THE WELSH SOCIETY OF VANCOUVER

Cymdeithas Gymreig Vancouver

Cambrian News Medi September 2017 2017

Society Newsletter – Cylchgrawn y Gymdeithas

Pat Morris at the Canadian Multicultural Day Fair held at Vancouver Central Library on 24 June

CAMBRIAN HALL, 215 East 17th Ave, Vancouver B.C. V5V 1A6

VANCOUVER WELSH SOCIETY The Cambrian News

Officers: From the Editor: President: Lynn Owens-Whalen As the long hot summer draws to a close Vice-President and the evenings shorten with the Paul Lievesley approach of autumn, the social committee Secretary: welcomes Society members and their Antone Minard friends to a host of great fall/winter Treasurer: events and activities! These include a pub Gaynor Evans night, a , the Anniversary Membership Secretary: Dinner, the Welsh Weekend, a Jackie Chapman /ceilidh, the children’s Christmas Immediate Past President: party and two performances of A Child’s David Llewelyn Williams Christmas in . See the Directors: “Forthcoming Events” section for dates Ruth Baldwin and details and then browse the photo Tim Darvell gallery of recent events and festivities to Patricia Morris see what members have been up to since Kathy Thomas the last newsletter was sent out. Wynford Owen Also included in this issue is a fascinating article on the Welsh in British Columbia Contacts: by Eifion Williams. Building Committee: Sadly, several members have passed Paul Lievesley away this summer, including long- Cambrian Circle Singers: standing and well-loved member, Peter Nerys Haqq Byrne. An obituary for Peter is included Church Service: at the end of the newsletter. Various We were sad to hear of the passing of Welsh Speaking Group: Maureen Grecht’s son, David Bosek, in Roy Beavon June and we send our sincere condolences Rentals: to Maureen and her family. Alcwyn Rogers Don’t forget to register for the Welsh Wynford Owen Genealogy Group’s special meeting on 18 Social Events Committee: October, when guest speaker Diane Rogers will give a talk on DNA. See the Gillian Rogers red box in the “Forthcoming Events” www.welshsociety.com section for details. Webmaster: Enjoy the articles, photographs, reports Alcwyn Rogers and news items in this edition, but – most Newsletter Editor: important – come out and join us at the Ruth Baldwin many Society events that celebrate and [email protected] keep alive Welsh life, language and culture in Vancouver!

Ruth Baldwin Cambrian Hall 604-876-2815

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Forthcoming Events from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm in the Red Dragon. The first fall meeting will be Note: Please consult the Society Website held on Wednesday 20 September. for a detailed and frequently updated list of forthcoming and regular events.

Welsh Lessons WELSH GENEALOGY GROUP

The autumn schedule can be found on the SPECIAL NOTICE! “Welsh Classes” page, http://www.welshsociety.com/lab5/welsh- On Wednesday 18 October 2017 at classes-at-the-cambrian-hall/ 10:30 am in the Red Dragon, Cambrian Hall, 215, E. 17th Avenue, Bilingual Service Vancouver (entrance at the rear of the building via the lane), the Genealogy Sunday 10 September at 11.00 am. This Group will host a special guest speaker, will be followed by a tê bach (light Diane Rogers, who will give a talk on refreshments). the subject of DNA. All are welcome! Sunday 17 December at 11:00 pm. If you plan to attend, please email Please note that, just for this month, the Carole Smythe at [email protected] . bilingual service will take place on the Diane will be providing handouts, so Third Sunday of the month rather than organizers need to know the number of the second. attendees. If you wish to, bring your laptop.

Executive Meeting

The schedule for upcoming Genealogy Monday 11 September at 7:30 pm. Group meetings in 2017 is:

September 20

Cambrian Bookworms October 18 November 15 Wednesday 13 September at noon. The December 20 book this month is Medicine Walk, by Richard Wagamese. Work Party

Welsh Speaking Group Monday 25 September from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. A delicious lunch will be Monday 18 September at 10:30 am. provided. Looking forward to seeing you Siarad Cymraeg y bore’ma. there!

General Meeting Pub Night

Monday 18 September at 7:30 pm. Friday 29 September. Theme: “Fall into Fall.” Doors open at 7:00 pm. and Genealogy Group programme begins at 8:00 pm. There will be a performance by Tim Readman and a The Welsh Genealogy Group meets on quiz. the third Wednesday of each month

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Anniversary Dinner Children’s Christmas Party

Saturday 14 October at 7:00 pm. Sunday 10 December at 2:00 pm. Catered by Jordan’s International Food Organized by Gaynor Evans and her Designs. Details to follow. “elves.” Details to follow.

