THE WELSH SOCIETY OF VANCOUVER

Cymdeithas Gymraeg Vancouver

Cambrian News Medi September 2010 2010

Society Newsletter – Cylchgrawn y Gymdeithas

Patagonia Evening Presenters

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

Newsletter September 2010 - Medi 2010

VANCOUVER WELSH SOCIETY The Cambrian News

Officers: From The Editor: President: This issue is mainly intended to give John Morris notice of our September events and Vice-President: advanced notice of some in October. The Lynn Owens-Whalen photo on the front page shows Paul Secretary: Lievesley flanked by Neville Thomas Elizabeth Williams Wallace and Victor Griffiths, the presenters of Treasurer: the well attended and interesting evening Gaynor Evans on the Welsh colony in Patagonia. This Membership Secretary: reminded me that Gwŷl y Glaniad was Mark Jones celebrated there on July 28th, the 145th Immediate Past President: Anniversary of the Mimosa landing in Jane Byrne Puerto Madryn carrying the first Welsh Directors: settlers in 1865. You may remember that Heather Davies tenor Rhys Meirion visited two years Mary Lewis ago as an initiative to save the Trefelin Gethin Owen Eisteddfod among other worthy causes. Alcwyn Rogers His visit was disrupted by the eruption Eifion Williams of the Chilean volcano Chaiten – so it Contacts became known as Eisteddfod y Llwch – Building Committee: the Ash Eisteddfod! This year he has Lynn Owens-Whalen returned with his supporters from Cambrian Circle Singers: so I have included a report on his visit, Nerys Haqq written in Llais yr Andes, the Voice of Church Service: the Andes. The Welsh traditions remain John Cann strong in Patagonia and are espoused by Welsh Speaking Group: all ethnic groups. Gwilym Evans This summer our society enjoyed a most Rentals: successful Garden Party at the home of Glyn Shepard Lynn and Wilf Owens–Whalen. I trust a ([email protected]) report will be forthcoming. The National Social Events Committee: and International Eisteddfodau have also Gillian Rogers been featured in Wales, but I’m unaware ([email protected]) of any participation by our society. Webmaster: Congratulations to the Victoria “City of Alcwyn Rogers Gardens Chorus” which won third prize (www.welshsociety.com) in the Women’s Choir competition at Newsletter Editor: Llangollen. David Llewelyn Williams 737-0305 I include a letter from the Owens family ([email protected]) which I omitted to include in the June newsletter. My sincere apologies.

