From the Welsh Trust l and Association at Grays Inn Road LWMai/May 2012 • Rhif/Issue 63 CL £2.00 www.londonwelsh.org

Philip Madoc tribute P13

Cylchgrawn Cymry Llundain The magazine of the London Welsh 2 LW CLl O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE Reshaping ‘the trinity’ - new constitution will deliver strength for growth The London Welsh Centre is on the move. namely, delivering a constitution that can Our new Chief Executive Rhian Jones and support our ambitious plans. At the meeting her team are taking the Centre forward the Trustees will be proposing important with new ideas, publicity and above all hard changes that will reshape the organisations work. In the last three months we staged that make up the “Centre” (the London Welsh our first “St David’s Day Festival”, a series Trust, the London Welsh Association and the of successful Six Nations days, a London Welsh Association Club) to make City supporters’ evening, a photograph them more transparent and user-friendly. exhibition, a Welsh student gig and built on The fact that the Centre has three our Welsh teaching programme. Iain organisations based within it will surprise Richards as Cultural Development Officer many and very few of those that know they is coordinating these activities into a exist have a clear understanding of the coherent cultural programme that will governance structure of the Centre. Our Aleine, Alex and Iola evolve to serve the full range of interests structure is costing us money in lost gift aid, within the London Welsh community. As this programme develops and leaves the Centre potentially exposed to regulatory and Rhian and Iain are doing a great job building our reputation as a operational difficulties as our procedures are overtaken by high-profile Welsh venue in London and they deserve our full technological developments and recent charity and company support. Please contact Iain with ideas for cultural events you would legislation. Moreover, we need to attract new skills and input at a like to see at the Centre, and keep up-to-date at Trustee level. The current over-complicated constitution www.londowelsh.org.uk , on Facebook (search Canolfan Cymry discourages new faces simply because they do not have the time to Llundain) and on Twitter @LondonWelshCCLL. trawl through a library of paperwork to understand their role. We Rhian has recently faced a particular challenge caused by the hope to address both these issues by updating the constitution with retirement of two valuable members of staff. Aleine Kearsley and changes that will be proposed at the AGM. Iola Bilson have given many years of loyal service to the Centre and The changes will not result in any immediate modifications to on behalf of the Trustees I want to thank them as they begin their the look of the Centre. Over time however we are confident that the retirement. New faces at the Centre will do their best to replace Iola changes will equip the Centre with a constitution that will allow us and Aleine so please make the new staff members feel welcome. to expand our activities, strengthen our governance and grow and There will be a great opportunity to meet all the staff and the prosper for decades to come. We have taken independent legal volunteers involved in the running of the Centre at the AGM on 11th advice and are proposing the changes as the right balance of June 2012. This year, as in 2011, we will be celebrating the efficiency, transparency and good governance. You will be able to achievements of the past twelve months. If you would like to see the details of the proposed changes on our website in due nominate individuals or groups for special recognition for their course. On behalf of the Trustees I encourage you to support them service to the Centre this year, please send a short email or letter to at the AGM. Rhian or myself at the Centre. We continue to look for more One of the reasons for changing the constitution is to allow the support at an Officer Centre to claim gift aid on the entire amount of your membership LWC Ll - The Magazine of the London Welsh and Trustee level. If subscriptions. This change will be a cost-free boost to the Centre’s you are interested in income but will require the account into which subscriptions are Published by The London Welsh Association. 157 Grays Inn Road, London WCIX 8UE. helping the Centre paid (and therefore standing orders) to be changed. We will also Telephone: 020 7837 3722 by becoming a review the membership structure to ensure that we are delivering www.cymryllundain.org.uk / www.londonwelsh.org.uk EDITORIAL TEAM: Eirlys Bebb, Theo Brueton, Rita Clark, Trustee at this the right options for users and supporters to help maintain a Welsh David Daniel, Gordon Roberts, Bob Trevor and important time in cultural presence in London. I will write separately to explain the Gethin Williams. DESIGN SUPPORT: Taliesin Communications. the Centre’s history, relevant changes in advance of the AGM. On behalf of the Trustees, ADVERTISING: Rita Clark. PRINTED BY: Y Lolfa please do get in thanks again for your continuing support and patience through this Editorial contributions may be sent to the address above or, preferably, emailed to [email protected] touch. period of great change and great excitement for the London Welsh Advertisers may also contact Rita Clark The AGM will Centre. Views expressed in this publication must not be taken as necessarily representing those of the London Welsh also focus on Alex Meredith, Chairman Association. completing some The London Welsh Trust is a Registered Charity. This statement is given to support any advertisement which very important Send any feedback on any aspect of the Centre to appears in the columns of London Welsh Magazine from behind-the-scenes [email protected] , or find me on Twitter: @admeredith, time to time in the name of the Trust and deemed, in terms of the Act, to be fundraising. work at the Centre, Facebook or Linkedin.

Front cover picture: London Welsh President Huw Edwards and Philip Madoc. See page 13. Photo by John Downing. Copy from contributors and advertisers is required by July 1 for inclusion in the next issue. O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE LW CLl 3 y r r e D

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: o t o h P Côr yr Aelwyd sing on St David’s Day at the Centre. Youth choir entertains ahead of Urdd challenge The London branch of the Urdd choir, Côr yr Aelwyd entertained the then led the crowd in a series of patriotic and rousing hymns, masses at the London Welsh Centre bar in the St David’s day including Cwm Rhondda , Calon Lân and Gwahoddiad . concert and sing-along. Two particular highlights were the entire rendition of Hymns and The choir performed a set, including some of the pieces they Arias (very timely given the previous weekend’s result at Twickers) would sing at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Jewin later in the month, and and a unique version of Oes Gafr Eto . Upping the tempo - London Welsh Sessions bring psychedelic rock to the Centre A great start to the new season of The London Welsh Sessions in a satisfying climax of controlled psychedelic mayhem, amply collaboration with Huw Stevens. Filmed by BBC , a justifying their position as headlining act. substantial crowd was treated to a fine lineup consisting of Altogether it was a fine start to the new season of gigs, and harpist/singer/songwriter Georgia Ruth Williams from , many thanks to Huw Stevens, Robert Jones and new Cultural and indie/psychedelic rock band Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog. Officer Iain Richards for getting it underway with a bang. The next Georgia says that she took up the harp in order to avoid violin London Welsh Sessions is on Friday 11 th May – put it in your diaries lessons, but the fiddle’s loss is our gain! Hardly looking old enough now! to be allowed in the bar, and backed with great empathy by the Mitch Palmer Cowbois’ rhythm section, she treated us to a full hour of her songs on the subject of the strangeness of relationships, with a voice of exceptional purity that conjured up visions of Sandy Denny and Alison Krauss. Her unusual and beautiful chord voicings on Dysgu Cymraeg? Learning Welsh? the harp are very guitaristic, and meshed beautifully Saturday, 16 June 2012, 9.30 am - 5pm with the electric backing – a very difficult feat to pull The London Welsh Centre, 157-163 Gray's Inn Road off. The audience was spellbound, and you could WC1X 8UE have heard the proverbial pin drop during her set – wonderful stuff! £30 for the entire day, which includes sandwich lunch, tea, coffee and It’s been a while since the Cowbois last paid us a biscuits, or £25 without lunch. We offer a variety of courses suitable to your visit, and it was interesting to see how the band has level, including complete beginners. Classes will run at levels where there is developed since then. Brothers Iwan, Aled and sufficient demand so to avoid disappointment please register in good time! Dafydd Hughes, with guitarist Llyr “Tonto” Pari and The deadline for registration is June 1. recently-added member Branwen “Sbrings” Williams on keyboards and vocals, are a noticeably tighter and Further information and registration forms are available from more assured outfit after another year’s-worth of [email protected] or by contacting Danielle Mercy at 020 8427 0173. Join us on Facebook: gigs. Their set started off fairly low-key but built Welsh Learners London / Dysgwyr Cymraeg Llundain. steadily as the evening progressed, and definitely hit another level when bassman Aled switched Croeso i ddysgwyr o bob safon, gan gynnwys dechreuwyr newydd. instruments and contributed fiery lead guitar lines on Dysgwch a mwynhewch yr iaith hynaf ym Mhrydain mewn awyrgylch their rockier material. The consensus in the audience gyfeillgar gyda thiwtoriaid profiadol. P'un ai ydych yn siaradwr profiadol neu was that their set would have profited from a couple ar fin dechrau, byddwch yn gallu eich sgiliau cyfathrebu a gwneud more up-tempo songs, but nevertheless they reached ffrindiau newydd. 4 LW CLl O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE It’s a marathon, not a sprint – now search is on for more to carry baton

