THE WELSH SOCIETY OF VANCOUVER
Cymdeithas Gymraeg Vancouver
Cambrian News
Tachwedd i Rhagfyr November to December 2007 2007
Society Newsletter – Cylchgrawn y Gymdeithas
Gethin Hughes and Eifion Thomas Relaxing after the Gymanfa at the Te Bach
CAMBRIAN HALL, 215 East 17th Ave, Vancouver B.C. V5V 1A6
Newsletter November/December 07 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2007
The Cambrian News VANCOUVER WELSH SOCIETY
From The Editor: Officers:
President: This edition is devoted to recording our Jane Byrne (604) 732-5448 memorable Centenary Celebrations. Our Vice-President: Centenary Committee; Jane Byrne, Lynn Owens-Whalen 266-2545 Heather Davies, Gaynor Evans, Mary Secretary: Lewis and Lynn Owens-Whalen are to Eifion Williams 469-4904 be congratulated on their program. The Treasurer: members of the Executive and all the Gaynor Evans 271-3134 volunteers who worked so hard to bring Membership Secretary: the program to its fruition deserve our Heather Davies 734-5500 heartfelt thanks. Much of the success Immediate Past President: was made possible as a result of Gren Tecwyn Roberts 464-2760 Thomas’ generous support and crucially through Lynn and Wilf and Phyllis and Directors: Ken’s sponsorship of Eifion Thomas. Selwyn Jones The members of the two choirs also Mary Lewis added their voices to several of our John Morris events and we appreciate the support we Alcwyn Rogers received from our visitors from across
the border. Finally we appreciated the Contacts contingent from Ceredigion who added Building Committee: their voices and their spirit to the whole program. Cambrian Circle Singers: The photographs of the Gymanfa, the Te Nerys Haqq 278-8978 Bach and on the front cover were taken Church Service: by Uta Williams. Those of the Dinner Ann Roberts 987-6996 were contributed by Gwyn Evans, Wilf Rentals: Owens-Whalen and Eifion Williams. Glyn Shepard 879-6925
([email protected]) David Llewelyn Williams Social Events Committee:
Mary Lewis 331-1573 During the course of the celebrations, I Welsh Folk Dancing: met with David Lintern, who had with Gaynor Evans 271-3134 him an old poem which his grandmother Welsh-Speaking Group: had written down for him. After some Ann Roberts 987-6996 deciphering of the text, the sweet story Webmaster: of Dwy Sbectol Nain (Grandmother’s Alcwyn Rogers 742-1378 Two Spectacles) emerges. One is used to (www.welshsociety.com) magnify the good and the other to Newsletter Editor: minimize the bad! A great attitude! David Llewelyn Williams 737-0305
2 Newsletter November/December 07 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2007
Y Noson Lawen, Thursday November different occupations with differing 1st in the Cambrian Hall motions with hilarious results. The program concluded with a reading by This first event of our celebration was Lynn Owens-Whalen of the poem “The arranged by Gaynor Evans and Neville Patriotism of the Ex-Patriot” by Tom Thomas Everyone was kept in good Phelps. Afterwards, many moved humour by the wit and effectiveness of downstairs to the Red Dragon to further our M.C., David Lintern from Victoria, socialize. A group developed around well-known to Vancouver Welsh Society Bronwen Morgan at the piano and we members. The Cambrian Circle Singers sang Welsh hymns until midnight. A started the program on the right note classic case of “Canu’r Nos”. with a rendition of Welsh Folksongs. D.Ll.W. Neville Thomas followed with a reading of “Melin Trefin” by Crwys, and then The Centenary Grand Concert we enjoyed two tenor solos by John Owen from Boise, Idaho. The Welsh The Grand Concert, entitled “A portion of the first part of the program Celebration in Song”, took place on the concluded with a recitation by David Friday evening, Nov 2nd, before a Llewelyn Williams of “Aberdaron” by capacity audience at the Michael J. Fox Cynan, first in his English translation Theatre in Burnaby. John Pritchard, the and then in the original Welsh. The Master of Ceremonies, introduced the audience was encouraged to act as a two choirs, the Vancouver Welsh Men’s chorus for the last two lines of each Choir and the Vancouver Orpheus Choir, stanza, and they participated with as the two offspring of our Society who enthusiasm. We were then treated to a had matured and gone their separate lively Scottish fiddle and dance ways. The combined choirs then sang performance by Annika and Cameron Hen Wlad fy Nhadau and O Canada to Parkinson-Dow, followed by an equally begin the program. lively performance by the O’Connor The Welsh Men’s Choir took the stage Irish Dancers to close the first half of the for the first half under the baton of program. Jonathan Quick with accompanist David The second half of the program began Buchan. They started with a rousing with three Welsh songs by Nerys Haqq rendition of