From the London Welsh Centre

at Grays Inn Road

www.londonwelsh.org

LWCLAwst/August 2013 • Rhif/Issue 68 £2.00

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The refurbishment plans have againdominated the Trustees’ work over thepast few months. This is atime-consuming, technical project butrecent events at the Centre have givenus a great opportunity to remindourselves why we are doing it. Therefurbishment will provide space todisplay our Welsh heritage properly,and to provide better facilities to hostthe productions and festivals that theLondon Welsh community want to see.

As we plan for the future, thissummer has seen phenomenal successin terms of our theatre and literatureofferings. Congratulations to White DesertProductions for staging its latest performance, The Taming of the Shrew,and to the Centre team for attracting such a prestigious guest as theRoyal Court Theatre to put on The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart.WDP are now looking for cast members for a new production of UnderMilk Wood that will be part of the Bloomsbury Festival in October. Docontact them through the Centre’s website to get involved.

And on the subject of festivals, you can read elsewhere in themagazine about the inaugural London Welsh Literature Festival that willbe taking place in the autumn. This will be a major new addition to theLondon Welsh programme and I’d like to encourage as manysupporters as possible to come along and join in the fun. Notablefigures from Welsh and English literature will be taking part and wewant to ensure that this first year is a roaring success - so get yourtickets before they sell-out.

Promoting Welsh literature is a core part of the Centre’s objects. Itwas therefore a great pleasure for me to attend in June the dedicationof the Centre’s own literature archive to the person who put the

collection together –Siân Busby.

I’d like toencourage allmembers to use andcontribute to thecollection so itbecomes aninternationallyrecognised resource.There is an index ofthe books wecurrently have in thecollection on theCentre website.

One that might one day make it intothe collection is the Ted Sellick SongBook. This collection of heart-warmingclassics mixed with a few from Ted’sextraordinarily varied repertoire has beenput together by the Gwalia Choir tohonour Ted who died earlier this year.Ted was not only Chairman of theGwalia, but a dedicated servant andsupporter of the Centre who is greatlymissed. Get your copies of the limitededition publication from members of theGwalia.

Finally, the Centre has seen somesignificant operational changes in thepast couple of months, most notably thedeparture of bar steward David Jones.

After twenty years of service, we wish David well. I would like to thank Imanol, Iain, Joanna and Rhian for keeping

the bar running so seamlessly during the transition period. I want toencourage everyone to get behind the new team in the bar and giveus as much feedback as possible on the ideas they will beexperimenting with over the coming months. Alex Meredith, Chairman

LWCLl - The Magazine of the London Welsh

Published by London Welsh Centre Ltd. 157 Grays Inn Road, London WCIX 8UE. Telephone: 020 7837 3722 www.cymryllundain.org.uk / www.londonwelsh.org.ukEDITORIAL TEAM: Eirlys Bebb, Theo Brueton, Rita Clark,David Daniel, Gordon Roberts, Bob Trevor and Gethin Williams.DESIGN SUPPORT: Taliesin Communications.ADVERTISING: Rita Clark. PRINTED BY: Y LolfaEditorial contributions may be sent to the addressabove or, preferably, emailed to Rita@ritaclark.co.ukAdvertisers may also contact Rita Clark Views expressed in this publication must not be takenas necessarily representing those of the London WelshAssociation. London Welsh Centre Trust is a Registered Charity. Thisstatement is given to support any advertisement whichappears in the columns of London Welsh Magazine fromtime to time in the name of the Trust and deemed, interms of the Act, to be fundraising.

Theatre, festivals and heritage - LondonWelsh Centre has so much to offer…

Copy from contributors and advertisers is required byOctober 1 for inclusion in the next issue.

@admeredith

Front cover: The Eisteddfod Chair at the London Welsh Centre. Photo by Caroline Derry.

Alex Meredith

Cadair EisteddfodMae clawr y rhifyn hwn yn dangos Cadair EisteddfodGenedlaethol Llanelli, sydd â llawer cysylltiad â Chymry Llundain:• Ymddiriedolaeth Cymry Llundain a gyflwynodd y Gadair i’r

pwyllgor lleol yn 1962;• Un o Gymry Llundain ar y pryd, Caradog Prichard, oedd y bardd

a gipiodd y Gadair; a • Gellir gweld y Gadair yng Nghanolfan Cymry Llundain heddiw,

oherwydd cyflwynwyd y Gadair i’r Gymdeithas gan MatiPrichard, gweddw Caradog.

Hon oedd yr unig Gadair Eisteddfod Genedlaethol a enilloddCaradog Prichard, ond fe enillodd tair Coron (1927, 28 & 29),camp sydd heb ei gyrraedd gan neb arall. Ganed Caradog ymMethesda yn 1904 a bu farw yn 1980.

Eisteddfod ChairThe Magazine’s cover features a National Eisteddfod Chair withclose connections to the London Welsh:• It was originally commissioned by the LW Trust for presentation

at the 1962 National Eisteddfod in Llanelli;• It was won by the bard Caradog Prichard who, at that time, was

a journalist in Fleet Street;• Eventually it was donated to the London Welsh Centre by

Caradog’s widow Matti, where it can viewed to this day.This was the only National Chair won by Caradog Prichard, but hewon National Eisteddfod Crown on three occasions – a feat yet tobe equalled.

New London Welsh CentreTrustee – Sara McNultySara is an alumni of Cardiff University where she read Lawbefore qualifying as a litigation lawyer at London law firm,Simmons & Simmons. More recently Sara has held a seniorclient development role at Axiom, an innovative legalservices provider, where she advises financial institutions onstrategic and solutions orientated matters to improveefficiency and effectiveness.

Sara (dragging her Englishhusband along) has been asupporter of the LWC for anumber of years, particularlyon match days. Her fatheralso attended the Centre inhis youth. She is a fluentWelsh speaker and is excitedabout a new generation ofher family having theopportunity to support anddevelop the Centre.

O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE LWCLl 3

CongratulationsRussell Jones and his wife Eluned (ex. Kings Cross Chapel) onbecoming grand parents again with the birth of Dale Martha totheir daughter Susan and her husband Alan.

Hywel and Elinor Thomas (Clapham) on the birth of theirfirst grandson, a son to their son Jonathon and his wife Geeta.Wyn Taron is the fifth generation of the family to beassociated with Clapham Junction chapel as his great, great,great grandfather was one of the founders of the chapelAll Best Wishes to Both Families.

Our Sincere Sympathy Maggie Chalk and family on the death of her husband Phil(LWMVC).Mair Jones (Slough Welsh Soc) on the death of her sister.