Dear all, Annwyl bawb, We are all taking a moment Mae wedi bod yn gyfnod prysur yng Nghanolfan Cymry to catch our breath at the Llundain felly mae hwn yn gyfle i ni gyd gymryd rhyw saib bach. London Welsh Centre after Mae’r Gwanwyn wedi dyfod gyda chwa o awyr iach. Yn sicr a busy few months. mae llwyddiant y tîm rygbi cenedlaethol a digwyddiadau i Spring has sprung and ddathlu Gŵyl Ddewi wedi cyfrannu at y teimlad cadarnhaol with it a real wave of hynny. Rydym wedi croesawu cannoedd o bobl i’r Ganolfan dros y optimism, helped in no misoedd diwethaf. Mae llawer ohonynt yn hen ffrindiau ond small measure by the gwelsom gynifer o wynebau newydd hefyd a bu hyn yn gyfle i success of our national rugby team and a series of events to frolio pob dim sy’n wych am y Ganolfan. celebrate St David’s day. Mae sawl rheswm i fod yn hapus. Mae rhai o’r We have welcomed hundreds of people to the Centre over the uchafbwyntiau diweddar wedi eu cynnwys yn y cylchgrawn. past couple of months. Many are old friends but also so many Rhoddwn ddiolch arbennig i bopty Brace’s yn Ne Cymru a new faces, with countless opportunities to show off all that’s roddodd pice ar y maen am ddim i ni ar gyfer ein Diwrnod great about the Centre. Agored ar Fawrth 1af. Daeth dros 200 o bobl yma ar ddydd Some of the recent highlights are included in the magazine. Gŵyl Dewi a rhoddwyd sylw i rai o hoelion wyth y Ganolfan Special thanks go to Brace’s bakery, , who donated mewn erthygl yn y Camden New Journal (mae hwn i’w weld Welsh cakes for our St David’s Open Day. mewn ffrâm ar hysbysfwrdd y Ganolfan erbyn hyn). We welcomed over 200 people on 1 March and some of the Ond nid buddion tymor-byr a digwyddiadau unigol yw ein unig ffocws. Rydym yn ymroi i’r weledigaeth tymor-hir, a dyna Centre’s longest standing members were featured in an article in pam rydym yn buddsoddi cymaint o amser ac ymdrech yn ein the Camden New Journal. busnes llogi ystafelloedd. Mae sicrhau elw iachus ar ein However, it’s not just about short-term gains and one-off gweithgareddau masnachol dyddiol yn allweddol i ddyfodol y events. We are committed to the longer-term vision, which is Ganolfan. why we are investing so much time and effort into our lettings Rydym yn galw ar aelodau a chefnogwyr i fod yn business. Ensuring a healthy return on our daytime commercial llysgenhadon Canolfan Cymry Llundain a mae manylion ar sut i activities is key to the future of the Centre and we are calling on wneud hyn ar ein gwefan. Chwaraewch ran ym mha bynnag members and supporters to become London Welsh Centre ffordd y gallwch; drwy helpu gyda materion o ddydd i ddydd ambassadors. neu yn syml trwy roi gwybod i eraill sut brofiad gwych yw bod Please get involved in any way you can - by helping out with yn rhan o’r Ganolfan. Rydym yn mynychu’r Eisteddfod the daily running of the Centre or letting others know how great Genedlaethol ym Mro Morgannwg rhwng Awst 4ydd – 11fed ac it is to come here. We are attending the National Eisteddfod in rydym yn edrych am wirfoddolwyr brwdfrydig a deinamig i’n cynorthwyo ar y stondin. Rhowch wybod os hoffech roi help the Vale of from August 4 – 11 and enthusiastic and llaw. dynamic volunteers are needed to help on the stand. Please let Gobeithiwn bod ein rhaglen ar gyfer y Gwanwyn yn cynnig me know if you would like to lend a hand. rhywbeth at ddant pawb. Cofiwch ymweld gyda’n gwefan yn We hope our Spring programme of events has a little rheolaidd er mwyn cael y manylion diweddaraf. something for everyone. Please keep on visiting the website for Tra’n mwynhau’r holl bethau cadarnhaol sydd yn digwydd updates and further details of all developments. ar hyn o bryd, rhaid wynebu’r gwirionedd a chydnabod bod With this wave of optimism comes a reality check and an sawl her yn ein hwynebu hefyd. Mae gennym hen adeilad appreciation that there are many challenges ahead. We have a gwych ar Grays Inn Road, ond sydd ag angen tipyn o waith fantastic old building here on Grays Inn Road, but it does require cynnal a chadw, a hynny yn golygu amser ac arian. Gwnawn ein substantial upkeep, which involves time and money. gorau i ddarparu lleoliad sy’n ddiogel ac yn groesawgar i’n staff, I cannot sign off without paying tribute to two stalwarts of aelodau ac ymwelwyr. the London Welsh Centre. Iola Bilson and Aleine Kearsley who Ni allaf orffen heb dalu teyrnged i ddwy o ffyddloniaid Canolfan Cymry Llundain, Iola Bilson ac Aleine Kearsley , a have both retired as administrators. Their contribution over the hynny ar achlysur eu hymddeoliad ar ddiwedd mis Mawrth. years is of Olympic-sized proportions. Thank you both for all your Mae eu cyfraniad dros y blynyddoedd wedi bod yn anferthol. hard work and commitment to the cause. Diolch i’r ddwy ohonoch am eich gwaith caled a’ch ymroddiad Enjoy reading the magazine, thanks to all who make it happen. tuag at yr achos. Mwynhewch y cylchgrawn, a diolch i bawb Hwyl! sy’n cyfrannu at ei lwyddiant. Rhian Hwyl! [email protected] / 0207 837 3722 / Rhian www.londonwelsh.org O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE LW CLl 5 Centre team welcomes young medic The London Welsh Centre has appointed Abdul Rahyead as part-time Administrative Assistant. Abdul lives locally with his family and has close ties with . He is a first year medical student and will be focussing on the financial administration of the Centre’s activities. We welcome Abdul to the London Welsh Centre family and wish him all the best in his new role.