Men of Harlech and with Margaret Airey at the piano. We followed with a wide ranging selection then enjoyed a ‘surprise’ contribution including such favourites as Loch from a group of nine visitors from Lomond with soloist Jonathan Quick and Ceredigon who had traveled all the way Georgia on My Mind with trombonist here for the Centennial. They sang two Ray Batten. songs as an octet and Huw Davies sang The featured soloist for the evening was two tenor solos with Bronwen Morgan tenor Eifion Thomas, the director of Cor as accompanist. (I particularly liked “Yr Meibion Llanelli. As an unexpected Hen Gerddor”). The music contributions bonus, Eifion’s regular accompanist, concluded with three songs by soprano Gethin Hughes, had also come out from Brenda Andrews. The St Martin Players Wales for the celebrations. Eifion started from North Vancouver then entertained with one of my favourites, Bugail us with their skit in which they mime Aberdovey, which is difficult to hear
3 Newsletter November/December 07 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2007 without the tears flowing, and followed The Dylan Thomas Gathering it with O! Na Byddai’n Haf O Hyd, which given the weather outside seemed The Dylan Thomas Circle drew a large, unlikely! He returned later to sing eager audience to their Gathering on Myfanwy with the choir and closed with Saturday morning of Nov 3rd at 10:30 Nirvana, a favourite song of Stuart am. After the formality of the Annual Burrows. Wonderful singing! The choir General Meeting of The Dylan Circle, a completed its program with a Russian classic film was shown which had been folk song, Kalinka, and an American sourced with considerable effort from folk song, Down by the Riverside. the Film Archives of Wales. Entitled “Dylan”, it was produced in the late 50’s After the intermission the Orpheus Choir and starred the, oh so young, Richard took the stage under the direction of Burton. It was shown on a large screen Liana Bob with accompanist Barry coupled with an excellent sound system. Yamanouchi. They presented an The audience saw Burton at his best (and entertaining variety of nine songs which for quite a few, at his most alluring!) as included such favourites as Danny Boy, he so ably recounted the life and works Workin’ on the Railroad and You Raise of Dylan Thomas. Me Up. An amusing Cockney Sea A traditional Ploughman’s Lunch of leek Shanty was prefaced by a ‘translation’ soup, nourishing eats and a friendly from Cockney into ‘Henry Higgins’ barman prepared the audience for the English. They ended their program with afternoon session. Dr Geoffrey Madoc an excellent rendition of Battle Hymn of Jones gave the main address of the day, the Republic. Both choirs took the stage titled, “Road Trips – Dylan in America”. for the finale, which included Monte The highlights of Dylan Thomas’ three Criste with a solo from Eifion Thomas, visits to North America were identified. after which Eifion conducted the two Special emphasis was given to his wildly choirs in a powerful performance of enthusiastic reception on campuses Gwahoddiad. The concert concluded across the USA and Canada and also, with Eifion leading the singing of We’ll surprisingly, by Hollywood media stars Keep a Welcome. (including Marilyn, Chaplin, Salvador Dali and Stravinsky). Geoff rather John Pritchard thanked both the choirs convincingly proclaimed that Dylan and Eifion Thomas for a truly Thomas was the first of ‘The British memorable evening. He thanked Gren Invasions’ into North America to be later Thomas for his generous support and followed by the Beatles, the Stones etc. Lynn and Wilf Owens-Whalen and Dr Gerald Morgan gave a brief account Phyllis and Ken Owens for their of his visit to Aberystwyth to celebrate sponsorship of Eifion Thomas’ visit. He the life and works of David Jones. This thanked the members of the Society who was followed by another brief, learned had made it possible and the audience analysis by the President of the Dylan for their support of the event. Everyone Circle, David Webb. titled ‘Dylan the left feeling uplifted. A really great Alchemist’ occasion! A very successful Gathering, greatly D.Ll.W. appreciated by a fulfilled audience. Neville Thomas
4 Newsletter November/December 07 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2007
Centenary Grand Banquet shared her Welsh heritage both with our Society and perhaps more importantly On Saturday evening, President Jane with her son and her Canadian born Byrne welcomed members and guests to grandchildren. the Banquet at the Cambrian Hall, which was filled to capacity. After the singing of O Canada, John Pritchard gave the Blessing in both Welsh and English and we all sat down to enjoy an excellent dinner, catered, as in numerous previous years, by Jordan’s.