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Clebran CapersClebran, the social group open to all women, including members of thetransgender community, has enjoyed another good term. From dinnerto drinks, walks, talks and of course chat, our programme andattendance figures have been our busiest yet. Particular highlights werethe social history evening hosted by Megan Evans and Gwenllian Rees,and a city walk led by Caroline James.

Megan and Gwen opened their photograph albums and hearts toshare laughs and memories of the Centre, since first joining in the late1950s. With stories of meeting life-long friends and sweethearts, choircompetitions, dances and sausages, all present were privileged andhumbled to hear lives of such achievements.

Following in their footsteps, Caroline inspired the group with afascinating walk through the heart of the city, pointing out places ofWelsh interest and famous London Welsh figures. Caroline’s ClebranHallowe’en walk in October 2013, with Welsh ghosts a-plenty, shouldbe a real treat so do please join us on the night.

For details of all Clebran’s autumn and winter events, to includedinner, drinks, jewellery making and Welsh wine tasting, please checkthe Centre’s noticeboard, website or emailrhian@lwcentre.demon.co.uk

Joanna Foster, Clebran SecretaryJoanna Foster, Clebran Secretary

Huw Edwards ar stondin y Ganolfan yn Eisteddfod 2012

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Canolfan Cymry Llundain ar faes y Brifwyl Rydym yn hynod falch o gael presenoldeb ar faes yr EisteddfodGenedlaethol eleni eto. Mae hwn yn gyfle gwych i godi proffil yGanolfan a sefydliadau Cymry Llundain eraill ymysgcynulleidfaoedd hen a newydd.

Os ydych yn ymweld â’r Brifwyl cofiwch alw i’n gweld arstondin Shelter Cymru (rhif 831-832). Trwy gydweithio gydag uno brif elusennau Cymru rydym yn achub ar y cyfle i greuymwybyddiaeth ehangach o’n gwaith. Bydd cynrychiolwyr o’rGanolfan yn crwydro’r maes hefyd er mwyn creu cysylltiadaugydag ystod eang o fudiadau.

Dymunwn yn dda i holl Gymry Llundain sy’n cystadlu ynNinbych a gobeithiwn y bydd yr haul yn tywynnu arnom oll arfaes y Brifwyl eleni. Glaw glaw cadw draw!

Rhian Jones, Prif Swyddog Gweithredol

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4 LWCLl O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE

The summer months have traditionally been quiet at Grays Inn Road.Summer 2012 proved an exception and this summer we are gearing up forone of our busiest in recent history.

We have already welcomed hundreds of theatre goers to the bar forperformances of The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, a unique project incollaboration with National Theatre Scotland and The Royal CourtTheatre.

We’re also the venue for a 5-week rehearsal for Fiddler on the Roof –proof that word of mouth about our room hire is reaching theatrecompanies across the land. And we areworking in partnership with Wales’ peopleand homes charity, Shelter Cymru at theNational Eisteddfod – forging stronger linkswith a major Welsh charity through themedium of art and culture.

This summer – yet another opportunityfor the Centre to explore and demonstrate itstrue potential.

But these summer months are merely awarm up to the bumper autumn we have instore for you. Take a look at the Centre pagesfor details of a truly breathtaking October.Throw in a healthy dose of autumn rugbyinternationals and we have the makings of abusy and exhilarating run up to Christmas2013.

Pursuing new opportunities and doingeverything in our power to develop the reach and scope of the Centre canmean certain compromises. We are fully committed to supporting ourresident groups; our Welsh language students, our social groups; ClwbDarllen Llundain, Clebran, Cwtsh, Cylch Siarad, our choirs and otherregular users. Pursuing certain ventures can mean a change in routine andwe recognise that this is not always easy. We acknowledge those instancesand we hope everyone can appreciate the longer-term benefits to us all inseizing these opportunities.

We are not changing for change’s sake; we are changing because wehave to keep pace with a rapidly and ever-changing environment.

One significant change in recent weeks is the departure of David Joneswho had been Centre Steward for nearly 20 years. We wish David well forthe future and will miss his knowledge and experience of the LondonWelsh Centre and community.

In this Eisteddfod edition of the magazine you will find a LondonWelsh Centre subscription form for the year September 2013-August2014. Be part of something unique and wonderful by supporting ourcharity. Your financial contributions are crucial to the Centre.

The subscription levels and prices have remained the same as last year.Again we would encourage you to cancel existing Standing Orders andsign up for Direct Debit payments, the easiest and most effective way topay.

As Calon, Curiad or Cartref subscribers you are all helping us sow newseeds and reap the harvest, whatever the season.

Teaser: the existing team of six staff at the Centre speak sevenlanguages. What are they? Send your answers toadministrator@lwcentre.demon.co.uk Correct answers, or closestcorrect answers received by 31 August will be entered into a draw to win aspecial prize (South Walian and ‘Cardi’ do not count as languages!).

Rhian Jones, Chief Executive

Yn draddodiadol bu misoedd yr haf yn reit dawel ar Grays Inn Road.Profodd haf 2012 yn eithriad a’r haf yma rydym yng nghanol un o’r rhaiprysuraf mewn cof.

Rydym eisoes wedi croesawu cannoedd o bobl i’r bar ar gyferperfformiadau o The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, prosiectunigryw mewn cydweithrediad â National Theatre Scotland a’r RoyalCourt Theatre.

Bydd cynhyrchiad Fiddler on the Roof yn ymarfer gyda ni am bumwythnos sy’n profi bod gair yn mynd ar led ymysg cwmnïau theatrig am

ein busnes llogi ystafelloedd. Ac rydym yngweithio mewn partneriaeth â’r elusen pobl achartrefi, Shelter Cymru yn yr EisteddfodGenedlaethol – gan feithrin cysylltiadau cryfachgydag elusen Gymreig flaengar drwy gelf adiwylliant.

Haf 2013 – cyfle arall i’r Ganolfan ganfod acarddangos ei gwir botensial.

Ond dim ond blas mae digwyddiadau’r hafyn ei roi o’r hyn sydd i ddod yn yr hydref.Edrychwch ar y tudalennau canol am fis Hydrefllawn prysurdeb a chyffro. Ychwanegwch gyfresrygbi’r hydref a dyma gyfnod byrlymus ynarwain at Nadolig 2013.

Gall dilyn cyfleoedd newydd a gwneudpopeth o fewn ein gallu i ddatblygu’r Ganolfanolygu ambell i gyfaddawd. Rydym ynymroddedig i gefnogi ein grwpiau mewnol; ein

myfyrwyr Cymraeg, ein grwpiau cymdeithasol; Clwb Darllen Llundain,Clebran, Cwtsh, Cylch Siarad, ein corau a defnyddwyr rheolaidd eraill.Mae mynd ar ôl ambell brosiect yn gallu golygu newid i’r drefn ac rydynyn cydnabod nad peth hawdd yw hyn bob tro. Rydym yn cydnabod yrachlysuron hynny ac yn gobeithio y gall pawb werthfawrogi’r buddionhir dymor i bawb o afael yn y cyfleoedd yma.