Llongyfarchiadau - Congratulations To Rev Peter Dewi Richards and his bride Mair on their marriage at Castle Street Chapel in the spring. Priodas Dda i chi eich Dau. Sports journalist and commentator Eddie Butler receives a warm welcome whilst To Richard and Delyth Rowlands (Clapham) on celebrating filming at the London Welsh Centre recently their Ruby wedding. To Elian Evans (Clapham) on the arrival of another great-grandaughter, Isla Ann. From Hairspray to Lion, To Colin (Past LWT Chairman) and Prydwen Jones, on the birth of another grandson, Walter Alwyn, a brother for Henry Witch and Wardrobe – Tomos. Our Sincere Sympathy is offered to Centre is first choice for Margaret Davies, formerly of the Drama group, on the death of her mother Mrs Olive McColl who was an active member of theatre and TV the London Welsh Association. There’s no such thing as a normal day at the London Welsh We also remember the family and friends of Wendy Centre. Take the other week. The cast of the Lion, the Witch and Halden in their grief at Wendy’s death, and especially her the Wardrobe were busy rehearsing in the Main Hall – only taking husband Howard. Wendy was well known to members of the a break to carry in an 8 foot prosthetic lion from a delivery van London Welsh Association because of her long association with outside. the Gwalia Male Voice Choir. Aberystwyth Arts Centre were auditioning for the musical She was a member of the renowned Bach Choir and was ‘Hairspray’ in the lower hall, hence the crowds of nervous looking head of music at the Ellen Wilkinson school in Acton. Wendy performers gathered in our comfortable lounge area. maintained her friendships forever and so it is not surprising There was a one-to-one business mentoring session taking that these friends came from far and wide to her funeral at St place in the peace and quiet of Room A. And in the bar, journalist Illtyd’s Church in Pembrey. God bless you Wendy. and commentator Eddie Butler and the BBC Sports Wales crew Bendith Arnoch i Gyd were filming a documentary about the history of the Welsh in the Olympics. Best Wishes In fact, in recent months, the London Welsh Centre has To a number of our members and friends who have undergone appeared on Channel 4 news and on National TV in Azerbaijan! hospital treatment. For further details of hiring rooms at the London Welsh Sian Busby who with Rita Clark was responsible for Centre, please visit www.londonwelsh.org/room-hire organising the wonderful exhibition of the History of the Welsh Special discounted rates for London Welsh Centre members! in London which was on display over St. Davids Day. Margaret Jones ( Borough Chapel ) and to Shan Jones (London Welsh Chorale ) who has had to undergo major Room hire at the London Welsh Centre surgery while struggling with the news of the death of her Great rates. Spot-on location. Warm Welcome. sister Tegwen’s husband in New York. Brysiwch Wella yn Fuan www.londonwelsh.org 6 LW CLl CORAU/CHOIRS From Soho stag night to the Millenium Stadium – Gwalia entertains d l a e H

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: o t o h P Cor Gwalia Grand Slam

BBC Broadcasting House, which was much appreciated by some of the Wendy Jones staff! Then we were invited into a small studio where Robert Elms was We begin on a sad note to tell you of the death of Wendy Jones presenting his live programme. Both Alex Meredith and our guest nee Halden who passed away in March. Wendy was the Gwalia’s conductor Haydn James were briefly interviewed about the London Welsh accompanist for many years and then became our conductor in Centre and the Gwalia. We then proceeded to sing Calon Lan and Cwm 1981 until she stepped down from the role 15 years later. She Rhondda . The studio was very cramped with a low ceiling, but we gave a retired to live in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire. Wendy was an good account of ourselves and had a very enjoyable day. excellent musician and led the Gwalia to victory at the National Eisteddfod in 1986. We would like to extend our deepest On 17 March, the Gwalia were privileged to join three other choirs – Côr sympathy to her widower Howard and all her family. Cantorion Colin Jones, the Rhos MVC and Dinas Bran Ensemble – in singing on the pitch at the at the Grand Slam match between Wales and France. As Musical Director of the Welsh RFU, Haydn James was The Gwalia has had some interesting and varied engagements over the past of course conducting us. Tom Jones was there to help us sing Delilah couple of months, singing at a stag do, a radio show, the Millennium Stadium together with Barry Mason, joint composer of the song. It was an exhilarating and a wedding. experience to sing at the Millennium Stadium and our day was then made The Stag do was held in the cellar of a pub in Soho called the Sun and 13 complete by Wales’s victory over France, so the Gwalia now joins that select Cantons. The Stag was a Welshman, known as “belly”! He was true to his group of choirs who can claim to have sung on the pitch at a Welsh Grand nickname and was dressed in a lurid red one-piece suit with a balloon to Slam! make his belly look even bigger than it was. It was a truly memorable day and we thank Haydn for inviting the It was the day of the v Wales Six Nations tie and we had been Gwalia to take part. The following week, the Gwalia sang at a wedding invited to stay and watch the game with them after we’d sung. reception in at Wotton House in Dorking, Surrey. We sang a number of The stag party joined with the choir in singing several Welsh songs and traditional Welsh numbers and as the bridegroom was from Liverpool and a Swing Low Sweet Chariot (I should mention here that half the stag party were great Liverpool FC fan, we also sang You’ll never walk alone . The guests were English!) A very enjoyable afternoon was made particularly pleasant by very appreciative and we retired to a local hostelry for a traditional Wales’s victory over England! Many thanks are due to our compère Mark post-concert knees-up. Bevan who dealt extremely well with an ever so slightly drunken audience! For details of our forthcoming engagements over the next few months, On St. David’s Day, the choir were invited to sing on the Robert Elms please see our website at: www.gwaliamalevoicechoir.org.uk . show for BBC Radio London. We had a quick rehearsal in the corridor in David Hurlbut World Premiere for Joseph Parry’s long lost Te Deum Chorale hymn tunes, popular to this day. It is a significant event for Welsh music In March, the Chorale continued its 30th Anniversary Season with an to find a previously unknown work by a major Welsh composer and we unusually early spring concert performed in the wonderful surroundings are delighted to have the opportunity to give it its first ever performance. of St Clement Danes Church in the Strand as part of the Brandenburg We are pleased to announce that the concert will be dedicated to Ken to th Spring Choral Festival. mark his 80 birthday this year. The role of the Narrator will be We are busy rehearsing two summer events. Firstly, over the performed by Martin, Lord Thomas of Gresford, our Honorary President. Diamond Jubilee weekend, we will be in Pontypridd to give a concert at We are grateful to Tŷ Cerdd, the Centre for Welsh Music based at the St Catherine’s Church on 2 June. Millennium Centre in Cardiff, for their support for this concert. This is a charity concert to celebrate 125 years of the Glamorgan There will be more in the next edition of the magazine of our plans Mission to the Deaf in Pontypridd. to hold an evening in October this year dedicated to Joseph Parry to And secondly the Chorale is preparing a world première. On 14 July share more of this important musical story with the London Welsh at St Giles Cripplegate we will sing Joseph Parry’s newly discovered Te community. Deum. Parry composed some of Wales’ best-known and best-loved Lynne Tew DIGWYDDIADAU/EVENTS LW CLl 7 Shadow Secretary for Wales, his anti-apartheid campaign and the London Welsh informant… An Audience with Peter Hain