David Llewelyn Williams

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Forthcoming September Events Saturday September 25th at 7.30 pm Quiz Night North American Festival of Wales in Society members always enjoy the Quiz Portland, Oregon. Sept 2 – Sept 5 Nights organised by Eifion Williams. This time as an added treat, we will be Thursday, September 9 at 7:30 pm: serving the Welsh favourite, Faggots and Open House Peas. We will be requesting a donation The Welsh Society will be extending a of $10.00 to cover the cost of the event. warm welcome to Côr Godre’r Aran at Monday September 27th from 10 am the Red Dragon. Light refreshments will until 3:00 pm. Work Party Day be served and the bar will be open. If All volunteers welcome; lunch served! you would like to bring a plate to share with our guests, it would be appreciated. We look forward to meeting the choir Advanced Notice of October Events from Wales on the eve of their concert. . Wednesday October 13 at 12:00 noon Friday September 10th at 7.30 pm Book Club Inaugural Meeting! WALES, Land of Song October 28 – October 31 Côr Godre’r Aran Male Choir in Vancouver Celebration of Wales concert at Shaughnessy Heights United Church, Thursday, October 28th. at 7:30 pm. rd 1550, West 33 Ave., Vancouver, B.C. Noson Lawen in the Cambrian Hall The Welsh Society is proud to present a concert by one of Wales’ premier choirs, Friday, October 29th at 6pm for 7pm following their appearance at the North Anniversary Dinner. Tickets at $40 American Festival of Wales in Portland. from Gaynor. (Phone: 604-271-3134 Tickets: $25, $20 for Seniors & Students Email: [email protected] ) Available either through the Society website or by phoning Alcwyn Rogers at Saturday, October 30th 604-742-1378. See you there! Dylan Thomas Presentation in the Sunday September 12th 10 am – 11 am Cambrian Hall. from 11am to 3pm Dysgu Cymraeg. Sign Up! At 7.00 pm, a Grand Concert will be Join the group which is learning (or re- held at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in learning) Welsh using Internet Burnaby, featuring The Vancouver resources. Specially designed for the Orpheus Choir, The Vancouver Welsh ffearful and the fforgetful! If you want Men’s Choir and soloists Eifion to start speaking Welsh or to practise Thomas and Joy Cornock. basic conversation, you are welcome to come to the Hall before the church Sunday October 31st service. Weekly lessons will resume the Bilingual Church Service at 11:00 am week of Sept. 20. Ffoniwch Elizabeth followed by a Tê Bach. for information: 778-837-6458. At 2.00 pm our annual Gymanfa At 11:00 am Bilingual Church Service Ganu will be held conducted by Eifion followed by a Tê Bach. Thomas, the Musical Director of the Monday September13th at 7.30 pm Llanelli Male Choir with soloist Joy GENERAL MEETING Cornock from Abergwaun, Wales Monday September 20th at 11am Welsh Speaking –Siarad Cymraeg

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GODRE’R ARAN PERFORMERS Llangollen International Eisteddfod's Princeps Cantorum. Has performed HEULEN CYNFAL ( Soprano) worldwide and recorded 3 CD's.

TREBOR LLOYD

Heulen was born in Trawsfynydd and had her first experience of public performance at the age of 5. She began her vocal studies with Eirian Owen at the age of 8. The Eisteddfod tradition has played an important part in her artistic development; she has competed

at local and national levels in both A banker whose interest in music has singing and recitation classes. She won found various outlets; conductor of a first prize at the National Eisteddfod in a male choir, an adjudicator, conductor 2009 in the youth solo class, together of Cymanfaoedd Canu, a chorister and a with a major award for spoken verse. In highly respected soloist. Has numerous 2010 she was a finalist in the Urdd National Eisteddfod successes to his National Eisteddfod. credit and he was the winner of the Blue Riband at the 2009 National Eisteddfod. THE THREE BASSES TOM EVANS SION GORONWY

A history graduate, Sion continued his vocal studies at postgraduate level in A farmer, who has achieved the very London before embarking on a freelance highest standards as an amateur singer. career. He has appeared with Glynde- Winner of the open baritone solo at the bourne Opera, English Touring Opera National Eisteddfod 9 times and one of and Opera North. Performances for the only a handful who have won the summer of 2010 included Beethoven's National Eisteddfod's Blue Riband on 9th symphony, Verdi's Requiem and a two occasions. Twice winner of season with Garsington Opera.

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Notable International Events Llanberis climbers conquer 2010 Ryder Cup; Oct 1 – 3 unclimbed Artic peak on Baffin Island , Newport, Wales. (Hywel Trewyn Daily Post Jun16 2010)