Ceilidh/Twmpath/ A Child’s Christmas in Friday 20 October from 7:30 to Wales 10:30 pm. Please see the printable poster on page 16 for details. Sunday 10 and Monday 11 December.

Doors open at 7:00 pm. Performance at 8:00 pm. The Society is very pleased to Welsh Weekend announce the return of this popular Christmas event led by Russell Roberts Friday 3 November. Noson Lawen (an featuring original music and your evening of entertainment) featuring the favourite carols. music trio, Three Pound Note, from Seattle, and others. Finger food will be Details and ticket sales information to served and there will be a cover charge follow. (yet to be determined). This event is still in the planning stages and further details will be follow. Saturday 4 November. Details are yet Christmas Dinner to be decided, but a film, poetry reading and Celtic talk are under discussion. Saturday 16 December at 7:00 pm. Sunday 5 November at 2:00 pm. Details to follow. Gymanfa Ganu. Conductor, accompanist and soloist to be determined. Annual General Meeting

The Welsh Weekend is still in its planning Subject to approval by the executive, the stages. Further details are forthcoming. AGM has been moved to Monday 18 Please see the events section of the December at 7:30 pm. Please put the website for updates. date in your calendar!

Typical Monthly Events Quiz Night

Friday 24 November. This event is in its Everyone is invited to join us at these planning stages. Further details will events but please note there may be follow. changes from time to time, so it’s best

to check the monthly page on the Mulled Wine and Carols website before attending. For further information please contact Saturday 2 December. Details to [email protected]. follow.

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Sundays: 2nd Sunday of the month: undergoing extensive renovations in the Bilingual Church Service. The near future, and these concerts are exception is in November when the designed to show support for the church Service is on the Sunday of the Welsh as a vital hub for choral music in weekend. Vancouver. The other choirs are The Postmodern Camerata, Vancouver Mondays: 1st Monday of the month Chamber Choir and Vancouver for Board Members only: Executive Children’s Choir. Details regarding Meeting at 7:30 pm. tickets will be available later.

Mondays: 3rd Monday of the The Orpheus Christmas Concert month: Welsh speaking group meets series: at 10:30am. ▪ Friday, December 8th. at St. Andrew’s Mondays: 4th Monday of the month: Anglican Church, 20955 Old Yale Road, Volunteer working party: 10:00 am Langley. till 3:00 pm. ▪ Sunday, December 10th. at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2350 148 Street, White Mondays: Monday following the Rock. executive meeting: General Meetings ▪ Tuesday, December 12th. at Mount are held at 7:30 pm in February, Seymour United Church, 1200 Parkgate April, June, September and Avenue, North Vancouver. We are November. The Annual General hosting the St. Thomas Aquinas school Meeting is held on the 2nd Monday choir. in December at 7:30 pm. ▪ Saturday, December 16th. at West Point Wednesdays: 2nd Wednesday of the Grey United Church, 4595 8th Avenue month: The Book Club meets at 12:00 West, Vancouver. noon Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir Wednesdays: 3rd Wednesday of the month: Genealogy Group meets from The VWMC has not yet published its fall 10:30 am till 12:30 pm. and winter schedule. Please consult the

choir’s website, vwmc.ca, for contact lessons: The information. schedule varies and details are shown here.

Choirs

Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir

Saturday 16 September at 7:30 pm. The Orpheus is honoured to have been invited to participate with three other choirs in the third annual “Re-Sounding Ryerson” benefit concert at Dunbar-Ryerson United Church (45th Ave. and Yew St. in Vancouver). The church will be

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Photo Gallery of Recent Society Events

The (third) Welsh Society Twmpath, held on Friday 19 May, drew a large number of keen dancers. Don’t miss the Last Night of the Proms at the next one, to be held on Friday 20 Vancouver Orpheum October; it's the most fun you’ll get for Several members attended this annual $10 anywhere! event, modelled on the finale to the “Proms” held in London’s Royal Albert Hall. Jayne Boyer, president of The Royal Society of St. George in Vancouver, took the photograph. You can see everyone’s having a great time!

