- of fun. Very nice trio of folk song however and chorister ticular this aria, where she obvious that the concert was taunts the hapless soldier Jose sionally performed. going to be very good. songs. ‘Unchained Melody’ by Hywel Roberts sang a solo part. Gwahoddiad came next, Mark Brymer, also known as ‘O Very apt with the connection arranged by John Tudor Davies my love,’ is one of the most between the working men in MBE, who for many years was popular and recorded songs of Nova Scotia and the home land. the pianist accompanist for the the 20th ‘Sing’ is a song com- Finally Cymru Fach, music by famous Cor Meibion Rhos- posed with lyrics by the two David Richards words by T. YR ENFYS very renowned and popular Lewis. Oh my, at the end of this llanychrugog, This arrangement Quarterly publication of Welsh expatriates the world displayed the choir’s lovely composers, Gary Barlow and lovely concert how could it not blending and tonal quality. The Andrew Lloyd Webber. The fail to bring tears to eyes, and over. Your link with Wales and the overseas Welsh unaccompanied section was par- song was written for the Queens tears did flow. Edith Pritchard communities. Bilingual content. ticularly moving.’ For the Diamond Jubilee. The com- sang solo along with the men. Beauty of the Earth’ by the posers say that it was to cele- A fine night of music with an highly acclaimed and popular brate the Commonwealth. Very abundance of emotion, much Published by Wales International. Cambridge University choral fitting for a Welsh festival in needed in this world and we composer John Rutter, came Canada. ‘Hafan Gobaith’ music certainly received a full share of For further information contact: next. A lovely flowing hymn of by Delyth Rees, words by Eleri it at this concert. Many thanks praise and thanks for all that’s Richards, is an inspiring song as to the choristers, pianists and J.B. Jones, 7 Victoria Rd., Old Colwyn, it is closely associated with ‘Ty soloist for a lovely evening. beautiful on earth. Clwyd, LL29 9SN, Wales, U.K.

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 15 North American Festival of Wales Songs of Praises The 85th Gymanfa Ganu Reverberates! By Richard P. Donohoe Calon Lân, Arwelfa, Rachie, Blaenwern, Rhys and, of course, The centerpiece of the Cwm Rhondda, which tradition- NAFOW, the 85th National ally concludes the Gymamfa Gymanfa Ganu, was held on Ganu. Sunday, September 4, at Knox Three hymns that are not United Church in Downtown included in the hymnal were Calgary, in the customary two inserted in the Program Book sessions at 2:00 in the afternoon and included in the singing: and 7:00 in the evening with Berwyn, with a tune by Caradog Tudur Eames, Musical Director Roberts, the composer of of Côr Meibion Colwyn, con- Rachie and In Memoriam; Bro ducting and Steve Jensen, Aber, a mid 20th Century hymn; Milwaukee, Wis, accompanying and St. Clement, with a tune by Knox United Chuch, full of 2016 festival on the church’s large pipe organ a late 19th Century English attendees for the Gymanfa Ganu. with its four manuals and 5000 composer Clement C. pipes. C\Scholfield and text by a late In the customary pattern, each 19th Century English hymn session included fourteen writer John Ellerton, both cler- The Holy Spirit hymns in sets of four and three gymen, with Welsh verses translated by R. D. Roberts interspersed with announce- Tudur Eames leads the 85th ments and special music. Côr Following the benediction, Works Through the Colwyn, the festival choir from Gymanfa Ganu. the customary closing ceremony North Wales performed at each took place, with the flag passed session along with Robert Memorial Award, singing in the from the chairs of the Calgary Internet Lewis, nineteen-year-old tenor evening session. festival to the chair of the 2017 By Huw Christopher Lazarus in his painting, The from Montgomeryshire who Popular hymns in the after- Rochester festival followed by a Raising of Lazarus, to remind performed at the Grand noon session included rousing rendition of Hen Wlad As I participated in the very him of the difference the power Banquet, singing in the after- Gwahoddiad, Penpark, I Sing Fy Nhadau and, hands linked, a inspirational worship service of of Jesus had made in his own noon session and Rigby Jones as a Bird (Rwy’n Canu), heart-warming rendition of God the North American Festival of life, and he challenged us as of Santa Ana, California, Panyfedwen, Sanctus and Morte Be With You Till We Meet Wales on Sunday, September 4, “Onward, We Go Singing,” to Winner of the David Morris Christe. Popular hymns includ- Again. at the Knox United Church, I remember the familiar words ed in the evening session were wondered how many people and the affirmation and prayer who were sharing in that service we make as we love to sing, realized that most of the people “Guide me, O Thou Great who were leading worship that Jehovah, pilgrim through this Here For the Singing morning had met only about 15 barren land, I am weak, but By Michael Wojahn minutes before the service start- Thou art mighty, hold me with ed. This truly was a service Thy pow’rful hand.” I’m just back from Calgary in planned across many miles Gwyn Jones, a member of the Canada where I was attending through e-mail and the power of Cor Meibion Colwyn and win- the North American Festival of the Internet. Those responsible ner of the Hymn Singing Wales. That’s Wales without for the service were the pastors Competition at our Festival of Knox United, Greg Glatz and Eisteddfod, continued the theme an H. Wales is an area of of the sermon in his solo during Britain. It’s on the west side of Dave Holmes, and their very able Office and Facility the offertory as he pointed to the island. Welsh folk were the English translation of the there before the Romans, Manager, Sue Forsyth, in Calgary, Alberta; the preacher Welsh hymn he was singing in Saxons or the Normans. Their the Voices United Hymnal as “I language is more ancient than for the day, Eiran Wyn Lewis in North Pembrokeshire, South Heard the Voice of Jesus Say.” most in Europe and has given Megan Williams, the few words to the modern Wales; the organist, Steve Jensen in Milwaukee, Executive Secretary of the English language. It very near- Wisconsin; with assistance from Welsh North American ly was a dead language since Elaine Westlake and David Association, read the names of the rest of England tried to out- Matthews of the Calgary Welsh members of the Association and law the language, but it and it’s Society; Megan Williams in of the Calgary Welsh Society people still survive. Trumansburg, New York; Ian who had died during the past Many Welsh people emigrat- The singing goes on, late into the night with informal singing at the Westin hotel. Samways in Pittsburgh, year and Margaret Miyagishima ed to the Americas where they Pennsylvania; Kay Thomas in read the names of members of became miners, teachers, farm- growing up years. esting sounds for the rest of the Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Knox United Church who had ers and businessmen. If you see myself in Pasadena, California! died. After each name a rose someone named Jones, Roberts, School years also contained more common English vowels. music. I took piano lessons, After 40 years of attending Pastor Dave Holmes remind- was placed in the vases by Williams and a host of other ed all of us of our uniqueness Serana Dimarzo and Nadia names, you can probably trace studied the clarinet and bass Minnesota based Gymanfa’s violin, those things never took and a few national festivals I and yet how all of us are Dimarzo, young people from their roots back to Wales. beloved by God as he spoke of the Calgary Welsh Society. I go to Welsh/American with me, but singing did. I can almost pronounce the joined a barbershop chorus and words, there is no way I can the Pride Parade in Calgary and Family members of those events for the singing. It’s the we shared in a blessing of those named were invited to take one only reason I go, well maybe the church choir and continued understand more than a few of singing harmony when I settled them. The Welsh joke that it is from the Knox congregation of the memorial roses following not since I married into a who left to participate in that the service. Welsh/American family that has into my own place, I still do. a language in which you cannot That tells you why I love to sing buy a vowel. Their words seem parade. His theme was very The concluding “prayers of been, and continues to be very appropriate also as we celebrat- the people” included a response active in Gymanfa Ganu’s (or with the Welsh, it’s for the har- to be all consonants. Much of mony. the time I will just sing on a oh ed our Welsh heritage in the from the hymn, “For This Land more properly Cymanfa Canu) midst of a very diverse commu- in All Its Wonder,” by Carolyn and many other things Welsh. It The Welsh have a joy of har- or keep singing the same mony that is hard to contain. English verse over and over. nity like Calgary. We affirmed Winfrey Gillette set to the tune is only half a joke when I tell this truth later in the service as Cwm Rhondda as everyone folks that I had to audition to You will be just as likely to find I’m not the only one. There are them bellowing out a hymn at a many a Welsh descendant that together we sang the first two responded to the petitions by join the family. Welsh and first two English singing, “May we follow where I’m of German/Prussian/ rugby game or a pub as you is doing the same. would in church. Music seems It is perhaps the habit of verses of the hymn, “In you lead us, God, this is our Norwegian decent. When I was Memoriam,” found at number hope and prayer! God, this is growing up I remember my to fill them. They will let any- singing in harmony that most one with a similar joy of harmo- draws me to Welsh music. Yes, 28 in the Welsh North our hope and prayer.” This dad’s family singing German American Gymanfa Ganu response together with all of the and American songs at family ny join in. The most difficult you can find songs that have part of singing with the Welsh only the melody line, but most Association hymnbook, with the hymns being set to Welsh tunes gatherings. There were violin- English words of Frederick and the prelude and postlude by ists, pianists, accordion players is learning to sing Welsh. are 4-part harmony. Many For those of you unfamiliar Welsh enclaves in the Americas William Faber reminding us Steve Jensen also being based and guitar players, and that was that “there is a wideness in on Welsh tunes helped to pre- just the men. One uncle had a with the language, it contains 28 have a habit of holding letters, and leaves out about 6 or Gymanfas at least once a year God’s mercy” and that, “the pare those who shared in the polka band. On my mother’s love of God is broader than the Morning Service for the side we had a great aunt who 7 letters usually found in locally and a “National” or English. DD and LL are actual North American event annually measures of man’s mind; and Gymanfa Ganu sessions that had run off to Hollywood to that the heart of the Eternal is afternoon and evening. join the music scene then came letters of the alphabet for them. also. In Wales there have been The rules for the differences Gymanfa’s going on for over most wonderfully kind.” We can indeed be deeply home to work in a music store The Welsh lesson from Psalm grateful to the pastors, leaders, and give piano lessons. Holiday between F and FF give you a 1,000 years. ushers and members of the hint as to why English is at So if you have a hankering 84 was read by Morfudd Jones gatherings there were filled with from the Calgary Welsh Society Knox United Church for the Norwegian and American times so hard to pronounce and for singing in harmony and hear gracious welcome they extend- spell. Their list of vowels also about a Gymanfa Ganu, and Ann Farebrother, a member songs. Music was part of my of the Knox congregation read ed to us as they allowed us as includes W, and has some inter- Cymanfa Canu or Welsh part of the North American Festival of Song, check it out. the English lesson from John 11:1-16. Eirian Wyn Lewis Festival of Wales to share in Join in as they sing out those their Morning Worship Service The next issue (Jan-Feb) is to publicize used this story of Jesus raising your best opportunity hymns and folk songs. I know Lazarus from the dead in John in such a meaningful way, and your March 1 events. Send items for Calendar of Events, announ- you’ll have a great time. 11 as the basis of his sermon. as they prepared the bulletin and special inserts and provided the cements and advertisements as soon as possible, deadline Dec 1. - He reminded us of how the Dutch artist, Rembrandt, had wonderful reception following used his own face to picture the service.

Page 16 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 North American Festival of Wales Attendees Tour Buffalo Jump and Fort MacLeod By Dale Richards coyotes and wolves. The term Our guide took us around to the used was “buffalo runners”. various exhibits to explain the “Oh, Give me A Home They were young men trained in purpose of the fort, which was Where the Buffalo Roam, where animal behavior to drive the the headquarters of the North- the deer and the antelope play.” buffalo into the drive lanes. At West Mounted Police, the fore- On Thursday, Sept. 1, 50 or so full gallop, the buffalo would runner of the RCMP. members of the NAFOW hunt- fall from the 36 foot high cliff, The Royal Canadian Mounted ing party went looking for these breaking there legs, rendering Police was created in 1873. It buffalo. Alas, we did not find them immobile. If any buffalo was established to bring law and them but we would come across survived the fall, they were order to the Canadian west. The a site where they once roamed. killed because they would not need was particularly urgent This was the purpose of our trip, be able to tell the other buffalo given reports of American to see where the mighty buffalo where the jump was. The pro- whiskey traders causing trouble once existed in the thousands. cessing of the buffalo included in the region. The fort that was Our journey began by head- all parts- tools from the bones, built was named for Colonel ing south down the Deerfoot hide to make dwellings and James MacLoed, the man who Trail, Highway 2, towards the clothes and, of course, food. In led the North-West Mounted United States. The trip would take us 2 hours through south- Arriving at Fort Macleod ern Alberta to the World known as the home of the Buffalo Jump. As mentioned Heritage site of Head Smashed - Stavely Indoor Rodeo, the before, it was designated a In Buffalo Jump and eventually world’s first indoor rodeo and World Heritage Site in 1968. Fort MaCloed. The Jump is the last remaining grain eleva- The museum and interpretive located in the foothills where tor. The others were removed center are built into the ancient the Rockies meet the Great when the Canadian Pacific sandstone cliff in naturalistic Plains. Railway, that once ran through fashion. It is very unassuming, I must first acknowledge our the town was closed. The other meaning that it does not take hosts for our journey, members town that we passed through away from the surrounding of the Calgary Welsh Society, was Claresholm where , in landscape. As our group stepped who planned a a good time for 1941, the Royal Canadian Air from the bus, we were greeted us on this long trip. Curt Ansell, Force Station was established to by members of the Blackfoot our bus driver, Norman Pierce train pilots for service in WW nation who would be our guides and Jean Kuhn from the society II. for the tour. We broke into 2 would keep us entertained with Every so often, as we passed groups. After seeing a short a few activities. To start, they through these towns and movie about the site, we were passed out raffle tickets which through the countryside, the raf- led to the top level of the center would be pulled for winners as fle tickets that we were handed where we walked a long path Spectacular scenery at Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. we traveled along. Water and were pulled and the winners out to the actual site of the buf- candy were passed out to keep were awarded a prize. The win- falo jump and an explanation of Blackfoot, the name for the site Police. us hydrated and fed if we want- ners of the raffle drawings were; what occurred back then, 600 ed . is Estipah- skikkine-kots. After experiencing the fort Jack Owen, Patricia Shaw, years ago. It was a very windy According to legend, a young and its history, we were ready to Before we started, Curt spoke Marcia Dahlman, Dafydd Evans day, I’m sure because of the to us to say that the restroom on Blackfoot wanted to watch the return to Calgary. On the return and David Timmer. Jack also flatness of the surrounding ter- buffalo plunge off the cliff from trip, as we settled in our seats, the bus had no handle, so any- won first place in the Male rain. one with a need to go to the Ty below, but was buried under- the hosts came around with Voice Solo at the Eisteddfod In order to understand what neath the falling buffalo. He water, candy and song books. Bach would have to ask for the and Dan’s wife Mary won a pic- actually happened back then, I door handle. I think we survived was later found dead under the We sang a few of the favorite ture at the Ninnau reception. would like to give a short histo- pile of carcasses, where he had songs; ‘Cwm Rhondda,”, Calon that issue. Also on the ride, we were given ry. On the trip to the Jump, our his head smashed in, thus the Lan, and Ar Hyd Y Nos. The a Welsh history quiz where we Before the introduction of name of the site. final song was “We’ll Keep a hosts were very good at point- had to answer 25 questions. The horses, the methods used by the ing out facts about certain towns After purchasing gifts from Welcome.” 2 winners of the quiz were Blackfoot to drive the buffalo the shop, we boarded the bus for Thank you Calgary Welsh that we passed through. The Hefina Phillips and Dale from their grazing area included first town was Nanton, which is our final stop, Fort Macleod. Society for a great tour and Richards. setting up “drive lanes” that After lunch at the Kof C in great hosts, Norman, Jean and home to the Bomber Command Finally, this is what we came were lined with hundred of Museum of Canada is home to; Fort Macleod, we proceded to Curt. for. Our first stop on the tour ‘cairns”, a human made pile of the fort to learn of its history. Stavely, a farming community, was to Head Smashed In- stones. They would dress up as A Welshman Takes the Helm on Lake Minnewanka By Mary Lynne Evans was not the original lake. The same circle over and over.” natural lake had been dammed “Yes,” said Will later, when Iceberg?? That’s what I heard and deepened to provide asked about the circle. ”The fig- Captain Tim Latter, our guide hydropower to the town of ure 8 thing was harder than I on the Lake Minnewanka Banff in 1941. We actually thought. It didn’t happen. Other cruise, just say. drove across the dam to get to than that, the boat was extreme- Along with approximately 60 the dock. The resort village of ly responsive.” other NAFOW participants, I Minnewanka Landing was relo- Captain Tim sought to divert was aboard the Alberta cated during this process. our attention from the drama by Explorer, a 38 ton sightseeing Submerged portions of the vil- explaining unusual natural boat in Banff National Park, lage make the lake popular with forces in Banff. First he Canada. As required by the scuba divers doing underwater explained what exactly happens National Transport of Canada, archeology. And as is the leg- during rutting season with elk ships of this size must have two end with many submerged vil- and deer. Several folks had licensed captains/engineers on lages, underwater bells are heard the elk bugling during the board. Our captains, Taylor reported to ring their muffled night even down in Banff. Then Lowery and Tim Latter, were complaints, according to one he explained the mountains dually licensed so it seemed we local guide. were prehistoric seabed, filled were in good hands. Captain A mile wide and thirteen with fossils, layered with con- Taylor expertly swung the craft miles long, the lake has been trasting bands, then thrust, fold- away from the dock, while stocked with a non-native ed and pushed skyward by tec- Captain Latter explained the species of trout. One picture of tonic forces. Glaciers later safety features of the boat. a very happy fisherman showed scooped out the U shaped val- “Underneath your seat is a a catch about 2-3 feet long. leys. In contrast, he said, the life vest, in case we come into Tim explained this fish was American Rockies are granite contact with Icebergs,” he said. being phased out in favor of the and metamorphic rocks. The Was he being droll? Just kid- more local species of bull, Will Jones Fanning, rewarded for promoting Welshness two ranges are cousins, but defi- ding maybe? brown and speckled trout, nitely not twins. But I had just come back which are suppressed by the most to advance the cause of their seats and fasten their imag- As our hour closed, Will from Antarctica where I had larger species. There in the Welshness? “ A number of inary seat belts. The wind relinquished the wheel to seen icebergs up close. Even the wilderness of Canada, where we voices said, “Will Fanning.” picked up; white caps slapped Captain Taylor, and she ably smallest were formidable, hid- had seen trail signs warning us “Come on up, Will Fanning,” the side of the boat. Will said docked the ship. Under the first ing their true power beneath the of bear activity, it seemed said Tim, “and drive the boat.” later, “I never expected to be drizzle we had felt that day, we waves. And I had seen the incongruous that this lake was A surprised Will went up and able to drive such a boat. The proceeded up to the buses, movie Titanic three times. I man altered and man stocked. took the captain’s seat. Captain wind started blowing. Taylor which had come across the checked under my seat. There Nevertheless these rugged Taylor instructed him momen- encouraged me to speed up and causeway. Later our bus guide was indeed a life vest. thrust-fault mountains, dominat- tarily and then left him to his try some things. I wanted to do explained that the dam is a The blue-green lake actually ed by Mt Aylmer (10,324 feet), own devices! Never mind ice- a figure 8.” favorite spot for the locals to looked calm. Heavily forested the grey skies threatening a bergs! A new threat had That might explain what real- watch the aurora borealis, spec- slopes, a monoculture, Tim storm, and a brisk breeze chop- emerged, I thought. ly happened. “Oh no,” said one tacular this year. We marveled lamented, dipped steeply to the ping the water gave a sense of Will opened the throttle. The participant. “We are going at this national park, where lake. Streams cascaded from natural power and grandeur. boat burst forward. Several faster.” “Look “said another, wildness meets with man-made. the snowfields above. Then Captain Tim asked, folks standing decided to take “Will is going in circles, the Sort of like Will’s driving. But the lake we were seeing “Who on this boat has done the