Phyllis Owens, Lynn’s mother, aged 95 was born in Vancouver. Her parents Arthur and Ella Morgan emigrated to Vancouver in 1907. A chance meeting with Thomas Edwards introduced the family to the Vancouver Welsh Society. Phyllis has been a stalwart of our society
for most of her life and has passed on her love of Wales to Lynn, who as we all know is a Past President of the North American Festival of Wales.
We were asked to stand as “representatives of the Vancouver Welsh Society, the international Welsh community and as devoted Canadians to toast the nation that encourages and expects us to retain our love and pride in what it is to be Welsh. To Canada!”
As the meal drew to a close, Lynn Owens-Whalen proposed the Toast to Canada. She began with the poem The Patriotism of the Ex-patriot and moved on to recognize two ladies present who between them represented 145 years of Welsh heritage in Vancouver and who personified the sentiments of the poem. May Lievesley aged 94 is a native of Wales who emigrated to Vancouver in 1957. For the past 50 years she has
5 Newsletter November/December 07 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2007
Following the toast, the Centenary Cake Not with a silver spoon in your mouth, was cut by May and Phyllis. But with music in your blood And poetry in your soul.
As we enjoyed the cake, we were entertained by Bronn and Katherine Journey who combined light hearted commentary with Bronn’s musical artistry on the harp and Katherine’s beautiful soprano voice to the delight of the audience, who responded with a standing ovation and demands for She thanked Lynn and Wilf Owens- encores. Those present were especially Whalen and Phyllis and Ken Owens for pleased with their renditions of some sponsoring Eifion Thomas’ visit. She popular Welsh songs. thanked Tim Jordan for again providing us with an excellent meal, and Gaynor Evans for arranging the Banquet. She thanked Eifion Williams for creating all the programs for the various events. She thanked the members of the Executive who worked so hard to ensure the success of the Celebrations and all those volunteers who gave their time to prepare the Hall for the event. Finally she thanked your editor for providing the bottles of Ty Nant Welsh water for the Banquet. Our President Jane Byrne brought the event to a close by thanking all those The company moved downstairs to the who had contributed to its success. First Red Dragon for further socialization, she thanked Gren Thomas for his where once again hymn singing around support and presented him with a red the piano continued into the night. apron with the well known words: Canu’r Nos again! A tune-up for Canu’r To be born Welsh is to be born Dydd, the Gymanfa tomorrow! privileged, D.Ll.W.
6 Newsletter November/December 07 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2007
The Church Service hymn singing began interspersed with On Sunday morning a well-attended mezzo-soprano Sandra Stringer’s bilingual Service was held in the Hall, beautiful renditions of classical Welsh organized by Ann Roberts. John D. songs. Conductor Eifion Thomas urged Williams chaired the service and everyone to sing as they felt and enjoy welcomed the many visitors whom he themselves (which was a great comfort asked to identify themselves together to me!). He prefaced each hymn with with their origin. Readings from the some brief information about either the scriptures in Welsh and English composer or the poet and we found that languages were given by John and Hazel one piece was composed by an 18 year Williams, Delyth and John Cann, John old on his way from the mine while Pritchard and Nerys Haqq. The soloist some other pieces were first published in was also Nerys, accompanied by North America. Eifion’s knowledge and Margaret Airey; they both have enthusiasm is contagious and for the contributed to many services over the next three hours the Cambrian Hall years. Ann Roberts gave the ‘Sgwrs’ on reverberated to the sound of traditional the contributions that small countries Welsh hymns under his skillful baton. such as Wales could make to the world. He was most ably assisted by Barry It is appropriate to note that Ann has Yamanouchi, playing so well in his first been organizing these Sunday Services Gymanfa that Eifion felt sure he must for the