Pub Night Tim Readman entertained at the Welsh Society's Pub night on 16 June. If you missed his fine performance, you’ll get a second chance to hear him; he’s coming back to the Red Dragon on 29 September! The Annual Spring Fair The Spring Fair, held on Saturday 13 May, was a great success again this year and a lot of fun (and hard work!) for members who helped make the annual fund-raiser so successful.

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Canadian Multiculturalism Day Fair Pat Morris organized the Vancouver Welsh Society table for this event held on Saturday 24 June at Vancouver Central Library. Jackie Jones Chapman, Heather Davies and Ruth Baldwin also attended. Here, Pat and Heather pose with visitor Ada Con, who was very interested to learn about Welsh culture.

BC Highland Games Pat Morris and Tim Darvell sent in these photos of the BC Highland Games, at which they represented the Society on the “Welsh table” on Saturday 17 June at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam.

Vancouver Welsh Society President Lynn Owens-Whalen has submitted the following photos sent to her by Janet Thomas. Lynn recounts the time, several years ago, when she and her husband Wilf went looking for Cardigan, New Brunswick, which is the site of the first Welsh settlement in Canada: “It is about 10 miles north of Fredericton. We were fortunate enough to come upon the chapel

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the day of their annual Gymanfa Ganu 2017 Genedlaethol Ynys and so were invited to join the NB Welsh Môn Society for the afternoon. Janet has kept 2017 Anglesey National Eisteddfod in touch ever since.” This year’s National Eisteddfod of Wales “If you don’t know Kings Landing,” was held at Bodedern in Anglesey. Its Lynn says, “it is a major tourist spot close theme was strongly influenced by the to the Trans-Canada Highway. It is centenary of the First War Battles in basically a restored and reconstructed 1917. pioneer settlement. So, the NB Welsh The Opening Concert was entitled “A would have come in contact with tourists Oes Heddwch,” the iconic question travelling from central Canada to the phrased by the at Bardic Maritimes.” Ceremonies, meaning “Is there Peace,” On July 23, Janet wrote, “We had a making it an emotional experience that wonderful day yesterday talking about set the stage for the whole Eisteddfod. our Welsh heritage with the many visitors Many other events during the program at Kings Landing [. . . .] Visitors came attracted my attention, for example Jason from as far as Winnipeg to the west and Walford Davies talked on R S Thomas, M Corner Brook to the east. We met a E Eldridge and Modern Art, Menna Elfyn number of folks of Welsh descent who discussed the two poems by Eluned live within the province and encouraged Phillips that won the Crown, not to them to participate in our events. The mention all the poetry challenges in Y Welsh dragon was much admired by the Babell Len (the Literature Pavilion). But children who visited while the love spoon for me, the Chairing Ceremony was the attracted the interest of many, particularly high point. The photograph below shows the younger crowd.” the Archdruid and the Bardic Circle as he is about to call on the winning bard to stand. In 1917 the winning bard was Ellis Humphrey Evans whose was Hedd Wyn (Pure or Blessed Peace). But he had been killed on Pilkem Ridge several weeks before, so the Chair was shrouded and known as the Black Chair of . The chair on the extreme left is an exact 3D created replica of the Hedd Wyn’s chair. Furthermore, the title set in 1917 was “Yr Arwr” (the Hero), so this year the same title was set except it could also be feminine; Yr Arwr neu Arwres (Hero or Heroine). “The National Park Authority has been restoring Yr Ysgwrn, the home of Garden Party Hedd Wyn, and with the work now The theme, in keeping with Canada’s th complete, the Authority has donated this 150 anniversary, was “Red and White.” year’s Eisteddfod Chair. The Chair has a Lynn and Wilf generously hosted the poignant link with the 1917 chair, having garden party in their lovely garden on 19 been partly crafted from ash and oak August. Here Lynne and Wilf greet Paul wood sawn from trees growing in the Lievesley, who seems to have arrived grounds of Yr Ysgwrn, trees which would bearing gifts! have been growing there during Hedd