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 17 Wales Review By Lise Hull A DRIVE TO almost double inpatient beds and treating 3.5 primary school have been struck the number of Welsh speakers million patients annually. down by the High Court. to one million by 2050 was A RECORD-BREAKING Denbighshire County Council unveiled by the first minister at weed has been discovered in planned to close 56-pupil Ysgol the National Eisteddfod. Conwy county. The 198cm Pentrecelyn, near Ruthin, where Carwyn Jones stressed the (78in) tall hawksbeard, or Welsh is both the language of workplace, family, schools and crepis, plant was found by the classroom and the school- the planning process as the key Clwyd West Conservative AM yard. A larger dual-language areas for action. Alun Davies, Darren Millar and his son Toby school, Ysgol Llanfair Dyffryn minister for the Welsh lan- while they were out walking last Clwyd, was also to close before guage, admitted it was a “delib- month. It has now been official- the two schools merged on a erately ambitious” target. But ly certified by Guinness World purpose-built new site. But the Plaid Cymru’s Sian Gwenllian Records as the tallest of its type decision that the new school called the announcement ever found. The plant was spot- would have a Welsh-English “another superficial stunt.” The ted by the pair while they were bilingual teaching environment 2011 census reported a drop in walking their dog near their caused bitter disagreement Eileen Younghusband the number of Welsh speakers Dr. Barry Morgan home in Kinmel Bay, and they locally. woman whose talent for mathe- from 582,000 in 2001 to immediately wondered whether The plans were approved by matics helped foil German V2 562,000, about one in five of it was a potential record break- the council in October last year. bombs in World War II has the population. Traditional until then. He was born in the er. But Aron Wyn Jones, a 19-year- died. Eileen Younghusband, 95, Welsh-speaking communities village of Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, ARCHAEOLOGISTS old former Pentrecelyn pupil, from Sully, was part of the have been said to be under near Neath, read history at believe they have found a log- challenged the decision in court Women’s Auxiliary Air Force threat from young people mov- London, Theology at boat dating back to the New - and was finally handed victory and in later life became an ing away to find work and new Cambridge and trained for the Stone Age in Monmouthshire. by two senior judges. It was the author, writing about her war housing developments attracting ministry at Wescott House, Work on a housing develop- first ever judicial review of a experience. Born in London, incomers who do not speak the Cambridge, and studied for a ment on Wonastow Road, near decision to close a Welsh-lan- Younghusband worked in the language. doctorate while a university lec- Monmouth, was halted when guage primary school. The pro- filter room during World War PLAID CYMRU’S founder, turer. the remains were uncovered. posals to create a bilingual Two, the top secret hub of Saunders Lewis, has been rec- ONE OF THE “finest” por- The pieces of wood have been school in favor of a Welsh Britain’s air defense, which ognized with a blue plaque on traits of the Jacobean era has radiocarbon-dated to 3210 BC medium school caused uproar in processed information from the Swansea home where he been bought so it can remain at and were uncovered on a site the local community who start- coastal radar stations to give air lived. Although born into a its home in mid Wales. The which is thought to have once ed a campaign which had the raid warnings and enable the Welsh-speaking Merseyside 17th Century miniature painting been a lake. The discovery was backing of former pupil and RAF to intercept German family in 1893, it was during his of Edward Herbert, 1st Baron made three years after a Bronze Hollywood A-lister, Rhys Ifans. bombers. After D-Day, she was time as a lecturer in Swansea Herbert of Cherbury, was paint- Age boat building was found at THE ONLINE publication of sent to Belgium with a small that Lewis rose to prominence. ed in watercolor on vellum by a site one mile away. old tithe maps is shedding new team of women who used their The plaque was unveiled by Isaac Oliver. It will be restored ONE OF THE first medieval light on Wales’ changing agri- mathematical skills to locate the Swansea council. It is close to before going back on display as manuscripts written in Welsh cultural fortunes over the past mobile launchers for V2 rockets the area of Hanover Street in the star attraction at Powis has been published online after two centuries. Maps and docu- being used to bomb London and Uplands where he lived with his Castle, near Welshpool. It was it was bought at auction and ments from the 1840s show that Antwerp. In 2012, she was father between 1916 and 1924. bought for £2.1 million by the returned to Wales from the U.S. arable farming was far more awarded the British Empire He was the party’s president National Trust with help from It’s believed the 14th Century common in 19th century Wales Medal for helping to campaign between 1926 and 1939, while the National Heritage Memorial book, the Laws of Hywel Dda, than it is today – even on the against cuts in adult education. it gained little electoral success Fund and Art Fund. The art- was taken to America by Welsh highest mountains – while trees A MONMOUTHSHIRE during this time, it was credited work shows Herbert, who was a settlers in the 1700s. When it are now much more abundance hotel and restaurant have both with reawakening a sense of poet, socialite and philosopher, came up for sale last year the on farmland than in the past. An won awards in this year’s annu- Welsh identity in people. with his head resting on his National Library of Wales, army of over 850 volunteers al AA Hospitality Awards. The A DRAMATIC RISE in hand as he lies stretched out Aberystwyth bought it at auc- have digitized Wales’ 1,212 Whitebrook in the Wye Valley working farmers struggling to along the banks of a stream run- tion for £541, 250. The book tithe maps for the Heritage won the Wine Award, while make ends meet is being seen in ning through a forest. He bears outlines the laws of 10th Lottery-funded Cynefin project, also picking up four AA Wales, a charity has warned. a shield with a burning heart Century Welsh ruler Hywel Dda based at the National Library of rosettes, with The Angel Hotel The Royal Agricultural and the painting is said to (Hywel the Good) who created Wales, Aberystwyth. These in Abergavenny named Hotel of Benevolent Institution has tradi- reflect his life as a chivalrous the country’s first uniform legal were originally drawn up to the Year for Wales. Both estab- tionally helped retired farmers romantic. system. Few people have seen it keep a record of tithes, a type of lishments were given the and workers. But it gave work- A NEW PARLIAMENTARY and the manuscript’s condition tax payable by farmers to the awards at the event in the ing farming families 84% more map outlining plans to cut the had greatly deteriorated since Church. More than a quarter of Grosvenor House Hotel in in the first six months of 2016 number of Welsh MPs by more the 18th Century. a million field names are now London. The event, hosted this than in the same period of 2015. than a quarter has been pub- listed on the cynefin.wales web- year by comedian Hugh Dennis, Between 1 January and 15 July lished. The number of Welsh site, enabling historians and stu- aims to celebrate the success of 2016, Rabi Cymru gave out seats in the House of Commons dents to assess changes in land individuals and companies welfare worth £60,258 to fami- would fall from 40 to 29, with use in a way not previously pos- across the hospitality industry, lies still working on farms. For the size of Westminster con- sible. with the winners appearing in the same period in 2015 it was stituencies increasing. Labour - SPIDER SILK has been used the 2017 AA Hotel, Restaurant £32,739. Nearly a third of help which won 25 Welsh seats at to create a superlens for a and Pub Guides. The had gone to farmers in Brecon the last election - is likely to microscope, allowing scientists Whitebrook was taken over by and Radnor, the charity said, feel the biggest impact. Voters to view objects previously Chris Harrod and his wife at the with an 84% increase in cash have been invited to have their deemed “invisible.” Physical end of 2013, and since then has help given to working farming say during a 12-week consulta- laws of light make it impossible attracted people from across families in those areas over the tion, with the final report due in to view structures smaller than Wales to sample the wine list same period. 2018. The new constituencies 200 nanometers - the smallest and dine at the restaurant. ABERYSTWYTH is one of have been drawn up by the size of bacteria - using a normal DUE TO NEW financial the top-ranking universities for independent Boundary microscope alone. But scientists devolution powers Stamp Duty student satisfaction in the U.K., Commission for Wales under a from Bangor and Oxford uni- Land Tax will cease to apply in according to a survey. The formula set down under the pre- versities found the silk lets them Wales from April 2018, and in annual National Student Survey vious Tory-Lib Dem coalition see beyond the current magnifi- September the Welsh of nearly a third of a million government. Constituency cation. Bangor University said Government introduced its students found 86 percent in boundaries will change across extending the limit of the classi- replacement - dubbed the Land Wales are satisfied with the the UK, reducing the size of the cal microscope’s resolution had Transaction Tax and Anti- quality of their courses. Commons from 650 to 600 been the “Holy Grail” of Avoidance of Devolved Taxes Aberystwyth, which scored only seats. But Wales will see the microscopy for over a century (Wales) Bill. Similar to existing 83 percent last year, has risen to biggest proportional cut among James Sommerin and superlenses had been the stamp duty, the new tax will be 92 percent and is now above the four nations. All of the new goal since the turn of the mil- payable on the purchase or lease Oxford in the top 10. Bangor constituencies must have at FOUR WELSH restaurants lennium. Manufactured super- of a building or land in Wales and Swansea universities both least 71,031 voters. At present have made the Top 50 of the lenses have previously been over a certain price, with rates scored 90 percent. Among fur- in Wales, all but one of the coveted 2017 Good Food used but this is believed to be and bands to be determined at a ther education colleges in existing seats have electorates Guide. As the highest Welsh the first time a naturally occur- date to be confirmed. The new Wales, 92 percent of students at smaller than that. entry at number 34, Restaurant ring biological material had tax presented in the bill, which Merthyr and 91 percent of stu- SWANSEA HAS strength- James Sommerin in Penarth is been used to create one. is the largest ever presented by dents at Grwp Llandrillo Menai ened a century-and-a-half asso- officially the best restaurant in A LLANFROTHEN woman the Welsh Government at 220 said they are satisfied. ciation with one of China’s Wales for the third year in a is breaking boundaries and tak- pages, is largely similar to THE ARCHBISHOP of fastest-growing cities. It has row. Also making the Top 50 ing the Welsh language to the stamp duty, with a few changes Wales, Dr. Barry Morgan, will signed an agreement with for Wales is Ynyshir Hall, world via Skype. The Criccieth- including, new anti-avoidance retire next year after nearly 14 Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Powys, which ranks at number based business, Gwefus, run by rules, an exemption from the tax years at the helm of the Church province. It will see authorities 40. A new entry to the Top 50 Llinos Griffin, currently has for rent elements of new resi- in Wales and 24 years as a bish- cooperate in the fields of econo- this year is The Whitebrook in Welsh learners in eight different dential leases and changes to a op. Morgan, who is the longest my and trade, transport and Monmouthshire, which features countries including the United number of other relief rules to serving archbishop in the world- logistics, culture and sports, and at number 47, while Llangoed States and Spain. Llinos has be more relevant to Wales. wide Anglican Communion and education and tourism. Links Hall, near Brecon, is at number taught languages in France, THREE ANCIENT tombs also one of the longest serving between the two began in 1855, 48. The Top 50 is made up of Argentina and Spain, and is tak- high above Goodwick have bishops, will retire on his 70th when Swansea’s Griffith John the restaurants which scored the ing advantage of digital technol- been re-opened to the general birthday at the end of January. founded the Wuhan Union highest marks from the judges ogy to teach her native tongue public thanks to the generosity He will also retire as Bishop of Hospital. He set sail for China but the guide, owned by to people all over the world. of a landowner and the efforts Llandaff after more than 17 as a penniless 24-year-old mis- Waitrose, also features other Learners vary from complete of the Refreshing North years of service, having previ- sionary with a zeal to spread the highly-scored restaurants across beginners to fluent Welsh Pembrokeshire team. The three ously been Bishop of Bangor gospel through good works. The the U.K, with a total of 60 from speakers who may not have the Neolithic cromlechs, built in a for nearly seven years. He will hospital he founded is now, 150 Wales making it this year. opportunity to practice the lan- continue his work and engage- years later, one of China’s CONTROVERSIAL plans guage where they live. ments in both roles as normal biggest - with more than 5,000 to shut down a Welsh-language A VALE OF Glamorgan (Continued on page 32)

Page 18 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 NINNAU’s Literary Section Pages 19-22 The Oldest Welsh Newspaper in the Americas.

Near Aberdaron, Lleyn Peninsula, North Wales. Over the years, wind has forced the trees to lean one way. In the distance you can see the Irish Sea and Cardigan Bay on a beautiful February morning. Caption and Photo: Susan Davies Sit.

TIMEKEEPER By John Good

The ceiling fan- out of true- Should have known reaching over momentarily ticks in time with my shoulder the grandmother clock would touch off a dusting of ambiance our granddad spent The house still stands my childhood adjusting walls windows back door tinkering with its wayfaring fireside throwing light on other pendulum with a gypsy’s soul conversations a lottery of loss-gain stairs leading to other bedtime stories Luckily the clockwork Better to be a gypsy is forever out of step then and there just another here and now in grandma’s front room home a movable feast

Section Y Drych November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 19 The Shadow of Nanteos By Jane Blank Reviewed by Elizabeth Spencer Spragins Caneuon Cymraeg Heddiw Gan Edward W. Reid The Shadow of Nanteos pre- intensifies the tension among sents the 18th-century world of the three adults and ultimately Just before I went to Scotland for a well-deserved short holi- Welsh landed gentry through presents them with life-chang- day, I travelled across from my work week location in the the eyes of the unconventional ing choices. Rhondda to the Eisteddfod in Y Fenni (Abergavenny) on the and headstrong Elizabeth With skillful narration and first Saturday of our national festival. Although the first Powell. When her husband lyrical language, Jane Blank has Saturday is generally a bit slower in terms of the performances by leading Welsh pop and rock artists (as well as traditional William unexpectedly inherits created a world in which the artists) in recent years there have always been performances by the massive estate of Nanteos, wilds of Wales play a prominent artists of interest. This year was no exception, and the presence Elizabeth trades the bustle of role. Indeed, the forces of nature of a new wave of Welsh contemporary artists meant that from London for the stark beauty of prove as unpredictable and as noon onwards there was no lack of interesting performances to Cardiganshire. Although she dangerous as many of the darker listen to, so most of the afternoon was spent going from one to and her three children find rural characters in this haunting another, stopping off at some of the stalls between times to buy life enchanting, they soon dis- novel. some CD’s – I ended up buying more than ever, which means cover that their new residence Jane Blank has held a life- that there’s plenty to review in Ninnau the rest of the year! has a dark side. The dangers of long fascination with Nanteos, Admittedly the Eisteddfod is by far the main period of an unfamiliar landscape and the the Georgian mansion that is releases for Welsh CDs, but if the pre-Christmas crop is as superstitions of the local people now a five-star hotel near good as that which came out around the time of the Eisteddfod present challenges the Powells Aberystwyth. Her previous pub- we’re in for some treats well into the new year. are not equipped to face, and lications include Naked Playing their isolation renders the fami- the Cello and The Geometry of 5 i Ka Ching – compilation album ly particularly vulnerable. boundary disputes soon jeopar- Love. In addition to writing Furthermore, the inheritance dize this source of revenue. novels and poetry, she works Over the years I’ve heard brings not only new responsibil- When violence ensues, William for an environmental charity some great compilation ities but also financial worries. becomes consumed with legal and teaches in a Welsh- albums and many if not most As Elizabeth tries unsuccessful- battles that eventually take him language secondary school. of these have been of Welsh to London. During his absence, pop-rock music and have con- ly to adapt to her new role as Published in 2015 by Y Lolfa. sequently been reviewed here mistress of the mansion, Elizabeth finds herself attracted Available from Amazon US, in Ninnau. Ideally a compila- William discovers that the to Cai, the handsome bailiff CA and UK and the publisher tion album will expose you to estate is floundering under mas- who tirelessly champions mod- direct. music that you haven’t heard sive debts. The mines on the ernization of the mines. As the before and the very best of property are their last hope for managerial difficulties at these will make you want to keeping the estate solvent, but Nanteos escalate, the author explore the featured artists, possibly buying some albums that you wouldn’t have bought Rarebit and Rioja: otherwise. Many compilations have been brought out by Welsh music Recipes and Wine Tales from Wales labels, such as Angst and Sain to present artists on their label By Dylan Rowlands and Llinos Rowlands Reviewed by Keith Pellicano over the years, but quite often as well to mark anniversaries of Husband and wife restaura- and wine regions of the world some sort or another. This compilation follows the general teurs Dylan and Llinos for inspiration, but they are also trend, as it has been released by the Ka Ching label - a newish Rowlands have written a book wine importers and are on a label that has presented a number of innovative artists to the that touches on a range of topics mission to bring good wines and public during its five years of existence. As a label Ka Ching they clearly feel deeply about: the love of wine home to Wales. has mainly focused on ‘new’ artists, in that most of what they Wales, Welsh cooking, wine They have regular tastings at have released has been by artists who have come to promi- and travel. Because of the their family-run wine shop and nence in recent years or totally unknown artists who they have breadth of subjects covered, it admit it was challenging at first presented to the world, although there are one or two excep- tions to this. In any event, I saw this just before I headed for would not do justice to classify to discuss wine because of the the Eisteddfod and didn’t wait before buying it, and overall I this as a book on Welsh cook- lack of a wine vocabulary in the was very pleased with the album. ing. The Rowlands express Welsh language (“Byrlymus” = An additional reason to buy the album (particularly if you pride in Welsh regional cuisine “sparkling”). already have some material by the artists concerned) is that and culture but see nothing There is a chapter on wines some of the tracks featured are live versions or different mixes wrong with bringing in outside from unexpected regions, of tunes released on their albums, and in some cases (such as influences and creating new exploring interesting wines the track by Y Reu) they sound quite different! takes on old classics. from such little-known wine The CD opens with a track by the band Jen Jeniro, who I’ve Faggot, the Welsh comfort producing countries as Armenia heard of but not actually heard until now- and I must admit that food traditionally made of and Hungary. Included in this I was very impressed by their live version of ‘Powys’. This is “thrifty” off-cuts of meat gets chapter is a description of the followed by fairly established artist Texas Radio Band, but this the French terrine treatment enough European sophistication growth of wine making in track is better than I’ve heard them before. San Segur follows when made with pork liver and that it can be served as a canape Wales, though the authors note with a new track from them, and at this point I was thinking pork belly. The recipe for with a glass of Prosecco. The that the growth of vineyards “wow- this is really good stuff,” However, the following track Rarebit, which is so prominent a best known of all Welsh dishes, “haven’t overtaken sheep yet.” was the only English-language track on the compilation by Welsh classic that it made it lamb, is braised in Rioja for Rarebit and Rioja is pub- Violas but this was actually quite good as well and was in the into the title of the book, has all Riojan Lamb–inspired by a trip lished by Y Lolfa. Available same general style as the previous tracks. the right ingredients (cheese, to Spain. from the publisher or from ama- There was a bit more variety later on with tracks from artists bacon, Welsh beer) but achieves The authors travel the food zon. such as Siddi and Clwb Cariadon, and a bit of more main- stream sounds from Yr Eira, Swmami and Yr Ods which I did- n’t enjoy as much as the more innovative artists, even though they aren’t bad. But such is the quality of Welsh music these days that bands I would have happily listened to at other times Well-Read Dragons I find a bit boring just now. Overall the compilation is very good and it shows the vitality of today’s Welsh music scene with mainly up-and-coming Meet in Minnesota artists being featured. 5 i Ka Ching is well worth a listen and By Mary Morris Mergenthal the Welsh National Anthem: going out and buying and I give it 4.5 out of 5. Land of My Fathers. The book? Land of My Neighbours by Alun Gaffey – debut solo album About 15 members of the St. Alun Gaffey was a member David’s Society of Minnesota Barry Pilton. We anticipate of the well-known band Radio meet bimonthly to discuss good fun reading and consider- Luxembourg, which became books written by Welsh authors ing this title. Racehorses after the band’s or books about Wales. All On June 3, the group will read lineup changed and they start- books are in English. The Well- Addlands by Tom Bullough. ed doing more material in Read Dragons, now in its 10th The stark beauty of the Welsh English. Both bands were year, meet at a pizza parlor with countryside is given powerful known for being fairly innova- a meeting room. Members order life in this sweeping tale of one tive and they tended to sound lunch there in order to maintain family from World War II to the a bit different to the guitar use of the meeting room on present day. Language and liter- rock bands which dominated those Saturdays. In the newslet- ature intertwine in this tale of the Welsh music scene at the ter announcement, advice is family feuds and farming life in time and which largely contin- given about obtaining books at Radnorshire over seven ue to do so today. local libraries, the state library decades. Following the breakup of loan system or by purchase in The program year ends Aug. Racehorses, Alun Gaffey appeared with a tune on another com- pilation album and collaborated with other artists prior to local bookstores or online. Alun R. Jones and Gwyn 5, with Everything I Found on the Beach by Cynan Jones, a releasing his debut solo album this year. This was well On Oct. 1, the group read and Thomas will be featured Feb. 4. received in Welsh music circles and consequently I purchased considered The Owl Service by It is tragic that so little of writer receiving considerable acclaim in Wales currently. In this as the Eisteddfod and listened to it straight away on the trip Alan Garner, OBE. It’s a mod- Lewis’s seminal work is cur- back to Wrexham. ern interpretation of the story of rently in print. He was a gifted this book, readers meet a Welsh Alun Gaffey’s album is notably more electronic oriented Blodeuwedd, from The playwright, poet, Catholic apol- fisherman; Grzegorz, a Polish than almost any other recent album with the exception of the Mabinogion. ogist and Welsh Nationalist, migrant worker; and Stringer, dance oriented releases of artists such as Clinogol. This carries On Dec. 3, an often-read who wrote in Welsh. This col- an Irish gangster. They all want on from some extent from Alun Gaffey’s work with Radio Welsh author, Byron Rogers, lection was compiled when the chance to make their lives Luxembourg and Racehorses but is more pronounced here, and will be featured: The Bank Lewis was still alive, so he was better. One kilo of cocaine and this again makes it fairly unique on the Welsh music scene, Manager and the Holy Grail: consulted on all the choices and the sea tie them together in a even if we’re now getting quite a bit more than guitar bands or Travels to the Wilder Reaches approved the translations. fatal series of decisions. alternative rock bands at the moment. While there are a few of Wales. In this book of essays In light of meeting on April lighter weight tunes on Alun Gaffey’s CD, most of what’s here and portraits Rogers orbits in an Fool’s Day, the group has cho- is very good, with the best tunes being “Deinasoriad”, unpredictable, eccentric fashion, sen to read a light-hearted title, “Sothach”, and particularly “Hen Alawon”. Overall Alun as is often his wont. in itself a play on the words of Gaffey’s debut album is very good and I give it a solid 4 out of Presenting Saunders Lewis by a 5. Page 20 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 Section Y Drych Wicked Wales Series By Catrin Stevens Reviewed by Hal Gale The Appalling Victorians Quarrelsome Celts and The Victorian years spanned a great employer, converting the Rapacious Romans from 1837 through 1901. Life green valleys of southern Wales and the economy in much of to drab scenery. Unemployed The book is a lively collec- Wales was transformed by mas- men, women and children from tion of Celtic-Roman facts for sive mining, quarries and other all over southern England and teenagers and up, filled with labor consuming activities that Wales found a way in the mines startling facts and anecdotes returned little profit to the to earn their daily bread. Pay that mostly I had never heard Welsh people. Some of the was poor, working conditions before. It has a interesting for- Welsh left for the United States, dangerous. The Welsh pit mat that provokes giggles and many served in the Civil War, ponies were special beasts as occasional nausea: did they many created the mines of New well, who listened for the warn- really do that with mouse York and Pennsylvania near my ing sounds the walls and ceiling brains? original home. rocks usually made just before Why did Roman soldiers put Our Welsh ancestors rioted the stones came crashing down. bits of wool between their toes and revolted whenever condi- Creating the famous Welsh in their sandals: to keep sharp tions got too bad to tolerate: choirs from men singing togeth- rocks out and prevent chaffing. 1831-32:—“Scots Cattle” er must have been a challenge There are a few gross bits for the kids that like weird bits. riots for labor unions; Merthyr mon to improve the skills of with all the older men coughing Tydfil riots (24 killed). and wheezing with black lung This funny collection will fit Welsh students and punish with kids who loved the 1834-43:—“Daughters of when Welsh was spoken at disease. Slate quarries and the Rebecca” Riots; Welsh farmers tin works were no picnic either. Grimm’s Fairy Tales, but there school. are no fairies or giants either in dressed in women’s clothing (to 1880:—Children under 13 Notice that the profits went have demanded a long hungry play up their name) revolted mostly to the English lords who this one. were required to attend schools The approach gives both hike across Gaul (later called against excessive taxes at toll taught in English only. owned the mine works, not the France), then South to the gates; victory. Welsh owner of the surface Celtic and Roman antics, clev- 1889:—Secondary schools erness, gruesome glories and Forum above the Tiber River at 1839:—“Chartist” riots for opened, also English. land, nor the working laborer. Rome. fair political representation, 24 The workers attempted general antics a public view. Many 1891:—“Free” primary points are reinforced by multi- - By AD 410 the Celts voted deaths; partial victory. schools (in English) for all chil- strikes for better pay and safer with their spears and swords for 1886-92:— “The Tithe War” work, but were mostly defeated, ple-choice questions–and, fortu- dren: well not really free nately, the answers. BREXIT: the disgusted Romans to free Welsh Protestants from a because the taxes on the parents and starved, or went back to went home to Italy to fight ten percent tax to support the work. The following samples the were terribly high. odd and interesting: among themselves in the Church of England, whose bish- *** *** *** The Welsh use of names Coliseum and repent their wide ops were often absent and spoke linked to occupations or appear- -Welsh antibiotics discovery: Other Welsh customs and who would have guessed that open arms welcome to Eastern no Welsh. Victory. activities: ances got a look-at as well. Huns and Gothic immigrant Investigation of Welsh There seemed to be a shortage Celts recovered from battle Wedding by “jumping over wounds of sharp-edged weap- hundreds of thousands. Schools: “Treason of the Blue the broom”: This antic separat- of names, so lots of people were - Celtic daily clothing was Books.” Over the previous one tabbed by a first name plus their ons by fighting stark naked ed the drunks and unwilling except for their favorite whole- quite modern, with men wearing hundred years, Welsh education from those really in search of kind of work or some other tag; trousers except at war. Woolen resided mainly in the religious “Dai the horse” or Dai the dig- body paint job of Blue woad? life together, by jumping over a The dirty Romans wore filthy dresses warmed the women. In Chapel’s custody, suppressed horizontal broom about 18 inch- ger”. contrast, the ordinary Romans when only Anglican priests *** *** **** clothes that got jammed into es above the floor or ground. their wounds (naked was safer). wrapped themselves in long needed to read the Bible, but Catch a toe on the broomstick The Appalling Victorians swathes of cloth that looked like becoming of great importance was the most amusing of the And the Celtic body- paint of and the match was off before it woad was a good antiseptic to they were wearing dresses. with the spread of “Noncon- began! That makes carrying the three of the Wicked Wales - For the foodies: Romans forming” Protestants, who books written by Catrin reduce infections in sword or bride through the front door an spear wounds. I’m not clear brought leeks, cabbages, garlic thought all should be able to easy test. Stevens, which I have reviewed and other aromatic goodies to read the Bible. In 1847 an here. These three are the latest how the Celtic women warriors Religions of nearly every sort, dressed for combat, but their Wales. Smelly Roman troops investigation by three English but not quite as many as there in the series (2015) which total trying to be stealthy must have agents, who mostly collected seven books, in Welsh and shrieks and hair styles unnerved were taverns! That got up to the Roman infantry at the been a problem for Roman sol- opinions of Anglican English- nearly 2,000,000 church fests English. diers sneaking up at night on the speaking clergy and their pre- Quarrelsome Celts and Menai Straits. per year; keep the folks and kids - Already when the Romans Celts. ferred witnesses. (Internet post- busy and they’ll never get in Rapacious Romans was nearly ed that sections of the Blue as amusing and had lots of new invaded, the Celts fought with trouble. Oddly, children were the most advanced weapons of Yuck: mouse brain tooth Books reported that the Welsh permitted to play at funerals, so bits that were brand new to me. paste? Actually this unusual people were often smarter than “Woeful Wales at War” was those days: war-chariots from lots of critters got unexpected which they threw javelins and book manages to be amusing the English acquaintances of the burials; frogs, mice, wrens,.... well-written, but the topic was and educational at the same investigators, except for the too gruesome for me to enjoy by wild driving that terrorized Civil law punishments were the Roman infantry. time — I sent my copy to a speech impediment of speaking tough on the poor folks. A much of it. It did provide me a grandson. Welsh). better insight on what happened - I’m not sure if the Celts mother of starving children who were given citizenship in AD Published by Gomer Press. 1861: —Teacher pay began to stole a loaf of bread might be to the Welsh during WWI and be based on performance read- WWII. 214 when Emperor Caracalla shipped away from home to decided to make every free man ing, writing and arithmetic, all Australia for many years as The Wicked Wales series is of course taught in English to published by Gomer Press. All and woman of the Roman punishment. Empire a citizen of Rome. children who rarely knew Coal mining suddenly became three of the books reviewed English. Beatings were com- here are available on amazon Voting in Rome, Italy must Woeful Wales at War Some books should be read The use of poison gas proved to were given sanctuary deep in allowed to do in the early days by all modern citizens for the be as dangerous to the users as the tunnels of Welsh slate quar- of WWI), but death notices to facts and images of our parents’ to the attackers causing cessa- ries. To confuse the enemy, bereaved Welsh parents and and grandparents’ lives during tion of using that form of maps and sign posts of Welsh families had to be in official World Wars I and II. Nothing weapon in WWII. roads were burned, much to the English. remains of the rose-colored pro- German use of submarines to distress of allies forced to seek German and Italian prisoners paganda of the official stories of blockade Wales and other parts travel directions from the local were sent to work on farms in glorious deaths, austerity, of Great Britain had the unin- inhabitants. Wales. By this they had plenty poverty and suffering of the real tended consequence of motivat- Part of the text focused on of good food without needing to lives of soldiers at war, workers ing intervention against the events in Wales, such as amus- fear bombs on their heads like in the mines, women in ammu- Germans by the United States. ing views of the children evacu- in Berlin. Prisoner escapes hap- nition factories and at home. Women contributed to the ated from English cities to the pened, but accents of the World War I: A great acci- war in the munitions factories peaceful towns and farms of escapees had no resemblance to dental war. During four cata- where they suffered sulfur poi- Wales - often a big shock to all Welsh or Scots, so escapes were strophic years millions died, soning, acid burns and nitro- concerned. Letters home were brief. often over small patches of land glycerine headaches. They amusing - “So that’s where milk When the wars ended, the mostly in Western Europe - received half the pay of men comes from?” Rationing and Welsh were still there, although northern France, but also in and boys doing the same work. illogical regulations were fewer, mingled with evacuees Turkey and the Middle East. The good news was that the defeated when local markets from England who liked the Woeful Wales at War sent its women got the chance to wear Woeful Wales at War over cleverly converted to barter and scenery and never went home. sons to die in trenches, recruited the trousers in the family, while simplifies the nearly twenty obscure transportation, such as The tone of the book was to volunteer by various patriotic the men mostly were sent off to years long political descent into shipping pigs in coffins! mainly cynical humor, lightened and emotional or romantic die in the trenches of France. horror. As previously, coal Welsh soldiers were permit- here and there. schemes until about 1916, after In 1918 the Great War was from Wales powered many of ted to write letters in Welsh Publisher Gomer Press which almost nobody volun- ended, providing a breathing the cargo ships that fed Great home (which they were not teered, thereafter the ranks were space for the defeated of WWI Britain, which at that point was filled by conscription. Of to seek their revenge 21 years minus most of Ireland. PUBLISHERS: course, many ways were used to later. The Germans bombed avoid service, such as medical During 1918-19 more people Swansea and Cardiff, noting Please submit books for review to: accidents and religious objec- died of influenza, 50 million that Wales was contributing tions. In the trenches desperate world wide, than in the war! more than slate, coal, tin and Robert Roser men sometimes shot themselves The Great Depression followed, young men to the British mili- in the foot and were evacuated with vast unemployment and in tary. The sea ports were obvi- 1203 Harbour Dr home. Germany the rise of Hitler. ous targets. New “decisive” technologies Wales got new British training Art treasures from England, Stafford, VA 22554 were introduced: machine guns, bases, despite protests by the never seen before in Wales, poison gas and submarines. dispossessed Welsh. USA