Nid newid er mwyn newid yw hyn; rydyn ni’n newid oherwydd bodyr amgylchedd o’n cwmpas yn newid yn feunyddiol.

Un newid sylweddol yn yr wythnosau diwethaf yw bod David Joneswedi gadael a hynny wedi bron i ugain mlynedd o wasanaeth felStiward. Dymunwn yn dda iddo a byddwn yn gweld eisiau eiadnabyddiaeth a’i brofiad o’r Ganolfan a chymuned Cymry Llundain.

Yn y rhifyn Eisteddfodol hwn o’r cylchgrawn fe ddewch o hyd iffurflen danysgrifio ar gyfer Canolfan Cymry Llundain am y flwyddynMedi 2013 – Awst 2014. Byddwch yn rhan o rywbeth unigryw a gwychdrwy gefnogi ein helusen. Mae eich cyfraniadau ariannol yn hanfodol i’rGanolfan.

Mae lefelau a phrisiau tanysgrifio cystal â llynedd. Eto baswn yn eich annog i ganslo unrhyw Archeb Sefydlog a chofrestru ar gyfertaliadau Debyd Uniongyrchol, y ffordd hawsaf a mwyaf effeithiol i dalu.

Oni heuir ni fedir, a fel tanysgrifwyr Calon, Curiad a Chartref rydych yn ein cynorthwyo i hau’r hadau, beth bynnag fo’r tymor.

Cwestiwn cyflym: mae tîm presennol y Ganolfan (chwe aelod ostaff) yn siarad saith iaith. Beth ydyn nhw? Anfonwch eich atebion atadministrator@lwcentre.demon.co.uk Caiff yr atebion cywir (neu’rrhai agosaf atynt) a dderbynnir erbyn Awst 31ain eu rhoi mewn het abydd gwobr arbennig i’r enillydd.

Rhian Jones, Prif Swyddog Gweithredol

Room hire great rates • flexible options • warm welcome www.londonwelsh.org

rhian@lwcentre.demon.co.uk www.londonwelsh.org @LondonWelshCCLL

Reaping rewards of seasonal work

Gwaith tymhorol yndwyn ffrwyth

O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE LWCLl 5

Robert shares his memories at the Siân Busby Collection Dedication

Casgliad Siân Busby - the Siân Busby Collection - has beenlaunched at the London Welsh Centre at a special evening ofentertainment.

The collection includes the exhibition charting the history ofthe Welsh Community in London, now such a feature of theCentre and enjoyed and admired by so many.

There is a specialist reference library downstairs and work isunderway on the Casgliad project itself, which will form part of thewider Casgliad y Werin Cymru (People’s CollectionWales-www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk).

The Centre owes Siân a great debt of gratitude for all her workon the exhibition and library and she also inspired the Casgliadproject.

The evening, with musical accompaniment by the LondonWelsh Chorale and contributions from Huw Edwards, AlexMeredith and the Casgliad project team, was another opportunityto pay tribute to Siân who will always be remembered by so manyfriends in the London Welsh Community.

Siân’s husband, broadcasterRobert Peston, spoke aboutSiân’s pride in her Welshheritage and how the Centreenabled her to combine somany interests- Welsh cultureand history, music and people.Even as she fought cancer, Siândedicated many hours to theCentre as volunteer and Trusteeand Robert said that he and therest of the family were delightedthat Siân was being rememberedin this way. A dedication inWelsh slate will be displayed in the lounge at the Centre.

Siân’s eldest son Simon read from Siân’s last book, ACommonplace Killing, which is set in North London in theaftermath of the Second World War. The book, which has recentlybeen serialised on Radio 4, is a reminder of Siân’s great talent as awriter. Robert signed copies of the Commonplace Killing after thededication event. Turn to page 13 for a tribute from Siân’spublishers, Short Books.

Liz Siberry

The Siân Busby Collection –a fitting tribute

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Siân’s eldest son, Simon, reads from A Commonplace Killing

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The dedication plaque in Welsh Slate

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6 LWCLl O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE

Talmai at the Centre in May.

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was both blistering and musically accomplished andunquestionably worthy of a larger arena.

Frontman Ceri Ambrose is every inch the classic Rock singerwith a mesmerising live show and raucous vocals. Outstandingguitar work and sensational drumming allow Talmai theplatform to explore various nuances within the hard rock genreand with such an assured live show, surely a nationwide tour ofBritain beckons.

Another great band the Centre has been privileged to hostthroughout 2013.

Iain Richards, Cultural Development Officer

A full report of this Huw Stephens presents... is available on the London Welsh Centre websitewww.londonwelsh.org

Huw Stephens presents...

The London Welsh SessionsFrom Folk to Metal –Welsh bands ring thechanges May’s concert saw the Centre host two acts, full of emotion butexpressed through two musical forms that couldn’t be moredifferent.

Kidwelly’s Dai Sharkey is a singer-songwriter who uses loopsand sounds to back up his folk/blues guitar work and it workswith some style. Funded by the Arts Council of Wales andmentored by former Welsh singer of the year Amy Wadge,Sharkey allows his life-story to unfold as he weaves tales ofaddiction and mental illness across a landscape of sound andcrafted songwriting that sets him apart from the standardsinger-songwriter mould.

Concluding with a heart-breaking song outlining hisschizophrenia, Sharkey engages with the audience throughoutand proves a worthy recipient of arts council funding and hiscreativity is fuelled by a desire to be individual and let his voiceand his story be told in all its truth.

In stark contrast, Cardiff/Carmarthen metal band ‘Talmai’came flying out of the starting blocks with an instrumental that

CORAU/CHOIRS LWCLl 7

Room hire – great rates – flexible options – central locationFor more information contact The London Welsh Centre 020 7837 3722www.londonwelsh.org

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The Chorale sang at the dedication of the Siân Busby Collectionat the London Welsh Centre on 18 June. We were honoured tohave been asked by Siân’s family to do so and welcomed theopportunity to remember Siân, with smiles and sadness, as afriend, fellow choir member and prominent member of theWelsh community in London.

July saw the London Welsh Chorale join the long list ofmusicians to have performed at St Sepulchre without Newgatein Holborn – otherwise known as the National Musicians’Church.

Sir Henry Wood is buried at St Sepulchre’s in the MusiciansChapel and, by coincidence, the weekend of the Chorale’ssummer concert also marked the start of the Proms’ season – wehope we didn’t disappoint, sir!