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Wyn’s lifetime”1 This year’s winner was of the heritage of this part of Western Osian Rhys Jones. For him, a pinnacle of Canada. success! For me, a very special centenary! Following in Thompson’s footsteps, David Llewelyn many Welsh immigrants came to Western Canada in the nineteenth century in search of fortune and/or freedom. In mid- century, thousands of miners arrived to seek their fortunes in the gold mines on the Fraser River and later in the Cariboo region of central British Columbia. In one famous episode in 1862, a group of Welshmen sailed from bound for the Colony of British Columbia

in the far northwest of North America. They were the Company of Welsh The following is an abridged version of Adventurers, a group of 26 men from an address by Eifion Williams on The North Wales who agreed to join with self- Welsh in British Columbia, given at the styled ‘Captain’ John Evans of Tremadog Vancouver CSANA Conference, April in seeking their fortunes in the newly- 27, 2017. discovered goldfields. The ‘Welshmen’, as they were called THE WELSH IN BRITISH throughout their travels, were given free COLUMBIA passage to the goldfields plus two years’ board in return for their labor. The Like the other Celtic nations represented project was financed by a wealthy here today, the Welsh have had a English factory owner. presence on Canada’s West Coast since at Evans was a stern god-fearing man whose the earliest 1807, when Canada’s greatest puritan views on such matters as the evils geographer, explorer and map maker, of drink later proved ill-suited to the David Thompson, first crossed the rough life in the gold camps. Rockies and explored large areas of what The men set sail on The Rising Sun in is today British Columbia and the August, 1862, on a voyage that took American Northwest. Thompson is several months around Cape Horn and up invariably referred to by many historians the Pacific Coast of South and North as an English explorer. but he was in fact America to Victoria on Vancouver Island. born Dafydd ap Thomas to Welsh parents John Evans had travelled ahead of the in London. men and registered a claim on Lightning Thompson is known mainly for his Creek. Whatever hardships the men had navigation of the entire length of the experienced on the voyage must later Columbia River from its source in the have appeared relatively minor compared Canadian Rockies to the river’s mouth at to the 500-mile trip the men had to make Astoria, Oregon. But his achievements through the difficult terrain north from were far more numerous than that. His Victoria. explorations, journals and maps are part The hardships the men suffered were chronicled by the youngest member of the

1 http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats- on/arts-culture-news/national-eisteddfod- 2017-chair-crown-131760

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group, Harry Jones, whose journal is St. David’s Day and held eisteddfodau preserved in the Public Archives of and weekly services in Welsh. British Columbia. He describes how the The Cariboo Gold Rush was over in a few Welshmen must have appeared rather short years but many of the Welsh miners strange to the thousands of men of stayed and played their part in building various nationalities heading to the gold the new Province of British Columbia, fields. which became part of Canada in 1871. Harry Jones describes an episode on the John Evans and Harry Jones both became Cariboo Trail one Sunday when an members of the Legislative Assembly in American came across the men sitting in Victoria and many sent for wives or a circle just off the trail, hands clasped girlfriends from Wales and settled down together in prayer and speaking in what to more mainstream lives. sounded to the American like a very What motivated these early Welsh strange tongue. True to his Welsh immigrants to leave their homeland and Methodist background, Captain Evans seek new lives in North America is had insisted that the men neither worked eloquently expressed by a man named nor travelled on Sundays. Cuhelyn in one of his letters to the Many of the miners wrote letters home, Merthyr Telegraph, May 31, 1862. In mostly in Welsh. The letters were words that might serve as an epitaph to occasionally published in local the millions of immigrants of all newspapers and many have been nationalities who seek to better collected and translated by researchers themselves in a new land, he said: and published in the National Library of ‘As for me I would rather brave all the Wales Journal. The letters and journals wrath of the elements of creation and show that these men carried with them dare all the torments of human invention many of the traditions of their homeland. to acquire an independence, than crawl Their mostly Nonconformist religious like a worm through the mire of poverty.’ beliefs dictated that they did no work on It is frequently true that the main the Sabbath, adhered strictly to beneficiaries of a gold rush are not the temperance, held regular religious prospectors or miners but the services, organized Welsh events like the entrepreneurs who build businesses that eisteddfod and the gymanfa ganu and seek to profit from their efforts. And whenever possible communicated in their British Columbia has benefited from the native language. Many of these cultural business acumen of many Welsh traditions have been characteristic of immigrants. One of these was a man Immigrant Welsh communities named David Spencer, who was born on a throughout their history and will still be farm in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales. familiar today to many Welsh Societies, In 1862 David decided to head for the including the Vancouver Welsh Society. Cariboo, hoping to make money in the Few if any of the Cariboo gold miners goldfields. realized their dreams of untold wealth. When he arrived in Victoria he decided to The Cariboo diggings soon played out but stay. He opened a book store and later a in 1867 there were still eighty Welshmen department store which proved to be a in Barkerville, the instant gold-mining very profitable business. Branches were town that was the centre of the Cariboo later opened in other BC towns. David Goldfields. They never forgot their Spencer Ltd eventually expanded into heritage. They built the first Cambrian other businesses like ranching and Hall in Barkerville, where they celebrated newspaper ownership.