Section Y Drych November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 21 My First Memories of Being Llyfr y Plant Marsh Pony Welsh in America By Fran Evans Reviewed by Cindy Roser By Marian Owen Bienbiek Marsh Pony is a paperback My first memories as a Welsh children’s book written and person in America probably illustrated by Fran Evans who revolve around the Welsh is a popular author/illustrator Presbyterian Church and its from Pembrokeshire. Her parishioners. My dad, John R. drawings, inspired by nature, are soft, detailed watercolors Owen, was the pastor there that bring nature to life on the from 1956 to 1965. I was proba- printed page. A Welsh adapta- bly aware that the people who tion by Mererid Hopwood, surrounded me with love and Morgan y Merlyn a Cai is also attention in that church did not available. speak the same way as people in The book is the story of a other places we visited in young boy, Cai, who is bullied Detroit. I had not started school and taunted at school for his yet, so the strong Welsh accents beautiful, creative abilities at and the frequent conversations carving. Cai’s friendship with in Welsh (which my parents, the marsh pony Celtie brings him comfort and relief from but not I, understood) were human cruelty. The animal truly loves him. The marsh grasses probably “normal” for me. I of Celtie’s home and the sea creatures bring Cai tranquility and myself probably spoke with a the driftwood becomes his carved birds and boats. Welsh accent! But I knew from One day the two school bullies follow Cai to the marshes the conversations of my parents where Cai is collecting driftwood for his carvings not realizing and others that we were “differ- that high tide is coming. The outcome is an exciting tale of res- ent” and “special.” I knew from cue and a lesson for children and adults as to what happens a young age that to be born when kindness overcomes meanness – the kind of lesson that we should never tire of reading about. Welsh was a wonderful thing! Each page of the book is filled with an illustration and few, After we moved to Mount or no, sentences. The pictures alone could tell the story so that Gilead, Ohio, and I started a child can guess the story’s content as the pages are turned. school, I began to realize in a John, Joan, Roderic and Marian Owen on the porch of the This is a warm story, beautifully illustrated. different way the importance of manse in Mount Gilead, Ohio in 1966. Published by Pont Books in 2013. Pont is the children’s book being Welsh, and what a small publishing branch for Gomer Press. Both Marsh Pony and minority we are in the world. Welshness alive was to attend a cameras! Scary! I was so proud Morgan y Merlyn a Cai are available on amazon US. Ca. and My family was the only Welsh yearly Welsh gathering in of my mom! And my dad was UK and from the publisher at www.gomer.co.uk family in Mount Gilead, Ohio. Granville, Ohio, where there too! We kept our Welshness alive by was an extremely active Welsh- I could write even more, frequent trips to Detroit to visit American community. I have especially about my trips to our old friends, attending the many fond memories of ban- Wales in which I was able to North American Gymanfa Ganu quets at The Granville Inn! meet my relatives, but I just whenever we were able to, and As I moved into my high wanted to share a bit to show also attending the Gymanfa school years, we had moved yet how it is possible to “stay Ganu in southeastern Ohio again, this time to Lisbon, Ohio. Welsh” while living in another every September. We became My mother was honored to be country! such good friends with one fam- the representative of the Cymru Marian continues her Welsh ily from Oak Hill, Ohio that A’r Wasgar at the 1976 memories with a column in the they became our adopted Welsh Eisteddfod! Although I had vis- next edition of Ninnau. She will relatives and we celebrated ited Wales three times before as look at her memories of Cwrs Thanksgiving with them every a child, magical trips that Cymraeg. year! And in fact we discovered deeply moved me, this one was that Lew Lloyd WAS related to extra special as three of us, my my mother, Joan Evans Owen! dad, my mom, and myself, got Another way we kept out to sit on the stage in front of TV

WELSH TRADITIONS from the University of Wales Press

Now in Paperback Welsh Traditional Music Phyllis Kinney “Kinney has produced an excellent survey of Welsh traditional music, from the earliest The new sign for Bob Evans Drive is appropriately placed bardic traditions to the present. . . . A critical with the Bob Evans Farm in the background. Tents are being resource for anyone interested in Welsh culture erected for the annual Farm Festival to be held the second week in October. Bob Evans Drive is named for the Welsh- or traditional music in general. Highly recom- American restauranteur who was so proud of his Welsh roots mended.”—Choice . Paper $25.00 A New Edition Y Ddraig Goch in e Eisteddfod Rio Grande, Ohio! Hywel Tei Edwards By Jeanne Jones Jindra With a New Preface by Huw Edwards After a life of over 24 years, Scenic Byway runs through the Featuring a new preface by broadcaster and old street signs are being small village in an area that saw replaced by the Rio Grande a huge influx of Welsh immi- journalist Huw Edwards, this concise, engag- Village Council in a project grants in the 1800s. Partial ing, and witty volume gives an overview of that suggested by Mayor Matt funding was contributed by the history from the rst Eisteddfod in 1176 to the Easter. The new signs, which Madog Center for Welsh have just been installed, have a Studies at the University of Rio modern Eisteddfod of the 1980s. blue background with the red Grande/Rio Grande Community Paper $16.00 dragon of Wales beside the College in an effort to preserve street name. Mayor Matt sug- and promote the rich Welsh her- gested the Welsh theme for Rio itage of the area. Grande’s signs since the Welsh Distributed by the University of Chicago Press www.press.uchicago.edu

Page 22 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 Welsh Films and Actors: Classic to Modern By Janet Watkins Masoner how it was his job to sweep the impressive acrobatics as they front stoop of their terrace rehearse for stealing a priceless In 1932 a disheartened Welsh house before he went to school Chinese mask from a museum. actress, Peg Entwhistle, leaped each day. Milland’s 1945 per- In 2002 Zeta-Jones won a Best to her death from the top of the formance as a desperate man Supporting Actress Academy letter ‘H’of the Hollywoodland struggling with alcoholism in Award—the first Oscar for a sign that stood near the top of The Lost Weekend served to be Welsh woman—for her role as a Mount Lee (now known as the the first for Oscar-winning murderous singer in the musi- Hollywood sign). Born as Welshmen. Anyone who has cal, Chicago. Currently, she’s Millicent Lillian Entwhistle in seen Milland in Alfred involved in two projects, includ- Port Talbot, South Wales, the Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder ing a biopic called The pretty blond made her way to will remember him as the spine- Godmother, portraying a real- Hollywood via the New York tingling murderous husband of life Columbian drug lord. In stage. With a modicum of suc- Grace Kelly. Their ensuing off- Feud, a TV series about cess, for some unknown reason screen romance provided fodder Hollywood and the infamous she decided to end her young for the gossip mill with fan relationship between Bette life at the age of twenty-four. magazine columnists vigorously Davis and Joan Crawford, the Film aficionados gather at times dogging their dalliances. Welsh actress has the role of to watch her old films and The 1979 made-for-TV film, Richard Burton Olivia de Havilland. exchange stories of the ghostly The Corn is Green, with Much has been written about sightings of her at the Katherine Hepburn, was Welsh in 1945 that starred Bette Davis Richard Burton and Anthony Hollywood sign. Peg Entwhistle author Emlyn Williams’ story as a more stern and serious Miss Hopkins, both of whom led the This year, Dream Alliance, an of a beloved Welsh school Moffatt. Welsh actors Rhys way for worldwide recognition endearing and exciting film was the movie even filmed in teacher, Miss Moffatt, who, Williams and Gwyneth Hughes of outstanding Welsh actors. about horse racing, opened in Wales. The only Welsh actor against great opposition, takes played supporting roles. Hopkins’ Oscar for Silence of American movie theaters. Based was Rhys Williams, who stole child laborers out of the coal Although there were two Oscar the Lambs introduced us to the on an incredible true story, it’s the show at times as Dai Bando, mines and turns them into nominations, there were no win- terrifying and unforgettable Dr. the account of a working class the blind prizefighter. John scholars. While filming in ners. The film was extremely Hannibal Lector. Some of the village in Wales that pooled Ford’s cast was comprised of Wales, Hepburn developed a well-received. film industry’s insiders maintain their money to buy a horse and mostly Irish actors, except for love for Welsh Cakes and began Before Jaws and Titanic, the that Hopkins’ “entrance,” where train it for the Grand National. Oscar-winning Donald Crisp, making them herself, and then grandest and most exciting sea Jody Foster appears at his The film was made in Wales, who was Scottish. later publishing her personal adventure was the 1956 film prison cell as Clarice, is the back lanes, clotheslines and all, The first Oscar awarded to a recipe in her autobiography adaptation of Herman greatest “entrance” in film his- and featured Welsh actors and Welshman was to Ray Milland, (which I have unfortunately Melville’s Moby Dick, starring tory. Hopkins stood back in the townspeople. born in 1905 as Reginald Alfred misplaced or I would share it Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab shadows, silently, unmoving, Although the 1941 classic, John Truscott-Jones in Neath, S. here). with his obsession of capturing and then in a mocking, low How Green Was My Valley gar- Wales, who spoke only Welsh Prior to Hepburn’s portrayal, the great white whale. Upon the voice said, “Hello, Clarice.” nered five Academy Awards, for his first five years. In later the Emlyn Williams play was insistence of Irish-born director For occasional slapstick gig- none were for Welsh actors, nor years he frequently recounted scripted for a full-length movie John Huston, the saga that was gles, a dark comedy, set in 19th century New Undertaking Betty, set in England, determined Huston’s Coldicot, Monmouthshire, decision to set off for Wales for Wales, was one of Academy an authentic replication of the Award winner Christopher Bare Knuckle Fighter From Swansea era. Older citizens of Fishguard Walken’s lesser-known films. recall the fuss when the crew Originally entitled Plots with a arrived, and although parts of View in 2002, Walken shows up Helps Shape Robert De Niro’s the filming took place in Irish in the fictional town of Wrotton and Portuguese waters, anyone Powys setting out to go into in Fishguard will swear that the competition with the local By Lawrence Davies Latest Boxing MovieDollings impressed upon entire film was made there. undertaker by offering “theme Arcel the necessity of viewing Recognizable waterfront build- funerals.” His befuddled side- OSCAR winner Robert De every boxer as an individual. ings from the movie can still be kick is Welsh actor Lee Evans Niro hit the silver screen recent- Where scolding could work for seen today. who drives the white stretch ly in ‘Hands of Stone’, a new one fighter, it might harm Swansea born Catherine Zeta limousine with a sign on the film about Roberto Duran and another. Jones began her career as a back that reads, “Just Buried.” his arch-rival Sugar Ray The key was to study the child performing at the Grand The movies mentioned above Leonard’s battles for the WBC habits and the temperament of Theatre in Swansea, and later are a cross-section of films that Welterweight crown. each boxer to devise a tailored moving on to British stage and stand out in my mind, and will De Niro played Duran’s trainer approach. television, gaining popularity probably bring back memories Ray Arcel. Arcel is arguably the A notoriously hard man, and recognition in the TV series for some of NINNAU’s readers. greatest trainer in boxing histo- Dollings had little time for ‘brit- The Darling Buds of May. The With Christmas just around the ry, with 20 World Champions tle’ fighters, once complaining brunette beauty made her corner, any of these DVDs plus having come under his care. at ringside that his fighter was American film debut in The a subscription to NINNAU, will What most film-goers won’t be ‘a hothouse bloody flower’. The Mask of Zorro, 1998, an enter- be gifts for anyone who takes aware of is that Arcel learned analysis proved correct - the taining swashbuckler where she pride in Welshness, as well as the tricks of his trade from a ‘flower’ wilted in the fourth demonstrates her ability with a enjoying a glimpse of the hills, prickly former bare-knuckle round. sword. In 1999’s Entrapment valleys, and the people of Wales fighter from Swansea named By the 1930’s he was one of with Sean Connery, she shows a in some of the films. Dai Dollings, who trained the best known boxing trainers cat-like agility performing countless early British boxing in the United States. A decade champions. later he still working six days a Dollings was well known in week at Grupp’s, and was sec- the 1890’s as a fearsome fight- onding fighters in the evening at Griffiths Family er, and claimed to have had 100 the age of 83. battles with the gloves, and 30 Dai Dollings’ longevity as a illegal bare-knuckle fights at trainer was almost matched by Reunion dawn against the legendary Arcel himself, who at 82 ‘mountain fighters’ of South worked his last corner assisting Wales. Dai Dollings Larry Holmes in his successful After turning to the role of title defence against Gerry boxing trainer, renowned Cooney in 1982 at Caesars British champions such as Tom Palace. Thomas, ‘Peeless’ Jim Driscoll bloody Americans, you’re made Given his frugal reputation, it and Ted ‘Kid’ Lewis fell under of tissue paper”. might be wondered whether if his care. It was on these long walks to Dollings was around today, he Dollings’ fame spread across and from the gym that Ray could be persuaded to pay a fist- the Atlantic after he master- Arcel started jogging along at ful of dollars to watch ‘Hands minded the shock victory of Dollings’ elbow and quizzed the of Stone.’ Londoner, Matt Wells, over the belligerent trainer about the If he did I am sure the old lightweight champion of the fight game. bare-knuckle fighter would world, Freddie Welsh, in 1911. At first, Dollings was reluc- crack a rare smile and conclude After immigrating to the United tant to share the secrets of his that his pupil, Ray Arcel more States in 1914, Dollings became trade, and asked Arcel ‘over and than fulfilled his professional the chief trainer at Grupp’s gym over’ why he wanted to be a commitment to being the best in New York, where a young trainer. boxing trainer and ‘analyst’ he Ray Arcel was beginning to har- Dollings would eventually tell could be. bour a desire to become a box- Ray that if he wanted to be a Dai Dollings’ life is covered The Griffiths family ing trainer. trainer, he had to commit to in more depth in a new book by Notoriously tight with money, being the best, or not to bother Lawrence Davies, Jack Dollings trekked five miles to at all. Scarrott’s Prize Fighters, By Bill Griffiths the gym every day, rain, snow The long walks and pestering Memoirs of a Welsh Boxing Pennsylvania, of course. Using or hail, rather than spend a nick- continued, until the day finally Booth Proprietor, available A revived Griffiths family the National Welsh-American el on the street car. came when Arcel knew he had from Peerless Press, Cardiff reunion was recently held in Foundation as a conduit, the Complaining about the softness made a breakthrough when the ([email protected]) Pennsylvania close to the area group donated significant funds of life in the States, the ex-knuckle fighter told him that that ancestor William settled in to again support their ancestral Welshman would often enter he didn’t want to be a trainer, 1887. Over 60 members attend- chapel in Peterstone-super-Ely, the gym grumbling, “You but that he wanted to be an ed, coming from Colorado, Cymru. ‘analyst’. Florida, Maine, Maryland and

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 23 144 Years of Gymanfa Celebrated at Nebo Church in Southern Ohio By Jeanne Jones Jindra Imagine an event that has been held annually for 144 years? It isn’t difficult if that event is one that was brought from the homeland by Welsh immigrants who carried their Bibles and love of singing with them on their journey to America. Gymanfa were first associated with the Welsh churches and chapels around the Karen Jones Wojahn directs in Wisconsin. country. The gymanfa of the Central Southeast Ohio Association of Welsh Congregational Churches was organized in Radnor, Ohio, in 1840 and consisted of 54 Peniel churches. According to Rev. Vincent Jones’ The Saga of the Central South Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Congregational Association and Y Gymanfa, 1840-1954, the Pickett, Wisconsin association grew too large and By Devin L. Scherck ing hymn was “God Be with was divided into two sections in You till We Meet Again”. 1872, with 29 churches assigned More than 200 lovers of Special music was provided to the Eastern Ohio and Western Welsh hymns gathered from all by the Peniel Quartet singing an Pennsylvania Gymanfa, and 25 over Wisconsin on the after- arrangement of “Sanctus”. The churches designated to compose noon of Sunday, August 28th quartet consists of Christopher a Southwestern Ohio Gymanfa. and filled the historic Peniel Guy (Plymouth), Joshua Giese Our association now has only Chapel near Pickett, Wisconsin (North Fond du Lac), Devin three participating churches, for the church’s 93rd annual Scherck (Fond du Lac) and Nebo, Tyn Rhos and the old Gymanfa Ganu. This year’s Reverend Thomas White. Welsh Congregational Church, Vice-Moderator, Joan Owen Mandry, and Rev. David Morgan at the Nebo Gymanfa. festivities were directed by Christopher Guy also served as which is the Welsh-American Karen Jones-Wojahn of the master of ceremonies and Heritage Museum. Windom, Minnesota, with Joshua Giese provided the This year, on a beautiful fall this year. Thanks go out to him passed on. A picnic lunch, pro- organ and piano accompani- devotions. Sunday, old friends and new for his many years of service vided by Nebo Church, was ment by the Reverend Thomas This year’s Gymanfa was par- joined to celebrate those 144 and his commitment to carry on served in the shelter house. The White of North Fond du Lac ticularly meaningful for years of canu pregethau, at the gymanfa tradition. Joan afternoon session was opened and Sarah Conrad of Eldorado. Reverend Thomas White as it Nebo Congregational Church, Owen Mandry, welcomed with greetings and a song, fol- The singing session began marked his 50th anniversary of organized in 1854 when the everyone and also read the lowed by scripture in English with a rousing chorus of “Lily playing the Peniel Reed Organ. Welsh in the Tyn Rhos neigh- morning scripture in English and Welsh by Elizabeth Davis. of the Valley” directed by Larry Reverend White began playing borhood had to travel a distance and Welsh. Following Rev. In his afternoon sermon, Rev. Conrad of Eldorado. Other for the Peniel Gymanfa Ganu for a service. We welcomed Morgan’s morning sermon, Bob Morgan expanded his morning songs featured were when he was only 27. And after Rev. David Morgan, Canton, Powell, led the congregational theme of serving the under- “Mawlgan”, “My Redeemer”, 50 years he is still going strong! Ohio, back for his third year of singing with Stevie Jarvis served to treating others equally “Malvern” “Hyfrydol”, To commemorate the occasion service to our gymanfa. We accompanying. Shirley Jenkins and learning to love one anoth- “Huddersfield” and “Blodwen”. Reverend White composed an were saddened that our friend, announced the names for the er. We rounded out the after- Some of the more meditative original arrangement of Rev. Robert Hughes, Akron, memorial mums, brought for noon with more congregational hymns included were “Morte Hyfrydol and performed it for Ohio, was not able to join us those loyal ones who have singing. It was a day of joining Christe”, “Mae D’ Eisiau Di the congregation. together with old friends and Bob Awr”, “Aberystwyth”, Information about upcoming new to celebrate the history and “Bryn Calfaria” and cymanfaoedd canu and the his- tradition of the local gymanfa “Ebeneser”. The memorial toric Peniel Chapel can be Sarasota Celebrates tradition. We look forward to hymn was the always poignant found at wgga.org. celebrating 145 years of gyman- “Crugybar” led by Mary Davis fa in September 2017 at the of Fennimore. Of course, the Welsh Olympic Welsh-American Heritage closing hymns consisted of Museum in Oak Hill. countless jubilant choruses of Success “Cwm Rhondda”, and the part- By Amy Ferrell Jade Jones, Taekwondo Women’s 57kg - GOLD 30 of us gathered at Turtles Hannah Mills, Sailing/ 123rd Picnic for Welsh on Little Sarasota Bay Women’s 470 - GOLD Restaurant at the August Jazz Carlin, Women’s 400m brunch and raised our glasses in freestyle - SILVER Youngstown, OH a toast to the remarkable num- Jazz Carlin, Women’s 800m By John Tamplin ber of Welsh athletes who won freestyle - SILVER medals for Great Britain in the Sam Cross, Men’s rugby sev- St. David’s Society of recent Rio Olympics. We had a ens - SILVER Youngstown, Ohio, held its number of items donated for the James Davies, Men’s rugby 123rd annual Welsh Picnic on free drawing following our sevens - SILVER August 20, at Stacey Pavilion in meal, which was fun. Look for Becky James, Women’s Austintown Twp. Park. The photos on our website. cycling keirin - SILVER picnic buffet, catered by the Our Olympic Champions: Becky James, Women’s Korner Restaurant, whose Elinor Barker, Women’s cycling sprint - SILVER owner and chef, Rob Proverbs, cycling team pursuit - GOLD Victoria Thornley, Women’s is Welsh, provided a sumptuous Owain Doull, Men’s cycling 2000m double sculls - SILVER. buffet for the 38 guests in atten- team pursuit - GOLD dance. Following dinner, musical entertainment was provided by vocalists Ray and Jane Bartholomew, who excited the audience with a patriotic con- cert of both American and Welsh music and a sing-along. They concluded their program by leading the audience in Hen Wlad fy Nhadau and God Be Ray and Jane Bartholomew, vocalists, performing With You. at the picnic The Welsh Picnic in Youngs- Welsh gathering. The streetcar Contact: town has a long and distin- line even had to add extra cars Dr. John C. Tamplin, 4765 guished history, beginning in to accommodate the Welsh pic- Scott Drive, Hermitage, PA 1893, when the first picnic was nickers. Today the crowd is 16148. held in Youngstown’s Wick much smaller, but the history 724-981-3071 Park. As the picnic grew, it was and spirit of the Welsh picnic [email protected] moved to Idora Park, a large are alive and well in amusement park which had to Youngstown. A good turn out to toast Welsh Olympic success! close its gates to the public in order to accommodate the huge

