THE WELSH SOCIETY OF VANCOUVER

Cymdeithas Gymraeg Vancouver

Cambrian News

Hydref October 2013 2013

Society Newsletter – Cylchgrawn y Gymdeithas

Society Members in Toronto

CAMBRIAN HALL, 215 East 17th Ave, Vancouver B.C. V5V 1A6 VANCOUVER WELSH SOCIETY The Cambrian News Officers: President: From The Editor: Jane Byrne There has been a communication gap Vice-President: since the May newsletter so I have only Lynn Owens-Whalen now included a report on Capt. Ieuan Secretary: Lampshire-Jones’ celebration, May 31. Eifion Williams [email protected] Many members (shown in the photo Treasurer: from Kathy Thomas) attended the very Gaynor Evans successful NAFOW Festival in Toronto. Membership Secretary: David Llewelyn Williams I am indebted to Eifion Williams for his Directors: obituary of Lynne Shepard who passed Heather Davies away on August 30th. Gwilym Evans Gwyn Evans I was also informed that our long time Irene Evans member, Meirwen Evans of Powell Antone Minard River recently died at age 97. She was (Recording Secretary) born in Caersws, Montgomeryshire and Mathew Parry apparently sang in the same choir in Contacts as LLinos Pritchard’s mother. She Building Committee: enjoyed singing and in earlier years she Lynn Owens-Whalen /Pat Morris regularly came down whenever there Cambrian Circle Singers: was a Gymanfa Ganu. Nerys Haqq Church Service: On a happier note, a daughter Tesla John Pritchard Logan Chiang was born to our members Rentals: I-Chant Andrea Chiang and Daniel th Richard Williams 604-340-8545 Logan on July 9 . Our heartiest Social Events Committee: congratulations to the new family! Gillian Rogers ([email protected]) Welsh Speaking Group: John Pritchard Welsh Learners Group: Antone Minard Webmaster: Alcwyn Rogers (www.welshsociety.com) Newsletter Editor:

David Llewelyn Williams 737-0305 ([email protected]) David Llewelyn Williams

Forthcoming Events Captain Ieuan Lampshire-Jones 90th birthday celebration hosted by the Wednesday, October 2nd at 7.30 pm Marine Surveyors of B.C. Executive Meeting

Monday, October 7th at 7.30 pm Welsh Lessons

Wednesday, October 9th at 12 noon the Cambrian Bookworms will be discussing “The Best Laid Plans” by Terry Fallis.

Sunday, October 13th at 11am Bilingual Church Service. This will be followed by a tê bach.

th Saturday, October 19 at 7 pm The Society’s Anniversary Dinner will be held at the Cambrian Hall (Red Dragon Lounge). Jordan’s International Food Designs will once again cater a buffet dinner at a cost of $40 per person. Please contact Gaynor Evans at [email protected] or at 604-271-3134 at your earliest convenience if you plan to attend. Monday, October 21st at 10.30 am Welsh Speaking – Siarad Cymraeg

Monday, October 21st at 7.30 pm Welsh Lessons

.Monday, October 28th from 10am to 3pm Work Party Day. A delicious lunch will be provided. See you there!

Mark your Calendar!! Vancouver Celebrates Wales Saturday November 2nd and Sunday November 3rd (Details to follow)

Children’s Christmas Party th The Association of Marine Surveyors Sunday December 8 at 2pm of B.C. held a ceremony and dinner at Vancouver’s Mission for Seamen on I’r morwr llon o Aberarth the evening of May 31st in honour of Danfonwn ein cyfarchion our member, who recently celebrated O Gymru i Vancouver bell his 90th birthday, Captain Ieuan Dros dir a moroedd dyfnion. Lampshire-Jones. Also attending were nd members of the Honorary Company of Yn 752 East 2 Street Master Mariners, of which he was a Bu dathlu mawr eleni long time member. Ieuan’s three Penblwydd arbennig drodd mis bach daughters, Susan, Christine and Jill Yn Fis Mawr i’r penteulu. proudly celebrated their father’s achievements and three of us, Heather Wrth syllu ar ei lun yn syn Mary and I represented our society. Mor anodd gennym gredu Y rhif amdano, sydd yn dweud The dinner benediction was given by Bod Ieuan nawr yn “ninety”. Rev. Nick Parker, the senior port chaplain. A jazz quintet provided Mae darllen am ei yrfa faith music accompaniment throughout. Y nachos o ryfeddu, Immediate Past President Alistair O don i don bu’n hwylio’r lli Beaton paid tribute to Ieuan’s service Mewn heddwch neu drybleini. in the Second World War and his leadership in the industry. He was one Syrfeiwr Morol yn Shanghai Yr Ynys Werdd a Rio of the founders of the organization in Ac wedi gorffen crwydro’r byd 1968 and became the principal marine Vancouver i riteirio. surveyor for a huge territory stretching from Northern California to Ac yno mewn Cymdeithas glôs Greenland. Cefnoga’r pethe goreu