Most modern politicians spend several years of low-profile grind Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams/Martin McGuinness together in at the party coalface before climbing the hierarchy at government. Tales of Ian Paisley’s birthday party and Gerry Westminster. Peter Hain’s journey has been far more colourful. Adams’ penchant for horticulture flowed, though perhaps the So it was with great pleasure that we welcomed one of the most most surprising revelation of the evening was Martin influential characters in Welsh public affairs to the London Welsh McGuinness’ love of cricket. Centre to discuss his Peter also needed conflict controversial autobiography resolution skills in his role as “Outside In” and to hear more Minister for Africa, for Europe in about the stories and the Foreign Office and personalities that feature in it. participating in a Cabinet One character that appears containing Tony Blair and in the book needed no further Gordon Brown. In describing the introduction. Few at the Centre Cabinet meetings of that time would have been aware that he discussed the decision to go Gwalia bass, Bob Trevor, was to war with Iraq. Peter involved in Peter’s attempts to maintained that he still disrupt the 1969 Springbok considers the Cabinet to have rugby tour of England and made the correct decision given Wales. Peter described the the facts available at the time, clandestine operations required admitting that the call he to mobilise protestors against received from Nelson Mandela the best efforts of the police and to criticise the decision shortly right wing political lobbies. afterwards was a unique Ultimately it was a successful opportunity for reflection. campaign leading to an early end to the Springbok tour and the Inevitably Wales and devolution were popular topics for the cancellation of the following year’s cricket tour, arguably Peter’s questions from the floor. Peter confirmed that one of his finest hour. proudest political achievements had been the Government of The Seventies were not always triumphant however. Peter Wales Act 2006 that would eventually lead to greater powers for recalled how a letter bomb mercifully failed to explode in 1972, the Welsh Assembly. He expressed doubts as to the likelihood of followed by the court-room drama of a conspiracy trial. His Scotland choosing independence in the short term, sounding a difficulties at the hands of the South African secret service cautionary note as to how independence would be received by culminated with a farcical attempt to frame him for a bank European nations trying to preserve their federal structures robbery in Putney in 1976. Peter gave the impression that he had against the pulls from separatist regions. moved on and forgiven those responsible for his treatment during Peter Hain’s career has been an unusually varied journey so this time, including elements of the British media. This contrasted far, spanning continents and engaging in the full spectrum of markedly with Peter’s approach to the coverage of the Electoral left-wing politics. To hear him discussing it in person was Commission investigation and his subsequent resignation from enthralling. As his book and recollections confirmed, the capture the Cabinet following his deputy leadership bid in 2007. Whereas of the Neath parliamentary seat in 1991 marked the end of the the attacks on his politics in the seventies and eighties were a most radical phase of his career and the beginning of a more source of strength, being scape-goated by his political enemies typical political journey, punctuated by personal battles, during the expenses scandal will not be forgotten. The bureaucratic frustrations and shaped by an overriding survival controversy surrounding comments in the book about a judicial instinct. Peter explained that his philosophy is to try to be an appointment in Northern Ireland had not surfaced at the time. “all-or-something person, not an all-or-nothing person”. It is this The arcane case now being brought by the attorney general looks pragmatism that has kept Peter at the top of politics for over set to add another episode to Peter’s extraordinary series of legal twenty years, and though it has taken him that long to visit the scuffles. Centre, after such an engaging discussion, we hope to welcome Peter spoke candidly about his time as Secretary of State for him back to Gray’s Inn Road very soon. Northern Ireland, and the challenges posed in trying to bring Rev Alex Meredith 8 LW CLl DIGWYDDIADAU/EVENTS l e u m a S

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: n u l L Anthony Williams, Peter Dewi Richards, Richard Brunt a Llinos Morris Dau ddaucanmlwyddiant mewn wythnos Henry Richard Brynhawn Sul, Ebrill 1 2012, Sul y Blodau daeth cynulliad teilwng ynghyd wrth fedd Cymro amlwg ym mynwent Abney Park, Stoke Newington. Pwrpas y cyfarfod oedd dathlu daucanmlwyddiant geni Henry Richard yn Nhregaron ar 3 Ebrill 1812. Daeth pawb yno at ei fedd, nid yn unig i ddathlu ei eni, ond i werthfawrogi gwaith ei fywyd. Anrhydeddwyd y cwmni gan bresenoldeb Llefarydd Cyngor Hackney, y Cynghorydd Susan Fajana Thomas. Cafwyd anerchiadau byr gan Diane Abbott, Aelod Seneddol yr ardal, yr hanesydd, yr Arglwydd n o Kenneth Morgan o Aberdyfi, a Bruce Kent, yr ymgyrchydd dros t e u r B

heddwch yn ein bywyd a’n byd cyfoes. Arweiniwyd defod y cofio gan y o e

Parchg. Peter Dewi Richards. Clywsom am yrfa, ymgyrchoedd ac h T

: egwyddorion Apostol Heddwch a’r Aelod Seneddol dros Gymru. Cofiwyd o t o h

am gyfraniad y dyn hynod yma i’w genedl, i fywyd cyhoeddus crefyddol P a chymdeithasol yn Llundain ac yn rhyngwladol. Gosodwyd cennin Pedr Rhian Medi prepares the daffodils, Abney park ar y bedd gan Rhian Medi, cyn i bawb ymuno i ganu Calon Lân. Wedi’r cyfarfod hapus yn yr heulwen, cafwyd lluniaeth ysgafn i bawb yn di-dor William Lloyd, Crosby Row am gyfnod o 59 o flynyddoedd. Mrs neuadd eglwys gyfagos, Eglwys y Santes Fair, Stoke Newington. Llinos Morris, Llywydd Cylch Llundain, oedd yn arwain cwrdd ar Ddydd Gwener y Groglith eleni a’r Parchg. Peter Dewi Richards a bregethodd Cymanfa’r Pasg yn y ddau gyfarfod, gyda’r Parchg. Richard Brunt yn gweinyddu’r Sefydlwyd Cymanfa’r Pasg gan Fethodistiaid Calfinaidd ymhlith y cymundeb a ddilynodd y bregeth yn Jewin a’r Parchg. Vaughan Jones Cymry yn Llundain yn y flwyddyn 1812. Yn y blynyddoedd diweddar, wrth yr organ. cynhaliwyd cyfarfodydd ar ddydd Gwener y Groglith yn eglwysi Jewin a Yn y dyddiau cynnar, cyrddau enwadol i’r Presbyteriaid yn unig oedd Lewisham. Gyda chau’r achos yn Lewisham, trosglwyddwyd oedfa’r Cymanfa’r Pasg (cynhaliwyd Cymanfa Bregethu’r Annibynwyr yn hwyr i gapel Clapham Junction. Er bod dadlau ymhlith haneswyr ar Llundain ar y Sulgwyn). Pleser yw cofnodi presenoldeb Presbyteriaid, resymau penodol sefydlu’r cyrddau gwreiddiol, maent wedi denu’r Annibynwyr a Bedyddwyr ynghyd yng nghymanfa’r Pasg yn Jewin eleni! ffyddloniaid i’r addoliad dros y canrifoedd. Ceir cofnod am bresenoldeb John Samuel n o t e u r B