Page 24 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 Utica Members Travel to Historic Gymanfa By Ted Engle the 1840s the Welsh New York and Their Churches” Congregationalists and Welsh and “Songs of Praises -A histo- Utica, N.Y. On September Calvinistic Methodists regularly ry of Welsh-rooted churches 11, 2016, twelve members of met in various homes and were beyond Britain.” the St. David’s Society of Utica formally incorporated by the Pianist Jeannie Jones of New traveled to the annual Gymanfa State of New York in 1854 and Hartford, NY has performed at Ganu at East Nelson, New 1860 respectively. many Gymanfa Ganu’s and York, in Madison County. The The current Welsh Church other local productions in Welsh Church Society of building named Peniel, was upstate New York. She is a pri- Nelson maintains the non- built in 1876 through the efforts vate music instructor. denominational church to pre- of Rev. Griffiths Jones who was The Nelson Quartet (plus serve their Welsh heritage and born in Dolwyddelan North friends) is well-known musical offers summer services with Wales and ordained in nearby group in Madison County. The various visiting pastors. The Llanberis in 1853. Rev. Jones’ current performers consisted of final Sunday is always an after- first North American assign- Tom Davies, Chip McEvers, noon Gymanfa Ganu with visi- ment was in Fairhaven, Perry Tooker, Mike Loudis, tors from throughout Central Vermont and he quickly devel- Buff Lingo, Bill Elliot, and New York. oped a reputation for building Jerry Davis. They were accom- The first Welsh immigrants to churches. He was instrumental panied by Nellie Johnson on the Upstate New York arrived in in forming churches in other piano. 1795 to the greater Utica, New Welsh communities in More information about York area. By the by the 1830s Poultney, VT; Granville, NY; Welsh Church of Nelson, New York. future events of the St David’s the Welsh had expanded in Bevier, MO; and Cambria. WI; Society of Utica such as our search of farmland and were in before coming to Nelson in resting place is the cemetery president of the St. David’s Christmas Party, St David’s the Madison County village of 1875. He later served in adjacent to the Nelson Church. Society of Utica. Day Dinner and future Gymanfa Nelson, 50 miles to the west. In Columbus, Ohio and his final The church was designated in He has conducted Gymanfa Ganus can be found on the web- the National Register of Ganus in Central New York for site www.saintdavidssociety.org Historical Places in 1993. the Utica Society, at the annual .Information about The Welsh Originally only Welsh was Remsen, N.Y. celebration and at Church of Nelson can be found spoken in the church until 1919, such diverse locations as the on their website www.nelso- when English was added to First Presbyterian Church in nunioncemeterywelshchurch.or attract younger people. The Cambria, WI, the Dr. Edwards g. In addition to Summer ser- building has not been a func- Memorial Church in vices it is also available for tioning parish since the 1950s Edwardsville, PA, and the weddings and meetings and is and is maintained by the Welsh Westminister Presbyterian located on Welsh Church Road Church Society of Nelson, Church in Pittsburgh, PA. three miles West of Morrisville, many who are descendants of He is the author of two books: N.Y. off State Route 20. the original Welsh settlers. “Memory Stones – A History of Jay G. Williams III was the Welsh Americans in Central conductor of the Gymanfa Ganu and Jeannie Jones accompanied on the piano. The attendees were greeted by Tom Davies, who read a poem that gave a short history of the area and the Nelson Quartet were special guest vocalists. Following the Gymanfa Accompanist Jeanne Jones Ganu, a Te Bach was held in the church basement to allow the visitors to socialize and discus local history and common back- grounds. Several took time to Wild Rose visit the well-maintained adja- cent cemetery to look for Welsh ancestors buried there. The ear- Gymanfa Ganu liest Welsh grave dates back to By Devin L. Scherck 1830. Though summer may have The conductor Jay Williams drawn to a close, in Wisconsin, is a practicing attorney in Clinton, N.Y. who also serves Gymanfa Ganu season is far Conductor Jay Williams from over. Excellent evidence as lay pastor of the First of this was seen when many res- Presbyterian Church of Augusta idents of southern and central and Vernon Center. He is a past Wisconsin gathered at Wild Rose United Presbyterian Church on September 18 for their annual Gymanfa Ganu. Memorial Concert in The director was Ms. Ann Lemmenes of Waupun, and the organist was Reverend Thomas Wymore, Nebraska White of North Fond du Lac. The singing session com- By Martha Davies menced with the popular chil- dren’s hymn “R’wyn Canu”. Many friends gathered on Ms. Lemmenes then had the October 8 to celebrate the mem- hymns grouped into four sec- ory of Margret and Martha tions, “Nations”, “Fight for Thomas at a concert held at God’s Kingdom”, “Peace”, and Wymore Community Center. “Eternity-God Reigns”. Hymns John Good, Welshman of from the “Nations” section Arizona, enlivened the crowd included “Malvern”, by playing the Welsh bagpipes, “Ebenezer”, (sung to the words and the jollity continued with of “Once to Every Man and Welsh tunes on the flute, penny- Nation”) “Rheidol”, and famous whistle and pibgorn. John also Finnish composer Jean sang and played the guitar, and Sibelius’s famous hymn tune Ann Lemmenes we joined in singing “Calon (sung to the words of “This Is Lan” and other favorites. My Song”) “Finlandia” from his choruses of “Cwm Rhondda”, Gwenith Closs Colgrove, symphonic poem of the same followed by the closing hymn newly installed president of the name. Songs from the “Fight “Caersalem”. Great Plains Welsh Heritage for God’s Kingdom” category In between song sets, special Project, invited us to deliver were Caradoc Robert’s music was provided by Mary tributes to the late Margaret and “Rachie”, “Awake Arise O Williams, Jane Erickson, Roger Martha Thomas, benefactors of Church of God”, “Y Milwr Williams, and Chris Cutts (all many good causes in the area. Bach”, and “Huddersfield”. of Wild Rose) singing “Christ At the close of the concert, Songs from the “Peace” seg- Liveth In Me,” with piano John Good and his Welsh bag- ment consisted of Joseph accompaniment by Reverend pipes led us in a memorial pro- Parry’s anthem “Cor Alyson Janke. Chris Cutts also cession, out the door of the Sisters Margaret and Martha Thomas, pictured here wearing Caersalem”, as well as “Calon accompanied himself on the Community Center, past the red jackets, a way to show their Welsh pride. Lan”, “Crimond”, “Rhys” and piano and sang the poignant Welsh garden and mural, and in the memorial hymn “Arglwydd, song “Lead Me Lord”. through the front door of the enlivening our celebration of appeared in two assemblies at Dyma Fi”. The last set of More information on future Welsh Heritage Centre where a the lives of Margaret and Southern Elementary School, hymns from the “ Eternity-God Welsh events in Wisconsin can Tea Party awaited us. Martha Thomas. We know the whose fourth graders visit the Reigns” portion were “Builth”, be found at wgga.org. We are grateful to John Good Thomas sisters would have been Welsh Centre every May. “Blaenwern”, “Sanctus”, and for bringing delightful Welsh pleased that John, on the day what seemed like 1,200 joyful folk music to Nebraska, before our concert, had

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 25 Remsen Barnfest 2016 By Ted Engle is not as well- known as other Gymanfa Ganu held in the American heroes but his contri- Historic Old Stone Church on Utica St. David’s Society butions cannot be overestimat- 2:30 PM Sunday with Jay G again staffed an informational ed. He was recruited by Williams III as conductor, booth, and also sold Welsh gifts Benjamin Franklin to help Susan Bartholomew as organist and Welsh Tea Cakes at the George Washington and upon and Kym Johnson Fox as guest Remsen Barn Fest on his arrival in Valley Forge he vocalist. The Gymanfa Ganu September 24 and 25, 2016. found a dispirited, unorganized has been sponsored by the The proceeds help fund our Continental Army. He quickly Fortnightly Club of Remsen scholarship program for college began to instill organization and since 1961. students of Welsh descent. The discipline as well as introducing Many members of the Utica Remsen-Steuben area is located modern military tactics and St David’s Society participated north of Utica and was a center strategy. He became at the booth. Welsh Tea Cakes of Welsh immigration in the Washington’s Chief of Staff and baked by members and assorted early 1800’s. After the wrote the Army’s training and Welsh-themed items were sold Revolutionary War, Prussian organizational manual still used to visitors. In addition, Welsh soldier Baron Von Steuben was during the Mexican War in the travel and vacation information granted 16,000 acres by a grate- 1840’s (Blue Book). His final provided by the Visit Wales ful New York State for his help resting place is in nearby government travel association in organizing the fledging Steuben and is maintained by was distributed. Questions were Continental Army. His land the National Park Service. answered about the local Welsh Saint David’s Society Members Sharon Lanahan, agent sold the initial plots to six The Remsen Barn Fest is a traditions and new members Della Williams and Cindy Gilbert. families from North Wales. two-day craft fair (9/24- were recruited. Many visitors They were joined by other 9/25/16) with over 250 booths had Welsh roots and inquired The Old Stone Church has American Foundation. He is a Welsh settlers in Oneida County in keeping with “the rural about the original settlers in the ceased to be a functioning life member of the Welsh and the Welsh soon became a Welsh tradition”. As many as area and their histories. One church since 1986 and is now National Gymanfa Ganu major ethnic group in upstate 50,000 people attended the visitor, Edward Brydon, who owned by the Remsen-Steuben Association and is a frequent New York. Today von Steuben annual two-day event. It culmi- was born and raised in Menai h Historical Society. The main conductor in New York, nated with the 55 Remsen Bridge, North Wales now cur- floor is used for meetings and Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. rently resides in the United the yearly song-fest while the Vocalist Kym Johnson Fox States. He was researching our upstairs is used as a library and studied Music at Nazareth local area for a project to relate museum of Welsh documents College and has advanced this region and residents to their and artifacts. It is listed in the degrees in education from original North Wales roots. New York and National Touro College. She has taught The Fortnightly Club started Registers of Historic Places. music both privately and in the the yearly Gymanfa Ganu as a Accompanist organist Susan public schools and performs tribute to the area’s rich Welsh Bartholomew is a resident of with the New Generations cho- history in 1961. The Remsen, NY and a member of rus. Fortnightly Club is a women’s the St David’s Society of Utica. More information on the local community service and literary Ms. Bartholomew is a CPA and Welsh society can be found on group. The local chapter was also serves as organist at the saintdavidssociety.org. founded in 1908 and this event First Presbyterian Church in Information on the Remsen was headed by officers Barb Illion, NY. Barn Fest can be found at Credle and Ruth Arcand. Jay G Williams III was the www.remsenbarnfestival.com. The Old Stone Church was conductor of the Gymanfa The website for the Remsen built in 1831 by the Calvinistic Ganu. As a fifth generation Steuben Historical Society is Methodists and was one of Welsh-American he has been remsensteubenhistoricsociety dozens of Welsh Chapels once active in Welsh activities in @gmail.com for those who found in the immediate area. Central New York. He is a for- wish to visit the building or Now only three remain (Capel mer president of the St. David’s access the archives. “He who has ears let him hear” - Matthew 13:9 Cerrig 1831, Capel Enlli 1848, Society of Utica and a past and Capel Hebron 1828) and are director of the National Welsh maintained as historic sites. Valley View High School Choir Raises Funds to Travel to Wales By Kathleen Bolus families moved to Carbondale to donate, visit gvgb.co/voice- to help begin the underground softhevalley; go to Voices of the ARCHBALD — Valley View coal mining industry, they Valley Wales Tour 2017 on High School’s Voices of the brought with them their song, Facebook; or contact Valley choir —including three choral celebrations and four- VOTVWalesTour2017@gmail. members who have never trav- part harmony,’ he said. com. eled outside the United States “The choral history is so — will have the chance to sing deep,” Mr. Williams said. The Times-Tribune in in Wales next summer at the Voices of the Valley began Scranton, Pennsylvania invitation of a Welsh choir and fundraising through 50/50 raffle (www.thetimes-tribune.com) the Queen of England’s repre- tickets and an online donation granted permission to reprint sentative. campaign. A designer purse raf- this article in its entirety. The Côr Dathlu Cwmtawe fle is scheduled and a cabaret is Male Choir, also called the in the works. The choir is ask- Swansea Valley Celebration ing for local community and Choir, and the Hon. Dame Shân business donations. Legge-Bourke, DCVO, the For information on the trip or Queen’s lord-lieutenant to the Welsh County of Powys, extended the invitation to the Voices of the Valley after the Children from Valley View choir students performed with the Wild Wales Tours & Welsh choir in October. Thirty Valley View choir, has been at the Best Western Pioneer students, who had to audition singing since elementary Plaza Hotel in Carbondale. Walkabouts LLC for the International Odyssey of school. “When Gina’s kids sang with Friendship and Song trip, along “It’s just a country where them, they were so impressed,” Discover This Magical Land at a Slower Pace! with Valley View Chorus chorus is taken seriously,” she said Jerry Williams, who volun- Director Gina Pascolini and said of Wales, adding that choir teers to bring choirs to the area. chaperones, will tour London is very important to her. So they asked Mr. Williams and before traveling to Wales from Voices of the Valley can Ted Frutchey, also a volunteer, June 18 to July 3. They will already sing some pieces in if it would be possible for sing with three of the top Welsh Welsh, which Mrs. Pascolini Voices of the Valley to sing choirs and Ysgol Bro Dynefwr, said is a tough language that with them in Wales. a local high school. doesn’t employ many vowels. Mr. Williams, past president The choir will use Skype, an They hit the notes beautifully of St. David’s Society of online video chat, to practice while singing the Welsh nation- Lackawanna County, and Mr. Welsh songs with the high al anthem. Frutchey helped organize the school. The trip costs $65,000, Kasidy is excited to share his entire trip for the choir. Mr. or around $1,750 per student. love of music with a group of Frutchey has organized travel Mrs. Pascolini hopes to raise people across the Atlantic. for Welsh choirs to sing in enough money so no student “Music is uniting us,” he said. Northeast Pennsylvania for will have to pay to cross the Cammie has been singing years, so he used his experience WWW.WILDWALESTOURS.COM Atlantic. since she can remember and is to book the trip for Valley Phone:507 458 8637 Cassandra Dumas and Kasidy honored to be a member of a View. Leggin, seniors, and Cammie group invited to sing in Wales. ‘The history of the Welsh and [email protected] Gillar, a sophomore, have never In October, when Côr Dathlu choirs in the Lackawanna Cwmtawe visited the area, they Valley goes back to 1823,’ said traveled out of the country. Image courtesy: Crown Copyright( 2016) Visit Wales Cassandra, president of the sang with Voices of the Valley Mr. Williams. ‘When 90 Welsh

Page 26 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 27th Welsh Festival, Fredericksburg, Virginia By Dr Harold W. Gale, south near the glorious coast, Honorary Bard of the 2016 across to Tintern Abbey near Festival the English border and then north to the airport. Our second A lovely bright sunny day, night in Wales we attended a pleasantly warm, ideal for the male voice choir show at a local 27th Annual Welsh Festival in church. After the superb show Fredericksburg, Virginia. The was over, the English pastor festival is sponsored by the sought us out to enquire with Museum of the 5th President some astonishment why two James Monroe and the Welsh Americans would visit Wales. Society of Fredericksburg. My dear wife was speechless, The street in front of the so I replied that Wales we found Monroe Museum was given had great mountains, glorious over to the Festival performance sea shores, ample farms and seating and stage, shops, dis- charming country villages, plays, street art and friendly excellent Welsh breakfasts and conversations. In the garden of other food, plus wonderful kind the President Monroe Museum and generous people at every were festival performances of place we went - the same as different Welsh topics such as Welsh in the US. (As a guest in of Welsh instruments, language, Wales, I thought best not to myths, etc. Festival attendees mention to the English pastor, Fredericksburg Welsh Dancers were welcomed at the Museum “It was too bad about the neigh- many years. A survey of varied street free of charge on this day. The bors.”) Moch Pryderi from Fred- shop booths and displays nearby tree shaded Masonic My wife and I through the ericksburg,VA in 1998 with Several jewelry booths, some cemetery monuments dating years did our best to contribute outstanding Welsh and Breton with silver wire findings, in tra- some to before 1860. The to the community in response to music. Mary Triola playing her ditional, classic and natural street-side was lined by ven- their generosity and kindness to 90 stringed triple harp, Rik styles. dors. Views of the old historic Dr. Hal Gale, 27th Welsh strangers from far away. We did Rice, Bill Reese, Luke Gray and Rugby booth – a new attrac- town could be seen. From 11 Festival Bard book reviews, for a while wrote Paul Burgess completed the out- tion for the festival. am to 5 pm along the street a youth column and made ment to the Welsh community, standing group. From the begin- Welsh Society of Fredericks- were places for art, music, liter- Welsh-English crosswords for ning their style and panache was burg,VA: withWelsh books, ature, conversation and food. culture, and the language. For NINNAU. After my wife died th 2016, I (Hal Gale) was the hon- in the heroic Welsh tradition apparel– always interesting new As honorary Bard of the 27 of ovarian cancer in April 2016 with splendid energy, kinetics items. festival, I’m privileged to offer oree, and spoke briefly: my participation nearly ceased, I accept the Bard Award on and a wonderful joy of life. I Moch Pryderi music CDs – a brief sketch of the festival’s so I was totally astonished to be have their latest CD “Migdli lively music. features with modest apologies behalf of my dear wife, who selected for the 2016 Bard was 50 percent Welsh- both Magdli Moch” plus all their ear- An authentic one-person if anyone feels slighted by my honor by the wonderful people lier CDs. Coracle – always amazing that brevity. grandmothers. I got in the of Fredericksburg. I and my Performances on the Welsh community by marriage. family are deeply grateful. Festival Main Stage: 11am to Our wedding pastor was from a “DragonFyre”, the second 5pm. Rik Rice of the local Welsh church but married set, was formed in January 2015 Fredericksburg Welsh Society us in English so I’d know what I with veteran artists. Their serving as MC (and festival promised. Our children and my group includes bagpipe, harp, manager) welcomed the crowd wife had all the art, singing and fiddle, guitar, accordion, man- of visitors and local celebrants other musical talent. Over a dolin and vocals in English and to open the festival. decade ago, as we were driving Welsh. The group includes The “Stafford Regional north my wife noticed a sign David Rich, Deborah Wenrich, Choral Society” was first up on advertising the next Welsh festi- Bob Roser, James Brown and the main stage with nearly a val. She suggested we attend. Jodee James, who performs dozen performers from nearby The gate- keeper said she could with DragonFyre for Welsh Stafford County, Virginia. get in because half the Welsh concerts and gigs. Amy Meyer Directed by Kevin Perry, their women at the festival looked plays the harp but was out this enthusiastic polished perfor- like her sisters, but I’d have to day with an illness. mances launched the festival. A pay. Then and later at meetings Iona- fresh from the number of Welsh songs were and holidays the people of the NAFOW. Artistic quality is featured including a rousing Welsh community made us wel- high with authentic high ener- rendition of the love duet come even though we were gy...great to see traditional between Hywel and Blodwen strangers from out of town- music of Wales, Cornwall, and from Dr. Joseph Parry’s opera Washington, D.C. Brittany. Lead singer is Barbara Moch Pryderi on Stage. “Blodwen.” Five years ago we visited Ryan, Bernard Argent, Jim Wales for two weeks to see if Bard award: The Fred- Queen; and Chuck Lawhorn. “The Fredericksburg Welsh these were often used. ericksburg Welsh Society each the ancestral people and culture IONA is the leading Celtic were the same as those we met Country Dancers”, eight men Wales tourist brochures tent – year presents an honor to recog- musical group in the Mid- and women in traditional cos- good information, great photos nize individuals for their here. We started in the north- Atlantic region and has per- west near the mountains, then tumes led by Sian Frick were of Wales. achievements and their commit- formed at the Welsh Festival for the wrap-up “frosting” on the St. David’s Welsh-American series of twpath dances. Many Society, Washington, D.C.; with charming colorful intricate tra- Welsh name samples. ditional dances were agilely Children’s face painting and A Welsh Weekend in executed. They welcomed par- games booth – great fun for the ticipants from the crowd. Their kids of all ages. performance was worth attend- Craft apparel tent – neat items Minnesota ing the festival just to watch Fredericksburg Spinners and By Karen Jones Wojahn them. Weavers demonstrations tent. Performance Sessions in the Monroe museum literature The Minnesota Welsh Monroe Garden. These smaller and greeting tent –friendly and Association celebrated Welsh sessions in the Museum garden helpful. history and tradition on a beau- offered demonstrations of Infamous Welsh cookies – a tiful late-September weekend. Welsh musical instruments, variety of flavors, but I prefer In cooperation with the Blue Genealogy, customs, Welsh the originals. Earth County Historical Government, Welsh Tales, Kettle popcorn booth – ideal Society, the celebration began Welsh Language, Welsh snacks for kids. on Saturday morning with a bus mythology of the Mabinogion, A remarkable delightful tradi- tour of historic Welsh settle- Welsh Hymns and folk tunes, tional part of the Festival was ments in south central Rappahannock Ruby and the street pavement chalk art Minnesota. Participants were “There be Dragons!” These 30- sketch of a dragon, and other treated to a narrated bus ride minute performances continued beasties, by an artist whose with stops at Judson, Cambria, all through the day, usually with name I failed to obtain. By my the Jerusalem Cemetery, and the a full house. The Welsh estimate, during the day nearly First Presbyterian Church of Government talk was given by 300 adults of all ages, children Lake Crystal. A catered lunch Gareth Morgan of the Welsh and an astonishing variety of was served at the Cambria Assembly office in Washington. dogs participated and observed Presbyterian Church, which was The Monroe Museum, hon- the Festival. Children danced formed by the joining of several oring James Monroe, the fifth with the music. Dogs in the area churches that served the Jim Cassarino conducts the annual Minnesota President of the US, was open shade along the curbs were nod- Welsh community from 1855 to Gymanfa Ganu. to the public with newly ding their heads or patting a 1980. Tour leaders provided enhanced displays, including paw in time with the jigs. ground information about many from Welsh settlers in southern st historic information and memo- hymns and led over 100 atten- Minnesota and watched a DVD the 1 Lady’s jewels. The dis- Altogether a charming display ries of each place. dees in the enthusiastic singing of area Welsh settlements. plays were invaluable to under- of intergenerational and species The celebration continued on of hymns in both Welsh and For more information and stand in part the contributions of good cheer and harmony. Sunday afternoon with English. The Mankato photos from the weekend, check this Welsh descendant to our Welsh Anthem and closing Minnesota’s annual Gymanfa Riverblenders Barbershop the Minnesota Welsh country. The gift shop and ceremony: the crowd joined in Ganu, directed by Dr. James Chorus provided special music. Association page on Facebook greeting tent nearby on the festi- the Anthem and an ovation for a Cassarino from Green Mountain At the Te Bach following the or http://mnwelshassociation. val street offered literature and festival well done, anticipating College in Poutney, Vermont. singing, people browsed a histo- weebly.com. warm friendly folks welcoming another grand festival day next Dr. Cassarino provided back- ry table of photos and artifacts all visitors. year.