The concert, under the baton of Musical DirectorEdward-Rhys Harry, had a German theme. We sang Schubert’sGerman Mass and, also in German, Brahms’ Deutsches Requiem inits original two piano version. Pianists Jenny Trew and AnnabelThwaite, busy solo performers but also, to our great pleasure,regular accompanists respectively of the Chorale and the LondonWelsh Male Voice Choir, played for us.

Soprano Vanessa Bowers and baritone Ross Ramgobin gavewonderful solo performances to complete the concert line-up.The Chorale enjoyed performing both works in this iconic churchto an enthusiastic audience of old friends and new, includingsome visitors from Australia.

The choir return to the London Welsh Centre in Septemberlooking forward to an autumn tour to Barcelona at the invitationof Catalan choir, Cor Signum. The invitation came when formerChorale member, Alison Court, was contacted by her husband’sbest man who sings with Cor Signum, suggesting a visit. Thechoirs will each perform their favourites and then sing together.Cor Signum hope to visit London next year for the return fixture,giving the London Welsh community the opportunity to hearthem and extend their own special welcome.

The Chorale also starts rehearsals in September for the NineLessons and Carols at the London Welsh Centre on 8 Decemberand for the Christmas concert on 14 December, to be held at StSepulchre, at which it will perform Handel’s Messiah.

Looking ahead, 2014 is set to be a busy year. Cor Signum willvisit. The spring concert will be a joint one with Côr Bro Ogwr.The choir formed in 1998 following a successful performance ofthe Verdi Requiem on the stage of the National Eisteddfod atBridgend. The Chorale is also planning a trip to Russia in April andin October will welcome the Sydney Welsh Choir to London forthe final concert in their tour of Ireland, Wales and England.

October, 2014 marks the centenary of Dylan Thomas’s birth.The Chorale is launching a competition to set to music Thomas’spoem “The Hand that signed the Paper” from the Collected Poems1934-1953. The winning composition will be performed at aDylan Thomas Centenary event in October 2014. More of thecompetition soon!

Lynne Tew

Chorale at the musicians church – St Sepulchre

The Chorale sings at the Siân Busby Collection Dedication

8 LWCLl O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE

A cultural feast awaits you at the London Welsh Centre thisOctober. Take a look at what will be happening on fourconsecutive weekends in an unprecedented line up. Detailsof all events as well as ticketing information is available onour website www.londonwelsh.org or call the Centre Officeon 0207 837 3722.

Mae gwledd o ddiwylliant o’ch blaenau yng NghanolfanCymry Llundain ym mis Hydref. Edrychwch ar y rhaglen oddigwyddiadau ar pedair penwythnos yn olynol – rhywbethna welwyd o’r blaen. Mae manylion pob digwyddiad agwybodaeth ar archebu tocynnau ar gael ar ein gwefanwww.londonwelsh.org neu ffoniwch Swyddfa’r Ganolfan ar 0207 837 3722.

Autumn feast of culture at the London Welsh Centre

LiteratureFestival firstpromoteswords ofWales,Bloomsburyand beyondThe very first London WelshLiterature Festival will beheld at the Centre thisOctober. The festival kicksoff on National Poetry Dayand will focus on theupcoming centenary of theSenghenydd MiningDisaster. The evening willfeature legendary Rhonddawriter and actor BoydClack. There will be a fullday of children’s literaryactivities on Friday 4th withan evening of music andliterature hosted by theformer manager of rocksuperstars ‘Coldplay’.

London Welsh CentrePresident Huw Edwards willget proceedings underwayon Saturday 5th with afascinating look at thehistory of the Welsh inLondon. Prolific storytellerand author Mary Medlicottalso appears in a stellarline-up. The festival willdraw to a close with aDylan Thomas themedevent on the Saturdayevening. Make sure you area part of London WelshCentre history by attendingthis inaugural event!

O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE LWCLl 9

Saturday 26th October 2013

Sadwrn hydref 26ain 2013

To take part in this prestigious competition contact Karen on 0207 837 3722

or email administrator@lwcentre.demon.co.uk

1st prize £2000(donated by Philip Carne on behalf of the Richard Carne Trust)

Closing date: September 16th 2013

Tickets for the evening concert available from the London Welsh Centre. Call 0207 837 3722 or visit www.londonwelsh.org

The Young welsh singer of the year Competition

Cystadleuaeth Canwr ifanc y flwyddyn

Trystan Llyr Griffiths (2011 winner) Ph

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Tickets available onlinewww.whitedesert.org.uk

10 LWCLl O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE

Welsh for all/Cymraeg i bawb

Welsh classes for all levels in Central London -including a pre-Level 1 course for complete beginners

Dosbarthiadau Cymraeg ar gyfer pob lefel yng NghanolLlundain - yn cynnwys cwrs carlam cychwynnol ar gyfer

dechreuwyr pur

Excellent value for money / Gwerth eich arian

Experienced and enthusiastic tutorsTiwtoriaid profiadol a brwdfrydig

Informal and relaxed atmosphereAwyrgylch anffurfiol a hamddenol

For further information and registration details: Am wybodaeth bellach a manylion cofrestru:

www.londonwelsh.org/learn-welsh/evening-classes

Y Cardis invitation to lunchJoin the London Cardiganshire Society (Y Cardis) for their Annual Lunchon 9 November 2013. Enjoy a three course meal with tea or coffee atthe Strand Palace Hotel with special guest Dr Llinos Roberts, star ofS4C’s Doctor Doctor. All for only £25.. To book your place please callRhian on 07855 172 414 or email calonlan13@yahoo.com Everyonewelcome, whatever your connection to Cardiganshire. Croeso cynnes ibawb – Cardi neu beidio!

Clwb Darllen Llundain Ar ddiwedd y cyfarfod pan gawsom y fraint o gyfarfod a Bethan Gwanasgwelwyd ambell i ael yn codi pan gyhoeddwyd y byddwn yn trafod “UnNos Ola Leuad” yn ein cyfarfod nesaf. Tybed a yw gorfodaeth darllencampwaith Caradog Prichard yn nosbarthiadau ysgol wedi creu argraffei fod yn llyfr anodd a sych-ddifrifol?

Nid felly oedd teimladau aelodau’r clwb wrth drafod y gyfrol.Cytunodd pawb eu bod yn mwynhau’r profiad ac er bod sawl un yngweld eisiau ei ail ddarllen nid oeddynt yn gweld hyn yn faich o gwbl.Efalla’r hyn a thrawsom ni i gyd oedd y teimlad a grynhoir o ysbrydgoleuedig yn goroesi amgylchiadau dinistriol tlodi a thrais.