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: o t o h P Bruce Kent, Diane Abbott MP, Lord Kenneth Morgan O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE LW CLl 9

Wales Choir of the World , and 500 international voices – what a combination! The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held mainly in Hall at 2.00 pm on Saturday 7 July London, but the spirit of the Olympic ideal has been embraced 2012. Tickets at £25, £20, £15 and wholeheartedly throughout the British Isles, and especially by the £10 are available from the Festival Welsh. Hall box office, tel. no. 0844 875 A male choir of 500 voices drawn from the five continents has 0073 or internet been put together by the London Welsh Male Voice Choir for a ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk unique concert at the Royal Festival Hall, three weeks before the Tickets for the biennial opening ceremony of the 2012 Games with the world première of A Massed Male Voices concert at Hero’s Journey , a work commissioned specially from Karl Jenkins. the Royal Albert Hall on 13 Bryn Terfel, the world’s best bass/baritone, whose celebration of October, are also now on sale. Welsh heritage is a major highlight of this year’s Festival of the Ticket application forms may be printed from the Choir’s website, or World at the Southbank Centre heads an all-star line up. obtained directly from the Choir by post. The concept of the Wales Choir of the World was awarded the The Festival MD/Conductor will be Edward-Rhys Harry, with coveted Inspire Mark by the London Olympics two years ago, and Annabel Thwaite as pianist and Robert Nicholls as organist. The has recently received financial backing from the . guest soloists will be Rhian Lois (soprano) and Wyn Davies (tenor), The Wales Choir of the World will take place at the Royal Festival and Frank Lincoln will compère the evening. The concert will feature “The Hero’s Journey”, a composition by Karl Jenkins with words by Grahame Davies for Male Voice and Brass Special offer for LWC Band. Commissioned by the London Welsh Male Voice Choir, it will members to see ‘One Man, be performed at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time. The Two Guvnors’ participating male choirs will be from Builth, Cirencester, Dunvant, London Welsh Centre Epsom, Glasgow, Maesteg, Mynyddislwyn, Neath, Tâf ,Tregaron, members can redeem a free Trelawnyd and Waun Ddyfal – and of course LWMVC. glass of wine and a complimentary programme when they buy a top price ticket to see the smash-hit New exhibition takes its show One Man, Two own place in history… Guvnors starring Welsh leading man Owain Arthur. The new display detailing the history of the Welsh in London has exceeded all expectations and has found a permanent Theatre Royal Haymarket setting in the foyer – attracting attention from visitors and members alike. Daily Telegraph, Financial Times, Guardian, “I’ve always thought that we needed something in , , Sunday Times building about what we - the London Welsh - are about,” said The National Theatre’s award-winning production is a LWC’s Sian Busby. glorious celebration of British comedy. Richard Bean’s play is “Our history is very interesting and offers a fascinating a unique, laugh-out-loud mix of satire, songs, slapstick and insight into overlooked areas of British social history, as well as glittering one-liners. the forgotten history of London.” Designer - Zara McKenzie at HKD - has won praise for her ‘Comic perfection. What are you waiting for? Book now!’ work, on the project with Sian and Rita Clark, whose expert Daily Telegraph , March 2012 knowledge of the history of the London Welsh community and the Association was indispensable. To redeem, simply call the box office on 0845 481 1870 and “It’s been wonderful to hear such positive feedback from quote ‘WELSH OFFER’ members and other users of the Centre, and I hope that the Top price ticket £55. £1 restoration levy included in price. display is just the beginning of a resurgence of interest in our Offer valid on Monday – Thursday performances 10 April – story both within the Centre and out into the wider 31 May 2012. BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment! community,” Sian added. www.onemantwoguvnors.com Sian Busby 10 LW CLl O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE Singing on – youngsters join the ranks of London Male Voice Choir s e h g u H

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of new choristers and many of these are in their 20s and this bodes s o R well for the long term prospects of the Choir. We look forward to : o t o these choristers coming “on stream” over the next few months. h P Sadly, however we have experienced a few deaths associated Robert Peston with the Choir over the last two months. The death of our President, Philip Madoc is covered elsewhere in this magazine, and here we just report that during his two-year presidential tenure he attended Fresh insights most of the Choir’s monthly concerts in London and the South East. The death of Jack Barrah-Lowis on 2 April was after a long battle into reckless banking against cancer and intensive chemotherapy treatment. Jack was from Glynneath and had been a LWMVC chorister for 12 years, and sector – BBC’s Robert was involved in organising the Choir’s tour to the Italian Riviera in 2002. Peston ‘entertains’ Along with the late Keith Roberts and Dewi Thomas, Jack was Despite heavy rain, the LWC main hall was packed as BBC Business one those who initiated the formation of the LW Rugby Club MVC Editor, Robert Peston, gave his considered opinion on the fragile in 2003, and which had a successful tour to New Zealand in 2005. state of the global economy. He shared fascinating insights into how Jack was a strong supporter and patron of the LW RFC, and was this recklessly things have been managed - and disturbingly continue to year its deputy president. Our thoughts are with Jack’s wife, Esperia, be managed! - by the banks, hedge fund managers, traders, at this time. regulating authorities and successive governments, both here and Howard Jones died on Easter Monday, 11 April, after being abroad. admitted to hospital earlier in the day. Howard joined the Choir in Some of his proscriptions, particularly those to do with the 1973 and left in 2010 after he and Pat moved to live in King’s Lynn, Eurozone, were very dispiriting, but he was cautiously optimistic and thus was a member for 37 years. about the UK’s chances of surviving the next few years - albeit with During those years the Choir befitted tremendously from minimal growth. Howard’s administrative skills – being the Choir’s Secretary for 23 of He was also not as hard on the banks, shareholders, traders and those years and also 20 years as a member of the Choir’s Festival hedge fund managers as one might expect, laying much of the Subcommittee, including 10 years as Ticket Secretary. Our thoughts blame at the door of those charged with keeping an eye on greedy and sympathies go out to his wife, Pat, and to his mother, in their profiteers. bereavement. LWA President, and Robert’s colleague on BBC News, Huw Edwards, facilitated the evening with his characteristic charm and intelligence, and there were many fascinating questions from the very well-informed audience. Choir of the World The evening was interesting and convivial, and there was a real buzz about the Centre both before and afterwards. Bryn Terfel, Karl Jenkins and 500 The talk was a fund-raiser for the London Welsh Chorale - international voices – what a Robert’s wife and one of his sons having both sung with the choir over the past few years. combination!