Y Cymro goreu, madden nhw Ieuan’s wife Philomena has been a Yw’r Cymro oddi Cartre’ patient at Evergreen Nursing Home in North Vancouver for the past three Cerddoriaeth fu o bwys erioed years. As a gesture of support, Vice Yn nyddiau cynnar Ieuan, President Tom Ellis presented a A mynych glywed e’u rhoi tonc generous donation to the Evergreen Gan bedlo yr hen organ. Nursing Home on behalf of the Association, a gesture Ieuan much Neu wedi dychwel am rhyw saib appreciated. O fordaith go bellenig (Thanks to Jill and Tom for the Yn chwarae inni ei gitar photographs and to Eifion Williams A honno’n electronic! for much of the prose.). Wel am gyrraedd oedran teg This poem is by the sister of the late Cymerwn ginger pwysig Professor Hywel Teifi Edwards Y Tonic gorau allwn gael Yw aer y môr a miwsig. I gyfarch Capten ieuan Lampshire – Jones ar ei benblwydd yn 90 oed ar yr Myfi 22ain. Chwefror 2013. Lynne Shepard husband Glyn, she was a foster parent who worked hard to create a warm and caring family life for children who otherwise would not have experienced the joys and comfort of a stable family home. Through her Welsh-born husband Glyn, Lynne became closely involved with the Vancouver Welsh Society, which she served in many capacities over the years, including a term as Secretary. She loved music and was a member of the Friends of the Choir, an adjunct of the

Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir to which Lynne Shepard, who passed away on Glyn belonged. Her other passions were August 30 at Point Grey Private Hospital flowers, movies, reading and walks with was one of those rare individuals who family and friends. always put the needs of others before her Lynne Gayle Shepard was born in own. She devoted her life to helping Vancouver and was predeceased by her those who were in need of comfort and beloved husband Glyn, her parents Jim assistance, both as individuals and and Val Stewart and her twin sister members of the many charitable Linda. She was a beloved sister, organizations with which she was stepmother, grandmother and friend and associated. she will always be deeply missed by For over thirty years Lynne supported those family members, friends and the deaf community at Jericho Hill countless others whose lives she touched School and in various positions with the over many years. Many have commented provincial government ministries. Five on her beautiful smile and sense of years ago the Western Institute for the humour and how she had a kind word for Deaf and Hard of Hearing presented her everyone. with an award for her contributions to On Saturday, September 7, a Celebration the well-being of the community. Part of of Life for Lynne Shepard was held at the Ministry’s citation reads: “Lynne is St. Paul’s Catholic Church on East one of those rare people for whom Cordova Street, Vancouver. Where giving, caring and noticing the needs of several of those present attested to the others just seems as natural as breathing. ways in which Lynne’s caring and She gave hope and assistance to so many loving nature had positively affected people who had no one else to turn to. their lives. She worked with deaf people who have Donations in memory of Lynne may be had mental health, addiction and other made to the St. James Music Academy, problems.” 381 East Cordova St., Vancouver Much of Lynne’s charitable work was (http://www.sjma.ca/), an organization carried out in Vancouver’s Downtown devoted to bringing the joys of music to East Side where she loved to help with children in the Downtown East Side. the downtown ministry of the Sisters of the Atonement. Together with her late Eifion Williams The North American Festival of Wales It gives us greatest pleasure to welcome Toronto, August 29 to Sept. 1, 2013 you up north Despite the border crossings, we know The Opening Ceremony it’s really worth The hassle and the worry of passports This year’s Opening Ceremony, and so forth, conceived with much attention to detail And now that you are with us, we all can by Hefina Phillips, presented a novel and sing, with force, cheerful welcome. A backdrop, which We all can sing with force. featured Welsh symbols together with the Toronto CN Tower and Dewi Sant I’r Wyl! I’r Wyl! Welsh United Church had been specially Dewch Gymru hen ac ifanc, (clap, clap) designed for the event by Tara Thomas. Dewch i’r Wyl!

