THE  WELSH  SOCIETY  OF  VANCOUVER  

 

Cymdeithas Gymraeg Vancouver

Cambrian News

Ionawr January 2013 2013

Society Newsletter – Cylchgrawn y Gymdeithas

Hilary and Santa with Chelsea Children’s Christmas Party

 CAMBRIAN  HALL,  215  East  17th  Ave,  Vancouver  B.C.  V5V  1A6  

VANCOUVER WELSH SOCIETY Officers:  President:                    Jane  Byrne                                        Vice-­‐President:                    Lynn  Owens-­‐Whalen        Secretary:                    Eifion  Williams                        mail@welshsociety.com    Treasurer:                    Gaynor  Evans                                Membership  Secretary:                    David  Llewelyn  Williams            Directors:                                    Heather  Davies                        Gwilym  Evans                    Gwyn  Evans                                        Irene  Evans                    Antone  Minard                    (Recording  Secretary)                    Mathew  Parry  Contacts  Building  Committee:                      Lynn  Owens-­‐Whalen                                      Cambrian  Circle  Singers:                    Nerys  Haqq                                      Church  Service:                    John  Pritchard                                        Rentals:                Richard  Williams      604-­‐340-­‐8545  Social  Events  Committee:                    Gillian  Rogers                                                            (Gillian.Rogers@shaw.ca)                                      Welsh  Speaking  Group:                    John  Pritchard  Welsh  Learners  Group:                    Antone  Minard  Webmaster:                      Alcwyn  Rogers                              (www.welshsociety.com)          Newsletter  Editor:  David  Llewelyn  Williams        737-­‐0305  (williams@phas.ubc.ca)    

The Cambrian News From The Editor: This issue covers a difficult period for our society. It includes an obituary for our longtime member Cathy Stevens and one for Dylan Thomas Circle member Geoffrey Madoc-Jones. The sudden death of our Past President John Morris on January 6th saddened us all. Here are our President Jane Byrne’s words at that time. It is with deep regret that I learned this morning that John Morris, our Past President, had passed away. John will be remembered for his many valuable contributions to the society over many years. His passing leaves a void in the society that will be hard to fill. Our thoughts and prayers at this time are with Pat, Rodney, Dawn and Richard as well as other members of John’s extended family. I will keep members informed regarding funeral arrangements and memorial services for John. Meanwhile I can only say ‘Rest in Peace, John. We will never forget all you accomplished on behalf of the Welsh Society. Jane Byrne, President John’s funeral will take place on Friday, January 25th. He will be laid to rest with his family in Meifod, Wales. A Memorial Service will be held in the Cambrian Hall after the family returns, probably in early March. John’s obituary will be published in the next newsletter. David Llewelyn Williams

 

We will celebrate Santes Dwynwen, the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers on Saturday January 26th in a romantic evening with tempting desserts! The bar will open at 6.30 pm and the program will start at 7.00 pm. Our M.C., David Llewelyn will begin the evening with a brief introduction to the legend of St. Dwynwen and will present everyone with a St. Dwynwen Day card. This is your opportunity to choose a recipient (but beware of their significant other!) This will be followed by the singing of three Welsh love songs (translations supplied). Members will then be encouraged to read their favourite love poem or even to compose their own.  After this feast of music and poetry, we will feast the senses on dessert to further enhance the emerging sensations and maybe look at the quiz on each table There will follow a limerick competition, with entries to be handed in by the end of the interval. Limericks must either have as a first line: A lonely young man from Rhyl or There was a young maid from Caerffili (Caerphilly) We will then be entertained with some love songs by Sharon McIntee Burrill and after we receive the results of the Quiz from Eifion Williams, we will sing whatever the spirit moves us. To help defray the associated costs, a $5 donation would be appreciated. Where else can you get love and dessert for $5! Go for it! See you there!

Monday, January 28th from 10 am to 3 pm Work Party Day. A delicious lunch will be provided. Looking forward to seeing you there! Monday, February 4th at 7.30 pm Welsh Lessons Wednesday, February 6th at 7.30pm Executive Meeting Saturday, February 9th at 7 pm Pig ‘n’ Whistle The Vancouver Orpheus Choir will hold their evening fundraiser of music and comedy in the Hall. Come along and join in the fun. Admission $20. All are welcome. Sunday, February 10th at 11am Bilingual Service. This will be followed by a tê bach Monday, February 11th at 7.30 pm GENERAL MEETING Wednesday, February 13th at 12 noon, the Cambrian Bookworms will be discussing “Garlic and Sapphires” by Ruth Reichl. Monday, February 18th at 10.30 am Welsh Speaking – Siarad Cymraeg At 7.30 pm Welsh Lessons Monday, February 25th from 10 am to 3 pm Work Party Day. A delicious lunch will be provided. See you there! Friday, March 1st at 7.30 pm

Saint David’s Day We will hold an Open House and Celebration in the Red Dragon. The bar will open at 7pm and the program will begin at 7.30 pm. Cawl Cenin will be served followed of course by Welsh Cakes. Come along and join in the fun.