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 27 The National Eisteddfod By Robin Gwyndaf Gwenynen Gwent Arglwyddes - Lady Llanofer Augusta was born at Tŷ exceedingly active throughout employed, and a factory at handbook for the ideal Welsh Uchaf, Llanofer, 21 March, her long life and long widow- Llanofer was founded to make life.’ 1802, the daughter of Georgina hood. (Sir Benjamin Hall died triple harps. Lady Llanofer was, indeed, a and Benjamin Waddington. In in 1867 as a result of a kickback Welsh folk customs, such as woman of very strong personal 1823 she married Benjamin from a shotgun. Augusta died the Fari Lwyd (Christmas sea- views. To quote Celyn Gurden- Hall, III (1802 - 67), an indus- 17 January 1896, almost 94 son, horse ceremony) were also Williams again: ‘She is famous trial landowner from Aber-carn, years of age.) promoted. In 1867 she pub- for decreeing that her servants Monmouthshire, and a grandson Sir Benjamin - a very tall man lished her fascinating book, The and tenants should speak Welsh of Sir Richard Crawshay. - was a well-respected member First Principles of Good and don the so-called traditional From an early age, Augusta of Parliament for Monmouth- Cooking. In this book, for dress. She is infamous for hav- began to take interest in Welsh shire, and later Marylebone. It example, there is an early recipe ing closed the taverns on her traditions and the Welsh lan- was during his term as (the earliest?) for the ever-popu- estate, and exercising a level of guage, still spoken by some of Commissioner of Works at the lar ‘pice ar y maen’, often control that might charitably be the local inhabitants and work- Houses of Parliament that the referred to now as ‘Welsh- called a benevolent autocracy.’ ers on the Llanofer estate. In famous tower and clock were cakes’. But this publication is But today we remember 1826 she went with her built, and it is said that the bell more than a cookery book. To her with joy and a deep sense Godmother, Lady Elizabeth of St Stephen’s tower, ‘Big quote Dr Celyn Gurden- of gratitude: a unique, fasci- Brown Coffin Greenly, Ben,’ was named after him. Williams, it ‘also sets out her nating and influential lady; a ‘Llwydlas’ (1771 – 1839), Even more important, however, ideals and beliefs ...[and] her great character, patroness Titley Court, Herefordshire, to he gave his full and continued opinions on everything from the and benefactor, worthy of the the Brecon Eisteddfod. There support to his enthusiastic wife Welsh language to animal hus- greatest praise and respect. for the first time she met the in her never-ending campaign to Augusta Waddington Hall, bandry ... The work is in fact a man who was to become her promote the Welsh language ‘Gwenynen Gwent’, Lady very intimate and influential and all that was Welsh. Greatly Llanofer (1802 - 96), from an friend: the Reverend Thomas inspired by her close friend and oil painting on canvas Price, ‘Carnhuanawc.’ mentor, Thomas Price, and at a (1862), by Charles Augustus At the 20 August 1834 time when she too felt that the Mornewicke (1836 - 74). On Garden of Treasures Cardiff Eisteddfod, Augusta districts around Llanofer and the black beaver hat there is A poem in praise of Monmouthshire won the first prize of a seal ring Abergavenny were becoming a pearl with silk leek. with a Welsh motto engraved on more and more Anglicized, she Copyright: Private Collection. a Welsh pebble for her pioneer- was not afraid of expressing her I know of a garden in Wales full of innumerable treasures, ing essay: ‘The Advantages view that Welsh should be these prophetic words in the from Grosmont in the north to Gwynlleg (Wentloog) by the Resulting from the Preservation taught in the schools of Wales first volume: ‘Mothers of sea. How beautiful to me is every village and parish between of the Welsh Language and and used regularly by the cler- Wales: speak Welsh to your the River Usk and the River Wye. National Costumes of Wales.’ It gy. children.’ included many regional costume In 1848 she founded Coleg Gwenynen Gwent and her I will venture to the top of Twyn Barlwm and climb Ysgyryd designs which, as we know, Llanymddyfri - Llandovery husband lived at Tŷ Uchaf, Fawr; I will walk over hill and dale before setting of the sun. have had a lasting influence on College - as part of her cam- Llanofer. Their home (and espe- But although I wander long from place to place, I will surely the development of the Welsh paign for Welsh education and cially after the new mansion, return one day. traditional dress. She also took Welsh language church ser- Llanofer Hall, was completed in every opportunity to promote vices. In 1854 she and Sir 1837), was described as the Brynbuga (Usk) and Bleanafon, Pontnewydd and Pen-rhos, Welsh wool and traditional Benjamin funded the building ‘Mecca for every Welsh bard Sirhywi and Allteuryn (Golfcliff), and the banks of the Welsh flannel designs. of a church at Abercarn, with [and musician’]. Guests from enchanging Ebwy River; every town and village, church and Eventually, in 1865, she estab- the firm instructions that the Wales and abroad, high and parish, their names contain much more than gold. lished the Gwenffrwd woollen services were to be conducted in low, even European royalty, mill on the Llanofer estate. Welsh. She encouraged her staff were all welcomed. With an Nant Honddu (Llanthony) and Llanfaches…Once more I recall Her pseudonym at the Cardiff to speak Welsh, and made use ever increasing sense of enthu- the saints of yesterday, and I hear their prayers as music on the Eisteddfod was ‘Gwenynen of the language on signs in the siasm and dedication, the lady strings of the wind. At Tintern Abbey today and Capel-y-ffin I Gwent’ (‘the bee of Gwent’), a village of Llanofer. of the house promoted Welsh partake of a long, long draught of old, old wine. name she used until the end of Furthermore, she sponsored the traditional music - the triple her life. It was, needless to say, journal, Y Gymraes (‘the Welsh harp (y delyn deires), in particu- Llanoder and Basaleg … I know that in the locality of the a most appropriate bardic name, woman’, 1850 – 51), and wrote lar. A harpist was permanently pioneering Lady and the renowned Ifor Hael (Ifor ‘the gener- because she continued to be ous one’) there are still brave benefactors, steadfast ad dear, who strive to keep the flame alight. I will visit Ysgol Gwynllyw and Y Fenni (Abergavenney); (the The 2016 NWAF schools at ) Casnewydd (Newport) and Cwm Gwyddon; Cwmbran and Cil-y-Coed (Caldicot: Ysgol y Ffin), and the Scholarships leaves on a frsh new branch proclaim the rebirth of spring. By Hefina Phillips fluently bilingual as she And this is the land we have inherited- a most beautiful gift- to explores her heritage. love and to cherish as a sacred garden; to irrigate the soil and One of the greatest joys in life The scholarship committee destroy the weeds, and to keep the sacred treasure forever is to share ones passions with was so impressed with these pure. others. Chairing the scholarship two stellar applicants that the committee of the National decision was made to divide the Translated from the Welsh by Robin Gwyndaf Welsh-American Foundation scholarship moneys equally (NWAF)has certainly brought between them. me a huge amount of pleasure. We are extremely proud of Annually two scholarships are them both and wish them “Pob offered to North Americans lwc” as they continue with their who wish to study in Wales. studies. There is an Exchange A third scholarship is the Scholarship of $5,000 and the Lloyd Jones Scholarship at Lloyd Travel Scholarship of Bangor University. A major $1,000. Of course, deciding to endowment has been provided whom these scholarships are to by Lloyd Jones of Allentown, be awarded can be quite a Penn., to recognize the accom- headache. Not so this year. Marah Hager plishments of individuals gradu- Although there were several ating from Bangor University, applications, two were outstand- North Wales. Awards are given ing and it was not difficult be extremely exciting and Mari to promising young entrepre- therefore for the scholarship has discovered manuscripts and neurs based on projects com- committee to come to a deci- information that were until very pleted in their undergraduate sion. recently unknown. studies. This year’s recipients The two successful applicants Readers of Ninnau may be are Rhiannon Haf Quirk who were Mari Morgan and Marah aware of the close connection designed and manufactures soft Hager. between Trinity/St David’s and toys and decorative furnishings Mari Morgan is well-known the Madog Centre of Welsh for her proposed online busi- to many of us in North America. Studies at Rio Grande ness, and Richard Gabriel She was the director of Côr University, Ohio. It is from this Noakes, who designed and man- Gogledd America and is a Institution that our second win- ufactured a prototype camera prominent and popular conduc- ner comes. Marah Hager’s CV system to increase visibility for tor of cymanfaoedd canu. She is spectacular! She has been tractor drivers reversing emigrated to the United States extremely involved with Welsh attached trailers on farms in in the 1990s. activities in the college, promot- mid-Wales. Currently Mari is reading for ing awareness of Welsh culture Rhiannon and Richard gradu- her PhD in Trinity/St David’s in the community. During her ated from Bangor this year with University College, Car- stay at Trinity/St David’s she a B.Sc. in product design. We marthen. The subject of her will work on a publication doc- congratulate them and wish Dissertation is the work and his- umenting her personal experi- them well as they begin their tory of the Welsh American ence in the Welsh Exchange careers in Wales. musicians Daniel Prothero and programme. She also aims to Joseph Parry. This is proving to improve her Welsh and become

Page 28 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 The National Eisteddfod By Robin Gwyndaf Thomas Price, ‘Carnhuanawc’ Thomas Price, ‘Carnhuanawc’, hood. Also, together with other Jane Williams, ‘Llinos’ (1795 – band of Lady Charlotte Guest), was born, 2 October 1787, at benefactors (John Jones, 1873), Aberpergwm, Nedd and there and then he offered to Pencaerelin, in the Parish of ‘Tegid’, in particular), he gave Uchaf, Castell-nedd (Neath), pay for the publication of Llanfihangel Bryn Pabuan, his full support to Lady Glamorganshire . This pioneer- Thomas Stephens’ work. And Breconshire. He was the second Charlotte Elizabeth Bertie Guest ing and renowned collection so it was. The book, Literature son of the Rev. Rice Price, and (1812 - 95) when she was trans- was privately printed in 1844, of the Kymry, appeared in print was brought up in a cultured lating the eleven classic tales, under the title Ancient and the following year (1849). home. He took interest in music The Mabinogion, and the tale of National Airs of Gwent and Thomas Price’s death, 7 (the harp, in particular) and Taliesin, during 1838 –1849. Morganwg, and dedicated ‘by November 1848, was a severe local lore from an early age. Carnhuanawc was a true Celt special permission to the blow to the organizers of the From 1823 until he died, 7 and greatly interested in the Queen.’ It is the only collection successful Cymreigyddion November 1848, he was a vicar long and rich Celtic literary tra- of Welsh folk songs thath Eisteddfod that year (the last but at Llanfihangel Cwm-du, dition. He learnt Breton, and includes the words as well as one). Since the very beginning, Breconshire, where he is buried. promoted closer links between the music to be published before with his enthusiasm, dedication From 1832 onwards he was also Wales and Brittany. One of his the twentieth century. and endearing personality; won- the Rural Dean for a third part important contributions was to A price of 25 guineas was derful gift of speech, and exten- of south Breconshire. promote the translation of the given at the 1848 Eisteddfod by sive knowledge of the Welsh lit- Carnhuanawc was well New Testament to Breton (pub- Queen Victoria in the name of erary tradition, he, and known as an antiquary and lished in 1849, a year after his her eldest son, ‘His Royal Gwenynen Gwent, had been the author of numerous articles. death). Highness, The Prince of Wales,’ main spring – the moving force His most famous book (pub- In 1823 he played a leading for a ‘Critical Essay on the – a shining sun - of the lished in fourteen parts, 1836- role in establishing Cymdeithas History of the Language and Cymreigyddion Society and its Rev. Thomas Price, ‘Carn- 42) was Hanes Cymru a Cymreigyddion Aberhonddu Literature of Wales from the series of memorable eisteddfo- huanawc’ (1787 - 1848) , Chenedl y Cymry o’r (the Welsh Literary Society of Time of Gruffydd ap Cynan and dau. from a bust at Coleg Cynoesoedd hyd at Farwolaeth Brecon), and was elected its Meilyr to that of Sir Gruffydd And at this point, as we Llanymddyfri / Llandovery Llywelyn ap Gruffydd (‘The his- President. Shortly afterwards he Llywd [Llwyd] & Gwilym Ddu; remember his firm, yet gentle, College. tory of Wales and the nation of founded the Welsh Minstrelsy Accompanied with Specimens, elevating and serene manner, Wales from prehistoric times to Society and collected enough Both in the Original, and in a throughout his life, of sharing the death of Llywelyn ap money to pay a teacher ‘for the Close English or Latin with others the richness of his Gruffydd’). A note here about encouragement of performers Thomas Price, Translation of the Poems, Most own Welsh and Celtic cultural Thomas Price’s bardic name, on the Welsh Harp and the ‘Carnhuanawc’. Illustrated Characteristic of the Period.’ inheritance, it is relevant to con- Carnhuanawc, may be relevant. Instruction of Poor Blind Boys London News, The winner was a young, cul- template briefly on the possible Like his very good friend and on that Instrument.’ 25 October 1845. tured, self-taught chemist from meaning of the bardic name, patron, Lady Llanofer, he Then, in 1833, Thomas Price Merthyr Tudful, Thomas Carnhuanawc, which he chose. wasvery conscious of more and gave his full support to one of in the fields of music (the triple Stephens (1821 – 1875), the son Carn: 1: cairn, mound. 2: hoof. more of the inhabitants of his the most influential literary harp, in particular), arts and of Evans Stephens, a shoemaker 3: stay, foundation, support. beloved counties of Breconshire gatherings ever held in Wales: crafts and Welsh woollen pat- from Pontneddfechan, Glamor- Huan: sun. Huanawc: shining, and Monmouthshire speaking Cymdeithas Cymreigyddion y terns. At the 1853 final ganshire. rich, bountiful. English, and especially con- Fenni (the Abergavenny Cym- eisteddfod, for example, two Thomas Stephens rightly The Reverend Thomas Price scious of official institutions reigyddion Society). (It came to prizes were offered for the ‘best received the highest praise pos- (Carnhuanawc) today it is our becoming more and more a sudden end in 1854.) Blind Female Performer on the sible for his composition, and it great privilege to sincerely and Anglicized. But, again like Gwenynen Gwent from the Triple Harp,’ and two prizes for has been acclaimed ever since humbly pay tribute to him and Augusta Hall, Thomas Price beginning was a most active the ‘best Blind Male Performer as the most important critical express our deepest gratitude: a was an activist. ‘Action speaks member. Lady Greenly, who on the Triple Harp’. Some of essay on the early literature of kind man of integrity; a beloved louder than words.’ He did had been a patron of Edward the essays written as a result of Wales written during the nine- friend of the people; a mentor, more than express his sincere Williams, ‘Iolo Morganwg,’ the numerous literary competi- teenth century. On the stage pioneer and inspirer; and, dissatisfaction and sorrow. He was also a member. tions were also of lasting impor- during the adjudication by undoubtedly, one of the greatest campaigned tirelessly in the In 1836 (long before the days tance. Archbishop John Williams was benefactors of the Welsh lan- press and in his public speeches of the National Library of The prizes offered at the Sir Josiah John Guest (the hus- guage and culture. for the use of Welsh in the Wales) the Welsh Manuscripts Cymreigyddion Eisteddfodau schools and churches of Wales. Society was formed, as a branch were, generally, exceedingly At his own expense, he founded of the Cymreigyddion, and, generous. It is believed that a school (c. 1820), at Gellifelen, eventually, it published a num- Lady Llanofer and Sir Benjamin Llanelli Hill, Breconshire, ber of important Welsh texts. Hall, either personally, or Gardd o Drysorau where the education was almost Once again, the diligent vicar of through the generosity of some Cerdd foliant i Sir Fynwy all in Welsh, and, similarly, he Cwm-du played a leading role of their noble friends, con- funded a Welsh school at in its activities. tributed about £2,500 in prizes Mi wn am ardd yng Nghymru Felindre, Llanfihangel Cwm-du. Between 1834 and 1853 (equivalent to quarter of a mil- Sy’n llawn trysorau’n stor, Furthermore, he gave every Cymreigyddion y Fenni held a lion pounds in today’s money). O’r Grysmwnt yn y gogledd practical help and moral support series of ten remarkable and At the 1837 Eisteddfod, a i Wynllwg ger y mor; possible to Gwenynen Gwent in spectacular eisteddfodau. They medal, valued at 3 guineas, and Mor deg i mi bob llan a phlwy her endeavour to learn Welsh were so influential during the a prize of 2 guineas, were Sydd rhwng afonydd Wysg a Gwy and to promote the language mid-nineteenth century that they donated by Lady Greenly for and the rich Welsh cultural are now regarded as the for-run- the ‘best collection of original Mi af i ben Twyn Barlwm inheritance in her everyday life ner of the National Eisteddfod unpublished Welsh airs, with A dringo’r ‘Sgryd Fawr; at Llanofer and the neighbour- itself. There were competitions the words, as sung by the peas- Mi gerddaf fryn a dyffryn antry’. The winner was Maria Cyn elo’r haul i lawr. Er crwydro’n hir o lan i lan, Af yno eto yn y man. The Past in the Present ... Brynbuga a Blaenafon, [email protected] Tel: gual publication, by Dr Celyn Pontnewydd a Phen-rhos, In October 1990 Cymdeithas 00 44 29 20623275 Gurden- Williams, beautifully Sirhywi ac Allteuryn, Carnhuanawc (the Carn-hua- Cymdeithas Gwenynen designed, with numerous illus- A glannau Ebwy dlos; nawc Society) was formed. Its Gwent - the Lady Llanover trations, and costing only £5: Pob tref a phentref, llan a phlwy, objective is to ‘promote interest Society was formed on 12 Pwy oedd Arglwyddes Mae mwy nag aur i’w henwau hwy. in the life and work of Thomas November-December 2016, ‘to Llanofer, ‘Gwenynen Gwent’? / Price (1787 - 1848). It also promote an understanding of the Who was Lady Llanover, The Nant Honddu a Llanfaches … seeks to foster knowledge of the life of Augusta Hall, ‘Bee of Gwent’? It is based on Mi gofiaf innau gynt history of Wales generally. It ‘Gwenynen Gwent’, Lady the author’s doctorate thesis: Am seintiau a’u gweddiau can justly be said of Llanover, and her contribution ‘Lady Llanover and the Yn gan ar dannau’r gwynt; Carnhuanawc that he gave back to the language and culture of Creation of a Welsh Cultural Yn Nhyndyrn mwy a Chapel-y-ffin to the people of Wales a sense Wales, a culture that remains Utopia.’ The Forward to the Caf ddrachtio’n hir o hen, hen win. of their place in history and in equally relevant in the 21st cen- book is written by Elizabeth the world. His life continues to tury.’ Lectures, concerts, Murray, Tŷ Uchaf, Llanofer, Llanofer a Basaleg … inspire Welsh people to fight for ‘Hands on Harp’ days, and great-great-great-great grand- Mi wn fod eto ar gael a wider recognition of their exhibitions are held regularly. daughter of Gwenynen, Gwent. Ym mro’r Arglwyddes flaengar identity.’ During the Abergavenny For further information re: A’r enwog Ifor Hael, The Society meets regularly, National Eisteddfod week, Cymdeithas Gwenynen Gwent / Ddewr gymwynaswyr hoff, ddi-gryn, in Cardiff and elsewhere; orga- numerous events were orga- The Lady Llanover Society: Sy’n dewis cadw’r fflam ynghyn\n. nizes an annual day-school; an nized to pay tribute to www.ladyllanover.org.uk. annual lecture at the National Gwenynen Gwent: lectures, dra- Secretary: Robin Davies: robin- Mi af i Ysgol Gwynllyw Eisteddfod; and visits places in mas, triple harp performances, [email protected] / A’r Fenni i gadw oed, Wales and the Celtic Countries, and exhibitions. Many of these [email protected] Casnewydd a Chwm Gwyddon, and especially if they have a events had been arranged by the Tel. 01594 563172 Cwmbran a Chil-a-coed, connection with Carnhuanawc. Society, including daily Acknowledgements: I am A dweud mae’r dail ar frigyn ir The Society arranged to place a meetings at Tŷ Uchaf, most grateful to the following Fod cyffro’r gwanwyn yn y tir. memorial stone on his grave at Llanofer. One memorable event persons for their very kind Llanfihangel Cwm-du and on was entitled: ‘Yn Ôl i Lanofer’ assistance in preparing this arti- A hon yw’r wlad a gawsom the building at Felindre, Cwm- (A Return to Llanofer), an cle: Keith Bush; Robin Davies; Yn rhodd o gostrel hardd, du, where his Welsh school had evening concert in the company Eleri Gwyndaf, my wife; Prof. I’w charu a’i hanwylo been held. of a number of harpists, all E Wyn James; Alan Jobbins; Yn gysegredig ardd: For further information: playing the triple harp. Elizabeth Murray; Frank Ireiddio’r pridd a difa’r chwyn www.carnhuanawc.org During the week the Society Olding; and Howard Williams. I gadw’n bur y trysor gwyn. Secretary: Alan Jobbins: also launched an excellent bilin-

