May 2017

"AR EICH CAIS"

An evening of music and other entertainment as selected by society members. Organised by Mike Price.

                 President, Arthur Williams                                                        Elsie Salmon

There was a full house at the May meeting of Chelmsford and District Welsh Society. Ar Eich Cais (Your Choice) was the theme with members choosing some music or other entertainment which had a particular meaning for them, all arranged as a superb video presentation by Mike Price. Roger Whittaker’s River Lady reminded The President Arthur Williams of romantic days at university, while Keith Byatt enjoyed driving in the country to Albinoni’s Adagio. Dave Edmunds’s I Hear You Knocking transported Kay Bright back to her first year in secondary school and the Rockfield residential recording studio. Gwilym Williams chose Dafydd Y Garreg Wen (David of the White Rock) sung by the famous tenor David Lloyd, who was in school with his father. The wonderful counter tenor Andreas Scholl singing Handel’s Largo was Anja Smith’s choice. Ryan Davies was a very popular hilarious comedian, who sadly died young;  in Carys Williams’s  choice he sang  Kalinka with the Gentlemen Songsters, who were had no idea of what to expect; Derrick Thomas was proud to present a sketch by his fellow “Gower Boy”. Mike Price selected an item which is always shown at Christmas in Germany and Austria, Dinner For One, a sketch which everybody should see! David Alexander singing The Price of Coal was Vice-president Brian Farmer’s choice, in memory of the awful conditions of the miners, who paid the ultimate price. Marion Farmer chose Elin Manahan Thomas singing the song she sang at the opening of the London Olympics, Handel’s Let the Bright Light Shine. My Little Welsh Home sung by the maestro Bryn Terfel transported Doug Elkof back to his childhood. The sublime Rene Fleming singing Korngold’s Lied der Marietta was Liz Armishaw’s choice. Finally, Be Still My Soul sung to the tune Finlandia, sung by John Eifion and the Brythoniaid male choir took Eddie Alcock back to the Sixth Form days of his youth. Mike’s added bonus was a sublime Finnish Male Chorus singing Finlandia.  Mike’s contribution to all the Society’s  musical events is immense. By popular agreement this had been one of the best evenings in the Society. During the interval, the members feasted on wine and cakes, provided by Elsie Salmon to celebrate her husband, James’s, birthday and his miraculous recovery after a serious illness. The next meeting will be the AGM on 22 June, followed by a Summer Celebration on Saturday 24 June.

                                           Mike Price                                                                       Derrick Thomas

                                   Doug                                                                            Vice President, Brian Farmer