Society for the past 18 years and have some Welsh genes. Sandra Stringer that without her efforts, the Service also has Welsh in her pedigree and we might not have survived, at least not in were especially pleased that she chose to its present form. After the service a sing all her solos in Welsh. The last traditional Te Bach allowed attendees to hymn chosen was Pwy fydd yma mhen mingle and build up their stamina for the can mlynedd? (Who will be here in a afternoon. As Newsletter Editor I was hundred years?), at the bicentenary of fortunate to meet a number of out-of- the society!? town people with whom I had only previously corresponded and others President Jane Byrne in her closing whom I have only met on previous such remarks thanked all the participants and occasions. This service helps to bind the all who had contributed in their different society together. ways to making this Gymanfa such a memorable event. We then stood to sing Y Gymanfa Ganu (Canu’r Dydd!) Hen Wlad fy Nhadau and then for the The Cambrian Hall was filled to capacity Benediction by John Pritchard. A final for the climax of the celebrations, the chorus of God be with you till we meet Gymanfa Ganu on Sunday afternoon. again brought this outstanding Gymanfa President Jane Byrne chaired the to a close. The Te Bach downstairs in occasion and after the singing of O the Red Dragon went on for quite some Canada, welcomed the participants and time until the food and tea and coffee ran introduced the conductor, Eifion Thomas out. A fitting conclusion to four days of and accompanist, Barry Yamanouchi. notable celebrations honouring our Following the reading of the hundredth society. Psalm in Welsh by Eifion Williams and D.Ll.W. in English by Lynn Owens-Whalen, the
7 Newsletter November/December 07 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2007
Pictures from the Gymanfa
Pictures from the Te Bach
8 Newsletter November/December 07 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2007
9 Newsletter November/December 07 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2007
Why the person who hasn’t lived there Forthcoming Events for years.
st And the picture of Wales often hangs on Saturday, December 1 7.30pm for the wall 8pm 'Mulled wine and Carols' with Of one who hasn’t lived here at all Christmas goodies. Cost $5 But whose grandparents did, and they
th told him the tales, that have made him Wednesday, December 5 7.30pm forever a lover of Wales. Executive Meeting
th The land of the neighbour ‘who cares Sunday, December 9 11.00am about you’ Bilingual Carol Service and Te Bach th The land of my fathers and mothers too Sunday, December 9 2pm: The land of hiraeth, hwyl, Eisteddfod Children's Christmas Party for children and song, or grand-children of paid-up members The land to which I’m proud to belong. 12 years old and under. Please phone Gaynor Evans at 604 271-3134 with Dwy Sbectol Nain child/children's names and ages as soon as possible. Older children are welcome Mae gan fy Nain ddwy sbectol aur to join in the fun, but will not get to sit A’u hanes gewch yn awr: on Santa's knee. Mae un yn ddangos pethau’n fach
A’r llall a’u gwna yn fawr. Wednesday, December 12th 7.30pm
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Mi dorrais gwpan bore ddoe
A’r llefrith yn gwlychu’r llawr. Friday, December 14th 6pm for 7pm Rhoes Nain ei sbectol ar ei thrwyn, Christmas Dinner catered by Jordan's. “Dim ond rhyw smotyn,” meddai’n fwyn Turkey and ham dinner with all the “Paid ti a chrio ‘nawr.” trimmings followed by traditional
Christmas deserts. Tickets $35. For “Rhyw grotyn wyt” medd Jane, fy more information please call Gaynor chwaer, Evans at 604 271-3134 or any member Wrth fynd o’r ty Dydd Llun, of the executive. Ond dyna dd’wedodd Nain yn fwyn A’r sbectol arall ar ei thrwyn, The Patriotism of the Ex-Patriot “Wel gwarchod! ‘Rwyt ti’n ddyn!” By Tom Phelps Ond pan y byddaf innau’n hen The most ardent Welshman, it seems to Mi brynaf yn y dre me, lives in a land across the sea. Ddwy sbectol aur ‘run fath a Nain The one with the largest lump in his I wisgo yn ei lle. throat when the anthem is played is living abroad. Bydd un wrth law i guddio baw When the male choir sings, who sheds Dim ond rhyw smotyn fydd! the first tears? A gyda’r llall caf weld y da Yn mynd yn fwy bob dydd!
10