Buan iawn gwelwyd mai un o’r cyfrinachau sut gall y nofel arwain ydarllenydd ar hyd ystod eang o deimladau emosiynol yw’r ffaith bodlawer o gymeriadau a digwyddiadau’r stori yn hollol wir er nad yw eulleoliad, enwau nac amser yn cydredeg a’r byd go iawn. Y mae hyn wediesgor ar ryw fath o ddiwydiant llenyddol archeolegol o gwmpas y llyfrunigryw hwn; mwy efallai sy nag un gyfrol Gymraeg arall ar wahân i’rBeibl. Ar ôl gweld pentwr o lyfrau a phapurau sy’n ymdrin â hyn yn einhwynebu, crybwyllwyd fod holl gynnwys Gymraeg Caradog Prichard yncreu darlun hynod o’i fywyd trwy gyfrwng geiriau.

O sylwi bod ni yng nghysgod Gadair Eisteddfod 1962 a enillwyd ganCaradog cododd y syniad o gael rhywbeth yn yr ŵyl lenyddolarfaethedig yn yr Hydref i gofio’r llenor arbennig hwn a chwaraeoddrhan mor bwysig yn niwylliant Cymru Llundain am flynyddoedd.

Bydd ein cyfarfod nesaf ar 27ain Awst pan gawn drafodaeth ar“Cyffesion Geordie Oddi Cartref” gan Tony Bianchi. Fel arfer mae croesoi bawb sydd â diddordeb i ymuno â ni.

Am ragor o fanylion cysylltwch â rileyriley@btinternet.com

Nos Fercher 12fed Fehefin 2013, fe welwyd Y Cymmrodorion yn ôl yn YGanolfan i gynnal eu Darlith Gymraeg Flynyddol. Eleni, siaradoddRobert Evans, Athro Brenhinol Hanes ym Mhrifysgol Rhydychen ar ytestun “Cymru a’r Byd yn y 19eg Ganrif; Y Gwyddoniadur Cymraeg”.

Diddorol oedd clywed pa mor dyngedfennol oedd y prosiect hwn ynnatblygiad Cymru dros yr hanner ganrif yn dilyn ‘Brad y LlyfrauGleision’. Gwelir yr enw yn aml wrth astudio’r hanes hwnnw ondychydig ohonom gafodd y profiad o ddarllen ei thudalennau sydd yn eiwahanol argraffiadau yn efelychu newidiadau feddylfryd y Cymry yn eudadeni fel cenedl.

Amheuthun hefyd oedd y cymariaethau gyda chenedlaethau erailloedd yn byw yng nghysgod gwledydd mawr grymus pryd hynny; maesarbenigedd y darlithydd. Gyda syndod, efallai, gwelsom mor hyderus awybodus oedd ansawdd ymdrechion ein cyndadau.

Yn awr edrychwn ymlaen yn arw at gael darllen y gwaith yn YTrafodion a threiddio’n ddyfnach i’r maes a gawsom arweiniad morysgolheigaidd iddo.

RKK

Y Cymmrodorion

CORAU/CHOIRS LWCLl 11

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The Monmouth and Gwalia choirs with their respective MDs and accompanists

In May, the Gwalia were privileged to sing at a wedding in thebeautiful Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart in Edge Hill,Wimbledon. This is truly an enormous church – as our guestconductor Haydn James observed ‘more like a mini-Cathedral’. Thechoir sang a number of traditional Welsh favourites includingMyfanwy and Gwahoddiad and also for the first time ever at therequest of the bride, we sang the Celtic Alleluia. The acoustics inthe church were superb and the choir received many complimentsfor its singing.

The Gwalia sang at another wedding in June, a civil ceremonythis time, at the British Medical Association building in TavistockSquare near Euston. This is a beautiful Georgian building and thewedding was held in the Paget Room. We sang a number of stirringWelsh numbers such as O Gymru, Men of Harlech and CwmRhondda. After the wedding couple had departed, we also sangTom Jones’s Delilah which went down very well. Just after we hadfinished singing this, one small boy in the audience was heard tosay “That was so loud!” At which our Choir Marshal retorted “It’smeant to be!” which provoked much laughter from the audience.

Later we went on to join the wedding party for their receptionat the famous old pub ‘the Albion’ in Islington, where weproceeded to sing a few more songs. It was a thoroughly enjoyableafternoon.

On the 6th July, the day the Lions beat the Aussies sohandsomely 41-16, the Gwalia took part in a joint concert with theMonmouth MVC in the beautiful St. Mary’s Priory Church whichdominates the small town of Monmouth.

This was the first major concert for the recently formedMonmouh choir. Their Chairman is Huw Edwards (former LabourMP for Monmouth and a former member of the Gwalia).

The church was packed to capacity for the concert. Each choirtook turns to sing and then joined together to sing at the end ofeach half. The Gwalia gave a varied programme which included thevery patriotic O Gymru arranged by Aled Davies along with theIsraeli folk song Hava Nagila and Delilah.

The Monmouth MVC’s programme included a number oftraditional Welsh numbers including Eli Jenkins’ Prayer, Gwahoddiadand Tydi a Roddaist.

Each choir also provided soloists. The Gwalia’s own GeorgeFormby, second tenor Geoff Rogers, gave a wonderful rendition onhis ukulele of I’m leaning on a Lampost and then also, as a tribute toour former Chairman Ted Sellick, went on to sing As time goes byfrom Casablanca. Our conductor James Hearn gave us a terrificorgan solo, War March of the Priests by Mendelssohn.

The Monmouth MVC’s bass soloist, William Mackie, a formermember of the WNO, sang a selection of songs including If I were aRich Man from Fiddler on the Roof and The Road to Mandalay. Healso sang The Sergeant’s Song from The Pirates of Penzance with theMonmouth MVC who all wore policemen’s helmets. This was veryamusingly done and went down very well with the audience.

Both choirs joined forces to sing several songs including CwmRhondda and Rachie. At the end, our compère Huw Edwards calledupon all those in the audience who were former members of theGwalia Choir (there were about half-a-dozen) to come up on stageand join both choirs in singing Gwahoddiad.

This was a fitting end to a hugely enjoyable concert. We hopethis will be the first of many such joint concerts with theMonmouth MVC.

For details of our forthcoming engagements over the next fewmonths, please see our website at:-www.gwaliamalevoicechoir.org.uk.

David Hurlbut

Former choir members take centre stage at joint concert

CWTSHBydd CWTSH (y cylch chwarae Cymraeg) yn ôl ym mis Medi /CWTSH (the Welsh playgroup) returns in September http://cwtsh.redantennae.co.uk/

12 LWCLl CORAU/CHOIRS

If you happened to be going through Victoria Railway Station onFriday 21 June you may have been entertained by subsets of theLondon Welsh Male Voice Choir. They were there to promoteHSBC as the sponsors of the Lions Rugby Tour of Australia, and inparticular the First Test Match due to take place the following day.

