SEPTEMBER 2017 

CROESO YN OL

President Brian Farmer outlines the programme

for the year

Member, Liz Armishaw, who is an ambassador

for the J's Hospice details the work of

this years lead charity

The President, Brian Farmer, welcomed the members to the first Monthly Meeting , Croeso yn Ol (welcome back), of Chelmsford and District Welsh Society at the Cathedral Chapter House on 28 September.

Brian’s charity for his year of office is the J’s Hospice, which is dedicated to improving the lives of young adults in Essex with life limiting and life threatening conditions.  This is the fifth time the Society have supported the J’s, and Liz Armishaw, an Ambassador for the charity, gave a moving presentation of the history and the future plans. Brian then outlined the many activities planned for the year, highlights of which will be the St David’s Day Dinner on 4 March, and the Annual Concert at Chelmsford Cathedral on Saturday 9 June, given by Aber Valley Male Voice Choir. The meeting continued with a wonderful DVD presentation of two events, the new Eurovision Choral Competition held in Latvia and the National Eisteddfod of Wales held in Ynys Mon (Anglesey).  In the Eurovision competition, Cor Merched Sir Gar were awarded the second prize, a superb achievement for the female youth choir only recently formed. The high standards at the National Eisteddfod, the pinnacle of the Welsh cultural calendar with over 150,000 visitors over 8 days, continue to amaze. The Society sponsors prizes in the 16 to 19 year old female and male singing competitions; the winners this year were Glesni Jones (for the 2nd time) and Dafydd Wyn Jones, who is related to Society member Gwil Williams. Dafydd has started his first year at the Royal College of Music. Two outstanding performances were the winners of a Brass Band competition, an Anglesey band with an average age of only 14, and Sir Fon Children’s Choir, who were awarded Choir Of The Festival. The winners of the male voice competition were the recently formed Machynlleth Male Choir. Comprising mainly young members it began as a young choir, before being joined by some older members. This could be a template for choirs in future, in a world where young members are few in most established male voice choirs. It is encouraging to see that established Welsh operatic stars are prepared to share a stage with new talent in evening concerts at the eisteddfod and elsewhere. This year it was the famous operatic tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones. Wine was provided by John and Enid Morris, in celebration of significant birthdays. Tea, cheese and biscuits were enjoyed during the interval. The Vice-president, Ivy Price, congratulated Mike for providing such an interesting evening’s entertainment.

A Ukelele Band will provide the entertainment on 26 October at Chelmsford Cathedral Chapter House, 7 pm for a 7.30 pm start. The Society welcomes into membership anybody of Welsh heritage or connection and anyone with an interest in Welsh culture. 

Mike Price presented an audio and visual synopsis of this years National Eistedfordd, held in Anglesey 

All hands to the sink when willing washer uppers Arthur Williams and Gwil Williams find the dish washer out of action!!

Sina Williams stands in for Brian Farmer calling the raffle whilst he concentrates on his President's duties

Ivy Price, Vice President, thanks husband Mike for the hard work involved in assembling the selection of the National Eistedfodd