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Like Captain John Evans, Spencer was a the Cambrian Hall in 1928. One other devout Methodist, Sunday School teacher name on the cornerstone is that of and a leading member of the Temperance Thomas Edwards, who gave the Welsh Society. When he opened a branch of his Society the building materials for the store in Vancouver his son Chris Spencer Hall. was given responsibility for the store. Thomas Edwards was a miner’s son from Chris eventually became President of the Llanelli, Wales. Trained as a carpenter Board of Trade and director of several and joiner, he became a pioneer builder other companies. He was also a founding and prominent businessman in Vancouver member of the Vancouver Art Gallery and later a highly respected funeral and the Vancouver Symphony. director. He was also the first Leader of The University of British Columbia was a the Overseas Welsh at the National major beneficiary of Chris Spencer’s Eisteddfod of Wales, beginning an annual generosity. He was involved with the tradition of a ceremony welcoming Welsh University from the beginning and before exiles to the Eisteddfod. his death in 1953 established the Chris The three men mentioned above belong Spencer Foundation to provide financial on a roster of those successful Welsh assistance to enable worthy students to immigrants who were long-time patrons attend UBC and to assist organizations of the Vancouver Welsh Society and devoted to the service of young people. contributors to the building of this Hall. Chris Spencer was also one of the main Another Welsh immigrant, Joseph Jones, financial contributors to the building of a dairy farmer, donated the land on which this Hall. The Cambrian Hall exists as a the Hall is built for a nominal sum of $1. symbol of the generosity of men like He owned a dairy farm covering what are Chris Spencer who valued their Welsh now some of the busiest streets in this heritage while at the same time making an area of Vancouver. inestimable contribution to the prosperity The actual building of the Hall was and future growth of British Columbia. carried out largely by volunteer labour. It The David Spencer Ltd department store was officially opened in September,1929 chain was sold to Eaton’s in 1948. and committed future members of the Chris Spencer’s name is inscribed on the then Cambrian Society, now the Welsh cornerstone at the front of this building. Society, to a sacred charge – the Another name on the stone is that of preservation of a unique asset for the Jonathan Rogers, who was born near future benefit of the Welsh in Vancouver. Llangollen, Wales and grew up speaking As mentioned earlier, it is the only only Welsh. In 1887 Rogers sailed for facility of its kind in North America. The Montreal and crossed Canada on the first Society holds an annual Anniversary transcontinental train to Vancouver, then Dinner here to remember those who were a small settlement of 2000 people. involved in the building of the Hall and With great foresight he bought four lots all those past and present members who in the middle of the forest, land now have helped preserve the building over located in the heart of Vancouver. Within the past 90 years through their voluntary a few years Rogers became involved in efforts. all kinds of construction work during In the 1980’s the Vancouver City Council Vancouver’s first great real-estate boom. recognized the cultural significance of the By 1914 he was a very wealthy man and a Cambrian Hall by designating it a prominent public figure in Vancouver. Heritage B building. Like Chris Spencer, Jonathan Rogers According to writer/historian Margaret contributed financially to the building of Davidson in her anecdotal history of the