The Choir of the World will take place at the Royal Festival What’s on Hall at 2.00 pm on Saturday 7 July 2012. Tickets at £25, £20, For the latest updates on all the £15 and £10 are available from the Festival Hall box office, tel. no. 0844 875 0073 or activities at The London Welsh Centre Internet - ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk turn to back page. DIGWYDDIADAU/EVENTS LW CLl 11 s e h g u H

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: o t o h P London Welsh Chorale at rehearsals

7 – Paper Aeroplanes (with Fossil Collective), Ballyhoo, New What’s on and Where St Interested in artists from Wales performing across a wide range of 8 – ’ London Welsh Session at LWC genres? Here are some dates for your diaries, see also London Welsh 12 – The School , Queen of Hoxton, 1 Curtain Rd EC2 events on page 16. 13 – Bright Light Bright Light , City Arts & Music Project, City Road EC1 14 – Future of the Left at XOYO May 17 – Discover Welsh in a day at the City Lit 11-14 – Crafts Council UK fair at Saatchi Gallery; incl. Rhuthin Gallery, 30 -1 July – Julie Murphy + Fernhill, Beyond The Border: Wales’ ceramics and textiles by 7 artists including Catrin Howell International Festival of Storytelling, St Donat’s Castle 12 – Glass Pear (Yestyn Griffiths)The Ballyhoo, New Oxford St 30 – Race Horses, Hop Farm Festival, Kent 14 – Richard James , Halfmoon Putney, Lower Richmond Road SW15 17 – Crime a 10th Anniversary Show, album launch, Union Chapel N1 19 – LWMVC in Maidstone July 25 – T he School at Borderline, Orange Yard, Charing X Road 1 – at Hop Farm Festival, Kent 27 – , Slam Dunk Festival, University of 1 – Tom Jones at the Apollo, Hammersmith Hertfordshire, 4-7 – Bryn Terfel’s Brynfest at Royal Festival Hall, see 30 – Islet, Cargo, Rivington Street, Shoreditch EC2 http://ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/festivals-series/ brynfest 6 – Huw Stephens’ London Welsh Session at LWC June 6 – 5.30 Huw Warren - Brynfest, Clore Ballroom, RFH 1 – Marina and the Diamonds supporting Coldplay, Ash, at Emirates 6 – 7.30 Gruff Rhys Brynfest, Royal Festival Hall Stadium 7 – 4pm Bryn Terfel’s Big Sing on the outdoor terraces at RFH 1 – Rebecca Jade album launch, Monkey Bar, Stoke Newington High 7 – with Brian Jonestown Massacre, Empire Shepherd’s Street N16 Bush 1 – Something Personal, 100 Club, Oxford St - TBC 8 – Something Personal, Kilburn Festival 1 – The Victorian English Gentlemens Club, The Garage, Highbury 13 – Kids in Glass Houses. Hard Rock Calling, Hyde Park Corner N5 1RD 21 – Kids in Glass Houses at Redfest festival, Redhill, – Huw Stephens, 2012 Victoria Park 21 – Paper Aeroplanes in Folkfest 2012, The Bedford, Bedford Hill, 2 – Weird Naked Indian, Dublin Castle, Camden NW1 7AN SW12 9HD 4 – Among Brothers, Rooftop Park, Bootstrap, Ashwin Street, Dalston 21-22 – and Black Arm Band (Australia) sing “Mother Tongue” E8 3DL at BT River of Music 7 – Among Brothers, Barfly, NW3 2BL 22 – Straight Lines, Redfest festival, Redhill, Surrey 7 – 4pm Julie Murphy , 7pm with Fflur Dafydd , at Hay Festival

Commonwealth Carnival for the Diamond Jubilee The London Welsh Male Voice Choir and Cor Meibion Gwalia have been invited to sing in Westminster Hall at the on July 2, participating in The Commonwealth Carnival of Music.The concert will feature choirs totalling more than 400 singers from the Commonwealth, all of whom will be participating in the Llangollen Eisteddfod - the London Welsh choirs will provide a Welsh finale to a spectacular pageant which will be the parliamentary contribution to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The choirs will be conducted by Dr Haydn James, previously Musical Director of LWMVC and currently Musical Director for The Welsh , and accompanied by Anita D’Attellis. 12 LW CLl CORAU/CHOIRS n h o J

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: o t o h P LWRFC Choristers at Cardiff City Hall with MD Michael Wyn Jones and Wales bedecked pianist Anita D’Attellis. Boycezone give Rugby choir television spot

LWRFC Choir Report hard-working performance the audience were treated to the very best our country has to offer and, as with the Grand Slam, the choir While Wales have been busy winning another Grand Slam the led from the front. London Welsh Rugby Club Choir has been doing its bit in support, The choir has never been busier, and take their music to the performing two concerts with a strong rugby focus in a period of international stage once again with a tour of the Alps around unprecedented activity. Geneva, before getting back into rehearsals ahead of another hectic The chance to resurrect an old tradition was the highlight of a summer. Foremost in their thoughts, however, will be one of the busy few months, with a fantastic night of song on the eve of the choir’s founders, Jack Lowis, who sadly passed away recently. England game at Twickenham held to a sell out audience at Old It was in 2003, that Jack, together with a few like-minded Deer Park. people, saw the possibility of taking a small choir to New Zealand at Crowd favourites Boycezone lent their support on the night, and the same time as the British and Irish Lions tour of 2005. What was there was live coverage of the choir over that famous weekend on originally conceived as no more than an ad-hoc social group of both BBC Radio Five Live and . about ten singers soon grew into the London Welsh Rugby Club That night came hot on the heels of another day to remember in Choir, a fully rehearsed choir of over forty with as Cardiff a week earlier, warming up an enthusiastic audience in the figurehead. Instead of the original concept of a few songs in bars and capital’s City Hall ahead of the Scotland game. Another wonderful rugby clubs the choir were soon performing to packed audiences in venue was perfect inspiration for the choir and the travelling Welsh such places as the Auckland Town Hall, Wellington Cathedral and Te supporters, and set things up nicely for yet another strong Papa Museum, culminating in an appearance on the New Zealand performance by the rugby team on the pitch. edition of Top of the Pops. Away from rugby, St David’s Day was typically busy, the Jack was President of London Welsh Rugby Club in the 1996/97 highlight of the day being the choir’s now-regular appearance at the season before accepting the post of Deputy President when John Naval Club in the heart of London’s Mayfair. It was a great chance to Dawes took over the role in 1998. At his funeral a combined choir run through the choir’s growing repertoire, as was the day at was conducted by Jack’s great friend Owain Arwel Hughes, a fitting Richmond Golf Club in front of a Welsh-oriented audience. tribute to one of the great London Welshmen. We extend our Finally the choir was asked to represent Wales in a UK-themed condolences to his wife Esperia at this time. pageant at ExCel London, alongside Scottish pipers, a military brass Steve McGrath band, Irish dancers… and London’s Pearly Kings and Queens. In a

Room hire – great rates – flexible options – central location For more information contact The London Welsh Centre 020 7837 3722 www.londonwelsh.org MARWOLAETHAU/OBITUARIES LW CLl 13 “How splendid to be remembered for something so serious and something so funny”