With a performance at the HSBC HQ at Canary Wharf atlunchtime this was a demanding engagement for choristers,especially on a working day. We can dream that the Choir wasagain influential in the success of the Lions in Australia – as theChoir was three months earlier in supporting Wales when theybeat England in that memorable Six-nations match in Cardiff.

On a sadder note, whilst the Choir was rehearsing at theMillennium Stadium for the international in Cardiff, on March 16,second tenor Phil Chalk collapsed and was rushed to hospital.After a series of tests at Cardiff, he was moved to Southampton tobe near his home, where he was declared to have a grade 4 braintumour and to be terminally ill.

Phil died on 22 June and there was a strong LWMVCrepresentation at his funeral at St Mary’s, South Stoneham nearSouthampton, where he had been a choirboy some sixty years ago,and sung there most of his life. Phil had been a member of theLWMVC for almost 25 years and was one its most faithfulmembers – rarely missing a monthly concert and doing a roundtrip of almost 200 miles to rehearsals every Thursday! We extendto his wife Maggie and the family our deepest condolences at thistime.

Some members are sure to have seen a LWMVC Subset on theTV recently – in Episode 9 of “The Apprentice – You’re Fired” whenAlan Sugar fired Welsh contestant, Alex Mills.

As usual May is AGM time, and this year several Trusteesannounced that they would not be seeking re-election. Thesubstantially new Committee is Phil Griffith (Chair), Phil John(vice-chair), Nick Withers (secretary), Harry Planche (treasurer),Andrew Downing (concert sec.), Brian Johnson (registrar), and thefollowing voice section reps – David Downing, Tom Wilcox-Jonesand Lyn Leyshon.

Our new chairman hails from Cardiff and was employed in theair traffic control environment, whilst the vice-chairman was

brought up in the upper Swansea valley and is Professor ofSystems Engineering at Cranfield University. A particular thanks isextended to the following retiring Trustees: chairman KeithWarren, vice chair Eirian Lewis, Rowland Francis who served as atrustee for 34 years – 32 of them as Concert Secretary, andGeraint Lewis.

During recent months the LWMVC returned to give concerts atDorking Halls and Rochester Cathedral. In July it was a totally newvenue for the Choir with a concert in the Speech Room of HarrowSchool, with all its history. Edward-Rhys Harry has conducted allour concerts with Annabel Thwaite as pianist, and our guestsoloists have been Jessica Robinson (sop), Hannah Boulton (sop)and Victoria Simmonds (mezzo).

The Choir’s next concert will be at the City Temple on HolbornViaduct, one of the nearest venues to the LW Centre. In Octoberwe return to Wales for a concert at the Memorial Hall in Barry andthen to Eton College Hall in November. A long weekend inGermany (just across the border from Strasbourg in France) is theChoir’s destination in December, with a Saturday afternoonconcert at the Town Hall in Gengenbach and a Sunday eveningconcert at the Church in Legelshurst.

Full details of these concerts are posted on the back cover ofthis magazine.

LWMVC

Singing for the Lions - at Canary Wharf...

Phil JohnPhil Griffith

Monday 27 October 2014 sees the Centenary of the birth ofthe great Welsh writer Dylan Thomas.

Major organisations across the arts and government inWales are working closely to construct an internationalprogramme of events to reflect the stature and magnitude ofDylan Thomas’ worldwide appeal.With such a significant global cultural event, we can proudlydeclare that the Centre will be at the forefront of Londoncelebrations including a special event to preview DT100 at the

forthcoming London Welsh Literature Festival in October.Patron of the celebrations, Hannah Ellis, has been an

outstanding ambassador for the Centre and has taken everypossible opportunity to promote the Centre’s intentions andaspirations.

More will be revealed at 7.30pm on Saturday 5 October2013!

Iain Richards, Cultural Development Officer

DT100 - London Welsh Centre is at the heart of Dylan Thomas celebrations

O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE LWCLl 13

“A writer with a rare and singular dedication to authenticity… the atmosphere Busby evokes is as

melancholic as Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair.” THE TIMES

“The sense of austerity and a crippled city recovering from war permeates every page,”

DAILY MAIL

“This is the best new book that I have read in a long time. It’s a cliche but I really could not put it down...”

GOOD READS

Also by Siân Busby: McNaughtenThe Cruel MotherA Wonderful Little Girl

writer of rare subtlety”MAIL ON SUNDAY

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21484

What’s on and WhereInterested in artists from Wales performing across a wide range of genres? Here aresome dates for your diaries, see also London Welsh events on page 16.

July25 Hannah Stone, Harp, at Kings Lynn Festival

August7 Maria Pia De Vito and Huw Warren - ‘O Pata Pata’, Vortex Jazz Club12 Huw Warren - Cellar Bar, The Constitution, 42 St Pancras Way NW1 0QT12 at 10.15pm Cerys Matthews - Royal Albert Hall17 Kyshera at The Water Rats, 328 Grays Inn Road15-18 Green Man Festival - Crickhowell, with John Cale, Sweet Baboo,

Trwbador, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog , Huw M

September7 Bryn Terfel at the Wigmore Hall8 Manic Street Preachers - BBC Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park24 Manic Street Preachers - Shepherds Bush Empire 24 Charlotte Church - Scala, 275 Pentonville Rd (near Kings Cross)30 Sept - 6 Nov Rhian Lois soprano as Adele in Die Fledermaus at LondonColiseum

October14 Oct - 1 Dec Alun Rhys-Jenkins tenor as Goro in Madam Butterfly at

London Coliseum24 Goldie Lookin’ Chain - Scala

November1 Euros Childs at The Boston Arms, 178 Junction Rd N19 14 Sweet Baboo - Islington Assembly Hall, Upper St 21 and 29 Gwyn Hughes Jones, tenor as Pinkerton in Madam Butterfly at

London Coliseum21-24 Catrin Aur, soprano, Soloist at RAH27 Cate Le Bon - Bush Hall, 310 Uxbridge Road W12

In 2002, just after Aurea Carpenter and I had launched ShortBooks, a manuscript arrived on our desk. It was Siân Busby’sfirst book, A Wonderful Little Girl – the true story of Sarah Jacobthe Welsh fasting girl.

We immediately realised we wanted to work with Siânwhose remarkable talent was evident from the start. Like allSiân’s subsequent books, it was received with tremendouspraise: “I couldn’t put it down” wrote the biographer, SelinaHastings.