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 29 Sir William Vaughan’s Cambriol & The Welsh in 17th century Newfoundland By Cabot Martin which form the core of the well- unexplored field for built site now under excavation genealogical research. In spite of major at Ferryland, which continues to contributions, the role of the produce an unending stream of Sir William Vaughan and Welsh in 17th century Early Modern artifacts his dream of Cambriol Newfoundland has been largely unsurpassed by those from any Sir William Vaughan (1575 forgotten. other site in North America. to 1641) was the second son of For a start, few know of Sir Welsh names show up Walter Vaughan of Gelli Aur William Vaughan of Golden frequently both in seasonal roles (Golden Grove), Carmarthen, Grove, Carmarthen, who was, (transient fishermen, naval upon whose death the family’s from 1616 to 1637, by far the officers, chaplains on English extensive Tywi River valley largest landowner in warships) and as year-round estates fell to Sir William’s Newfoundland and one of the planters and servants in older brother John, 1st Earl of most active of early colonists settlements within and outside Carbery. both directly in the the limits of Cambriol. Sir William devoted himself establishment of his settlement Indeed,one of the best to study, travel, and writing, “Cambriol” and by selling descriptions of late 17th century becoming both highly educated blocks in 1620 to George Newfoundland is from 1680 by in the law and philosophy and a Calvert (Lord Baltimore) and to John Thomas, a Welsh cleric , man with a social conscience Henry Cary (Viscount possibly the eldest son of writing extensively on the ills of Mason's map of 1625 which was printed in Vaughan's book Falkland), both friends at William Thomas, Bishop of St Welsh rural society. He also "Golden Fleece" and shows location of Cambriol relative to Oxford. David’s, and then chaplain on acquired through marriage an Vaughan's transfers to Lord Baltimore and Lord Falkland. Upon obtaining his grant the Naval Commodore’s estate on which he implemented from Vaughan, Baltimore flagship HMS Assistance. innovative agricultural methods. Vaughan wrote with The Sir William Vaughan selected Welshman Edward Thomas wrote while stationed In 1610, James I made a very conviction that in Cambriol, Trust Wynne as Governor to establish in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland; he large grant in the eastern most many Welsh tenants would be The Sir William Vaughan his Colony of Avalon at was sympathetic to the interests part of Newfoundland to the far better off, through a mix of Trust is based in St John’s, Ferryland. of the local planter community. London and Bristol Company, a fishing and farming, than at Newfoundland, and was incorp- Wynne in turn hired mostly Suffice to say that the Welsh group that included some of the home in Wales. orated as a not-for-profit Trust Welsh stone masons, slaters and were present in significant most prominent figures in He devoted much of his adult in March 2012. other tradesmen to build numbers throughout the 17th England (e.g. Sir Francis life trying to realize that dream. The Trust’s main objective is Baltimore’s Mansion House and century and to this day, Welsh Bacon). That same year they In addition to grants to to help better understand the related marine, farming and surnames are prominent in established a colony at Cupids worthies such as Calvert, Cary Welsh legacy from 17th century commercial structures, all of Newfoundland phone books - in Conception Bay. and Poyntz, starting in 1617, Newfoundland and the role this would seem a rich largely The Company’s grant covered Vaughan brought over Welsh played by Sir William Vaughan all of the 17th century “English families - men, women and and his Cambriol settlement. Shore” from Cape St Mary’s to children; it is a sad situation The Trust’s objectives also Bonavista location of cod when we presently do not know include helping create economic fisheries that were a source of even the rough numbers development opportunities for great wealth. involved, let alone their names. the Town of Trepassey which In 1616 dissension within the There is also divided opinion was likely the capital of Company caused it to sell the as to whether Sir William spent Cambriol. southern part of the Avalon time in Cambriol; some Welsh All Board members serve on Peninsula, the vast bulk of their sources say he made two trips a voluntary basis; archaeologists holdings, to Sir William including one when he had time and local assistants are hired on Vaughan giving him a long, to write his famous book “The a project basis. The Trust fish- rich coast, backed by a Golden Fleece” on the merits of conducted archaeological digs vast wilderness covering an area Cambriol. on the Lower Coast Trepassey, nearly half the size of Wales. In any event, Vaughan spent in 2013 and 2014, recovering The mostly thin rocky soil, 21 years on his Cambriol 17th century pottery. Another is the bogs and dense woods were project before being planned for late fall 1916. unattractive to many. But the unceremoniously thrown off his For further information, moor-like natural grasslands on lands by Charles I in 1637 in please contact Cabot Martin, Trust many seaside headlands meant favor of a better connected Chair at [email protected] Lower Coast which is located just inside the entrance to good sheep farming; the woods, group led by the Duke of Trepassey Harbour ; this area of the very large harbour had a fuel and building materials; the Hamilton and Sir David Kirke. documented 17th plantation and was once the main area of barrens, a large source of deer History simply records that settlement ; given its many advantages we suspect it was (caribou) meat; the rivers, Vaughan’s Cambriol project salmon; and the abundant sea “failed.” His deeds and struggle where Vaughan's settlement was located and where we are deserve a more careful analysis. digging. fisheries, a cash export business. My Quest for the Descendants of Michael D Jones

By Alun Owen with his wife Olga. They have Dr. Iwan near the railway line. recently retired. In 1912 they moved to A ongoing series looking at Meanwhile I had started cor- Buenos Aires so that their six the search for family history responding with Iris Spannaus children could attend school. He and Elizabeth Dean (Liza) fol- also attended the British Part IV lowing the short telephone con- Hospital there. Every year he versations in Buenos Aires. Liza returned on holiday to Chubut was full of information. With where he had the estancia at Post Patagonia further details and correspon- Arroyo Pescado (Nant y dence from her cousin Cristina Pysgod) and fished in the near- Tegai Roberts sadly passed de Bary von Wuthenau in San by Rio Pescado and the Rio away on 23 April 2014 at the Isidro the details of their co- Tecka beyond. It was there he hospital in Trelew. She was a descendants and Mihangel’s had a stroke when 76 years old very quiet and modest person family and his history began to which left him very incapacitat- and an expert on the history of emerge. ed. There is some indication the Welsh colony, the curator of Liza’s notes indicate her that thereafter he could only the Welsh History Museum in grandfather Mihangel graduated remember the Welsh language Gaiman (now taken over by her as a Doctor in Edinburgh apparently and his Spanish-and Liza, Iris and Cristina, in Buenos Aires nephew, Fabio Gonzales) and, University and went out to English-speaking family had as aforementioned, had been Chubut in 1888. After two years great difficulty communicating awarded the OBE (as also has treating the colonists, he moved with him. His last years were eventually found it difficult to through the Internet, eventually her sister Luned Gonzales). I to Buenos Aires to revalidate spent in the British Hospital write. She had been attempting revealed some contact details was pleased and privileged that his medical degrees which took where his son Dr Trevor ap to build up a family tree of her and by further queries on the I had met her and spent a short him three years. He was offered Iwan worked and looked after immediate Argentinian relatives telephone, found relatives and time discussing the family with the post of a doctor in 1893 on him. He passed away at the age and Llwyd ap Iwan’s descen- their families living in her and her sister at their the Buenos Aires and Pacific of 81 in 1944. The obituary item dants for some time. Her daugh- Edinburgh, Gloucestershire, Gaiman home. Railway based outside and west in the Buenos Aires Herald ter Patsy provided her notes to Yorkshire and areas of south I have also contacted Dr of Buenos Aires in Junin. He included “The Late Mr ap Iwan me through her brother, now Wales. I have spoken to them Arturo Lewis Roberts (Luned went to live there and also .- After a long and useful life he living in Cardiff. These were and also met and visited some and Tegai’s brother) in New attended at the local hospital. finally retired and made his extremely useful in my quest. of them. Inevitably, there is a Jersey to inform him that I was He married an English lady home in Villa Devoto, spending Iris very sadly passed away on handful of relatives still to be undertaking the quest for MDJ’s Florence Hannay in 1898 (who several months in the year at his 16 June 2015. found whether here or abroad. family tree and to confirm his had been visiting her sister and estancia in Tecka and enjoying From all this latest informa- family details. I have since sent the wife of the Railway’s the fishing in the “Arroyo tion and all the relatives’ names Continued in the next edition him a copy of the MDJ’s family General Engineer). He evidently Pescado” until he became seri- coming to the fore, it emerged of Ninnau tree and subscribe to his Welsh had his own railway carriage to ously ill.” that some of them were here ‘Ninnau’ newspaper that he has travel around the network. Iris Spannaus had succumbed and living in the UK. Many ses- been editing for some years There is a street in Junin called to Parkinson’s disease and sions and hours spent trawling

Page 30 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 Welsh Ministers:

By Thomas LawtonWilliam Jones of his career,Williams-The and indeed of his Sweetthe Singer Revival era, publishing of Walesed hither and thither, and he whole life, altered. some ninety titles. Yet his great- went over on dry ground’: As King David, “the sweet After attending a lackluster est contribution was his hymns, O Thou Righteousness eter- psalmist of Israel,” translated service in the Establish Church over 800 of them, that gave nal! the heart cries and aspirations of of Talgarth, Williams witnessed vivid expression to the spiritual Righteousness of boundless God’s ancient people into poet- an unusual event. Instead of aspirations of Christians across store! ry and song, so William making their way home, the Wales. “His hymns seemed to Soon my naked, hungry spirit Williams of Pantycelyn, “the parishioners gathered around a fly abroad as on the wings of Must enjoy Thee evermore. sweet singer of Wales,” set the short, stout man standing upon a the wind, and soon became the Hide my nakedness, oh! hide heart, soul, and spirit of Wales gravestone. Expectation and a sacred ballads of the whole it, singing during the eighteenth good measure of apprehension nation. As Luther sang With Thy robe of shining century revival. Author H. Elvet showed on the faces of the Germany into Protestantism, so white; Lewis wrote: “What Paul crowd. As the preacher boomed did Williams sing the Wales of So that, fearless, I may ever Gerhardt has been to Germany, out his call for repentance and the eighteenth century into Stand before Thy throne of what Isaac Watts has been to faith in Jesus Christ, some wept, piety” (Lewis 33). Though most light. England, that and more has some fainted, and some cursed of Williams’s hymns remain in William Williams made his been William Williams of as though demons were crying the Welsh language exclusively, own passage from his family Pantycelyn.” His over 800 out! That preacher was Howell some have found a treasured farm at Pantycelyn into heaven- hymns have comforted, encour- Harris, who had been stirring place in English hymnals and ly glory on 11 January 1791. aged, and inspired Welshmen the fires of revival across the continue to bless English-speak- Nevertheless, “he being dead from the shepherd, blacksmith, principality. (See Ninnau, May- ing congregations around the yet speaketh” through the and miner of old to today’s June, 2016) Williams, wrote globe. The most famous of deeply spiritual verses he has computer programmer, health- Elvet Lewis, “came out of that these is Guide Me, O Thou left us. care worker, and automotive historic churchyard with the William Williams Great Jehovah, later set to the technician. light of eternity in his eyes.” He stirring tune by John Hughes, Resources William Williams was born in turned his attention to the min- Anglican Church, Williams Cwm Rhondda. Who can forget Jones, R. Tudur, “William 1717 at Cyfn-y-Coed, Llanfair- istry, and within three years, in came “under the influence of the moving scene in How Green Williams (of Pantycelyn) (1717- ar-y-bryn, Carmarthenshire. His 1740, he was ordained a deacon (George) Whitefield, who urged Was My Valley as the miners 1791),” The New International father was a deacon in an inde- in the Established Church, min- him to go forth to the highways wend their way home singing Dictionary of the Christian pendent congregation in istering at Llanwrtyd, to proclaim the glad tidings. that tune in four-part harmony! Church, 1978 ed. Carmarthenshire at a time when Llanfihangel, and Llanddewi And preach he did from A generation later, the great Lewis, H. Elvet, A Story of nonconformist churches were Abergwesyn. Holyhead to Cardiff [traveling] Welsh preacher Christmas Welsh Hymns and Their outlawed and persecuted. In spite of – or perhaps on an average 3,000 miles every Evans (Ninnau, November- Authors, With Original During times of persecution, the because of – his energetic, fer- year for fifty years.” (Lewis 33) December 2015) found comfort Translations. London: Religious congregation met in a cave at vent preaching, which was Williams joined the on his deathbed from a Tract Society. twilight. Williams’s father died attended with impressive Methodist Revival and became Williams hymn. H. Elvet Lewis Roberts, Rev. Gomer when the boy was very young, results, the Anglican prelates “the ablest conductor of the poetically describes the scene: Morgan, Y Per Ganiedydd, at and his mother devoted herself would not grant Williams ordi- societies that were springing Dissenting Academy of Llwyn- sured him for, among other He was uniquely gifted with the Christmas Evans—one of the llwyd, near Talgarth in pursuit things, not making the sign of ability to help new believers immortal ‘three’ of the Welsh of a medical career. But passing the cross at baptisms and hold- with their personal problems pulpit—sang when nearing through Talgarth one Sunday ing services in unauthorized and anxieties. Williams was home; taking it as a staff in his morning, he found the direction places of worship. After his also the most prolific author of hand, ‘and smiting Jordan with troubling experience in the it, so that the waters were divid- The Welsh at Mametz Wood By James Thomas and the Borderers Regiments, machine gun fire. To Gen. Haig but German machine gun fire that was inexcusable and The Welsh at Mametz Wood enfiladed the advancing lines. blamed Phillips’s weakness for is a series of pieces on this bat- The Welsh moved northwest the failure. tle in July 1916 that still rever- toward the trees while hidden More rumors flew because berates in Wales today. Several emplacements erupted with the division had failed to poets who served in Welsh units automatic weapons fire from advance with spirit, a polite way in or near Mametz during the “the Hammerhead” section on of saying that the Welsh were Somme Campaign in the First their right flank. Later the histo- cowards. That lie was shattered World War remembered it in rian of the 16th Welsh dryly in hand-to-hand fighting during verse. Other writers are more noted that “‘Cut to Ribbons’ the next assault on 10/11 July. recent. Rewritten from the first would be an apt description.” Mametz Wood was cleared of versions posted on the St. A second attack across what Germans and the Welsh took David’s Society of New York was now “Death Valley” almost 4,000 casualties reported website Blog, these pages will bogged down and a third wave in the news accounts. Official now appear in Ninnau. I would never charged. Corps comman- numbers were 3,993 casualties, also like to note the useful prose der Lt. Gen. Henry Horne wounded and missing in action, of Phil Carradice from BBC ordered a second day of attacks with 602 killed. Wales History, Andrew but conflicting messages caused Earlier on 3 July, Sassoon had Dickson of The Guardian, and confusion. No assault occurred. written down his poem “At author Andrew Green of gwall- He then summoned 38th divi- Carnoy” before his Fusilier bat- ter, “a blog and more from sion commander Maj. Gen. Ivor talion attack, which ended with Swansea.” Mametz Wood (detail), Edward Handley-Read, 1916 Phillips back to headquarters the words “Tomorrow we must and sacked the Welsh general. go/To take some cursed “Some Cursed Wood” Philips had balked at ordering Wood…O world God made! fought in human history. That German trenches. Further north unprotected soldiers into On 4 July 1916, near Mametz square mile of woods was the lay Mametz. British gains on 1 Wood, Lieutenant Siegfried next objective. July were consolidated, but the On 3 July, a close friend of Wood was left in German Sassoon noted in his diary his th previous day’s activity. Sassoon’s was killed by a hands. The British 7 Division, Throwing grenades, he had sniper. Enraged, depressed, and including Lt. Sassoon’s Fusilier Holiday Cottage for Rent cleared a German trench and horrified, the poet jumped under battalion, attacked but failed on forced the defenders to flee. He covering fire and rushed the 4 July. Bryn Tirion, then, according to Robert enemy trench with “bombs.” With Mametz Wood still held Wern Bach, Llanfair T.H., Graves, his fellow officer and The Germans prudently fled. by the Prussian Lehrs, the next “Mad Jack” as he became assault on was planned for 7 poet in the Royal Welsh, sat th Abergele, Conwy, Wales down to read a book of verse. known, missed another chance July, led by the 38 (Welsh) Tele/fax : 01745 720 308 The scheduled Fusilier attack at death himself, but on 27 July Division. Originally envisioned was delayed while Sassoon he was awarded the Military by Prime Minister David Lloyd E/mail: [email protected] relaxed. Patrols, i.e., Sassoon, Cross “for conspicuous gal- George as the Welsh Army were still “out.” His commander lantry” under fire recovering Corps, this unit drew volunteers Single storey cottage next to the owner's home, situated raged, “I’d have got you a DSO British wounded. In between from across the Principality and by a quiet minor road above the Elwy Valley, 2 miles NE of if you’d only shown more those dates, Mametz Wood was from English cities. New battal- the village of Llanfair Talhaiarn and 5 miles south of the coast sense.” waiting. British Field Marshall ions were added to the estab- Douglas Haig demanded its lished Welsh Fusiliers, South and market town of Abergele. The accommodation comprises Three days earlier the British a spacious double bedroom with ensuite shower room, fitted assault on the First Day of the capture. Wales Borderers, and the Welsh Somme had taken the village of To relieve pressure on the Regiment. Due to lack of sup- kitchen/diner including microwave, and an attractive beamed Mametz but the Lehr Regiment, French defending against the ply, some recruits learned tac- lounge area with TV. Gas central heating is included in the Prussian Guards Division, still German attack at Verdun to the tics and the manual of arms price and an extra single bed or travel cot is available by held Mametz Wood 1,000 yards southeast, a northern front was with brooms, not rifles. planned for the Somme in After a short artillery barrage, arrangement. Lovely walks with panoramic views. There is a to the northeast. On that day public footpath to the village of Llanfair T H (tennis courts), a alone, 1 July, the British army Picardy. Part of it included the the whistles blew at 8 am that endured the worst single day village of La Boiselle, where Saturday morning. Over the top trout farm with bar/meals 2 miles away; also local reservoirs ever for the British military in the opening attack started on 1 toward “Happy Valley” to fish. Very convenient for Snowdonia and the coast. one of the bloodiest battles ever July with the land mines marched the men of the Welsh Tariff available on request. Lochnagar and Y Sap blasting

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 31 Years ago, when I was learning Welsh at Lampeter College, one of my teachers had us read "Trychineb Aberfan." It was a turning point in my love of Wales, for it brought home the dreadful suffering of industrial workers and their families as well as the beauty of the language. I began working on an English translation on the flight home to the United States.

The Aberfan Disaster Behind a veil of fog which hid the coal tips from the villagers Suddenly shot, from beneath Tip Seven, water, shiny, black, greasy, Tearing a channel for the loose, slick torrent behind it, Which carried with it bricks, trees, boulders and tram cars And the remains of two cottages, Hafod-Tanglwys-Uchaf. Its sound was like the screaming of a jet flying very low. Before it stood Pant-glas School like a living dam: the mud Swept away the fence, darkened the windows, shifted the walls, And at one end climbed as high as the roof, then fell Upon the heads of the children and the brave teachers: and flowed through the school and over it, Killing inhabitants in their houses, crushing homes and motorcars. Then a sudden, solid silence: no bird was heard singing, Nor a single child crying: one sensed nothing but the stench of death. The residents, and the miners who knew them, of course, And strangers of all sorts, from Beatniks to the Salvation Army, Dug, shoveled, and clawed in the school and outside it for bodies, Carried them to a shed nearby, washed them, and lay them in blankets. Some bodies and faces had been deformed by the mud, others National Library Had been shattered, and the shattered were wrapped in blankets With orders that no one should open them: and the ambulance cars ferried them To Bethania, with a policeman inside, and a line of fathers outside Opens Aberfan Waiting to identify them: one-hundred-sixteen children, and twenty-eight adults. Had ever a chapel in Wales, on the main floor and in the gallery, A congregation so odd, and in its schoolhouse pupils so mute? By Elin Williams Exhibitmedia professionals and others have commemorated the The sludge of Tip Seven covered Aberfan like Bethlehem and Rama; On the morning of Friday, 21 tragedy and the lives lost in Rama, where Rachel wept for her children for they were no more October 1966, tragedy struck a their own unique way. And she would not be comforted: but the enemy took those captive children small mining village in south A special exhibition will be To Babilon, and in captivity they were at least alive, Wales. The valley around arranged at The National And where there is life there is hope. Herod beheaded children Aberfan had been piled high Library of Wales, Aberystwyth With the sword at Bethlehem, yet although the children were corpses their mothers with spoil from the nearby from the 17th of September Recognized them. If death, better death by the sword than death by sludge. Merthyr Vale Colliery, and until the 14th of January 2017 Mothers of Aberfan wept broken-hearted, especially the mothers of children shortly after 9am, ‘Tip 7’ began which will focus on the Unidentified; wept the most pitiful tears of the twentieth century; deeper tears to move. response to the disaster, and Than the tears of Bethlehem’s mothers, and even Rachel’s tears. Within minutes a vast allow the Library itself to Some mothers stood like statues near the stinking flood believing landslip of shale and coal dust remember that which was lost. The whole thing was a nightmare, a nightmare from their sleep the night before. hurtled down the mountain, The exhibition will include: Some were jealous of living children; and others furious with God mixing with underlying water Various photographs of the For not descending from heaven to stop the tip from spewing death. and engulfing everything in its disaster and the days that Some sought their children’s murderer to hang him on the Hanging Tree. path. one thousand tonnes of followed Parents felt the arms of eternity closing around them, holding them, colliery spoil wiped away two Remembrance; literature; Upholding their broken faith in Christ, and their shattered hope in God. farm cottages, several houses, including poetry; and articles No member can ever worship Him again in Bethania Chapel and tore into the side of A collection of stills from For the bodies of their children lay there, and they gone with no farewell, Pantglas Junior School. ITV Cymru Wales news No cry and no caress. The disaster took the lives of programmes 144 people, 116 of them A coal installation which has Costly coal was throughout the years in South Wales for it was red children, triggering a been created especially for this With the blood of the young and the middle-aged, like the streams of blood that were lost profoundly emotional response exhibition to remember anew, In Senghennydd, a village not far from Aberfan: but today not only in Wales but also fifty years later. It is more costly still because the blood of innocents is added to all that. The tips throughout the international During this period, there will We played on, loved on, lived in their shadow, and snitched chunks community. also be an opportunity to see a Of coal from in time of strike, we can no longer look upon Thousands rushed to help photographic collection by I.C Without redness in our eyes, without remembering horror and the weight of guilt. with the rescue effort while Rapoport as part of The Days Why, O Lord, didst thou make the valleys of South Wales so sodden and narrow? sympathies and financial After exhibition which Oh yes, Keir Hardie used to maintain that the piles should be buried support poured in from other commemorates the Aberfan In the empty bowels of the mines to prevent collapses, gas, and floods: countries as well. disaster and record the But the modern Socialists believe like the capitalists of yore Over a period of fifty years residents’ attempts to come to That production is more valuable than workers, expenses more than homes. since that black October in terms with life after the tragedy. 1966, a myriad of poets, writers, There is depth in suffering; it is this depth that pulls photographers, musicians, Men, women, and children near to one another. This suffering, More than anything, has built in the South communities so close, A society so human. Not only had the village the sympathy of Wales, But the sympathy of all the free world. The mayor of Longarone came All the way from the north of Italy to shake hands with the parents of Aberfan, For the dam of the Piave River broke, killing the village’s inhabitants Including the children, but they drowned in clean waters. Church Directory They got no sympathy from Communist countries since the disaster, Surely, was a disaster of capitalism; but they’ve the same kind of system As that alien, bureaucratic Behemoth, the Coal Board Dewi Sant Eglwys y Cymry In Wales. Welsh United Church The Welsh Congregation of the City of New York They made their escape from the village to Egypt, did Mary, Joseph, and the baby 33 Melrose Avenue Toronto, Canada 236 West 73rd Street When the children were killed; and they returned to it after the old butcher died. New York, NY 10023 But when the baby grew to be a young man he himself drank, Tel: 416-485-7583 Rev.Matthew P Harrington At Gethsemene, the cup full of the wretchedness of man and anger of God. English Service - 11 am, every Bilingual Services And while hanging, between two thieves, on the Cross, the blood upon him like a gown, Sunday Even he lost hold of his Father, in the terrifying darkness after the eclipse; Second Sunday of the month at 3 pm And his mother stood nearby, the sword having pierced her heart Welsh Service - 7 pm Exception is May, third Sunday (First Sunday of the month, Sept. to CROESO - WELCOmE With weeping at such a barbaric death: her Son was crucified June) By the powers of death that work in religious men, politicians, and common folk. Information: 212-664-0734 He plummeted to depths deeper that the passion of Aberfan, CROESO / WELCOmE The depths of demonic man and the depths of eternal God. From his wounds And the blood of his head flowed to us sinners the justification, atonement, Forgiveness and love; and with our hands strengthened by grace we will grasp The bond that binds us to him; a bond no disaster can sever. On the piece of land above is a large flowered cross, and at its head Rehoboth Capel Cymraeg Bryn Seion Welsh Church, Bouquets from San Remo; and on the graves the small, neighborly crosses; Delta, PA - Cardiff, MD est. 1884 And on every grave is a name, save the grave of the unknown bodies. 1029 Atom Road 22132 S. Kamrath Rd, Cross of our faith and our salvation. Cross of righteousness and of love. Delta, PA 17314 Beavercreek, Oregon 97004 Rev. Richard Price Baskwill, Gwenallt Pastor (nondenominational) Rev. Greg Tatman Translated from the Welsh by Anne Knowles, Meeting every Sunday Non-denominational, bilingual at the church: services held every 1989/2016 5 pm Welsh Language Study second and fourth Sundays of the 6 pm Bilingual Service month at 11:00 am Gymanfa Ganu - First weekend in followed by a potluck lunch May