The ceremony commenced with three children presenting in turn the Canadian, American and Welsh flags, followed by After this spirited start, we were the singing of the three National entertained by young members of Dewi Anthems, led by Gaynor Jones Low. The Sant Church attired as famous Ontario tone of the event was firmly established Welsh citizens who discussed their roles by the ladies choir, Merched Dewi and in Canada’s history. Others sang solos or friends, conducted enthusiastically by duets or played the harp. Impressive Betty Cullingworth, who sang “I’r Wyl” contributions from the future of based on Dafydd Iwan’s song “I’r Gad” Toronto’s Welsh community! with words composed by Hefina. Here’s the first verse and chorus to give you a flavour:

A solo by Gaynor Jones Low centred this portion of the program, which medleys interspersed with humorous concluded with words of welcome from quips especially from Aled. They were Betty Cullingworth, the Local Venue brilliantly accompanied by Caradog Chair. She also acknowledged the Williams. creative hard work of Hefina Phillips, accompanist David Low, designer Tara They started with Some enchanted Thomas, and all the others who had evening, Edelweiss and You’ll never contributed to make the performance a walk alone to set the mood. This was success. followed by a solo by Rhys With a song in my heart and then a very interesting combination of All through the night sung together with All day all night. A Welsh classic Gwinllan brought this section to a close and we were treated to a performance by Caradog Williams of Debussy’s Arabesque 2. The tenors sang a Rugby medley before the intermission.

The second part followed a similar Gaynor and David Low pattern, both Aled and Alun sang solos and Caradog performed Debussy’s The afternoon ended with a performance Arabesque 1. After a superb rendition of by Sheryl Clay and the ladies choir of O Solo Mio, the concert concluded to Hefina’s version of “We’ll keep a rapturous acclaim with Gwahoddiad, welcome”. I include the first verse for Cwm Rhondda and Myfanwy. your entertainment! What a First Day! We’ll keep a welcome in Ontario, We are delighted that you came The tenors continued to be the life and To share with us your love of Cymru soul of the Festival, hosting the Open And keep alive that burning flame. Mic on Friday and the Pub Night on Saturday, performing at the Concert on These verses brought an exceptional Saturday and keeping female fans happy. introduction to the Festival to a close and Caradog Williams was always there too, we all left in an inspired positive mood showing brilliant versatility on the piano. for the Opening Concert by The Three Amser godidog dros ben! Tenors. I am grateful to Lynette Jenkins for her photographs of the event. The Choir was taken by Andy Greiner and the Screen by Gwendolyn Giffin-carter.

Y Tri Tenor

The Opening Concert featured Rhys Meirion, Aled Hall and Alun Rhys- Jenkins, who royally entertained us with popular classics, Welsh songs and Myfanwy gyda Rhys ac Aled The Grand Banquet second half was international in flavor.

This year’s Honoree was Hefina Phillips, Sunday’s Events who is well known as a dedicated Welsh Language teacher and a contributor to The Sunday Morning Worship was Welsh publications in Wales and North conducted by Rev. Dr. Cerwyn Davies America. Hefina was presented with the with Alan Thomas at the organ. The Heritage Medallion Award by the Hymn Singing Competition winner, National Welsh-American Foundation, John Owen from Boise, Idaho sang and for her distinguished service to the Megan Williams read out the names of Welsh-American community. Of special recently deceased members while two interest to our society is that Hefina is young girls placed a rose in memory of from Cwmgiedd, the small village which each. Rev. Davies gave a thought was also the home of Jane and Eifion provoking sermon on the theme Follow and their family. In fact several went to the fellow that follows a dream. school with Hefina. Six family members attended the Banquet in tribute. The afternoon and the evening featured the traditional Cymanfa y Prydnawn ac The soloist at the Banquet was Catrin Cymanfa yr Hwyr; two Hymn Singing Rowenna Davies, who won the mezzo- Sessions conducted by Clive Phillips soprano competition at the National with Alan Thomas at the Organ. For Eisteddfod in 2012. Catrin also sang at many participants, this is the highlight of the Grand Concert. Not just a pretty face their week and they relive their past with but a very accomplished performer! enthusiasm. On this occasion, the enthusiasm continued in the form of informal singing in the hotel foyer until the wee small hours. It’s called Hwyl!

Eisteddfod, Seminars, etc

The Eisteddfod Competitions took place, in large part, due to the tireless energy of Society Members at the Banquet Alan Upshall. Both the Amateur Solo (photo by Gwyn Evans) and the Hymn Singing were won by our friend from Boise, Idaho; John Owen The Grand Concert and the Open Recitation was won by me!

