Croeso yn ol, Welcome back, is always the theme at the September monthly meeting. This year it had a very special resonance. The last monthly meeting was held  in February 2020, when the pandemic was gathering pace. The Gwyl Dewi Dinner and church service managed to squeeze in just before a rather delayed lockdown put an end to Liz Armishaw’s  term as President. The  annual pilgrimage to Wales and the June concert had to be cancelled; Trelawnyd  Male Voice Choir and the soloist Elin Manahan Thomas agreed to perform at the 2021 concert instead, but again the virus put a stop to that, and to Arthur Williams’s term as President. But…. Good News!...they will perform at the June concert in 2022!

On 22 September  2021 the Society was resurrected after a cruel enforced hibernation, with 53 of us meeting again  to sing Unwaith Eto’n Nghymru Annwyl, with a tear in many eyes. We were welcomed back by our new President Gwil Williams who thanked our wonderful Secretary Gwenno Pope for producing an interesting monthly newsletter  every month since the March 2020 lockdown, and those who contributed to the content;  this was instrumental in keeping the Society alive. Gwil invited the members to think about the five members  who had passed away during these difficult times: Edith Brown, Ron Jones, Don Moody, Stuart Roberts and Elfed Owen. Sue Almond was then installed as Vice president.

Gwil then spoke about the programme of events planned for the 2021/2022 season. Several of the monthly meetings had been arranged by members of the committee, Liz had persuaded the Trelawnyd Choir and the soloist Manahan Thomas to perform at the concert in Chelmsford Cathedral on Saturday 11 June; Kay Bright is arranging a trip to Wales on 10 April or 1 May, and invited those who are considering going on the trip to get in touch with her.

Gwil’s Charity for the year is St Luke’s Hospice, which is in Basildon and also covers Thurrock and Billericay, and he welcomed Joanne Phillips, an ambassador for the Hospice, who gave a moving presentation. In common with all hospices it relies on a massive annual injection of cash from it’s supporters in order to survive.

After an interval for cheese and wine, and a catching up “scwrs”, those who are interested in attending the Welsh classes were asked to make themselves known. Mike Price then showed a video of the singer Michael Ball visiting Wales, “The Land Of Song” in order to reconnect with his roots. His visit to Aberfan was particularly harrowing; his visit to Portmeirion, where he sang outdoors with a socially distancing Glanaethwy choir, was uplifting.

Then finally, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, sung with particular fervour, in the hope that the worst of the pandemic has passed.

The 27 October Monthly Meeting will be a musical evening with the young tenor, Dafydd Wyn Jones, who is predicted to have a stellar career ahead. Dafydd is Gwil’s nephew!

Jim Armishaw.