Siân went on to write four more books for us, Boudicca, achildren’s biography, a terrific recreation of one of the greatwomen in history and a real page turner.

The Cruel Mother is a moving account of hergreat-grandmother, Beth, who suffered from severe post-nataldepression, and the haunting effects it laid down for futuregenerations. The book was awarded the highly presitigiousMIND prize in 2004.

McNaughten and A Commonplace Killing revealed a writeron course to become one of the leading historical novelists ofour generation. Tragically, Siân’s career was cut short last yearand she was denied the chance to see her huge talentrecognised by so many leading critics and readers.

We have lost not only a close friend but also a hugely giftedwriter who had so much more to say.

Rebecca Nicolson

A remarkable talent…

14 LWCLl O’R GANOLFAN/FROM THE CENTRE

Autumn Rugby at the CentreWith Wales suffering a shock defeat in Japan this summer, thisyear’s autumn internationals provide the opportune momentfor the squad to get their Rugby World Cup 2015 plans back ontrack.

With games against South Africa, Argentina and Australia,not to mention a Friday night tussle with Tonga, Novembershould provide games of high physicality and high intensity andall of it can be watched at the Centre.Wales v South Africa – Saturday November 9th 5.30pm Kick-offWales v Argentina – Saturday November 16th 2.30pm Kick-offWales v Tonga – Friday November 22nd 7.30pm Kick-offWales v Australia – Saturday November 30th 5pm Kick-off

Iain Richards, Cultural Development Officer

Harp strikes new chordThe London Welsh Harp, repaired by Mark Jones and strung by AlanHarbour, has recently been tested by two skilled harpists who wereboth very enthusiastic about the instrument. In their judgement,however, it needs a small but crucial amount of further work beforeit could be played in concert.

An exciting development is that a benefactor has suggested ascholarship with a student from a London Music School’s HarpDepartment playing the Harp at one concert at the Centre eachyear. Representatives of The Royal Academy of Music haveexpressed an interest in supporting this and have volunteered tolook after the Harp, for the benefit of a student who would keep it ingood working order.

The Harp’s history has been researched and represents asignificant part in the Centre’s life.

Watch this space.Mitch Palmer

Sign up now for Welsh lessons...Cofrestrwch nawr ar gyfer dosbarthiadau Cymraeg yn yGanolfan o fis Medi! Register now for Welsh classes at LWCfrom September www.londonwelsh.org/learn-welsh Tel:0207 837 3722

Quizmaster sadist, Iain Richards, again set the bar extremely high tochallenge the sixteen teams at the summer quiz in the LWC bar.The winning team for the second consecutive quiz only answered64% of the questions correctly. Success required an encyclopaedicknowledge of Welsh sport, of the capitals of Africa, and an intimateacquaintance with the road fromTredegar to Blackwood.

Frequent past winners, ‘What’sOccurrin’, returned to winningways, with Winter Quiz winners,‘Criw Cylch Siarad’ demoted tosecond place. All members of bothteams are current or previousWelsh learners at the Centre, apartfrom James Dodd who is the mainWelsh tutor.

Congratulations to Ness, Mark, Ian, Matt and Andrew of ‘What’sOccurrin’, and many thanks (I think) to Iain Richards, demonquizmaster, Cultural Development Officer and Chief ExecutiveOfficer of the Blackwood Tourist Office.

Peter Daniels

Winning team ‘What’s Occurin’?’.

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Midsummer madness – as Centre quiz taxes puzzled teams

At the end of May Newcastle defeated Bedford in the RFUChampionship Final, guaranteeing London Welsh’s relegation fromthe Aviva Premiership. Bedford had been the only team amongst the 4Championship semi finalists who, like London Welsh a season earlier,did not ostensibly meet the RFU’s stringent promotion requirements.Success for them could possibly have left the door open for the Welshto retain their Premiership status.

A year earlier, RFU and Premier Rugby Ltd regulations had forcedLondon Welsh themselves to look outside Old Deer Park for a largeenough venue to meet the 10,000 crowd capacity stipulation, and hadresulted in home games being played last season at Oxford’s KassamStadium.

Chairman, Bleddyn Phillips has now confirmed that, despiterelegation to the Championship, the Kassam will continue to be theclub’s venue for home games.

He had spoken earlier of rents at the Kassam being too high, andof the club investigating other Oxford options along with thepossibility of a return to Old Deer Park. Presumably this has all beenrendered irrelevant by a lower rent negotiation with stadium ownerFiroz Kassam.

The tone of Bleddyn Phillips’s announcement implies that LondonWelsh see Oxford as their first team base for the foreseeable future:‘The decision to remain at the Kassam is one the club hopes willreinforce its commitment to bringing top flight rugby to Oxfordshireand help establish London Welsh as a key player and participant in thearea from a sporting and social perspective.’

The club argues that west London is too saturated with rugbyclubs for London Welsh to build a large enough franchise, and thatthey ‘made great strides last season in building a fan base (in theOxford area)’.

Many Old Deer Park supporters would question the latter claim, asthe bulk of the crowds were visiting team supporters, given Oxford’sconvenient location for practically every other Premiership side (withthe exception of Old Deer Park).

Relegation, and the continued negative attitude of the RFUtowards the club, has seen the resignation of long standing benefactor,Kelvin Bryon. And in the last few weeks coach Lyn Jones has departedto Newport Gwent Dragons. The club also announced a ‘contractamnesty’ giving all players freedom to move on if they so wished.

It is still very unclear which players have taken advantage of this,but we have been saddened to see the departure of inspirational clubcaptain, Jon Mills, along with several other players, to Sales Sharks,and Gavin Henson to Bath.

But Bleddyn Phillips has reassured us that there are several newbenefactors in place, which with a RFU parachute payment of £1.4m,has seen the Welsh recruit 12 new players together with a new coach,ex Cardiff Blue Justin Burnell, and the appointment of stalwart GordonRoss as assistant/backs coach. So there is hope that the team will bemore than competitive in next season’s championship.

So what is in it for the loyal ODP supporter? Kassam is a soullessstadium. What will it be like without Premiership size crowds? It isonly accessible by car unless you are lucky enough to live in Richmondand have use of the ODP supporters coach. The club refused toprovide a similar coach from Grays Inn Road. And now the local

Kassam hostelry, the Priory, has been closed and even vandalised. Theatmosphere in the stadium bar might as results improve, but with noreal ale?!

Long standing supporters might accept that economics mustdictate this move to Oxford, but I’m not certain I’ll be making manyjourneys to the Kassam next season. Certain of my friends havealready taken to supporting London Scottish. At least they haven’t, asyet, called the team Oxford Welsh.