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Welsh Society, the Welsh in Vancouver Gymanfa Ganu. In 2003, the Society were organizing social events and sports sponsored the North American Festival of teams in the early 1900s. The first St. Wales, held in the Vancouver suburb of David’s Day Banquet was held in the old Richmond. Denman Auditorium in 1907. The Welsh Society played a significant As you’ve probably gathered already, role during the Vancouver Centennial in most of the Welsh who emigrated to 1986, hosting a concert, church service Canada in the 19th and most of the 20th and open house at the Cambrian Hall. centuries were members of The Society’s then secretary, Ann Nonconformist denominations such as the Roberts, served as coordinator of events Methodists or Baptists. They were during British Week at Vancouver’s Expo determined to preserve their heritage 86. through religious worship, music and Over the years, the expense of hymn-singing, and above all through maintaining the Hall spiraled and there preserving the Welsh language. Most were frequent fears that the Hall might Welsh Societies, including the Vancouver have to be sold. It was saved by the Welsh Society, have consistently voluntary efforts of members who carried reflected these attributes. out numerous repairs, including the The last few years have seen a gradual building of a new stage. In the late 1970s decline in the number of “chapel” Welsh the Lower Hall was renovated to provide as recent Welsh immigrants tended to a venue where members and guests could have more worldly interests and the hold social gatherings. A bar licence was chapel culture is rapidly disappearing in also acquired to help pay the cost of Wales, as indeed are the chapels maintaining the Hall. The renovations themselves. Yet ironically, there is made the building rentable, thus easing greater interest in the language, both in the financial burden on the Society. Wales and among the overseas Welsh, Despite the decline in membership in including here in Vancouver. Today, recent years, many affiliated groups and people of Welsh ancestry tend to identify fraternal organizations enjoyed continued more with their roots and many play an success. Dressed in traditional Welsh important part in this Society. costume, the Cambrian Circle Singers, The first recorded meeting of the Welsh led by Nerys Haqq, have performed in Vancouver was held in January 1908, throughout the Vancouver area. The the group calling itself the Cymrodorion Society’s Social Committee continues to Society. In 1911, the first Eisteddfod was be active in promoting numerous events held at the Vancouver Opera House, with and fund-raising activities. Adhering to competitions in choral music, solo voice, its traditional culture, the Society still harp and elocution. An annual gymanfa holds a bilingual church service every ganu and monthly bilingual religious month and a gymanfa ganu every year. services were also initiated, events that The annual St. David’s Day Dinner is have continued to this day. also a popular event. The Cymrodorion Society became the Other groups that continue to maintain Cambrian Society in 1924, and was the Welsh factor in the Vancouver area renamed the Welsh Society in 1973. In are the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir, the 1970’s, membership in the Society the Vancouver Orpheus Choir and the declined, mainly because of a slowdown Dylan Thomas Circle. in immigration from Wales. Membership Gwyn Evans, a founding member of the was boosted in 1982 when the Welsh Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir, was last Society hosted the Welsh National year recognized as 2016’s Celtic Person

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of the Year. The two choirs have a their Welsh ancestry and many attend the popular following and travel extensively Welsh learning classes. throughout British Columbia and abroad. Canada is a multicultural society and one Both choirs have hosted visiting Welsh of the main aims of the Vancouver Welsh male choirs that attract sell-out audiences Society is to share Welsh customs and in the Vancouver area. traditions with their fellow Canadians. The Dylan Thomas Circle was founded This account has focused mainly on the by Welsh Society member Neville Welsh Society of Vancouver but there are Thomas who sadly passed away early this also other Welsh Societies in British year. The Circle has attracted members Columbia. There are, or were, Welsh from many different ethnic and cultural Societies in Victoria, Nanaimo, the backgrounds since the late 1980s and has Okanagan and Shuswap. presented two sell-out performances of Members of the Vancouver Welsh the poet’s Under Milk Wood. Society have also traditionally supported Many other Welsh traditions are still North American Welsh organizations and being followed by Society members. At international events. For example, in the Society’s Annual Spring Sale, Welsh recent years two members, Lynn Owens- baked goods like bara brith and Welsh Whalen and David Llewelyn Williams, cakes are big sellers and a traditional te have served on the Executive of the bach is a regular feature of events like the annual North American Festival of monthly church services, Wales. Lynn was President of the Over the past few years, the number of organization in 2002-4. Members have Welsh speakers among members has also over the years maintained close ties gradually declined as many older with Welsh Societies in the US Pacific members have passed on. Welsh- Northwest. speaking members still invariably The Vancouver Welsh Society is proud to communicate with each other in Welsh maintain the integrity of the Cambrian and there are Welsh-speaking sessions for Hall in honor of the dedication and those who wish to preserve fluency in the foresight of Vancouver’s early Welsh language. pioneers and the generations that have There has also recently been renewed contributed to preserving Welsh culture interest in learning the language, largely and traditions from within its walls. due to the Welsh classes inspired and Together with other Celtic groups, the taught by Celtic Scholar Dr. Antone Vancouver Welsh Society is proud of its Minard. Antone has also entertained contributions over the years towards members with stories and episodes from enriching the cultural life of this the Welsh and Celtic past. And the Province. celebration of St. Dwynwen’s Day, The Vancouver Welsh Society wishes to thanks mainly to David Llewelyn thank you for choosing the city of Williams, has become a popular annual Vancouver and the Cambrian Hall to host event with members. the 2017 Celtic Studies Association of Welsh Society members still believe it is North America’s (CSANA) Annual important to keep the language alive as Conference. We wish you every success part of their heritage and culture. over the next few days of the Conference. However, it appears that it will continue only if there are more Welsh-speaking *** immigrants from Wales. Descendants of Welsh immigrants are generally proud of

