THE WELSH SOCIETY OF VANCOUVER Cymdeithas Gymraeg Vancouver Cambrian News Tachwedd/Rhagfyr November/December 2008 2008 Society Newsletter – Cylchgrawn y Gymdeithas Ysgol Cyfyn Bro Mrorgannwg Choir CAMBRIAN HALL, 215 East 17th Ave, Vancouver B.C. V5V 1A6 Newsletter November/December 2008 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2008 VANCOUVER WELSH SOCIETY The Cambrian News Officers: From The Editor: President: The front page photo shows the visiting Jane Byrne (604) 732-5448 Bro Morgannwg school choir on stage. Vice-President: They presented a program of songs and Lynn Owens-Whalen 266-2545 th skits on Sunday evening, October 19 , Secretary: after the society had earlier fed them in Lynne Shepard 879-6925 the Red Dragon. It was good to hear Treasurer: them using Welsh so freely in their Gaynor Evans 271-3134 everyday conversation. Membership Secretary: Heather Davies 734-5500 With great regret, I must announce that Immediate Past President: our longtime faithful member, John D. Tecwyn Roberts 464-2760 Williams, passed away on Monday, Directors: th November 10 . A memorial tribute will John Cann appear in a later edition, but I’m sure all Mary Lewis of us will wish to express their deepest John Morris condolences to Hazel and the family. Alcwyn Rogers A service will be held at St. David’s Eifion Williams United Church 1525 Taylor Way on Contacts nd Saturday, November 22 at 3.00pm. Building Committee: Lynn Owens-Whalen 266-2545 Please remember to attend the AGM Cambrian Circle Singers: th on Monday December 8 . At the last Nerys Haqq 278-8978 General Meeting, a motion was passed Church Service: restricting the terms of the President and John Cann 588-0249 Vice-President to three consecutive Rentals: years to encourage turnover. So come Glyn Shepard 879-6925 forth and volunteer your names to Pat ([email protected]) Morris or Gillian Rogers! Social Events Committee: Gillian Rogers 742-1378 Thanks to Tecwyn Roberts for the ([email protected]) “Bilingual Sign”; to Gwilym Evans for Welsh Folk Dancing: the Katherine Jenkins reference; to Alan Gaynor Evans 271-3134 Tucker for the Morriston Choir item. I Welsh-Speaking Group: have taken the liberty to include my own Ann Roberts 987-6996 Sgwrs (Talk) at the last Sunday Service. Webmaster: Alcwyn Rogers 742-1378 Welsh Society calendars have been put (www.welshsociety.com) together as a fundraiser at $10 each and Newsletter Editor: will be available at all our upcoming David Llewelyn Williams 737-0305 functions. ([email protected]) David Llewelyn Williams 2 Newsletter November/December 2008 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2008 The Governor General’s Caring As usual the “tê bach” was a convivial Canadian Award get-together. Thanks are in order to the main participants, the victual providers and the behind- the-scene organizers. John Pritchard Forthcoming Events Thurs., Nov. 20th Building Work Day Come, lend a hand with the Hall repairs. Wed., Nov. 26th 11.30am to 1.30pm On October 29th in a ceremony at Lunch at the Cambrian will celebrate Government House in Victoria, Ann Advent and the Christmas and Yuletide Gwyn Roberts was one of three B.C. season. As we decorate the hall, we will residents to receive this award from enjoy music from the Player Piano and a Lieutenant Governor Steven Point. The selection from Welsh Choir recordings. award consists of a certificate and a lapel A hot lunch will be offered. Everyone is welcome! pin showing the maple leaf supported by rd a helping hand and heart. Ann’s citation Wednesday, December 3 7.30 pm has been previously published in our Executive Meeting newsletter. We all congratulate Ann on th receiving this well deserved recognition. Saturday, Dec. 6 7.30pm for 8.00pm D.Ll.W. Mulled Wine and Carols with Xmas Goodies. Donation to defray expenses. Y Gymanfa Ganu th “Canwn yn llafar i’r Arglwydd” Monday, December 8 7.30pm Sunday afternoon, November 2nd, saw A.G.M. and Election of Officers the rafters of The Cambrian Hall th reverberating to the sound of the old Thursday, December 11 7.30 Contact Welsh hymn-tunes. Jane Byrne chaired Pat Morris or Gillian Rogers ASAP if the Gymanfa, Lynn Owens-Whalen was you would like to join a Welsh Society our enthusiastic and vibrant “codwr group visiting Gren Thomas' pub The canu”- conductor, with Ray Batten being Red Lion in West Vancouver. our talented pianist. About fifty eager th singers present gave of their all. Sunday, December 14 11.00am Carol Service followed by Tê Bach The Bible readings were given by Katie 2.00pm Children's Christmas Party Jones in Welsh and by Don Murray in th English. It was most moving to hear Saturday, December 20 Christmas sixteen-year-old Katie reading the 100th