Page 32 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 ChapterReese Hughes Speaks 4. “Rough of the Troubles LifeIncident ofto Camp the Life Mining and the Early Pioneers; Days of the West; Dinner with Lord Vivian.” Reese Hughes migrated from ed such a company, style and Champlain. After this, in com- November the 4th was South Wales to Carbondale, Pa. occasion, my predicament can pany with Charles P. Williams Lincoln’s first election, at the with his family in 1833. He be imagined much easier than I of Philadelphia, I discovered the mine we were fourteen men and entered the anthracite mines as can picture it; the desire upper- first nickel ore in America in we all sent our names, as a boy, became a mine boss, an most in me was to have a knot- Lancaster County, Pa. We did requested by the Justice of the owner-manager, and then trav- hole in the floor and crawl not know what it was and could county capital, and voted by elled extensively as a mineral through it somewhere out of not find out until we came proxy for Lincoln. On prospector and consultant. His sight. However, grandfather across an old Swiss chemist in December the 3rd a general friends convinced him to com- said that I had acquitted myself Newark, N.J. who analyzed and cleaning up was instituted at the mit his life story to paper, and very well! reduced some of the ore for us. mill for we had worked it now between June 1913 and We visited London and some Then Joseph Warton, of six weeks and two days, and the February 1914 the eighty-five of its chief attractions, and Philadelphia, for whom I was result was we cleared $6,215. year old Hughes published his grandfather, as a retired working, built a smelting works The snow by this time was very reminiscences in The Druid, a Admiral, was presented to the at Camden, N.J., which proved deep—five feet on the mountain Welsh American newspaper. Queen in Buckingham Palace very successful, for Mr. Warton and much deeper in the canyon. They appeared in five chapters and she told him that she did not induced the government and However, it interfered but very one of which is reprinted remember seeing an admiral contracted with it for so much th little with our work for we had below.—Ronald Lewis before in the 88 year of his nickel to be used in currency the camp well stocked with pro- The voyage from New York age. and which is used to this day. visions, and the little travelling to Liverpool was vividly resur- In January, 1854, we sailed About this time Mr. E.K. we did from it was on rected in my mind by the terri- for home, bringing with me Garretson of New York City the same company, and in the Norwegian snow shoes. ble calamity to the Titanic, for grandfather’s mahogany chest desired a man to go to On March the 12th Mr. we were caught in ice floats of tools, instruments and some same year I discovered the California to open a gold mine Hematite iron ore vein two George Bissell took charge for among the mountainous bergs relics which I have in my pos- and put up a quartz mill. Mr. my time was up, therefore I left and were detained for six hours. session to this day. miles from Hellertown for the Weatherall, secretary of the Hockendaqua Iron Company. for the East and landed in New Fortunate we were that both the Landing in Philadelphia we Passaic Company granted me a York City, April 10th, 1861. wind and sea were calm. The S. visited for some days with my This was one of the busiest leave of absence for a year, and years of my life, for after this The atmosphere here was sur- S. City of Glasgow traveling in brother, Joseph, of the I started for California taking charged with rumors of war, the opposite direction to us was Columbia Iron Works, and then that I have related I was sent, in with me three men, Thomas October, to Davidson County, and I was ordered immediately lost at the time, and doubtless by train to Tamaqua, Pa., where Morgan of Tamaqua, Evan by the company in New York to among the icebergs we encoun- I met Ed. Morgan, one of the North Carolina, to open a zinc Wildin of Summit Hill, and and lead mine, called afterward North Carolina to place five tered. boys in the company at Thomas Williams of Friendship, tons of powder in the Silverhill I found my grandfather well Harrisburg for the Mexican the Silverhill Mine, and which Lehigh County. We went by was very rich in both zinc and Mine to blow it up should it be at the advanced age of 87, in war! He was the mining boss boat from New York city down confiscated. I was there three which year I find myself now for Mr. Bowman and gave me a lead. Here I had to engage to Aspinwall, then crossed the slaves from their masters on the weeks doing the work and after since last April. Nevertheless, good job robbing pillars [the Isthmus of Panama on Mexican instructing John Udy the pump he was spry both in body and dangerous job of removing pil- plantation to do all the menial ponies to the Pacific and then work of the mine. In 1858 I dis- on what and how to do in the mind, and as keen as ever for lars of coal that supported the by boat to San Francisco. It took emergency, left for New York, news of the great country across mine roof before a section was covered the Davidson Copper us twenty-three days from New Mine for a company in when, to my horror, on arriving the Atlantic. We spent nine abandoned] where I made York. I had a map of the claim at Portsmouth the blockade with months with him, traveling excellent pay. Baltimore, Maryland. These and location, which was on the mines proved very successful Confederate marine vessels was through various parts of Wales, After that I took contracts first plateau of the Sierra on. I was forced to remain here England and we visited Cork under John Powell, assistant until the James Buchanan panic Nevada Mountains, near the [a serious financial recession more than three weeks, and I and [the premises] of Killarney, superintendent for the Lehigh Little Silver Creek—a tributary was in a terrible state of mind in Ireland. Valley Coal Co., where I was that struck the nation in 1857 to the South Euba River five the same year Buchannan took fearing lest my career would I was honored, in company advanced to be a mining boss. miles below. We had a great end in the southern army by with my grandfather of course, Not satisfied with fifty dollars a office as U.S. President] demor- trouble to find it and some hard- alized everything in the year conscript. However, fate would with an evening dinner in the month pay for that work, in the ship in starting to work for it not have it to be so, by a little palace of Lord Vivian, who fall of 1856 I undertook to sink 1859, when I was ordered to was fourteen miles from the close the mines, stop everything diplomacy on my part with one twenty years previous had a shaft for the Passaic Company nearest camp. Two teams of of the chief officers of the rigged up his Elizabeth Cook to in Luken Valley, four miles but the pumps, and sell the hors- oxen were used to carry sup- es. Then I came North and went marines who visited the hotel carry us to New York. from Bethlehem, Pa., the shaft, plies from Marysville, sixty- where I stayed, daily, and his Fourteen of his special guests however, did not prove success- prospecting in the Adirondacks eight miles away. We worked for Messrs. Hall and Brady of th sympathy, of course, and the aid were in attendance, two of them ful, but I found a good deposit hard and on October the 9 the of some prominent men in New from London, and I served as of zinc ore about a quarter of a New York City, and discovered mill was put in operation by a good sample of graphite York, I got back safely. (to be the special but of questions con- mile distant. In August, 1857, I water power—18 feet wheel continued) cerning America—its modes assumed charge of the (black lead) near the outlet of and a sixteen stamp battery. The Lake George, eight miles from [The Druid, 22 January 1914, and customs. Being illiterate Ogdensburg Zinc mine in venture proved very successful p.7] and never before having attend- Sussex County, New Jersey, for Ticonderoga on Lake throughout. O b i t u a r i e s Eleanor Margaret “Peggy” Speakman David Joseph Jones Eleanor Margaret “Peggy” Peggy served on the WSCO David Joseph Jones of Speakman, age 91, of Board of Directors for ten years Newtown Square, PA died Pickerington, Ohio, died and then, with ex officio Board peacefully at home surrounded Sunday, August 21, 2016. She status, was the Editor of Dragon by family on August 25th, 2016 was born January 16, 1925, in Tales until she was ready to at the age of 79. He was the son Mansfield, Ohio, to the late retire from the job in 2006. of the late, David J. Jones and Samuel and Margaret Morgan. Peggy continued her connection Mary Ellen Lynch Jones. He She was the youngest of four with the newsletter via her was a graduate of Gettysburg children and the first one in her Welsh cookery column. College, where he served as family to be born in the United While she was on the Board President of Sigma Chi fraterni- States, but she was always during the ‘90s, Peggy oversaw ty. proud of her Welsh heritage. the te bach after WSCO’s annu- al gymanfa ganu and there was Mr. Jones served honorably Peggy graduated from in the U.S. Army Intelligence. Mansfield Senior High School usually a batch of her Welsh tea cakes to enjoy at the tea. Mr. Jones worked in Sales and and attended the Maryland Marketing for the Pension Institute College of Art in During the years that WSCO Baltimore prior to her marriage Peggy Speakman had a booth at the annual Group of CIGNA for 26 years. in 1945 to the love of her life, Columbus International He was an active member of ing, and watercolor painting. the Welsh Society of David Joseph Jones Joseph C., who predeceased her Peggy was a member of the Festival, there was Peggy with in 2008. She retired in 1982 Pickerington Senior Center, tea cakes (her own and some Philadelphia, serving as past cooked by her son Joe’s fami- president. As a member of David J. Jones, III of Princeton, after many years as an operator where she was still taking New Jersey, (wife Maria supervisor at the Ohio Bell watercolor classes and attending ly). Newtown Square Church for 48 Telephone Company and she Peggy was always seen at years, he sang in the church Kirzecky) and Andrew T. Jones other social events. of Towson, Maryland; daughter, remained a member of the Ohio Peggy was a vital member of WSCO’s annual events – the St. choir for 12 years. Bell Pioneers. the Welsh Society of Central David’s Day flag-raising and Mr. Jones took great joy in Jennifer McKeown of As an active member of East Ohio. Peggy was in charge of luncheon, summer potluck pic- collecting and restoring antique Merchantville, New Jersey Baptist Church, Peggy taught the Tea Room during the 1998 nic, and autumn gymanfa ganu carriages, sleighs and furniture (husband Robert McKeown), Sunday School and Bible Columbus National (grand- and te bach -- often accompa- as well as landscaping and gar- grandchildren, Evan, Gretchen School ,while also singing in daughter, Anne Speakman, in nied by one or more members dening around his home. He and Anna Jones and Emily and the choir and serving in many Welsh costume, helped her of her family. enjoyed woodworking projects, Kirstin McKeown. He is also other ways. She participated in grandmother in the tea room), Peggy visited Wales several American and European history survived by a sister Mary Ellen the “Families in Touch” pro- and served as a greeter in the times, and stayed in touch with and classical music Reed (husband Douglas Reed) gram and was involved in the 2015 Columbus NAFOW a nephew who lives there. of Devon, Pennsylvania. Peggy will be dearly missed, .He is survived by his beloved local chapter of the National Marketplace/Tea Room (along wife, Margot G. Jones; sons, Alliance on Mental Illness with her daughter Becky not only by her immediate fami- (NAMI). She was also part of Crownover and granddaughter ly, of whom she was always so the Violet Township Women’s Lisa Zacharias – three genera- very proud, and her extended League, the Red Hat Society of tions!). She frequently attended family of nieces, nephews and Pickerington and attended class- the WNGGA/WNAA celebra- cousins, but also by all of her NINNAU & Y DRYCH ® es for Silver Sneakers. She con- tions in other cities, for many many friends, including her The North American Welsh Newspaper tinued to have an artistic flair all years accompanied by her hus- loyal cat, Louie. her life through sewing, quilt- band Joe. November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 33 (Continued from page 14) Waleswill nevertheless Review come as a sur- both Welsh and English lan- prise to many within Wales’s guage productions. He was also line at Garn Wen behind higher education sector. Until a launch director on the BBC’s DEWCH I SIARAD Harbour Village, had become this year, Cardiff had been the EastEnders. A native of north- (Ann M. Jones) overgrown and many local peo- highest-ranked Welsh university east Wales, Peter Edwards was ple were unaware of their exis- in every edition of The Times the son of the late actor and tence. The undergrowth has and The Sunday Times league writer Meredith Edwards. He been cleared, new interpretive tables since they were first pub- was 68. GWERS 139 panels put in and a footpath cre- lished in 1998. Elsewhere in SOUTH PEMBROKESHIRE’S ated and fenced off which con- Wales, Aberystwyth University first dedicated Welsh school has nects the site with the already- has risen to third in the country, opened. Ysgol Hafan Y Mor has We’ve already looked at the concise Future Tense forms established link to the coast path replacing Bangor which has been built in Tenby in response of regular verbs in Gwersi 121 – 126. As you know by and creates several circular slipped into fourth. to the growing demand for now, there are 5 main irregular verbs in Welsh - ‘bod’ (to routes. The tombs are thought to A D-DAY veteran from Welsh-medium education in the be), ‘mynd’ (to go), ‘dod’ (to come), ‘cael’ (to have) and date back to between 4000BC Ebbw Vale has been honored area. It opens along with the ‘gwneud’ (to do / make). and 2500BC. It is believed that for the part he played in the lib- English-medium Tenby Church they were used as burial sites eration of France. Thomas in Wales VC primary school, Yn ein gwers ddiwethaf (In our last lesson) fe edrychon for important members of soci- Price, 91, received the Legion and together they cater for chil- ni ar ffurfiaucryno Dyfodol ‘dod’ (we looked at the concise ety. The dead would have been d’Honneur, France’s highest dren aged three to eleven years. Future forms of ‘dod’’ – ‘to come’). placed in the chamber along award at a ceremony in Ebbw The two new schools represent with their possessions and origi- Vale. The Blaenau Gwent man an £8.37m investment in educa- Yn y wers ‘ma (In this lesson) fe edrychwn ni ar ffurfiau nally would have been covered served in the Royal Engineers tion in the town from cryno Dyfodol ‘cael’ (we’ll look at the concise Future with earth. and landed on Gold Beach dur- Pembrokeshire council and the forms of ‘cael’ – ‘to have’ - ‘I will have’ as opposed to the A PIECE OF ART believed ing Operation Overlord, the Welsh Government. ‘long’ Future Tense ‘I will be having’). to be a copy and kept in a codename given to the TINY REBEL was named Welsh museum’s storeroom has Normandy landings. The best U.K. brewery at an interna- GEIRFA been valued as a £3million mas- Sapper, who joined the army tional industry awards ceremo- cryno- concise gyda -with terpiece. The work in question aged only 17 1/2, helped with ny. In addition to being named is actually an early version of eleni- this year gan- from (a person) the disembarkation of troops best U.K. brewery, the brewer ffurf(iau)- form(s) hwyl -fun Meleager and Atalanta by Jacob from landing craft during the also scooped three other medals canlyniad(au)result(s) llyfr - book Jordaens - one of the leading landings and later worked clear- at the International Beer llyfrgell f. -library cwrw beer Flemish Baroque painters of the ing mines from the beaches. Challenge. These included Gold dewis choice anrheg -present, gift 17th century. The artwork has Prior to the invasion he was medals for Cali and flagship sglodion -chips, (Fri) escaniatâd -permission been valued at £3 million and involved in maneuvers using beer Cwtch as well as a Bronze its discovery at Swansea landing craft across the south medal in the Stout and Porters 1. Ffurfiau cryno Dyfodol (The concise or ‘short’ Museum has been heralded as coast of Britain, even landing at category. Judged by leading Future Tense forms of) ‘cael’ “a great and astonishing find” Tenby. After the Battle of industry figures the awards by Ben van Beneden, the direc- Normandy he served throughout attract entries from over 30 Fe / Mi ga(f) i - I’ll have tor of Antwerp’s Rubenshuis northwest Europe and assisted countries. The Newport-based Fe / Mi gawn ni- We’ll have museum. He authenticated the with the liberation of the notori- brewer has won a succession of Fe / Mi gei di - You’ll have work, which had been partially ous Belsen concentration camp. prestigious awards this summer Fe / Mi gewch chi You’ll have painted over by a restorer in the He also worked as a train driver including medals at the Great Fe / Mi gaiff e/hi - He/She’ll have 1970s. Swansea Museum is for the army, seeing service in British Beer Festival where they Fe / Mi gân nhw - They’ll have thought to have owned the work Libya and Palestine. In civilian collected Silver in the Bitter cat- Fe / Mi gaiff Tom - Tom will have for nearly 150 years, but it was life he continued to work on the egory and Bronze in Best Bitter. Fe ga’ i ginio yn y dre’. not known who painted it. - I’ll have lunch (dinner) in town. railways when he also became a Organized by the Campaign for Mi gaiff y plant hwyl yn y parc gyda Mary. AN UNMANNED boat sent union activist. Real Ale, the Great British Beer by a school in the USA has - The children will have fun in the park with Mary. FOUR OUT OF five tourist Festival is one of the most sig- Fe gawn ni’r canlyniadau yfory. washed up on the Pembroke- businesses in Wales say their nificant and well-attended beer - We’ll have the results tomorrow. shire coast three months after it summer was at least as busy as festivals in the world. Of the set sail. Students from Kent 2015’s recording-breaking year, hundreds of producers present, School in Maryland launched a government survey shows. only eight – including Tiny Remember that the direct object of all ‘short’ verbs The Osprey with a time capsule Good weather and more people Rebel – were formally invited to (Future and Past Tenses) undergoes a Soft Mutation – onboard off the New Jersey deciding to stay in the UK are have a brewery bar at the event. if it is indefinite (i.e. it does not have ‘the’ in front ot it). coast on 13 June and tracked it believed to be behind the find- The Tiny Rebel bar proved to across the ocean. Robert ings, in the Wales Tourism be especially popular with over Fe ga’ i lyfr yn y llyfrgell BUT Morgan from Tenby found the Barometer Survey of 922 firms. 15,500 glasses of beer enjoyed Fe ga’ i’r llyfr yn y llyfrgell. boat in Swanlake bay, near Caravan and campsites did par- by visitors over the five days of Mi gaiff o bapur yn y siop. BUT Manorbier, while collecting ticularly well, with 67 percent the festival. Mi gaiff o’r papur yn y siop. rubbish from the beach. The reporting they were busier than AN APP TO help people liv- outside of the vessel contained a in 2015. ing with dementia reclaim their 2. As with the regular verbs, we form the negatives by message in English and Spanish ARCHAEOLOGISTS have memories will be trialed as part dropping the positive markers ‘Fe / Mi’ and adding ‘ddim’. asking whoever found it to uncovered the remains of at of a new project. The Book of deliver it to the local “middle least six people hidden under a You allows patients and their But notice that the initial mutation is different. All verbs school” - or pupils aged 12-14 - beginning with c, p or t undergo an Aspirate Mutation in church floor on Anglesey. The carers to create a digital life the concise negative forms. (c > ch p > ph t > th ) who they said would find a list bones were discovered during a story book using photos, words, of email addresses and other project to clean and restore a music and film and encourages Cha(f) i ddi - I won’t have items inside, and asking them to rare alabaster stone tomb at St. conversations about their lives. Chawn ni ddim - We won’t have contact the school. Gredifael’s Church near Menai It has been developed by a Chei di ddim - You won’t have A MONMOUTHSHIRE Bridge. The tomb at Denbighshire firm and backed Chewch chi ddim - You won’t have cider company have become the Penmynydd is of Goronwy by Bangor University. Professor Chaiff hi ddim - He/She won’t have first producer to win back-to- Tudur and his wife Myfanwy - Bob Woods, from the Dementia Chân nhw ddim - They won’t have back top prizes at the presti- part of Tudor family dynasty. Services Development Centre Chaiff Tom ddim car newydd eleni. gious Great Taste awards. More Experts believe the bones could Wales at Bangor University, - Tom won’t have a new car this year. than 300 guests were present to have been disturbed after earlier said the project was a “land- Chei di ddim cwrw yn y picnic. see Ben and Stephanie Culpin Victorian renovations. mark step forward in the battle - You won’t have beer at the picnic. of Apple County Cider Co Archaeologists at the site said it to defeat dementia.” Developed Chân nhw ddim dewis. accept their award at the Royal had been a custom to bury the by The Book of You CIC, the - They won’t have (any) choice. Garden Hotel in Kensington, rich inside the church, and over app is one of two chosen for the Chawn ni ddim swper heno. London. The Monmouth-based time most of those bodies would UK-wide study by the innova- - We won’t have (any) supper tonight. company’s “Dabinett Medium be moved to graves outside. tion foundation Nesta as part of Cider” finished ahead of 10,000 However, in the case of St. its Dementia Citizens project. 3. To form direct questions, just drop the positive products to win the award, Gredifael’s it is clear those A NEW headstone will be marker ‘Fe / Mi’ – reverting to the Soft Mutation at the becoming the first company in human skeletons remained. The erected at Llandyfriog Church beginning of the verb. And to reply, use the verb itself. the 12-year history of the church no longer holds services on Saturday to preserve the awards to win consecutively. Gaiff Tom anrheg gan ei frawd? - Caiff !. but because of its links to the memory of Thomas Heslop – Will Tom have a present from his brother? - Yes (he will have)! The company made the top 50 Tudor kings and queens of the victim of the last fatal duel Gewch chi ganiatâd? - Caf! Cawn! and top 15 shortlists before Britain it holds an important fought in Wales on 10 Will you have permission? - Yes (I will have)! (we will have)! eventually being announced the place in history. September, 1814. The chest- Gân nhw sglodion i ginio? - Na chân! overall winner. PETER EDWARDS, a for- tomb of the West Indian who Will they have French fries for dinner - No (they won’t have)! SWANSEA UNIVERSITY mer Head of Drama at HTV was killed in a duel against John has been ranked the best in Wales, has died. He was execu- Beynon, can be found in the 4. We can also form questions using the usual interroga- Wales for the first time in a new tive producer of gritty Valleys church grounds, but the writing tives at the beginning of the sentence league table of higher education drama Nuts and Bolts, the on the headstone has been erod- institutions. In a significant twice-weekly serial that ran on ed by the weather and a new Ble ca’ i ....? - Where will I have ....? shifting of power, Swansea HTV Wales between 1999 and one is needed. As well as the Pryd cân nhw .....? - When will they have ..... knocked Cardiff University off 2002. He was also director of A unveiling of the new headstone, Pwy gaiff .....? - Who’ll have .....? its perch and into second place Mind to Kill, the 1990s detec- a dedication of plaque to com- Gyda phwy cewch chi .....? With whom will you have .....? in The Times and The Sunday tive drama starring Philip memorate the Last Duel in Sut caiff hi ...... ? - How will she have .....? Times Good University Guide. Madoc that was sold to over 90 Wales has also been made and Am faint o’r gloch cei di .....? At what time will you have .....? Despite dropping three places to countries. Peter Edwards was is erected at the entrance gates 44th in the UK, Swansea is the most recently the co-founder with bilingual information and a Merely place ‘na’ in front of the verb to form a negatine top in Wales by virtue of and managing director of Welsh map. question Cardiff’s sharp slide to 46th – independent production compa- Pam na chaiff Bill .....? Why will Bill not have .... from 33rd last year. The gap ny Barefoot Rascals which pro- between the two city-based duced a number of factual enter- Dyna ni am y tro. That’s it for the time being. See if you institutions has narrowed in tainment series for ITV Wales. can extend the questions in number 4 again, to form longer recent years, but Swansea’s rise During his career, he worked on questions. Pob hwyl.