These words were part of a tribute to Philip Madoc by Wyn London Welsh Trust and a great supporter of our work at the Calvin, who had been friends with the actor for fifty years. Philip Centre. He will be very sorely missed.” Madoc died peacefully in his sleep after a short illness on 5 March Huw Edwards, LWT President, said: “Philip was a great at the age of 77 after a long career on stage and screen. ambassador for Wales, for the London Welsh community, and for Wyn was of course referring to Philip’s greatest character the London Welsh Male Voice Choir in particular. He was a hugely roles – the title role in the BBC drama The Life and Times of David talented man: a gifted actor, an able linguist, an energetic Lloyd George, and ‘that’ promoter of Wales on the cameo appearance in the TV world stage. sitcom Dad’s Army as a Philip Madoc was elected German U-Boat commander vice president of the London and the “Don’t tell him, Pike” Welsh Male Voice Choir in incident. 2002, and became the Choir’s Philip Madoc was born in president when Cliff Morgan Merthyr Tydfil, and went to stood down. During that time Cyfarthfa Castle Grammar he attended most of the School . He studied languages Choir’s concerts in London at the and the Home Counties, and the University of Vienna proudly wearing his ‘chain of before concentrating on office’. acting and attending the Keith Warren, LWMVC Royal Academy of Dramatic chairman, who visited Philip Arts. in hospital in the days leading He appeared in countless up to his death, said: “He was classic television shows determined to ‘beat’ the including , problem and did not want Porridge, The Goodies, The anyone to know about it Avengers, Brother Cadfael, outside his immediate family. the detective series ‘A Mind He remained a brave ‘fighter’, to Kill’, and of course Dad’s a man of remarkable courage Army. On stage he played and stamina, especially in the Iago, and Dr Faust last few months. Let us salute with the Royal Shakespeare our late President - a very Photo: John Downing Company. brave man”. His portrayal of in the 1981 series by BBC Edward-Rhys Harry, LWMVC Musical Director, London Welsh Wales, attracted huge audiences. It has never been bettered. Male Voice Choir said, “I shall never forget the twinkle in Philip Philip spoke seven languages fluently, including Russian and Madoc’s eyes as he tried to usher me into a private reception just Swedish and with a working knowledge of Huron Indian, Hindi before a Choir performance I was directing. ‘Now come on, I don’t and Mandarin. With his fine voice and its deep Welsh tone he was want you to miss out’ he said to me. We both laughed because invariably cast as the villain, always played with great relish. He we both knew it meant that he, Philip, was the one who didn’t was honoured with a fellowship from the Royal Welsh College of want to ‘miss out’ on the social aspect of his role with the Choir.” Music and Drama in 1994. Philip leaves an empty space at London Welsh Centre A strong supporter and frequent attendee at the London functions, and we extend his children, Rhys and Lowri, and the Welsh Centre he was vice president of the LW Trust for most of rest of the family our deepest condolences at this time. The loss the last 20 years and the flag at the Centre was flown at to his family is acute. half-mast to mark the sad news of his death. We will miss him too. In his tribute, Alex Meredith, LWT chairman, said “For me his Gethin Williams poignant impromptu appearance at the Centre for the Gleision Benefit Concert will be a cherished memory. A Memorial Service for Philip will take place on Tuesday, 15 May, “I know from predecessors that this performance was just one 2012 at 2.30 pm at St. Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, 31 Henrietta example of Philip’s commitment as a Vice-President of the Street, London, WC2E 8NA. 14 LW CLl CHWARAEON/SPORT London Welsh rugby reach semis for third consecutive year and avoid financial suicide

London Welsh have qualified for the Championship Semi Finals for the third year running. General supporter opinion is that the team is not performing as well as last year, but, with no really stand out performer in the league, promotion is not beyond the realms of possibility. Welsh continue to blow hot and cold throughout the course of every match. In their first play off pool game, the first half was all Nottingham, before Welsh scored 3 tries in what the club website described as ‘a rampant nine minute spell’ in the second half. After admirably holding Bristol to a draw, away at the Memorial n o

Ground, they then let in 3 tries before half time at home to Doncaster. s k c a J

Welsh again turned the game around in the second half, partly through e v an intercept try by new recruit, Nick Scott, on loan from Bath. And on a D

: o the road the following week, Doncaster were this time easily accounted t o h for, Welsh scoring 5 tries, including a Nick Scott hat trick. P Last Sunday, at home to Bristol in front of the Sky TV cameras, in a Dan George scores against Doncaster in the play-0ffs. blistering first quarter, Welsh squandered 4 scoring chances through London Welsh, with an expansion of their board to provide both new poor handling or support. management skills and investment, look in better shape to handle Bristol then proceeded to demolish the Welsh via scrum and driving promotion. maul, advancing to a 20 – 3 lead through 2 penalty tries. John Taylor argues that it would be financial suicide to enter Two late Welsh tries however, from driving runs by Tongan into new contractual agreements prior to winning the internationals Vili Ma’asi and Hudson Tonga’uiha, gave Welsh a losing championship, but if the latter were achieved on May, stand aside bonus point and a for extremely rapid action. place in the semi finals. Peter Daniels There remains an away game against Nottingham before a two leg semi final on Monday,7 May, and Sunday 13 May. The final will be played over consecutive Wednesdays, May 23 and 30. Such dates are not easily found on the RFU website, and until the completion of the last pool fixture we won’t know our opponents or which game is at home. Who’d be a rugby supporter in this commercial, professional era? Of the semi finalists, only Bristol and London Welsh are submitting to a RFU facilities audit to substantiate their commercial suitability for promotion to the Premiership. Managing Director, John Taylor, in an interview with the London Welsh Magazine, explained that the terms and conditions were not as black and white as often quoted in the press. There is constant dialogue rather than timescales set in stone. Any premiership team must have a 10,000 capacity stadium at their disposal, but ‘primacy of tenure’ is not a requirement, merely the ability to play games as per schedule. To achieve this, London Welsh are negotiating to have a choice of 3 possible grounds available for next season’s fixtures. Mr Taylor wouldn’t be drawn on which stadia these might be. Long term options include the sharing with Brentford FC of the long LONDON WELSH awaited Hounslow Community Stadium under the flyover, or FAMILY RUGBY FROM £10 the development of an area within the greater . The Crown Estate landlords appear to be becoming more sympathetic to Ring 020 8940 2368 for sponsorship, change, less heritage and more community oriented in their demands. hospitality & match information With the lease running out in 2016, serious discussions are already on going between the various partners. London Welsh RFC • Old Deer Park • 187 Kew Road The good news is that the cost and time requirements for building a Richmond • Surrey • TW9 2AZ modular stadium have decreased substantially in recent years, and www.london-welsh.co.uk O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE LW CLl 15 Swans share secrets of success at the Centre l e s n a H

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: o t o h P Huw Jenkins and Chris Coleman

The London Welsh Centre recently played host to an evening host venue for its London Event. Both Brendan Rodgers and Chris held by the Swansea City FC Supporters Trust. Coleman spent considerable time with the Centre’s staff Rhian Held upstairs in the bar area of the Centre, Swans fans got a Jones and Iain Richards - with the Wales Manager even unique and intimate chance to hear the thoughts of Manager entrusting Rhian with his car keys while he spoke! Brendan Rodgers, Chairman Huw Jenkins and Wales Manager The evening was a resounding success and if the Swans do go Chris Coleman – himself, an ex-Swans player. BBC Sport Wales on and achieve their goal of retaining Premiership status, the filmed the evening, airing the programme the following Friday. Supporters Trust hope to return to the Centre next season to In Swansea’s most successful season for nearly 30 years, it stage another event. We wish them well! was fitting that the Supporters Trust chose the Centre to be the Iain Richards, Cultural Development Officer