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airports and a wide variety of other facilities in seismically active areas in Canada and around the world. Peter gained further professional recognition by winning the Geoffrey Mayerhoff Award from the Canadian Geotechnical Society. Peter also built a reputation as a researcher, having written many papers in his area of expertise while pioneering many new procedures. He was also much Dr. Peter Michael Byrne in demand at national and international March 5, 1936 - August 17, 2017 conferences as a consultant on several projects. Peter passed away peacefully on August To the Vancouver sailing fraternity Peter 17th surrounded by his family. He leaves Byrne was well known as a competitive behind his loving wife Jane, sons Sean sailor. His passion for sailing led to his (Elen) and Craig (Alessandra), winning a Bronze Medal for Canada in granddaughters Rebecca and Greta, the Flying Dutchman class at the 1967 brother Donald (Shirley), sister Dr. Marie Pan American Games and being selected Arnall, special niece Miriam (Wayne) and as a member of Canada's Olympic sailing numerous nephews and nieces in Canada, team at the 1972 Munich Olympic England and Ireland. Games. In 1973, with his wife Jane as Peter Byrne was born in Dun Laoghaire, crew, he won the Enterprise Class World County Dublin and gained his first Championship, held that year in engineering degree from University Vancouver. College, Dublin. He completed post- Peter was a popular and respected graduate studies at the University of member of the Royal Vancouver Yacht British Columbia and was a Professor of Club for over fifty years. Jane, Sean and Civil Engineering there from 1967 until Craig, along with many friends and his retirement in 2001. He continued his family members, will forever cherish the association with the University as memories of summer sailings with Peter Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering. along the coast of British Columbia. Peter was highly regarded as a The family is grateful for the exceptional geotechnical consultant. In 2014 he was tender loving care shown to Peter by the awarded the prestigious R.F. Legget nursing staff on the fifth floor at Medal by the Canadian Geotechnical Parkview. Donations in Peter's memory Society. The R.F. Legget Medal is the may be made to the Parkview Unit, Society's highest honour and is presented Youville Residence, 4950 Heather St., to an individual for 'outstanding life-long Vancouver, BC, V5Z 3L9. A celebration contributions to geotechnique'. In 2009, of Life for Peter will be held at the Royal Peter was presented with the Julian Vancouver Yacht Club on Monday, C. Smith Medal by the Engineering September 11, from 2PM to 5PM. Institute for 'Achievement in the Development of Canada'. The Canadian *** Geotechnical Society noted at the time that his achievements were demonstrated by a wide range of projects on which he had been consulted, including bridges, tunnels, dams, rapid transit projects,

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The Bright Field by R.S. Thomas The building, the garden, electrical, keys, computers (not slow). I have seen the sun break through Pub nights, quizzes, dances - do not to illuminate a small field forget - for a while, and gone my way The pianist, the planning, ideas, and forgotten it. But that was the suggestions, and yet – pearl of great price, the one field that had We support one another, it’s all hail and treasure in it. I realise now well met! that I must give all that I have to possess it. Life is not hurrying *** on to a receding future, nor hankering The next newsletter will hopefully after reach you in December. Please send your an imagined past. It is the turning photographs of Welsh Society events – aside like Moses to the miracle not forgetting to give the names of the of the lit bush, to a brightness people in them! – to the editor, Ruth that seemed as transitory as your youth Baldwin, at once, but is the eternity that awaits you. [email protected]

Articles on events and issues of interest to the Welsh community for inclusion in the society newsletter are also very welcome.

A big diolch! to the contributors to this This amusing poem was submitted by edition. member “Beti Bach” (Beti Darvell- Jones): Your views and participation are very Here’s to our stoic editor, Ruth, important for a thriving Welsh Society in Who produces the news brief with Vancouver, so please come out and join humour and truth! in! Here’s to the gals of the Cambrian Club Who provide all the food, social chatter and hub. Not forgetting the services, genealogy, Welsh class and books, The entertainment and cooking, cleaning, dusting the nooks! The President, the “President’s Men,” all have a go –

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