Created by Sir , who was Three Welsh climbers; Mike Turner, born in the then Celtic Manor Nursing 43, and Stuart McAleese, 34, both Home and grew up in Newbridge. from Llanberis and Mark Thomas, 35, He moved to Canada and together with from Cardigan, became the first in created , a very history to conquer a 1,400 metre successful electronics company. rockface on Baffin Island. Later he founded the equally successful Temperatures plummeted below minus Newbridge Networks. 20 and they wore special clothing to Although Matthews emigrated to Canada avoid frostbite on the precarious granite as a young man, he takes a considerable face. Strong cold winds in their faces interest in his home country and spends made their incredible task more difficult. much time there. Matthews bought 24 hours of daylight allowed them to Celtic Manor in 1980, ploughing £100M climb for 12 hours a day. It took 20 days into the project. Firstly the 19th century of hard climbing with 18 nights spent Manor House was renovated, while in sleeping in portaledges – tents hanging 1991 plans were unveiled to develop two vertically from the cliff face. They new golf courses and a convention almost ran out of time and food – over centre. Matthews had become friends an hour each morning was spent thawing with golf course architect, the late water to drink. Robert Trent Jones whose family roots The three travelled by plane to the were in Aberyswyth. Work began on the hamlet of Clyde River and 100km. over Roman Road course in 1992, named the frozen sea ice by skidoo with Inuit after the main route connecting the guides. The climb had to be completed fortress of with the town of before the ice melted and mosquitoes Caerwent, which crosses the land. In arrived. 1994 the Coldra Woods course was They named the route they took Artic started, as well as the £10m golf Monkeys and the summit Welshman’s clubhouse hotel. Interior design was Peak, a privilege accorded to those completed by Patrick Goff of Goff making the first ascent. The feat, Associates, the son of Welshman Roy completed in May, has now been Goff, who managed the site when it was recognized by colleagues around the the nursing home in which Matthews globe and is the talk of the climbing was born. The Celtic Manor was Hotel world. of the Year in 2002, and won two Stuart McAleese, who has returned to European Design Awards in 2001. his day job as an instructor at Plas y Matthews commented,:"I think the resort Brenin, Capel Curig, said “Not a lot of can act as a magnet to draw new people go on big expeditions. We’d like investment into Wales from across the to thank family and friends for UK and overseas. I did my best to put up supporting us. There’s nothing like an a building that you can see from the expedition to make you feel alive and West End of London and I didn't come appreciate life, but it’s nice to be back far short of it!". home among the peaks of Snowdonia.”

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Order of Canada awarded to member 25th April 2010 of Ottawa Welsh Society. Dear John, Dr Stanley Hughes, an active member of It has been several months since Dad the Ottawa Welsh Society, has been died and with this time to reflect it is awarded the prestigious Order of Canada more apparent than ever how supportive, for his life-long contribution to science. caring and generous the Welsh Society Dr Hughes was born in Llanelli and is a has been to our family, especially during graduate of the this recent trying time. We are grateful (B.Sc; M.Sc; D.Sc). His specialization is that Dad found wonderful friends in the mycology (the scientific study of fungi). Society, many of those friendships After working as an assistant to the Plant firmly grounded when he actively Pathologist at the University of Wales, contributed to the maintenance and Aberystwyth, he was appointed as improvement of the Cambrian Hall. He assistant mycologist at the International looked forward to all Welsh events and Mycology Institute at Kew in Surrey, we treasure the enthusiasm and England. He relocated to Canada in the happiness he enjoyed at the Christmas early fifties and worked as mycologist at dinner just a month before he died. At the Easter Cereal and Oilseed Research the Hall, Dad knew he was amongst Centre at Agriculture Canada until 1983 friends who genuinely enjoyed his where he remains an Honorary Research company. He enjoyed being with his Associate to this day. friends, loved the cultural and social Dr Hughes has received many awards in programmes – he loved it all! recognition of his pioneering work in the field of microfungi, including the Jacob Mum, Wilf and I would also like to Eriksson Gold Medal, Royal Academy thank all those who generously put of Science (1969), the George Lawson together the reception after the Medal of the Canadian Botanical celebration of Dad’s life. The food was, Association (1981), & the Distinguished as always, delicious and the atmosphere Mycologist Award from the Mycological gratefully uplifting. It was a kind gesture Society of America. Dr. Hughes has held of continuing love and support that we high positions in academic and learned have experienced throughout. We know societies, including that of President of that Dad would have been humbled but the Mycological Society of America and delighted that so many contributed to the Vice-President of the International building fund in his name. Mycological Association. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. As a token of our gratitude, please add this donation to that fund with our love. Dr Hughes has never forgotten his There is no doubt in our minds of a Welsh roots. He is a familiar face at bright future for the Vancouver Welsh Ottawa Welsh Society events, and has Society. How could there be when there continued his abiding interest in Welsh is a community of caring friends joined life and literature. by a common interest in all things Llongyfarchiadau mawr, Stan! Welsh, alive and well here in Vancouver

