February 2018 Meeting

Medical Consultant Prof. Marsha Morgan

A presentation by  Medical Consultant Prof. Marsha Morgan of University College London was the theme at the February meeting of Chelmsford and District Welsh Society. She was born in south Wales and first met the Society President, Brian Farmer, at Cefn Fforest Junior School, where they shared a desk at the age of eight. They lost touch at Grammar School, and although they both went to Manchester University never met there either. Their link was their mothers, who attended the same church, and years later they met again when Brian and Marion were married. The President is responsible for arranging the monthly meetings of the Society, and confident that Marsha would be an excellent speaker, he invited her to be guest speaker at the February meeting. We were certainly not disappointed! The audience were not aware beforehand what the topic of her presentation would be, but came away aware that they had been privileged to hear an excellent and dedicated researcher talk about her research into the effects alcohol has on health. It appears that 80 per cent of adults in the UK drink alcoholic beverages, 1 in 3 males and 1 in 5 females, above the recommended limits. Intoxication, dependence and liver damage result. It is the 5th greatest cause of deaths. Whilst 40 per cent of heavy users become dependent, fewer than 20 per cent develop cirrhosis. Her research in conjunction with medics in several parts of the world was aimed at understanding the  complex factors which govern alcoholic reactions. The factors considered included the pattern of drinking, the types of drink consumed, (particularly beers versus wines) diet, (British beer drinkers tend to have a lower fat intake and to drink more sugary drinks than continental wine drinkers) gender, (female bodies have a lower water content than males) body mass index, (a high BMI increases likelihood of death) and genetics (the less responsible members of the press have a poor record when reporting on genetics). Genes are important in determining overall risks, but the picture is highly complex. Eleven are related to cirrhosis, with three highly significant. Many inhabitants of South Asia have a gene which causes them to feel very unwell and turn bright red when tasting alcohol, with the result that they avoid it; this gene therefore indirectly guards against the development of cirrhosis. The picture is clearly highly complex and the use of gene therapy to guard against alcohol induced diseases not yet available. In answer to a member who enquired about the effects of coffee consumption, the professor said that coffee intake  was fine – to the relief of many who were present. The writer hopes that this report does not contain errors! At the conclusion, Prof. Morgan received enthusiastic applause for her brilliant delivery.

St David’s Day Celebration

March 2^nd 2018 at the COUNTY HOTEL, CHELMSFORD

The Dinning Room and "Top Table" guests

Rachel Bartels

St David’s Day Celebration

March 2^nd 2018 at the COUNTY HOTEL, CHELMSFORD

March 1st is Dydd Gwyl Dewi, when Welsh people everywhere, and particularly so in the diaspora, celebrate the feast of Dewi Sant, (David, their patron saint). On Friday 2 March Chelmsford and District Welsh Society celebrated the event with the traditional grand dinner, held for the 55th consecutive year at the County Hotel. The room was beautifully presented, with tables dressed in white and green and decorated with daffodils, under the watchful gaze of the regal Ddraig Goch (the Red Dragon on the Welsh banner) as a backdrop to the top table. The rousing processional march, the Men of Harlech, played by the harpist Rachel Bartels, announced the entry of the Mayor of Chelmsford, Cllr. Duncan Lumley and the Mayoress, the Guest of Honour, the Rev. Peter Davies and Mrs Davies, escorted by the President Brian Farmer and his wife and by the Vice-president Ivy Price and her husband. Following the Grace, a fine traditional dinner of Cawl cennin a thatws (leek and potato soup), Cyw iar wedi’i rostio gyda lemwn a theim (roast chicken with lemon and thyme) and Cacen siocled tryffl gyda hufen ia mwyar duon (chocolate truffle cake with black currant ice cream), followed by coffi/te a petit fours was enjoyed. The Loyal Toast to the Queen was proposed by the President, and the Vice-president proposed the toast to Dewi Sant. The President then introduced the Guest of Honour, who delivered an excellent speech. He had enjoyed a varied and interesting career. Raised in south Wales, he went to university in the north, after which he became a Social Worker, then a Probation Officer, before becoming a Baptist minister in churches all over Wales. He apologised for having an accent and dialect honed in all those regions and hoped he would be understood! He proposed a toast to The Society. In response, the President proposed a toast to Our Guests. Responding, the Mayor congratulated the Society for its contribution to the cultural life of Chelmsford by arranging the annual Male Voice Choir concert featuring choirs from all over Wales. The Society has also raised more than £40,000 for local charities over the past few years. The evening ended in the traditional manner with Rachel playing Welsh airs on her harp followed by some audience participation. The President thanked Liz Armishaw, Kay Bright and David Brown for organising such a successful evening, Shirley Moody for providing the flowers for the tables, Rachel Bartels the wonderful harpist and Gwil Williams for being an excellent MC. Finally the strains of the National Anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau resounded around the room.

Eighty two members and guests had been expected to attend, but for the first time ever, the severe weather conditions of “the beast from the east” prevented many from venturing out. The Rev Peter Davies, the Guest Speaker, had driven from near Neath in South Wales in hazardous conditions the day before the dinner, and Rachel Bartels, the harpist, had arrived at 11 am, having driven from Loughton to be certain of attending the Dinner! Both are due grateful thanks. The annual St David’s church service at Little Baddow URC was cancelled, for the first time ever, since it was feared that the road conditions and steep and narrow country lanes would prove to be too hazardous. During the service it is traditional to dedicate the last hymn, Seintiau Cymru, to the memory of Society Members who have died during the past year. This year, the dedication would have been to David Henfrey, Elizabeth Peters and Frank Hatch.

Gwil Williams - M.C.

Brian Farmer - President

Peter Davies

Cllr. Duncan Lumley - Mayor of Chelmsford

Rachel Bartels