Saint David’s Day Dinner Our annual Dinner will take place on Saturday, March 2nd at the Cambrian Hall. The doors will be open at 6.00 pm and dinner will be served at 7.00 pm. Jordan’s International Food Designs will cater the meal as usual. The menu will be: Fresh baked rolls and butter Leek Soup Roast Beef with Horseradish and gravy Roast Chicken Vegetarian dish Hot seasonal vegetables Fruit Plate Delicious desserts Coffee and Tea Entertainment will be provided by Katie Procter, soprano, who originates from Newport, Monmouthshire. She sang at our November concert; if you missed her then, make sure you hear her this time. Tickets at $40 each from Gaynor Evans by email fgevans@telus.net or by phone (604 271-3134). Please reserve early.

Monday, March 4th at 7.30 pm Welsh Lessons Wednesday, March 6th at 7.30 pm Executive Meeting Sunday, March 10th at 11am Bilingual Church Service. This will be followed by a tê bach Wednesday, March 13th at 12 noon, the Cambrian Bookworms will be discussing “The Blindness of the Heart” by Juliet Franck Monday, March 18th at 10.30 am Welsh Speaking – Siarad Cymraeg

Monday, March 18th at 7.30 pm Welsh Lessons Monday, March 25th from 10 am to 3 pm Work Party Day. A delicious lunch will be provided. See you there!

Advanced Notice The Grand Spring Sale

Saturday April 20th 10am to 2pm In recent years this has been the most successful fundraiser for the Society and, with your assistance, this will be the best yet. We will have the usual stalls and more detailed information about how you can help at a later date. But if anyone has an item of goods or service for the Silent Auction, please let us know in good time so that the item can be collected, recorded and acknowledged on our website. This is particularly useful for companies. Thank you.

Special Events in Vancouver: Thursday February 21st at the Pan Pacific Hotel. The Richard Burton Diaries. The Research Institute for the Arts and Humanities (Sefydliad Ymchwil y Celfyddydau a’r Dyniaethau) Swansea University present the Vancouver launch of The Richard Burton Diaries (Yale U P) edited by Chris Williams, Professor of Welsh History. The event will include a reading from the Diaries by Chris Williams, who will disclose a number of surprises including details about Burton the linguist, Burton the environmentalist and a young and determined Richard Jenkins. A question and answer period and a book signing will follow. Reception from 6.00 pm; Reading 6.30 pm. RSVP by Feb. 11th to alumni@swansea.ac.uk

The Children’s Christmas Party Once again the Children’s Christmas Party was a great success, with members’ children and grandchildren participating either as helpers or as guests. Seventeen children were present including two recent arrivals: Gethin, the son of Emma Breeze and Huw Cawthorne, and Adrienne, the daughter of Sera Tutlam and Tim Darvell. These are the Society’s future!

Musical Chairs

Pass the Parcel

Balloon Team Race

Unwrapping Presents

Madison Decorated with Balloons

 The helpers for the day with crafts and games were Gaynor’s daughter Andrea, her grand-daughter Katie and her friend Gabi, Santa's helper (see front page) was Hilary, Barbara Oettli's grand-daughter and Gaynor’s daughter Paula helped in the kitchen serving hotdogs and making many pots of tea. The tradition continues to the next generations! Thanks also to Anne Jones’ son, Iwan, Heather, Ray Batten on piano, and of course, Santa aka B.G. And especially to Gaynor Evans herself who bought the presents and organized the whole event. (Photos thanks to Gwyn Evans and Marc Williams) D.Ll.W.

The Christmas Dinner

Sixty members assembled in the Lower Hall to enjoy a Christmas Dinner, once again provided by Jordan’s International Food Designs. President Jane Byrne welcomed all with festive greetings. Grace was said in Welsh by Heather Davies and in English by Gillian Rogers. Once again our caterers surpassed themselves as we feasted on turkey and ham and of course desserts! We were entertained first by John Pritchard who read us The Twelve Days of Christmas Turkey and then by Richard Williams who sang O Holy Night and Ave Maria accompanied by Roger Parton on the piano. Richard then led us through the song sheet of Christmas Carols (all in English!) We also spent some time puzzling over a Christmas Quiz with rather mixed success. Several lucky raffle winners picked up their prizes.

Work Crew

Jane Byrne particularly drew attention to the extensive work on the Hall floor performed under the direction of John Morris and presented each member with a suitably engraved sweater. Pat Morris’ unwavering presence throughout in support was particularly noted and we

sent our warm wishes to John who was not able to be present. The evening concluded as we wished each other well over the Festive Season. Thanks to Mer Montador who looked after the bar; to the Social Committee and those who decorated the Hall and especially to Gaynor Evans for arranging the catering and looking after the tickets. The photograph is a combined effort by Megan Lievesley and Nicolas Williams. D.Ll.W.