Pawl W. Birt, Llywydd/President Gratefully, Ottawa Welsh Society. Phyllis, Wilf and Lynn

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O’r Môr i’r Mynydd From the Sea to the Mountain gyda Rhys Meirion with Rhys Meirion Roedd ymweliad y tenor enwog Rhys Meirion i’r Wladfa eto yn ffordd o orffen pennod oedd wedi ei agor ers dwy flynedd ac roedd wedi cael dalfyrru gan losgfynydd Chaiten! Syniad y daith y tro yma oedd i Rhys rannu’r llwyfan gydag artisiaid lleol mewn sawl tref a dinas a dechreuodd yn Comodoro Rivadavia. Roedd y cyngerdd yna wedi cael ei gansio’r tro diwetha oherwydd llwch y llosgfynydd felly roedd Rhys yn awyddus i beidio a siomi’r bobl yna. Wedyn dechreuodd ar raglan flinedig iawn o gyngherddau yn Nhrelew, I left this article in its original Welsh to Trevelin ac Esquel a Chymanfa Ganu yn emphasize the strength of the language y Gaiman. Yn anffodus roedd Rhys wedi in Patagonia. It describes Rhys’ tour dal ffliw wrth deithio cymaint o oriau performing in concerts with local artists mewn awyren ac roedd rhaid iddo in Commodoro Rivadavia, Trelew, gansio’r cyngherdd ym Mhorth Madryn Trevelin, Esquel and Puerto Madtyn, a ond aeth o yn ôl ar ddiwedd y daith er Gymanfa in Gaiman and a Noson Lawen mwyn cyflwyno noson fendigedig arall i in Trelew and in Esquel. He was orffen y daith. accompanied by his family, Nia his wife Yn ogystal â’r rhaglen yn Nhalaith and Osian, Elan and Erin, his children. Chubut, cafodd Rhys wahoddiad i ganu He was also invited to sing at an official mewn cinio swyddogol yn Buenos Aires dinner at the British Embassy in Buenos yn Llysgenhadaeth Prydain. Roedd yn Aires (recall that the Ambassador is a noson wych ac un o bleserau’r daith hon Welsh speaking woman!), on which oedd presenoldeb teulu Rhys – Nia, ei occasion his two daughters also wraig ac Osian, Elan ac Erin ei blant. performed as they did throughout the Roedd Elan ac Erin wedi paratoi nifer o tour to great acclaim. Once, at a Noson eitemau i’w cyflwyno yn y cyngherddau Lawen in Esquel, Osian also sang a duet ac roedd pawb wrth eu bodd yn eu with his father. A talented family! clywed yn canu unawdau a deuawdau ar y noson arbennig ac drwy gydol y daith. Rhys was accompanied on this tour by a Roedd un deuawd arbennig iawn yn small group of supporters from Wales. Noson Lawen Esquel pan gytunodd Clare Whitehouse, the writer of the Osian i ganu ‘Dwy Law’ gyda’i Dad – article, escorted the group, who through profiad unigryw ac un oedd yn dangos the kindness of travel companies, the bod dyfodol disglair ym myd canu ar Chubut Provincial Government and local gael i blant Rhys pe dymunant! people, had an unforgettable opportunity (Llais Yr Andes, rhifyn Awst 2010) to experience all that Patagonia had to Note: to see Rhys and his girls at the offer from the natural world to the Embassy, go to YouTube, enter his name scenery to the people to their culture. and UK Government Buenos Aires. A pity we weren’t there!

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