Page 34 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016 Welsh Language Gair o Toronto: * Na, nid siaradCymru am beldroed sy gyda v. nhw Gwlad i ddenu gweddill y yrdyma Iâbeth drawodd fi fwya, sef dw i nawr ond am fy ymweliad byd. bod yr iaith leiafrifol hon a â’r Ynys ar fy ffordd o Toronto Gwlan: mae’r siwmperi lleol siaradir gan llai na 350,000 mil, i Gymru yr haf ‘ma. Pam Gwlad yn atynfa fawr a phobl o bob heb fod mewn urhyw beryg. yr Iâ? Dw i ddim yn hollol siwr cwr yn eu prynu. Ond mae cys- Mae ieithoedd lleiafrifol eraill, ond falle achos bod llawer iawn tal, os nad gwell, gwlan gyda ni gan gynnwys ein hiaith ni ein o hysbysebu yn denu ymwel- ac ambell i felin yn y de- hunain, mewn sefyllfa fregus. wyr, gan addo pob math o orllewin ddylai gael mwy o Yma mae pawb yn ddwy-iei- “ddanteithion” fel “a stopover sylw. Mae’n carthenni ni heb eu thog ac yn gallu siarad Saesneg at no extra cost” gan eu cwmni hail. Cym on bois! Marchnata! (fel ni) ond gyda’i gilydd eu awyrennau, Iceland Air. Felly Ceffylau: mae’r ceffylau lleol mam-iaith maen nhw’n siarad. bant a fi i Reykjavik, eu prif yn hollol gorjys- mor annwyl a Does neb yn ymddiheurio i’r ddinas, am bedwar diwrnod a chyfeillgar. Ond beth am ein ymwelwyr, sy’n gwybod taw chwympo mewn cariad ‘da’r “ponis” ni - y Cob Cymreig a’r mewn gwlad ddieithr maen nhw wlad. ponis mynydd? Pam na allwn ni ac yn disgwyl clywed iaith y Pam? Wel i ddechrau roedd y farchnata mwy o wyliau mar- brodorion. Beth sy’n bod arnon tywydd yn fendigedig - awyr chogaeth a theithiau arbennig ni’r Cymry? Pam ‘dyn ni’n las, las, haul yn disgleirio, dal dim ond i ymweld â’r ceffylau a caniatáu i Saeson a Chymry di- yn olau tan oriau mân y bore, falle eu marchogaeth? Gymraeg ddi-ystyru’n hiaith ac amgueddfeydd ac orieli ardder- Bwydydd: mae nifer o dai i ymddwyn mor atgas tuag atom chog, golygfeydd anarferol, bwyta yn Reykjavik yn arbeni- wrth i ni siarad ein hiaith ein bwyd y môr blasus, er rhaid go mewn bwydydd lleol- pys- hunain? cyfadde allwn i ddim blasu mor- god gan fwya a chig oen yw’r Marchnata, marchnata, fil Minke nac aderyn y pâl (puf- prif gynigion ar y bwydlenni. marchnata! Beth sy’n ein hatal fin) am ffortiwn. Ond erbyn heddi mae bwydydd ni’r Cymry rhag efelychu Beth drawodd fi fwya oedd ardderchog yng Nghymru i’w llwyddiant yr ynys fach hon? faint allwn ni, y Cymry, ei cynnig, yn enwedig y gwahanol Dim ond ni ein hunain! Magwn CROESAIR ddysgu wrth y wlad fach hon fathau o gaws. Fuoch chi erioed falchder yn ein gwlad a Caneuon Cymreig am farchnata. Tan yn weddol yng Nghwm Cerrig (ger gadewch i ni sicrhau bod gwed- ddiweddar doedd neb yn med- Caerfyrddin) lle mae’r siop dill y byd yn ymwybodol o’n Gan Meira’r Tawelfor dwl am fynd i Wlad yr Iâ ond fwyd a’r caffi gorau weles i nodweddion arbennig a’n yn sydyn mae’r Ynyswyr/Y eleni? rhagoriaethau. Clues in English, answers in Welsh Llywodraeth wedi troi’r lle yn Adeiladau: yn ‘y marn i dim Feca i ymwelwyr, bron dros ond un adeilad gwirioneddol Hefina Philllips nos. Ac fe gofiwch hefyd roedd wych sy yn Reykjavik, sef yr AR DRAWS y wlad mewn sefyllfa economi- Harpa- neuadd lle cynhelir cyn- * Yn ôl un gwr bonheddig 1. Emyn, "Nes – –" 25. "Myfi sy'n –'r crud" add ddifrifol, ond ddim bellach. gherddau. Meddyliwch am eili- gwrddes i yn y Steddfod, “Ynys 4. Titrwm – 26. Male servant Erbyn heddi twristiaeth yw eu ad beth sy lawr wrth y Bae yng yr Iâ” yw enw cywir y wlad, 9. He was small 27. Nain had one – – prif incwm. Nghaerdydd, heb sôn am yr holl ond erbyn heddi mae “Gwlad yr 11. To cluck, c–r 27 “– – fy Nain” Marchnata! Pam na allwn ni gestyll sy’ gyda ni (ocei, Iâ” yn dderbyniol gan bawb ac 13. All, total (mutated) 30. Magldi. – efelychu’r Ynyswyr? Beth sy Normanaidd yw’r mwyafrif, yn rhedeg yn fwy ystwyth, 14. "Myfi sy'n – baban" 32. A sudden commotion yng Ngwlad yr Iâ sy ddim gyda ond mae ambell i gastell dd’wedwn i. 15. Misfortune (anag.) ni yng Nghymru - heblaw am Cymraeg fel Carreg Cennen 17. Building (old word) 33. Coward ambell i ffynnon boeth (geyser) sy’n atynfa hynod). Ac mae San 18. It is used with arrows, b– 34. Babies wear them on their a llosgfynydd! Mae’r Ynyswyr Ffagan yn amhrisiadwy. 19. The last vowel, twice head, b– wedi dysgu sut i farchnata’r hyn Yr Iaith: rhaid cyfadde taw 20. Opposite S.S.W. (Engl.) 37. Widow 21. A nursing grade 38. Clever 22. Nobody 41. "– sydd imi yn y byd" 24. "– – –, gamfa gu" 44. Nobody, –b 28. Exactly, i'r – Cysylltu â Chymru Drwy 29. William abbreviated 31. A mountain’s response 34. "Llwyn –n" Raglenni Rhyngwladol S4C 35. Not first, but –l Ffordd dda o gadw Ar y wefan hefyd mae rhestr gael i wylwyr ben-baladr wedi 36. Mist chysylltiad â Chymru – y wlad, lawn o’r rhaglenni sydd ar gael cynyddu yn dilyn ymdrech 38. It’s provided in school ei diwylliant, a’i hiaith – yw yn rhyngwladol nawr. Mae’r benodol gan y sianel i ddarparu 39. To talk on Bell’s invention drwy wylio rhaglenni yr unig rhaglenni ar gael yno am 35 mwy o raglenni iaith Gymraeg 40. The venue of the 2010 sianel iaith Gymraeg yn y byd. diwrnod i gyd – dros fis o amser i’r Cymry ar wasgar. Mae’n Eisteddfod, – Vale Erbyn hyn mae mwy o i wylio pob rhaglen, ac mae rhan o ddymuniadau’r sianel i 42. To place, g– raglenni sianel S4C nag erioed isdeitlau ar gael ar lawer hefyd. ehangu’r ddarpariaeth 43. "Y– Aur" o’r blaen ar gael i wylwyr ar Yn ei plith, mae canu ymhellach yn y dyfodol. 45. "Bugeilio'r – Gwyn" wasgar a hynny drwy’r cynulleidfaol ar ei orau yn y Mae Elin Morris, 46. "Hob A – Dando" The digraphs ch, dd, ff, ll, ng, gwasanaeth rhyngwladol ar gyfres wythnosol Dechrau Cyfarwyddwr Corfforaethol a ph, rh and th go in one square. wefan s4c.cymru/rhyngwladol Canu Dechrau Canmol. Masnachol S4C yn esbonio I LAWR Ac er mwyn cadw cysylltiad Dilynwch ddigwyddiadau yng bwriad y sianel i gyrraedd gyda’i gwylwyr dramor, mae Nghymru bob dydd yn y rhagor o Gymry sy’n byw 1. A month Solution to S4C yn anfon ebost arbennig rhaglenni cylchgrawn Heno a tramor; “Rydym yn falch iawn o 2. It has animals, ffe– pob mis gyda gwybodaeth Prynhawn Da. Mae hefyd allu cynnig rhagor o raglenni i 3. "Yr Eneth Gadd – –" Previous Puzzle benodol am y rhaglenni hynny chwaraeon, rhaglenni dogfen, wylwyr tramor ar wasanaeth ar- 4. A bath vessel sydd ar gael i chi ei gwylio ym adloniant i blant a drama, gan lein ar alw S4C. Rydym yn 5. Preparation mhedwar ban byd. gynnwys y gyfres Rownd a ymwybodol fod galw gan 6. "Mae hen – fy" Er mwyn derbyn yr ebost, sy’n dathlu ei phen- wylwyr ar draws y byd i weld 7 She had a daughter Rownd 8. There were men, not women, tanysgrifiwch ar y wefan blwydd yn 21 oed eleni. ein cynnwys ac rydym yn there s4c.cymru/rhyngwladol Mae’r nifer o raglenni sydd ar gwneud ein gorau i gwrdd â’r 10. Fate, fortune galw yma.” 12. Solitary (anagram) Ar hyn o bryd, mae S4C yn 14. Mother, in Latin gofyn am farn gwylwyr drwy 16. A verse by Ceiriog "– y holiadur ar-lein. Mae’n gyfle i Mynydd" gyfrannu at sgwrs am ddyfodol 19. "Plant – eto dan ein"' y sianel ac i rannu eich barn am 22. She had a cane y math o wasanaeth y mae 23. "– Y Frenhines" gwylwyr eisiau ei dderbyn yn y dyfodol. Mae hyn, wrth gwrs, yn cynnwys gwylwyr ar draws y byd. Ydych chi’n dymuno fod The ideal resource mwy o raglenni S4C ar gael i for Welsh learners chi? Pa fath o raglenni ydych chi’n mwynhau? Pa fath o Find those missing mutated words! wasanaethau eraill all S4C ei cynnig er mwyn cyrraedd The Guide to the Use of Ninnau is sent via periodicals class mail gwylwyr y tu hwnt i’r DU? I roi and will not be forwarded by your local eich barn, cyfrannwch at y the Welsh Dictionary sgwrs drwy lewni’r holiadur ar- By Robert A. Fowkes post office, so please give us 4 weeks notice lein: to change your mailing address. Send old s4c.cymru/dweudeichdweud Order your copy from: mailing label along with new address and NINNAU PUBLICATIONS date of change to P.O. BOx 712, 11 Post Terrace, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 TRUMANSBURG, NY 14886, USA Only US$5.00 (includes S & H)

November-December 2016 NINNAU Page 35 Calendar of Events

NOVEMBER Waupan, WI (by Nov 25): WelshWNE.org or Genealogy Group monthly Wyoming Valley, noon, Genetti November 13 - Christmas [email protected] meeting, 10:00am-5:00pm. Hotel & Conference Center, 77 Oakville, ONT Gymanfa Ganu, 2:30 pm, Bring your Welsh family tree East Market St. November 5 - Burlington Welsh Immanuel Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN and a lunch dish to share. Info & Male Choir Rememberance Day 525 W. Main St. Director Rev. December 3 - Welsh Society of RSVP: [email protected]. Glastonbury,CT Concert for Royal Canadian Thomas White; Organist Ann Minnesota Well-Read Dragons Directions will be forwarded. February 11 - Rugby and Welsh Legion with Enchorus Lemmenes. Info: wggaw.org book club meeting, 11:30 am, Genealogy with the Welsh Children's Choir, 7:30 pm, Glen Davanni’s Pizza, 3673 Utica, NY Society of Western New Abbey United Church, 1469 Pittsburgh, PA Lexington Ave. North, in Arden December 17 - St. David’s England, 10:00am-5:00pm. Nottinghill Gate. Info: November 14 - St. David's Hills. Lunch from menu fol- Society of Utica Annual Bring your Welsh family tree www.burlingtonwelsh.com Society of Pittsburgh Book lowed by book discussion: "The Christmas Party, 1:30 pm, New and a lunch dish to share. Break Club meeting, 6:30 pm, Panera, Bank Manager and the Holy Hartford First United Methodist at 11:45 am to watch Wales v Vancouver, BC 136 Bakery Square Blvd. Grail: Travels to the WIlder Church, 105 Genesee St, New England 6 Nations rugby match, November 4-6 - Vancouver Discussion of two short stories Reaches of Wales," by Byron Hartford, NY. Games, entertain- live from Cardiff. $5 donation Celebrates Wales, Cambrian by Arthur Machen, Welsh Rogers. Info: David Conradi- ment, bring dish to share. RSVP: to streaming fee. Come for one Hall, 215 East 17th Ave. author and mystic of the 1890s Jones, [email protected] Ted Engle, 338-3538. Info: or both events. Info & RSVP: Bilingual service at 11:00 am; and early 20th century: "The www.saintdavidssociety.org [email protected]. Gymanfa Ganu at 2:00 pm. White People" and "The Stoney Creek, ONT Directions will be forwarded. Additional details coming. Info: Bowmen." Info: www.face- December 3 - Burlington Welsh 2017 www.welshsociety.com. book.com/welshsociety.pitts- Male Choir Concert, 7:30 pm, New York, NY burgh/posts/1411520052208831 St. Francis Xavier Parish JANUARY February 12 - Monthly service San Mateo, CA Church, 304 Highway 8. Info: of the Welsh Congregation of November 6 - Noson Lawen, Courtice, ONT www.burlingtonwelsh.com Bloomington, MN New York City, 3:00 pm, 4:00-6:00 pm, O'Neill's Irish November 19 - Toronto Welsh January 8 - Welsh Language Rutgers Presbyterian Church, Pub, 34 S. B Street. Bring a Male Voice Choir Concert, 3:00 Brampton, ONT Group, 2:00 pm, at Bradshaw 236 West 73rd St. Rev. Dr. song, poem, story, or joke to pm, Rotary Club of Courtice. December 4 - Toronto Welsh residence. Sponsored by Welsh Matthew Harrington preaching; share. Appetizers provided by Info: welshchoir.ca Male Voice Choir Concert, 2:30 Society of Minnesota. Info: music by Mary Nelson. Te bach fol- Welsh American Society of pm, St. Paul’s United Church, Laurel Bradshaw, llawrf lowing. Info: www.welshchurch. Northern California. Info: Laura Glastonbury,CT 30 Main Street South. Benefits @yahoo.com nyc Richardson, 408-316-1763 or November 19 - Welsh Society SHARE Agriculture Foundation. www.facebook.com/WASNC of Western New England Info: www.shareagfoundation.org/ Lincoln, NE St. Paul, MN Genealogy Group monthly welshchoir.ca January 8 - 12th Night Revel February 12 - Welsh Wilkes-Barre, PA meeting, 10:00am-5:00pm. sponsored by the St. David's Conversation Group, 2:00 pm, November 9 - Monthly meeting Bring your Welsh family tree Burlington, ONT Welsh Society of Nebraska, at Mergenthal residence. of the St. David's Society of the and a lunch dish to share. December 9 - Burlington Welsh 3:00-5:00 pm, Grace Lutheran Sponsored by Welsh Society of Wyoming Valley, noon, Genetti Info & RSVP: WelshWNE Male Choir 4th Annual Chapel, 2225 Washington St. Minnesota. Info: Laurel Hotel & Conference Center, 77 @gmail.com. Directions will be Christmas Concert with Mid-winter traditions, mum- Bradshaw, [email protected] East Market St. forwarded. Oakville Children's Choir's A mers' play, live music. Few Good Men, 7:30 pm, St. Donation. Info: www.face- Glastonbury,CT Des Moines, IA Oakville, ONT Christopher's Anglican Church, book.com/SaintDavidsWelshSo February 25 - Rugby with the November 12 - Iowa Welsh November 19 - Burlington 662 Guelph Line. Info: cietyofNebraska or Lori Welsh Society of Western New Society Fall meeting, Central Welsh Male Chorus concert, www.burlingtonwelsh.com McAlister, 402-742-0477, England, 9:25 am to watch Presbyterian Church, 3829 7:30 pm, St Andrew's Catholic [email protected] Wales v Scotland 6 Nations Grand Ave. Info: www. Church, 47 Reynolds St. Info: Aurora, ONT rugby match, live from iowawelshsociety.org www.burlingtonwelsh.com December 10 - Toronto Welsh New York, NY Edinburgh. $5 donation to Dundas, Ont Male Voice Choir Concert, 7:30 January 8 - Monthly service of streaming fee. Info & RSVP: Toronto, ONT November 25 - Burlington pm, Trinity Aurora Anglican the Welsh Congregation of New [email protected]. November 12 - Toronto Welsh Welsh Male Choir Concert with Church, 79 Victoria St. Info: York City, 3:00 pm, Rutgers Directions will be forwarded. Male Voice Choir 'Remem- Hamilton Chrhildren's Choir, welshchoir.ca Presbyterian Church, 236 West brance Concert', 2:00 pm, 7:30 pm, St. Augustine's Parish 73rd St. Rev. Dr. Matthew MARCH Veterans K Wing, Sunnybrook Church, 58 Sydenham St. Info: New York, NY Harrington preaching; music by Health Science Centre. Info: www.burlingtonwelsh.com December 11 - Christmas Mary Nelson. Te bach following. East Windsor, CT welshchoir.ca Service of Carols, Welsh Info: www.welshchurch.nyc March 5 - Welsh Society of DECEMBER Congregation of New York Western New England Annual Bloomington, MN City, 3:00 pm, Rutgers Wilkes-Barre, PA St. David's Day Luncheon & November 13 - Welsh Lan- Omaha, NE Presbyterian Church, 236 West January 11 - Monthly meeting Celebration, 11:00 am, Nutmeg guage Group, 2:00 pm, at December 2 - Ethnic Holiday 73rd St. Rev. Dr. Matthew of the St. David's Society of the Restaurant, 297 South Main St. Bradshaw residence. Sponsored Festival, interactive booth by Harrington preaching; music by Wyoming Valley, noon, Genetti Members in Welsh national cos- by Welsh Society of Minnesota. Nebraska Welsh, 4:00-9:00 pm, Mary Nelson. Te bach following. Hotel & Conference Center, 77 tume, video message from First Info: Laurel Bradshaw, Durham Museum, 801 S 10th Info: www.welshchurch.nyc East Market St. Minister of Wales, The Right [email protected] St. 20+ culture displays, shop- Honorable Carwyn Jones, fol- ping, performance. Museum St. Paul, MN Glastonbury,CT lowed by lunch, and a presenta- Delaware admission. Info: www.face- December 11 - Welsh January 21 - Welsh Genealogy tion on Welsh food by Welsh- November 13 - Welsh Society book.com/SaintDavidsWelshSo Conversation Group, 2:00 pm, with the Welsh Society of born Tom Davies, from of Delaware Fall Social. Details cietyofNebraska or Lori at Mergenthal residence. Western New England, Snowdonia Pub in Astoria, coming soon. Info: www.face- McAlister, 402-742-0477, Sponsored by Welsh Society of 10:00am-5:00pm. Bring your Queens, New York. Welsh logo book.com/Welsh-Society-of- [email protected] Minnesota. Laurel Bradshaw, Welsh family tree and a lunch items for sale and Welsh "Tea Delaware-417900255021232/ [email protected] dish to share. Info & RSVP: Cup” Auction. Info and RSVP: East Windsor, CT [email protected]. WelshWNE.org or New York, NY December 3 - Welsh Society of Wilkes-Barre, PA Directions will be forwarded. [email protected] November 13 - Monthly service Western New England Annual December 14 - Monthly meet- of the Welsh Congregation of Christmas Holiday Luncheon, ing of the St. David's Society of San Francisco, CA Wilkes-Barre, PA New York City, 3:00 pm, Nutmeg Restaurant, 297 South the Wyoming Valley, noon, January 21 - 12th Night/Nos March 8 - Monthly meeting of Rutgers Presbyterian Church, Main St. Social hour with hors Genetti Hotel & Conference Galan Dinner and Noson the St. David's Society of the 236 West 73rd St. Rev. Dr. d'oeuvre at noon, luncheon with Center, 77 East Market St. Lawen, Presidio Social Club, Wyoming Valley, noon, Genetti Matthew Harrington preaching; popping of Christmas crackers, 563 Ruger St. Details TBA. Hotel & Conference Center, 77 music by Mary Nelson. program by Scottish Gaelic Glastonbury,CT Sponsored by Welsh American East Market St. Te bach following. Info: teacher Thomas Leigh on Celtic December 17 - Welsh Society Society of Northern California. Info: www.welshchurch.nyc Languages, Welsh quiz, and of Western New England www.facebook.com/WASNC Glastonbury,CT Christmas shop. Info and RSVP March 10 - Rugby with the Sarasota, FL Welsh Society of Western New January 23 - Gulf Coast St. England, 3:00 pm to watch David's Welsh Society Gymanfa Wales v Ireland 6 Nations rugby NINNAU The North American Welsh Newspaper® Ganu, Lunch and Annual match, live from Cardiff. $5 Now incorporating Y Drych Meeting, The Glenridge on donation to streaming fee. Info Palmer Ranch, 7333 Scotland & RSVP: [email protected]. P.O. Box 712, Trumansburg, NY 14886, USA Way. Dr. John Garrison, song Directions will be forwarded. leader. Details TBA. Info: Please enter a one-year subscription for: www.sarasotawelsh.com Bloomington, MN March 12 - Welsh Language Name ...... FEBRUARY Group, 2:00 pm, at Bradshaw residence. Sponsored by Welsh Address ...... Minneapolis, MN Society of Minnesota. Info: February 4 - Welsh Society of ...... Laurel Bradshaw, llawrf Minnesota Well-Read Dragons @yahoo.com o New, $20.00/yr. o Renewal, $20.00/yr. o Gift, Special rate (below) book club meeting, 11:30 am, (provide subscriber #) (if donor is a subscriber) Davanni’s Pizza, 3673 New York, NY For gift: Lexington Ave. North, in Arden March 12 - St. David's Service Hills. Lunch from menu fol- and Dinner of the Welsh Donor’s name...... lowed by book discussion: Congregation of New York "Presenting Saunders Lewis," City, 3:00 pm, Rutgers Address...... by Alun R. Jones and Gwyn Presbyterian Church, 236 West ...... Thomas. Info: David Conradi- 73rd St. Dinner following service. Jones, [email protected] Info: www.welshchurch.nyc Please enclose check or money order in US dollars or, if not a US resident, Wilkes-Barre, PA in your local currency: $27.00 Canadian or £17. VISIT OUR ONLINE February 8 - Monthly meeting CALENDAR NINNAU.COM Reduced price for gifts to North American addresses: $15 US or $15 Canadian or £10. of the St. David's Society of the

Page 36 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper ® November-December 2016