Santes Dwynwen

This picture of Santes Dwynwyn, the 5th

century Welsh patron saint of lovers, reminds you that January 25th is St. Dwynwen’s Day. We will celebrate St. Dwynwen with Roses and Chocolates on Saturday, January 26th. Llanddwyn church is on an island off the west coast of Anglesey and is a popular place for lovers to visit. The well is said to hold a magic fish so if the water seems to boil the omens are good for the marriage. The day also coincides with Robbie Burns Day. Love must be more fun than eating haggis!

According to legend Dwynwen was in love with a young man named Maelon, who spurned her when she refused to elope with him. (It’s the same the whole world over!) Dwynwen prayed to God to free her from her love for him and drank a magic drink. Maelon drank the same drink and was turned into a block of ice. Dwynwen was given by God three wishes, she wished for Maelon to be thawed, that she would never fall in love again, and to be the Patron Saint of Welsh lovers. She spent the rest of her life as a nun on Llanddwyn Island. The famous Welsh Poet, Dafydd ap Gwilym visited her church in about 1350 and appealed to her image in a poem to grant him access to his beloved Morfudd.  

St. Dwynwen’s Prayer O Blessed St. Dwynwen, you who knew pain and peace, division and reconciliation, you have promised to aid lovers and you watch over those whose hearts have been broken. As you received three boons from an Angel, intercede for me to receive three blessings; to obtain my heart's desire {here you may name the person} or, if that is not God's Will, a speedy healing from my pain; your guidance and assistance, that I may find love with the right person, at the right time, and in the right way; and an unshakeable faith in the boundless kindness and wisdom of God. And this I ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   Llanddwyn  is  only  an  island  at  high  tide  but  when  I  visited  in  2011,  the  

tide  was  very  high  indeed  so  I  was  unable  to  visit  the  site  of  the  crosses  and  the  church  ruins.  Next  time!                                                                                          D.  Ll.  W.    Our longtime member, Catherine Pierce Stevens (nee Byron) passed away suddenly on Tuesday December 11, 2012 at the age of 88. Catherine was born March 1, 1924 in Gateacre (Liverpool) England. She is survived by her sons, Byron (Gloria) of Richmond BC and Chris (Barbara) of North Vancouver BC, two grandchildren Vanessa and Jonathan, her younger sister Glenys McIntosh (Ian) of Prince Albert Saskatchewan, niece Anne, and nephews Ross and Murray and cousins Margaret Gornall, Madeline Crook and Chris Byron, all of England and cousin Ken (Doris) Byron of Iroquois Falls Ontario She completed her training as a nurse in Northern Ontario, graduating from St Mary’s Nursing School, Timmins Ontario and later completing her Public Health specialty. Cathy worked as a nurse in Smithers, BC, where her two children were born. She worked for many years as a Public Health nurse in Timmins Ontario, for the federal government in Pemberton, B.C. and in the downtown Vancouver BC Revenue Canada offices. She was a progressive and caring nurse, concerned about her patients and their care. She developed a keen interest in painting with a talent for landscapes. It was a joy she shared with her granddaughter Vanessa. The Vancouver Welsh Society sends its deepest sympathy to Cathy’s family on their loss. Members may remember her painting of a narrow gauge railway in mid-Wales.

Geoffrey  Madoc-­‐Jones  Dr.  Geoffrey  Madoc-­‐Jones  who  passed  away  on  December  17,  was  a  popular  and  highly  respected  teacher  and  researcher  at  Simon  Fraser  university.  He  was  born  in  1943  in  the  tiny  village  of  Ysbyty  Ystwyth  near  Aberystwyth.  The  family  moved  after  the  War  to  Cefn  Berain.  Llanefydd,  where  he  attended  Denbigh  Grammar  School,  following  which  he  graduated  from  Bangor  University  with  a  degree  in  History.    He  moved  to  Canada  in  the  late  60’s  as  an  English  teacher  at  Elphinstone  Secondary  School.  In  1984  he  began  his  career  at  SFU,  first  as  a  Faculty  Associate  and  later  as  a  Senior  Lecturer  and  Associate  Director  of  Graduate  Programs.  During  this  period  he  obtained  his  Ph.D.  in  hermeneutics  and  literary  education.  He  was  very  proud  of  the  programs  he  coordinated,  bringing  postgraduate  study  to  communities  across  B.C.    Geoff  was  a  passionate  Welshman  and  a  fluent  Welsh  Speaker.  He  was  a  member  of  our  society  years  ago,  but  in  recent  years  his  main  involvement  was  with  the  Dylan  Thomas  Circle.  He  was  a  member  for  25  years  and  twice  its  President.  His  love  of  literature  and  Dylan  Thomas’  works  in  particular  was  evident  in  the  lively  discussions  that  accompanied  his  presentations.    He  lost  his  first  wife  Sarah  in  1970.  He  passed  away  at  home  with  his  family  by  his  side,  only  five  weeks  after  being  diagnosed.  He  is  survived  by  his  wife  Jennifer  and  his  children  Ruth,  Gareth  and  Sian,  as  well  as  his  siblings  David,  Susan  and  Ian,  cousin  Chris,  and  their  families  in  England  and  Wales.