Dinner. The Hall will open at 6.00 pm; Psalm in the language of her forefathers. dinner will be served at 7.00 pm. It was a treat indeed to hear the beautiful Menu (catered by Jordan’s) singing voice of our soloist, Sharon Turkey and ham dinner with all the McIntee-Birrell rendering appropriate trimmings followed by traditional songs for the occasion. Her performance Christmas deserts. of The Lord’s Prayer was especially $35 Reserve your tickets early with inspiring. Gaynor Evans (604-271-3134) 3 Newsletter November/December 2008 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2008 The Anniversary Dinner On Saturday, November 1st, the Society celebrated its 101st Anniversary. As we gathered to socialize before dinner, we were entertained by Alcwyn Rogers who ‘played’ the recently acquired piano. After Grace in Welsh and English by our President Jane Byrne and our Social Committee Chair, Gillian Rogers, we sat down to a fine meal provided by the caterers, Jordan’s, who surpassed themselves once again. The bar was ably looked after by Art Kelm and Dave Gilder, who ensured the company was not lacking in liquid refreshment. Drawing the Door Prize Ticket Lucky Door Prize Winners were Jackie Chapman, Eric Davies (above) and Gaynor Owen (above). 4 Newsletter November/December 2008 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2008 After the meal we enjoyed community The Player Piano singing accompanied by Lucy Sorensen The player piano came of age around on the piano and two short Welsh poems 1900 in America and it caused quite a recited by David Llewelyn Williams. stir. Yet by 1930 the craze dwindled and in 1932 not a single player was shipped from the factories (in part a result of the depression). However piano rolls have been manufactured continuously since and now people still find players a great pleasure, rebuilding and repairing them and adding more rolls to their libraries. The one we were fortunate to obtain is a beautiful, mahogany player piano from the 40's, made in Ottawa. It belonged to In conclusion, Jane Byrne thanked all Jennifer Parkinson-Dow’s great uncle those who had contributed to the success who spent $2500 refurbishing it a couple of the evening and in particular, Gaynor of years ago. It has 20 rolls of music (old Evans, the organizer. time favourites) that go with it. After her uncle died, Jennifer sought a good home for the piano. She asked Neville Thomas if our society would be interested. Not only did she give us the piano, she also paid the moving costs. The piano was tuned by our Fred Miyayoshi, and it also functions beautifully as a manual piano. We have been entertained by Jennifer’s Scottish dancers on several occasions. Her children, Annika and Cameron, gave a fiddle and dance performance at the Noson Lawen during our Centennial. We are most grateful for her support. (Photos by Uta Williams) 5 Newsletter November/December 2008 - Cylchgrawn Tachwedd/Rhagfyr 2008 SGWRS the playground to some teasing he Next year the National Eisteddfod will found he had to wear the Welsh Not be held in Bala, so I thought I would about his neck for which he was caned tell you about a local man whose at the end of the day. From that day on influence on the survival of the Welsh he vowed that he would not allow language and its culture has been anyone else to wear it and took the pivotal. punishment himself every day, thereby freeing other students to speak Welsh. Owen Morgan Edwards was born in 1858 in a thatched roof cottage on a farm in Llanuwchllyn, which his father farmed as a tenant of Sir Watcyn Williams-Wynn, the largest landowner in North Wales. He was the eldest of four sons born to Owen and Beti Edwards, his hardworking parents, from whom he inherited a love of the country-side. His father composed verses which he sang to concertina accompaniment, while his son, who couldn’t hold a note, excelled at imaginative story telling, a talent passed on from his mother. It was a rare week during the winter that the family did not participate in a Noson Lawen at one of the farms or cottages in the parish. The Welsh Not On Sunday the whole family attended Capel y Pandy, three times a day in all Fortunately there was a change to a weathers, walking each way. During new Headmaster, to whom he the week they would attend the Seiat immediately took a liking and for the and the Cyfarfod Gweddi. O.M. first time he was not beaten. From then Edwards had an unshakeable respect onwards school was a pleasure. After for his first school, the Ysgol Sul at the being a “teacher’s pet’ for some time, chapel, (Sunday School) and for the Owen at age 15, won a scholarship to rest of his life, if it was at all possible, Bala Grammar School.