Life-saving surgery for the London Welsh harp? Those who have been following the saga of the restoration of the We went to the workshop together with Mark, and Alan Club’s harp, will remember that it was about to be re-strung. showed us the split where the sound chamber had separated Regular calls to Alan Harbour’s harp workshop established that from the base. Alan repeated his previous suggestion that the he had serviced the instrument, was having to do some work to instrument should be tacked back together and put to auction as bring various bits of mechanism into line, and had begun putting an ornament, which we agreed to seriously consider. He thought the new strings on. it a pity it wasn’t insured....but his repair cost would be £3000, During our penultimate conversation with him, he said all while it might raise £2000 in a Bonhams’ sale. was going well, and he strummed a few strings for us over the However, after returning home Mark had a long think about phone. A week or so went by and then we received a phone call it, and then called us the same evening. He said that having from Rhian saying Alan Harbour wanted to get in touch - some come this far with the restoration, and having inspected the problem with the harp; Our hearts sank. damage, his opinion as a craftsman was that there were no The shocking news was that the harp had ‘exploded’ one insurmountable problems that would prevent him making a morning; the only good news was that it hadn’t damaged any of strong repair that would render the instrument playable. the surrounding instruments, which could easily have happened. He convinced us that this was worth a try, so with Alan The 150-year-old animal glue holding part of the frame together Harbour’s agreement we returned the harp to Mark’s studio, and just ‘gave up the ghost’ under the 1.5-ton tension of the new two days later Mark came up with a plan of action to repair and strings. He could probably fix it up cosmetically for auction as a indeed strengthen the damaged area, to which we agreed. So, as decorative item.... We told him to do nothing until we had come this goes to press, Mark is performing some skilful surgery on our over to see it, hopefully together with sculptor Mark Jones who elderly patient. The story is far from over….! had spent so much of his time and skill on crafting and fitting the David Johnson & Mitch Palmer new soundboard. Who’s doing what, and where Events at the London Welsh Centre Gwalia Male Choir 11 May Huw Stephens presents… The London Welsh Musical Director – Janet Haney Sessions. Free gig showcasing Welsh bands. 2 June Millennium Stadium, Wales v Barbarians Doors open at 7pm 1 July Charity event , Enfield 21 May The Business Network . The aim of this event is 2 July Commonwealth Carnival of Music with to connect people who have an interest in rugby LWMVC at Westminster Hall to help each other in business. Free event. From Choir rehearsals are held from 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. every Wednesday at 7.30pm the London Welsh Centre, 157, Gray’s Inn Road. All visitors & 8 June Huw Stephens presents… The London Welsh potential new members always welcome. Sessions. Free gig showcasing Welsh bands. For more information, please see our website at: Doors open at 7pm http://www.gwaliamalevoicechoir.org.uk 16 June Cwrs Dwys Cymraeg . All day Welsh course. 16June Cymry Llundain Showcase – find out about the various London Welsh organisations and London Branch of the how you can get involved. 12.30pm – 2pm in the Welsh Family History Societies lounge 12 May Huw Edwards : London’s Welsh Chapels 25 June Clwb Darllen / Welsh book club – in the bar. 8 September Brian Swann : DNA and Welsh Family History 7.30pm 3 November Richard Suggett : Witchcraft in Wales 29 June SKRUM/SOS Kit Aid event. Details TBC Meetings during 2012 will be held at 2 pm at Borough Welsh 6 July Huw Stephens presents… The London Welsh Congregational Chapel, 90 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 Sessions. Free gig showcasing Welsh bands. 0EX. Anyone with an interest in Welsh family history is very Doors open at 7pm welcome to join us. 16 July The Mary Ward Centre Players perform a Details of meetings can be found on the branch website theatrical extravaganza at the Centre. Matinee www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wlslbfhs/ or by contacting the and evening performances. TBC Secretary, Anne Jones, on 0208 925 4000, e-mail 21 July Diwrnod y Cardis – 3pm-5pm in the lounge [email protected] 4-11 August Visit the London Welsh Centre stand at the National Eisteddfod in the Vale of Glamorgan . Let us know if you would like to Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion volunteer. Dewch i’n gweld yn y Brifwyl ym Mro President: Prys Morgan, DL MA, DPhil, FSA, FRHistS. Morgannwg! Please note that unless indicated otherwise, all lectures are delivered at: The Medical Society of London, 11 Chandos Street, 3 September The Business Network . The aim of this event is Cavendish Square, London W1G 9EB, at 6.30pm . to connect people who have an interest in rugby 13 Mehefin CYFRAITH, CARCHAR A CHASTELL:HYNT A to help each other in business. Free event. From HANES LLAWYSGRIF GYRREITHIOL 7.30pm Dr Sara Elin Roberts, Ysgol y Gyfraith, Prifysgol Dates throughout 2012 TBC – Clebran – a social gathering for Bangor, Adrian Morgan , Aelod o’r Cyngor yn y women of all ages and backgrounds. Gadair For details of all events at the London Welsh Centre, please visit our 6 Awst Pabell y Cymdeithasau, am 1.30 yh website: www.londonwelsh.org Maes yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol ‘OLION TRAED RHYDDID’: GEORGE CADOGAN London Welsh Male Voice Choir MORGAN A CHWYMP Y BASTILLE Professor Musical Director: Edward-Rhys Harry. Prys Morgan yn y Gadair Accompanist: Annabel Thwaite. For details of further meetings consult the Honourable Society’s 19 May All Saints Church , Maidstone, Kent. website www.cymmrodorion.org 9 June Oxford Town Hall. 7 July Royal Festival Hall , London Southbank. Choir rehearsals are held from 7.30 – 9.30 every Thursday evening London Welsh Chorale Musical Director: Edward-Rhys Harry. at the London Welsh Centre, 157, Gray’s Inn Road. All visitors and 2 June at 7:30 pm Concert in aid of the Glamorgan potential new choristers are always welcome. mission to the Deaf. St Catherine’s Church For more information, please see our up-to-date website at: Pontypridd www.londonwelshmvc.org 4 July at 7:30 pm 30th Anniversary Concert St. Giles' Cripplegate, Fore Street, Barbican, London London Welsh Rugby Male Voice Choir EC2Y 8DA Musical Director: Michael Wyn Jones. 10 October Joseph Parry Evening at the London Welsh Accompanist: Anita D’Attellis. Centre 26 May Egham , Surrey Choir rehearsals are held form 7.15 – 9.30 pm every Tuesday at the 3 June Thonon-les-Bains , Alps London Welsh Centre, 157, Gray’s Inn Road. All visitors and potential new members are always welcome. For more information, 4 June Seytoux Church , St Jean D’Alups or if you are interested in joining the choir please see our Website: 15 Sept Marshfield S. Glos www.londonwelshchorale.org.uk or e-mail: For more information about the Choir, it’s Sunday rehearsal dates [email protected] and other activities, please see our up-to-date website at: The London Welsh Camerata, drawn from the main Chorale www.thelondonwelshrugbyclubchoir.org membership, is a small group performing regularly at weddings, and special occasions of all kinds. If you would like to find out more about the Camerata, to discuss repertoire, or to make a booking, www.londonwelsh.org please contact Rhiannon Hughes: [email protected]