Peter Daniels

Major changes after relegation – but Oxford it is again next season

Alex Davies

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CHWARAEON/SPORT LWCLl 15

New Sponsor and Fixture ListGREENE KING IPACHAMPIONSHIP 2013-14 Sept 14 Bedford Blues at Alliance Park, Barnet (Saracens Home Ground)Sept 22 Nottingham A Feb 8 Rotherham HSept 28 Plymouth Albion H Feb 16 Cornish Pirates AOct 5 Rotherham A Mar 1 Ealing Trailfinders AOct 26 Cornish Pirates H Mar 9 Moseley HNov 3 Leeds A Mar 22 Bedford HNov 9 Bristol H Mar 30 London Scottish ANov 16 Ealing Trailfinders H April 12 Jersey HNov 23 Moseley A April 18 Bristol ANov 30 Bedford A April 26 Nottingham HDec 21 London Scottish H May 11 Semi Final 1st legJan 4 Jersey A May 17 Semi Final 2nd legJan 26 Leeds H May 29 Final 1st leg

British & Irish CupVenues and timings to be arranged.Oct 12 H London Welsh v London ScottishOct 19 A Wales 2* v London WelshDec 7 H London Welsh v Edinburgh Acad’calsDec 14 A dinburgh Acad’cals v London WelshJan 11 H London Welsh v Wales 2*Jan 18 A London Scottish v London WelshApr 5 Quarter FinalsMay 3 Semi-FinalsMay 23 Final* Wales 2 will be decided on early season playoffs

Who’s doing what, and whereEvents at the London Welsh Centre24 September Shelter Cymru Art Auction3-5 October London Welsh Literature Festival12 October Gŵyl Halibalw Llundain19 October Under Milk Wood (Bloomsbury Festival)26 October Young Welsh Singer of the Year9 November Wales v South Africa (5.30pm) 9 November Dylan Thomas Society of GB (8pm)16 November Wales v Argentina (2.30pm) 22 November Wales v Tonga (7.30pm)30 November Wales v Australia (5pm)

London Welsh ChoraleMusical Director: Edward-Rhys Harry.8 December Nine Lessons & Carols - the London Welsh

Centre14 December 7.30 pm - Handel’s Messiah - St Sepulchre

without Newgate, Holborn Viaduct12 April 2014 Spring Concert, Côr Bro Ogwr, venue details

to followChoir rehearsals are held from 7.30-9.30 pm every Tuesday at theLondon Welsh Centre, 157, Gray’s Inn Road. All visitors andpotential new members are always welcome. For more information,or if you are interested in joining the choir please see our Website:www.londonwelshchorale.org.uk or e-mail:info@londonwelshchorale.org.uk

The London Welsh Camerata, drawn from the main Choralemembership, is a small group performing regularly at weddings, andspecial occasions of all kinds. For more about the Camerata, contactRhiannon Hughes: Camerata@londonwelshchorale.org.uk

London Welsh Male Voice ChoirMusical Director: Edward-Rhys Harry.Accompanist: Annabel Thwaite.13 September City Temple, Holborn Viaduct.5 October Memorial Hall, Barry.16 November Eton College Hall.7 December Town Hall, Gengenbach, Germany (afternoon).8 December Church, Legelshurst, Germany.Choir rehearsals are held from 7.30 – 9.30 every Thursday eveningat the London Welsh Centre, 157, Gray’s Inn Road. All visitors andpotential new choristers are always welcome.For more information, please see our up-to-date website at:www.londonwelshmvc.org

Gwalia Male ChoirMusical Director – James Hearn Accompanist – Wyn Hyland14 September Wedding, Teddington, London 25 September Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College,

Greenwich 30 November Clapham Junction Welsh Chapel 11 December Carol concert - Central Hall, St. Thomas’s

Hospital Choir rehearsals are held from 7.30pm – 9.30 pm every Wednesdayat the London Welsh Centre, 157, Gray’s Inn Road. All visitors &potential new members always welcome. For more information:www.gwaliamalevoicechoir.org.uk

Honourable Society of CymmrodorionPresident: Prys Morgan, DL MA, DPhil, FSA, FRHistS.Please note that unless indicated otherwise, all lectures aredelivered at: The Medical Society of London, 11 Chandos Street,Cavendish Square, London W1G 9EB, at 6.30pm.6 Awst Dydd Llun am 1.30 yh Ar Faes yr Eisteddfod

Genedlaethol, Dinbych. FRON- GOCH:PRIFYSGOL RHYDDID IWERDDON gan LynEbenezer, llenor a darlledwr. Yr Athro PrysMorgan yn y gadair

24 September Lord Howard de Walden: Wales’ forgottenhero by Professor Hazel Walford Davies,Aberystwyth University, with CeridwenRobertsCouncil Member in the chair. (6.30pm).

22 October The Wye Tour and its Artists by JulianMitchell, with Professor Prys Morgan in the chair(6.30pm)

19 November How Welsh was Mrs Piozzi - issues of beingWelsh in the eighteenth century by DaiMorgan Evans, with Arwyn Lloyd Hughes,Council Member in the chair. (6.30pm).

For details of further meetings or to become a member consult theHonourable Society’s website www.cymmrodorion.org or contactPeter Jeffreys, Hon. Secretary, Cymmrodorion, P O Box 55178,London N12 2AY Phone: 01582 832971 or 07739 179120.

London Branch of the Welsh Family History Societies28 September Conway Davies, Trinity St David’s: The Poor

Law in Wales9 November Pam Buttrey: Booze, Bankruptcy Bastards and a

Baker: researching an 18th century gentry familyin N. Wales

Meetings are held at 2 pm at Borough Welsh CongregationalChapel, 90 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 0EX. Anyone withan interest in Welsh family history is very welcome to join us. Details of meetings can be found on the branch websitewww.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wlslbfhs/ or by contacting theSecretary, Anne Jones, on 0208 925 4000, e-mailannee.jones@ntlworld.com.

London Welsh Rugby Male Voice ChoirMusical Director: Michael Wyn Jones.Accompanist: Anita D’Attellis.2 August Wedding at Ham Polo Club, Ham, Surrey24 August Wedding in Wimbledon25 August Kassam Stadium for London Welsh v Scarlets

Pre-season friendly7 September Wedding in East Moseley, Surrey12 October Concert, Egham, Surrey24/28 October Tour to Holland for Liberation Concert9 November Concert in Guilden Morden, Cambridgeshire4 December Carols at The Landsdowne Club, Mayfair.Choir rehearsals are usually from 11.30 – 4.00 on the first Sunday ofthe month at the Welsh Chapel in Clapham Junction. Potential newchoristers are always welcome.For more information: www.thelondonwelshrugbyclubchoir.orgwww.londonwelsh.org