The Grand Concert featured the Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir, conducted by Clive Phillips. The choir has won fourteen times in the National Eisteddfod of Wales and received several standing ovations. The first half of its program consisted of well-known Welsh songs specifically adapted for the choir, including such favourites as Men The important Semi-Professional award; of Harlech and Nant y Mynydd. The the David G. Morris Memorial Prize was won by Laura Styler of Calgary. The The Annual Garden Party Award enables her to travel to the next On Sunday, August 18,members National Eisteddfod in Llanelli to gathered for our Annual Garden Party compete. Laura sang in the afternoon at the home of Wilf and Lynn Owens- Gymanfa Ganu Session. The picture Whalen. A cake provided by Val Cox shows her next to Alan Thomas, who turned out to be most appropriate accompanied the singers. The winner of since it happened to be Pat Morris’ the Learner’s recitation was Lynne birthday. Unfortunately some pictures Jenkins from Illinois, next to the men. were deleted accidentally, so we have (Thanks to Alan Upshall for the photo.) none of the Birthday Girl! Here are some, thanks to Kathy Thomas. There were some really very interesting Seminars. Unfortunately I had too many conflicts but I was able to attend Lord Roger Roberts’ talk on Pulpit and Parliament which was I enjoyed but I was absolutely blown away by Jerry Hunter’s talk on Welsh-American Literature with examples of Welsh poetry from 1835! Eifion Williams managed to attend Jerry’s other talk on

Welsh writing during the American Civil War and was equally impressed. The other seminar I missed, which I was told was exceptional, was We’ll gather lilacs: the life of Ivor Novello in Song with performances by Sheryl Clay Newell. A similar comment applies to the films; I managed to find time to view the Playing Burton film but I didn’t have time for Mamwlad – about the two Davies sisters from Llangollen who amassed a remarkable art collection.

I haven’t even mentioned the Market Place, which provided me with tea and welshcakes thanks to Myfanwy Bajaj when I had no time for regular food. The stalls provided me with information about Bangor University Alumni, Love Spoon Carving with David Western, out WELSH RUGBY LEGEND CLIFF of print second hand Welsh books and MORGAN DIES Welsh rugby shirts for my grandsons. Every generation cherishes its favourite sports figures. For those of my So, all in all, a remarkable experience! generation growing up in the South Wales valleys in the 1950’s our iconic David Llewelyn Williams champion was Cliff Morgan, the Wales and British Lions rugby outside-half outside broadcasts for the BBC, covering who died on August 29 after a long royal weddings as well as the Olympic illness. Games and World Cup competitions. Cliff received many accolades from his peers. He was one of the first to be inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 1997 and joined the IRB Hall of Fame in 2009. He was awarded the OBE in 1977 and CVO in 1986 for his services to broadcasting.

Following his death, the British media were virtually unanimous in their tributes to Cliff Morgan’s achievements Cliff Morgan had a typical Welsh in sports and broadcasting. The background. Son of a Rhondda Valley Guardian’s obituary said that he “had a coalminer, his character was nurtured by flair and an inventiveness that made him a chapel upbringing and his school years the embodiment of his nation’s gift to a at Tonyrefail Grammar School, where he game whose finest values, on and off the developed his talent for rugby, as well as field, he came to incarnate.” Fellow an appreciation of music and a love of broadcaster Des Lyman maintained that words. In 1949 he joined Cardiff Rugby Cliff was one of the most charismatic Club and within two years won his first men he ever met. cap for Wales in a Five Nations international against Ireland. In a cruel irony Cliff Morgan, whose eloquence had entertained millions for so Cliff Morgan never looked back from many years, died of cancer of the vocal that first international. He went on to chords at his home on the Isle of Wight. win 29 caps for Wales and eventually On September 13 over 400 mourners captained the team. In 1952 he helped attended the funeral service at Holy Wales win a Grand Slam and the Trinity Church, Bembridge. Among following year played a part in the those paying tribute were former rugby legendary victory over the New Zealand stars , , All Blacks, a feat not achieved by a , Clive Rowlands and Welsh side since. In 1955 he was Welsh rugby’s court jester, Max Boyce. selected for his first British and Irish In an emotional farewell to a proud Lions tour and scored the winning try Welshman, the London Welsh Male against South Africa in Johannesburg in Voice Choir sang “Take Me Home” as front of a world-record crowd of the Welsh flag-draped casket was carried 100,000. into the church by family members. Cliff Cliff Morgan retired from rugby in 1958 leaves behind two children and his and began working for the BBC, leading second wife Pat. He had previously been to a long career in the British media. He married to Nuala Martin for 45 years became Head of Sport in radio and before her sudden death in 1999. television, taking charge of such popular programmes as Grandstand and This Eifion Williams Week. Eventually he became head of